Southwest "Request Refund"?

[huskies90]

My flights on Southwest dropped and as always, I re-booked to get the lower fare. I noticed this time I had an option box to either hold funds for future use or "request refund". I don't think I've seen the "request refund" option. It is only $24. I clicked "request refund". I am not sure what happens next. Is this a new thing or something that has always been there? I think the result is the same thing - $24 to be used on a future flight.

 

[vicarrieous]

Was it within the 24 hours booking window?

 

[huskies90]

Was it within the 24 hours booking window?

No these flights were booked months ago

 

[supersnoop]

Were they "wanna get away" fares? Or the higher priced fares? You get actual money back for the higher priced fares, instead of a travel credit. So, it's not new; it only shows up when you are eligible for an actual refund.

 

[iivye]

This happened to me last month when I cancelled a flight. I had booked with miles and the request refund box was there for the $5.60 fee that you have to pay when booking with miles. I clicked on it and noticed the refund posted my credit card account so I actually did receive the money back. I thought it must be new because I rebooked some other flights a couple of months ago that had dropped in price. These flights were paid credit card and I was not given the option to request a refund so the funds can only be used as future travel credits. Both times I had booked Wanna Get Away Fares.

 

[DebbieB]

Were they "wanna get away" fares? You get actual money back for those fares, instead of a travel credit. So, it's not new; it only shows up when you are eligible for an actual refund.

Do you mean OTHER than "wanna get away"? Business Select and Anytime fares are fully refundable.

I agree that the refund is for the taxes if you have "wanna get away".

 

[LisaS]

I'm pretty sure that you could always get a refund for the $5.60 security fee when you cancelled a Wanna Get Away fare if you called Southwest Customer Service. If you didn't request a refund of the security fee then that money became part of the Travel Funds you got from cancelling your flight. It's good to hear there is now an option to request the refund online so you don't have to call.

 

[supersnoop]

Do you mean OTHER than "wanna get away"? Business Select and Anytime fares are fully refundable.

I agree that the refund is for the taxes if you have "wanna get away".

Whoops! Yes, that thought didn't get typed out correctly.