SWA refund versus credit?

[vossjemi]

Its been since 9/05 when I last used SWA. That time around I booked and rebooked on 3 occasions as ticket prices got cheaper. All 3 times, I called some # in Texas you wonderful disboarders gave me to get a refund on my cc. All 3 times I got a refund.

Now, in trying to plan my aug 08 cruise, I'm back here a hunting for tips. I keep seeing threads about credits. Have they stopped the refund option? Are you just limited to credits now? Because if its another 3 years before I use SWA, a credit won't do me any good and I'd better be happy with the rate the first time I book.

 

[disneyfan2]

i think you got it, unless you book at the refundalbe rate, you will only get a credit. So wait until you get a rate that you are happy for if you have no intention of needing a credit.

 

[vossjemi]

Has anyone gotten the refund lately? Or are people just getting the credits only?

 

[bumbershoot]

I was flat-out told NO when I asked for a refund. Unless it is from a refundable fare, they simply would not do it for me.

Now, I could write into some department where they can review it and see if they can make an exception, but eh, we're flying in December and can use it.

But yeah, book with a price you're happy with, if you simply cannot use a credit inside of the year they give you for a credit, b/c you might not get a refund from a nonrefundable fare. And then don't check the fares again.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I was told before if you didn't change your flight dates or times at all you can get it refunded. A coworker just did this in July. Maybe it's changed since then.

Even having a credit is nice too. For our upcoming Sept. trip, we got $49 each way and had a $200 credit so all 4 of us are flying RT for about $283. Sweeeet!

There's a ding going on now and we could return for only $39 but my funds for this flight expire 9/21 and now they charge a fee to extend credits into a Luv voucher so why bother for for $40 in more credits? Never thought I'd see the day I pass on a $39 ding!

 

[sunlover13]

I just got off the phone with Southwest b/c we got a cheaper Ding. I had to cancel my original booking and rebook using the credit. I told her I wanted the balance to go back on my credit card. She said AFTER my return flight, I should mail in a copy of both confirmation codes / travel itineraries with a letter stating I'd like the refund to go back on my credit card instead of the the travel fund. Include my name, address, and phone number on the letter along with the copies of both itineraries. Mail this request to:

Southwest Airlines Refund Dept.
P.O. Box 36649
Dallas, TX 75235-1649

Hope this helps! You would think they would let you do this on-line, but this is what she told me.

 

[crazywig]

in the past i've been told to call after i fly as well and have been successful in getting the tt funds back on the cc.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I just got off the phone with Southwest b/c we got a cheaper Ding. I had to cancel my original booking and rebook using the credit. I told her I wanted the balance to go back on my credit card. She said AFTER my return flight, I should mail in a copy of both confirmation codes / travel itineraries with a letter stating I'd like the refund to go back on my credit card instead of the the travel fund. Include my name, address, and phone number on the letter along with the copies of both itineraries. Mail this request to:

Southwest Airlines Refund Dept.
P.O. Box 36649
Dallas, TX 75235-1649

Hope this helps! You would think they would let you do this on-line, but this is what she told me.

You really should call the refund dept. directly and they are only available Mon-Fri 8-5 ct.
1-214-792-4223
hopefully you'll get a better answer!

 

[vossjemi]

Thanks for all the info. I'll try to book with a price I'm happy with first of all. Then, if there is a significant enough deal, I'll try calling direct to see if I can get a refund. If not, I'll try the mail thing. If I just end up with credit,...maybe I can convince dh on another trip? Ha ha. Sunlover, let me know if you get your refund. Thanks.

 

[NotUrsula]

Unless you bought a refundable fare, eligibility for a refund is normally limited to situations where EVERYTHING about the fare but the price itself is the same, including the bucket, which means, for example, that you can get a refund if your original fare was a Ding! and your new one is also, but not if your new fare is a Ding! but your old fare was an Internet Special.

 

[vossjemi]

I wonder if they were just more lenient back in 05. Nothing was the same between my 3 changes...first trip out of st. louis to mco. 2nd one was an internet special out of kansas city to mco. third one was a ding. Order may be mixed up, but I did have different rates/methods each time. Maybe I just got lucky when they refunded me or they've gotten tighter on the rules now.