Southwest Travel Funds?

[rcs]

Hello everyone!

I'm hoping one of you SWA gurus might be able to suggest something creative to help here...

For Christmas, I purchased R/T tickets to Orlando for wife, kids/spouses, and grand-kids for a DVC Vero family get-together. Since then, one of the spouses is no longer part of the family and will not be going. Despite using the Wanna-get-away fare, his ticket was still $580.

Two questions:

- Is there any way for me to cancel his wanna-get-away fare ticket and be able to use the travel funds later for me or someone else?

- If not, is there a way I can use the ticket to at least get an empty seat next to me on the flights?

Thank you!

 

[FCDub]

Only the person whose name is on the ticket can use the travel funds. Not sure about question two.

 

[caliope]

As far as I've ever heard/seen with many travels on SWA:

If you cancel his ticket, there will be a credit in his name and only he can use that credit. It doesn't take into account who paid for it. He will have a year from booking to book another flight.

If you don't cancel, then his ticket is just a "no show" but that won't guarantee an open seat next to you, because of how SWA does boarding. It just means there will be an open seat somewhere on board...assuming the flight isn't oversold or standbys don't get it.

Perhaps a SWA customer service rep could suggest other options?

 

[Euby]

I would contact Southwest and ask them

 

[Bullseye]

As far as I've ever heard/seen with many travels on SWA:

If you cancel his ticket, there will be a credit in his name and only he can use that credit. It doesn't take into account who paid for it. He will have a year from booking to book another flight.

If you don't cancel, then his ticket is just a "no show" but that won't guarantee an open seat next to you, because of how SWA does boarding. It just means there will be an open seat somewhere on board...assuming the flight isn't oversold or standbys don't get it.

Perhaps a SWA customer service rep could suggest other options?

This is correct on all points. The only way to get any value back would be if ex-family member paid you back directly. Since Southwest does not assign seats there's no guarantee of an open seat next to you...ever.

 

[richmo]

I think no on both counts.

As everyone else has mentioned, any credit (travel funds) can only be used by the passenger assigned to the ticket.

Since the ticket is assigned to someone else, you could not check that ticket in, since you wouldn't have valid ID. Therefore, that ticket isn't flying, so you would not have any right to keep a seat clear. If it was an airline that did have assigned seats, you might get lucky if there wasn't anyone on standby.

As the PP mentioned, the only way you could be reimbursed would be if that ex-family member agreed to pay you and use the credit for some other flight.

 

[rcs]

Thank you all for your replies. As all of you stated and as I feared, despite me being the purchaser, those travel funds are in his name only. However...

I figured I have nothing to lose, so per Euby's and Caliope's suggestion, I called SWA customer service to beg. And, to my pleasant surprise, the agent said, if the reservation is cancelled before the flight (so it's not forfeited) and the funds are not used within the 12 month period from original purchase, I may call and ask to be transferred to "Funds Management". If I have the traveler's name, credit card used, and record locator, they will issue me a "Luv Voucher" for the unused funds less a $100 fee. That voucher can then be used by anyone. That's great news.

I love SWA and many many thanks to Euby and Caliope for the suggestion to call... for some reason calling them didn't occur to me. I guess the hindsight 20/20 thing...

 

[supersnoop]

You might also check to see if the credit card you used to purchase the tickets offers any sort of travel insurance.

 

[georgina]

I figured I have nothing to lose, so per Euby's and Caliope's suggestion, I called SWA customer service to beg. And, to my pleasant surprise, the agent said, if the reservation is cancelled before the flight (so it's not forfeited) and the funds are not used within the 12 month period from original purchase, I may call and ask to be transferred to "Funds Management". If I have the traveler's name, credit card used, and record locator, they will issue me a "Luv Voucher" for the unused funds less a $100 fee. That voucher can then be used by anyone. That's great news.

I have done this. However, I think the voucher was only good for 6 months, so be smart about when you request it. There is a certain length of time after the travel credit expires (and I do not remember how long it is) that you can wait to request the voucher.

 

[Vijoge]

I have done this. However, I think the voucher was only good for 6 months, so be smart about when you request it. There is a certain length of time after the travel credit expires (and I do not remember how long it is) that you can wait to request the voucher.

You have six months from the date the credit funds expire to request a voucher and then six months from the date the voucher is issued to use it.

 

[rcs]

Thank you everybody for the information!