To Book or Not to Book

[JanaD]

I have a credit on Southwest for $150 that will expire on April 30, 2014. They are not opening the booking window for November until May 19. My trip is planned for Nov. 1-9. Would you book a one-way in late October just to hold (and not lose) the funds and change it when fares open up on May 19? I know it is not worth paying $100 to extend the expiration date. Thanks for your input!

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

I may be completely wrong on this, but I thought Southwest credits had to be used for travel by the expiration date, not just booked. Are you sure you can book now for something in the fall?

 

[bumbershoot]

I may be completely wrong on this, but I thought Southwest credits had to be used for travel by the expiration date, not just booked. Are you sure you can book now for something in the fall?

You are correct. The credit has to be USED by the expiration date. If the OP is going to use this credit, she's going to be paying to extend it (which can only be done after it expires, last I read).


When getting credit for a fare reduction, it is always important to think about IF that reduction is going to be usable for you! If you will have no plans to use it up, there's really no point in even checking to see if the fare has been reduced. Why torture yourself?

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I may be completely wrong on this, but I thought Southwest credits had to be used for travel by the expiration date, not just booked. Are you sure you can book now for something in the fall?

This is true and they mean it right down to the date. I had credits a few years ago that were due to expire May 12. Our return flight was on May 13. We had to book as separate one way reservations and put all the credits on our departing flight.

I agree with pp about whether credits are worth chasing. Rebooking at a lower fare also lowers the amount of points earned for flying. So if you rebook at a lower fare, earn fewer points, then become unable to use the credit, you might as well stay at the higher fare and earn more points.

We used to always burn up credits but now with kids in HS, it's harder to take a short getaway. I still look for lower fares but only when booked with points. Rebooking at a lower point fare results in points being returned to RR acct so that's always worth pursuing.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

This is a good example of why it is so important to read and understand fare rules! OP, maybe you can use your travel funds to buy a ticket for a friend or family member who can travel this month.

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm just so bummed for the OP. I ended up losing some SW credits a few years back, and it just hurt.

Ach, the transportation forum. IMO answers should be clear and straight-forward so that mistakes can be prevented or fixed quickly if at all possible...but just because I answered like that doesn't mean I don't care. Big-time empathy here.

 

[donkeyandshrek]

Call customer service and ask them if you can buy points or something. Don't just lose the money! Even though the policy says one thing, a good customer service rep can make wonderful things happen!