SWA- Please help me understand...

[Ness2289]

If I have reserved SW funds that expire on Apr. 20, 2011 and I use them to book my April 2011 flight in October- If lower rates come out again and I am able to reserve funds, will the same expiration date be in effect even though I've booked new flights which include a payment of the difference?? Will using the reserved funds stop me from having more to use for a trip next summer if fares were to decrease? I hope this makes sense to someone...

 

[vicki_c]

AFAIK, the rule is that they expire 1 year from the date you originally booked. I'm guessing that date does not change once you use that credit to re-book something else - I don't think you get a new expiration date one year after you booked the re-booked flight.

I don't know that for sure though, since I've never done that.

 

[Disney5Mom]

Yes. You always have to use the funds based on one year from the origional purchase date. We have cashed in tickets several times ( when discounts came out) and been able to rebook the same flights and have enough funds left for another trip,Good Luck!

 

[Ness2289]

I understand that the money I currently have for my credit must be used by April of next year. So, if I purchase another ticket with that credit for, let's say, $99 in October- If I found a lower fare for $20 less, that $20 would then go towards the new one year date from booking since I've technically used the $66, right? In other words, the April expiration only ties up $66 of the price of the ticket.

 

[vicki_c]

I understand that the money I currently have for my credit must be used by April of next year. So, if I purchase another ticket with that credit for, let's say, $99 in October- If I found a lower fare for $20 less, that $20 would then go towards the new one year date from booking since I've technically used the $66, right? In other words, the April expiration only ties up $66 of the price of the ticket.

I think you should call and ask them! I'm just not sure that your rationale is what they actually do.

 

[Lewisc]

Unless something has recently changed cominglinging funds results in the earliest expiration date being applied to your entire credit. The April expiration date would apply to your entire credit. Passengers might consider not using a small credit that's about to expire unless they're sure they'll be taking the trip. It might be worth losing a $5 credit rather then have $120 TTF expire a few weeks after a flight you cancel.

 

[kimpossible]

Unless something has recently changed cominglinging funds results in the earliest expiration date being applied to your entire credit. The April expiration date would apply to your entire credit.

That's what I have always found.

 

[Ness2289]

Okay. I'll call. Thanks for your responses. I have to use the current funds for the flight to MCO because they will expire while I'm on the cruise. I would just hate to book and then get a savings on that flight and STILL only have until that flight to use it. I may as well just not worry about any savings for that leg of the trip then regardless of how the prices drop. The return leg will have the later expiration. Thanks again!

 

[Lewisc]

I just checked on flytertalk. Doesn't look like the policy changed. No reason to call. If you have more then one credit, use all your credits to pay for one ticket. Credits for all but one ticket will have a new expiration date. You can still get credits if the fare goes down. You'll just have to take an extra trip before your April 2011 cruise.

 

[a1tinkfans]

If I have reserved SW funds that expire on Apr. 20, 2011 and I use them to book my April 2011 flight in October- If lower rates come out again and I am able to reserve funds, will the same expiration date be in effect even though I've booked new flights which include a payment of the difference?? Will using the reserved funds stop me from having more to use for a trip next summer if fares were to decrease? I hope this makes sense to someone...

They will expire the year from Original purchase AND any other remaining ALSO goes to that date. SO, be sure you are gonna use those tickets otherwise you are "losing" even more . Hope that made sense!

 

[bumbershoot]

I would just hate to book and then get a savings on that flight and STILL only have until that flight to use it. I may as well just not worry about any savings for that leg of the trip then regardless of how the prices drop.

Absolutely. If you can't use the credit, just don't look again. Feels better than having funds expire.