Southwest charging to extend voucher? About This Page:

[Shadowfax]

Hey all,
I recently changed my reservation with Southwest to take advantage of lower fares. My voucher expires on 6/15/11 and we are not flying again until 6/28/11. I emailed Southwest and asked for an extension but they said that they would charge $50.00 per ticket for the extension and this would eat up my voucher. Has anyone else ever been charged for the extension? Can you give me any tips on how to get the extension without being charged for it?
Thanks!

[HeatherD]

We had some expired vouchers, but it was still a massive money-saver for us to activate them. However, these were for full trip fares, not monetary amounts that may not exceed the voucher. Instead of using them for that trip, perhaps you'll have something come up in the next year or you have friends that can "buy" the voucher from you (either at full price, just to help you out, or at a discount so you get some money back, but they still get something)?

While it's hard to see it potentially go to waste, remember that SWA is the only airline that even gives you the potential to save money on reduced fare after purchase. So, if it does expire, just consider it part of your original price (since if you'd purchased with another company, the money wouldn't have been "given back" in the first place).

[DrDolphin]

Southwest has been charging that fee for about 3 years now. Doubt they will waive the fee. Sorry.

[blondie]

$50.00 is nothing, IMO, when you consider what other airlines charge to change a ticket.

[Princess_Wantabe]

I have a credit with SWA right now also, did the same thing you did by lowering my airfare. I'm not suprised to hear they charge a fee for the extension and I highly doubt if I can use my credit before it expires even with a 6month extension. In the end if they credit goes to waste I'll just look at it as part of the original airfare cost...which was better than other airlines when I booked

It almost makes me NOT want to keep checking SWA for lower fares, because chances are I won't use the credit...but I just can't help myself

[ArielsMomto2]

I actually didn't know they charged a fee for an extension. I've been able to use mine in the past so this is good information to know. Thanks for posting it.

[Colexis Mom]

I guess I'm not surprised now that they are charging.

[wayneava81]

Southwest has been charging this fee for awhile now! I had an expired voucher in 09 and they take the $50 from the credit and mail the voucher with the remaining amount! Theres no way to get around the fee!

[disneydani]

If you have any other close friends or family who plan to fly SW before the expiration date, they could essentially "buy" the credits from you....credits are completely transferable and can be combined. Not as good as getting an extension but at least the $$$ won't be lost.

danielle

[ANGSWIN]

If you are going to lose it anyway, I would just give it as a gift to someone. SWA is one of the few that will let transfer credits to someone else. I wouldn't let them go to waste.

If you don't want to do that, why don't you take a nice weekend getaway somewhere. Then you are not wasting your credit and having a little fun in the meantime.