The government requires airlines to eliminate expiration dates on airline tickets. Here’s how to get yours … [+]
Here’s some good news for anyone with an airline ticket credit: The government wants to eliminate expiration dates on flight credits — under certain circumstances. And at least one airline has already done so.
The Department of Transportation this week announced a regulation that would make ticket credits valid “indefinitely.” But the proposed regulation would only apply to flights canceled for pandemic-related reasons, such as government-mandated travel bans, closed borders or passengers being advised not to travel to protect their health or the health of passengers. others.
Southwest Airlines went even further. Days before the announcement, she said her ticket credits would never expire, regardless of the reason for the cancellation.
But until all ticket credits last indefinitely — and for passengers, that day can’t come soon enough — how can you make the most of your expiring ticket credits and coupons?
Rules vary among air carriers, experts say.
“Each airline has different guidelines for flight credits,” says Ana Gloria Garcia, a senior airline manager for Embark Beyond. “Generally, when an airline issues a credit to the passenger, you have up to one year to use the credit, starting from the date the ticket was issued.”
I have details in my complete guide to using your flight credit. But in light of recent developments, how do you know if your loans are about to expire? What should you do in that case? And what are some of the strategies you can use to extend the validity of their ticket credits?
It turns out there’s a lot more to using a ticket credit than just booking a new flight.
Keep a close eye on your ticket credits
Since most ticket credits expire—some within three months—you’ll need to track them down. “Make sure you know how many ticket credits you have and where they come from,” advises Matt James, publisher of travel site Visitingly.com. “Check the expiration date on flight credits. Some airlines require that you use flight credits within a certain period of time.” Also, he recommends using ticket credits as soon as possible. “The sooner you use them, the less likely you are to lose them,” he says.
Ask for a ticket credit extension – and you will get it
“One of the best ways to extend a flight credit is to simply ask,” says Narendra Khatri, director of Insubuy, a travel insurance company. He says this is one case where calling the airline is a good idea. “You’ll probably be more successful in getting a definitive answer by calling the airline directly than via email or Twitter, but try to call during off hours to reduce the wait time a bit.” If you call, be sure to record the conversation or receive a confirmation email confirming the extended expiration date before hanging up.
Be flexible when using ticket credits
Book a flexible fare — not a “basic” economy class ticket — so you can cancel if needed and get a new flight credit. “Then repeat the process and purchase another ticket within the flight credit validity period,” says Vibha Dhawan, a travel advisor with OvationNetwork. “You can repeat this process until you’re ready to use the credit to fly somewhere.”
Pro tip: Some airlines were more generous at the start of the pandemic with expiration dates. So make sure they don’t reset your new expiry to an earlier date.
Book a ticket that you will never use
Many airlines automatically extended their ticket credits during the pandemic. For example, Delta Air Lines flight vouchers originally set to expire in 2022 will now expire in December 2023. You can extend any JetBlue flight through September 30 by applying for an extension through its website. But if you need more time, book a ticket you’ll never use, says personal finance podcaster Julia Menez. Aim for a busy time like Labor Day or Thanksgiving. “That way, if your flight time changes, it’s considered an involuntary rescheduling,” she says. You will receive a full refund.
Use your ticket credit to improve your travel experience
If you can’t book a flight, try using your ticket credits for an upgrade, says Sara Raudenbush, a business consultant and frequent flyer. “Often when traveling within the US, first class isn’t even worth paying for — even on long-haul flights,” she says. “But for transatlantic flights where you can get flights on partner airlines, first or business class accommodations are nicer than what we usually see even with flat beds.” Sometimes it is possible to use ticket credits to pay for an upgrade. But upgrades aren’t usually available until weeks before launch, so timing is of the essence.
Negotiate a credit ticket
Airlines know it’s only a matter of time before all ticket credits never expire. They are trying to keep the last dollar out of a scheme that has been going on for a long time. This is something to remember when negotiating. And sometimes, you have no choice but to negotiate.
Ryan Dame’s ticket credits from 2019 had long since expired when he asked his airline if he could revive the $630 credit. “It was a long shot,” says Dame, co-owner of Casago, a vacation rental company. “I emailed them with the details about the cancellation and how we were uncomfortable flying during Covid. They emailed back within two days and confirmed that we would be allowed to use the unused $630 credit. It was a not typical and very positive airline experience.”
Your ticket credit expiration date is just a number
Some airlines have admitted that coupons should not – and will not – expire. Consider what happened to Barbara Glavish, a retired occupational therapist from Incline Village, Nev. She was scheduled to fly to Sydney in 2020. “Air New Zealand gave me a loan that would expire in June 2021,” she recalls. “Then they extended it until June 2022.” She asked for another extension, and when she didn’t hear back, she contacted an executive at Air New Zealand. “I got a quick and friendly response extending my loan until June 2023 and suggesting I contact them again if I need an even later date, and they’ll try to oblige,” she says. “I can’t ask for more than that.”
Even if you have all these insider tips for using and extending an airline ticket credit, it’s still possible for one of your coupons to expire. My last piece of advice is this: Don’t let them go. The airline industry received $81 billion in government relief money during the pandemic. Even though there is a policy that your money expires, that does not make it right.
But you have to fight for your ticket credit. This may mean appealing your case to an executive, as Glavish did. Or you may need to complain to the Department of Transport.
But the bottom line is that it’s your money. Your airline has no business maintaining it.
