Southwest credit after the expiration date

[frankiemom]

I had to cancel my Disney trip for July today because I am going in for foot surgery on June 12 and recuperation time will be 2-4 months. I called Southwest to ask then what could be done since my airfare credit would expire on April 13 and unfortunately we would not be able to fly to Disney till next summer because my daughter's school does not allow us to take her out for vacations. They said that they can't do anything till after the credit expires and to call back to customer relations then and tell them my situation and they would be able to issue a voucher but a change fee would be charged. She was unable to tell me how much the fee would be because it is determined on a case by case basis. Has anyone had this experience? How much would I be charged? How long would they extend the credit? Thanks!

 

[Disnydad]

On the Southwest website it says the charge will be $100 per voucher.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

For $100 they will extend it for 6 months.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I just did this a couple months ago. You have until 6 mos after your funds expire to call for the extension. The extension is valid for 6 mos from the day you call to make the extension.

In my case:
Funds expired: 11/20/12
Deadline to call for extension: 5/20/13
Called for extension: 2/13/13
Extension of funds expire: 8/13/13

Back then it was $75/ticket (person) despite being one reservation. I guess it's gone up.

 

[Jestocost]

On the Southwest website it says the charge will be $100 per voucher.

That's the fee today and it recently increased. The reason they can't tell someone today what the cost might be in the future is that it could change between now and then. No reason to think it will increase but no reason to think it won't either.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I guess they had to find some way to gouge their customers if they're not going to charge for luggage. I realize that other airlines don't offer close to these accomodations for extending credits so I'm grateful but still is annoying since it doesn't really cost them that much to do it. I think $50pp is reasonable.

 

[maxiesmom]

I guess they had to find some way to gouge their customers if they're not going to charge for luggage. I realize that other airlines don't offer close to these accomodations for extending credits so I'm grateful but still is annoying since it doesn't really cost them that much to do it. I think $50pp is reasonable.

They offer a service above and beyond what other airlines offer. I don't see how that is gouging at all. If you don't like their terms, don't fly Southwest. Or make sure you use your credit in the time frame in which it is valid. Letting you have a credit, and then going even farther than that and letting you extend the use of it, even for a cost, is very accommodating.

 

[sam_gordon]

They offer a service above and beyond what other airlines offer. I don't see how that is gouging at all. If you don't like their terms, don't fly Southwest. Or make sure you use your credit in the time frame in which it is valid. Letting you have a credit, and then going even farther than that and letting you extend the use of it, even for a cost, is very accommodating.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I guess they had to find some way to gouge their customers if they're not going to charge for luggage. I realize that other airlines don't offer close to these accomodations for extending credits so I'm grateful but still is annoying since it doesn't really cost them that much to do it. I think $50pp is reasonable.

"Gouge" is inappropriate.
When the passenger (a) purchases a non-refundable fare; and (b) is generously given a credit in part or full by the airline with no penalty whatsoever but with an expiration date; and (c) can't use the credit by its expiration - no, the airline is going out of its way to allow the passenger to benefit in some way.

Virtually every other domestic airline would charge a $100 change/cancellation fee up front on a non-refundable fare. Southwest maintains the credit in the passenger's account for a year from the purchase date. Then they maintain it another six months in case the passenger wants to extend it. Then they maintain it until the actual flights are completed.

Passengers have the option to pay the fully refundable, higher fares any airline charges. Then credits and extensions wouldn't be an issue.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Yes, we fly SWA often. We are long-time RR members & have their cc. If you re-read my post I did say they go beyond what other airlines do.
So maybe gouging is a bit extreme but I don't come to the Transportation boards often. Each time I do, this fee to extend keeps going up & up in a short time.
Sorry, I thought I was free to express my opinion here.

 

[kalliyan1]

It is $100/ticket. I as well just did this. The good news is, when you get the voucher, anyone can use it vs. when you cancel a ticket and it goes into travel funds(prior to expiration) only the ticketed passenger can use those funds.

I thought is was high as well but as a previous poster posted, SWA, IMO, goes above and beyond in many other circumstances(free baggage, free tix, changes, etc), I wasn't too upset

 

[sam_gordon]

Yes, we fly SWA often. We are long-time RR members & have their cc. If you re-read my post I did say they go beyond what other airlines do.
So maybe gouging is a bit extreme but I don't come to the Transportation boards often. Each time I do, this fee to extend keeps going up & up in a short time.
Sorry, I thought I was free to express my opinion here.

Of course you're free to express your opinion. But we're also free to express our opinions, even if they're about your opinion.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Of course you're free to express your opinion. But we're also free to express our opinions, even if they're about your opinion.

Yup. My opinion is that calling Southwest's administrative fee for extending the funds from a non-refundable fare "gouging" is inappropriate. That fee doesn't kick in until one full year after the original purchase date. Within the year - and unlike any other airline - there's no fee.

That's overly generous, not gouging.