SW? What are the odds of get $$$ back or credit

[ctnurse]

Just rebooked my tics for Sept and have a credit of $306. I rebooked the same flights both ways. I know that a lot of you are SW experts. Help. Is there anything special I should tell CS when I call them in the morning. I would rather have the credit card refunded but will take the credit. Any tips.
Thanks

 

[ro80]

Hi - Southwest will definitely not credit your credit card. They will issue you a credit for the difference in fares which you have 12 months to use up. Just gives you another reason to go on another trip!!!!

 

[pooch]

you will find many poster here who have had credits returned to their CC's instead of against future travel. I called SWA at 214-792-4223 and asked nicely. I was told they would credit my CC after my travel was completed but many here have suggested calling back & asking for an immediate credit. It IS possible. My flight is now less than half what I originally booked!! I will be calling again tomorrow, can't hurt to ask NICELY!!!

 

[hightown]

Just did this yesterday!

Originally booked at 99each way for two. Price went down on the return leg and I changed ticket (same flight). Called and their CSR said after the flight call and they would refund the credit to the card. I had used previous credit from another flight and it was to expire 7/06.

Then found a reduction on the departing flight and changed that.

Yesterday after coming back Monday, called their Customer Service Center and the CSR said that they would have to issue voucher or I'd have to book and complete another trip and only after that could I call and get the credit refunded to charge card. Advised him that I had called after the first change and lady said after this trip completed I could get the refund. He then backpedaled and said 'oh I see that the change was for same flights and they are completed. Then I can refund your card now'.

I honestly think he was trying to avoid issuing the credit to my card but as I had talked to someone previously and knew their rules, he had to do it. That was my impression anyway.

So to the OP, if you just changed your ticket for new price, same original flights, you should be able to call after the trip completes and get the credit refunded to your charge card.

 

[emmabelle]

My original flights for August were $1040, how stupid was I to buy them for that! Well now I have rebooked, changed days and airports, but got tickets into Tampa for $430. I now have a credit for $610 which would be fine, but unfortunately I booked the $1040 tickets with a credit I had for $290 that was going to expire in November 2006. Now the whole $610 credit is going to expire in November 2006, how aggrevating! I'll never be able to book another vacation and fly before November, so I have a feeling I'm going to be eating the $615, I could just cry!

 

[LIGrumpyGirl]

I just called and asked for a refund. Got it with no explanation necessary. I was already to explain WHY I couldn't fly before my date (pregnancy) but she didn't need it. I will let you know when it goes on my statement.

 

[NotUrsula]

Emmabelle, if you know anyone planning a summer vacation who might be flying SWA, you could use your credits to buy their tickets and have them pay you instead.

Also, SWA will sometimes extend the expiration date on a credit if you ask politely. It can't hurt to call up and ask.

 

[pooch]

called yesterday and was told "after the flight is completed" That was ok but thought I'd call again to see if they'd credit right away. Well this time the CS said NO Credit - future flight only!!! I must admit, he didn't sound too knowlegeable. Called back twice & got him again both times!!! What are the chances? Think I'll just wait a few days & call back again. Send me some pixie dust!!!

 

[emmabelle]

Emmabelle, if you know anyone planning a summer vacation who might be flying SWA, you could use your credits to buy their tickets and have them pay you instead.

Also, SWA will sometimes extend the expiration date on a credit if you ask politely. It can't hurt to call up and ask.

I wish I could figure out someone to use the credit, I've been trying!

The woman I talked to about it the other day wasn't helpful at all, maybe I should try again.

 

[MEM]

Well I DID call and ask nicely and the snippy CM proceeded to "remind" me that I had purchased a non-refundable fare and could only get the amount credited to my SW account.

 

[emmabelle]

I just wish I could get them to extend the expiration of my credit. I'm going to try and call again. Wish me luck.

 

[cepmom]

I had my credit refunded the other day. It was only for $56 but I got it refunded none the less. What I did was instead of cancel and rebooking the lower fare, I went to Travel Center and clicked "change reservation" where it let me choose a new flight. The "new" flight was still the same flight, same day, same time ~ only the price was different. It gave me a SW credit at first. Then I called the 214 number and asked to have it refunded and the rep said "since you didn't change anything on the itinerary, it's not a problem". It did take about 10 days or so, but it has already posted to my cc.

If you cancel and then rebook, they will not refund the difference

I did cancel and rebook after I got the refund in order to take advantage of a Ding fare...that I did not get refunded. I got a SW credit that DH is using for a business trip.

For those of you that have not had the same luck, I suggest trying back again and getting a different rep.

 

[emmabelle]

I called SWA and they allow a one time extension for six months which is fine with me, my credits are supposed to expire on November 24th, so the rep told me to just wait until right before the expiration, then call and they will extend it. I'm happy with that. Glad I called, thanks Dis friends!

 

[riu girl]

The six month extension, is that simply extending the ticketless travel funds (credit) for an additional six months, or do you now have a voucher to use?

A six month extension on the ticketless travel funds (credit) would be ideal.

 

[April]

It is my understanding that if you receive a 6 month extension, you receive a voucher. You can use the voucher to purchase other tickets but the voucher can only be used at the airport ticket counter and are not discounted. If you book a trip within the 6 month extension, you can book online but you have to pay/charge the tickets. When your flight is completed send SW the voucher and proof of travel, then they will credit your charge card with the funds from the voucher.

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

I just posted a new string to let people know that if at first you don't succeed, try, try again. After modifying reservation, called cs and told I'd only get credits for future trip because the tickets I bought were at non-refundable fare level.

After trip, called again and a different cs said "No problem" and a week later, my $340 was credited to cc. Last year, I lost credits when the same thing happened and I didn't have the knowledge to call again after flights -- Lesson learned: Don't take one cs's response as the law!

Note, in my case, the dates and times and flight numbers didn't change -- just the internet fare changed (down to $59 pp each way).

Good luck! Sending you some pixie dust!

 

[emmabelle]

It is my understanding that if you receive a 6 month extension, you receive a voucher. You can use the voucher to purchase other tickets but the voucher can only be used at the airport ticket counter and are not discounted. If you book a trip within the 6 month extension, you can book online but you have to pay/charge the tickets. When your flight is completed send SW the voucher and proof of travel, then they will credit your charge card with the funds from the voucher.

That's more complicated than I hoped it would be. I was hoping that when I called to extend the funds that the expiration date on the travel funds would change from November 24 to May 24. Customer relations didn't mention the whole voucher thing which would have been nice on their part.

 

[ctnurse]

Just to update I called CS and spoke with a nice rep and he refunded my card. Im so happy.

 

[Hi Ho To Disney We Go]

Emmabelle,

What they will generally do tell you to book a flight for a period of up to sixmonths after your funds expire. Then after you fly they will then refund the cost of your ticket and use the funds that are in your account; liz