The Latest U.S. Airline Rebooking Rules For Travel Vouchers And Credits

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Last Updated 3 years ago

From bad weather conditions to travel delays due to health issues, flight cancelations are inevitable any time of year. But if passengers have a last-minute canceled flight, it’s typical for airlines to issue credits to redeem for future travel.

Most recently, some international airlines canceled flights bound for certain U.S. destinations due to the 5G rollout, citing interruptions. 

Whether the credits are given in paper or digital form, they are handy to keep and use them the time to travel is right again. And to keep travel going in the new year, lots of major U.S. airlines extended their policy for 2022.

Here are the updated rebooking policies for American Airlines, United, Delta and Alaska Airlines in case have to change or cancel your flight.

American Airlines Rebooking Policy 2022

American Airlines issues future travel credits in the form of Trip Credits, Flight Credits and Travel Vouchers. As per the airline’s policy in 2022, all future travel credits are valid until one year after the date of issue. 

Please note that all Flight Credits issued for flights that were canceled voluntarily by passengers during the airline’s Covid-19 flexible period can be used for future travel until March 31, 2022.

All Travel Vouchers that have expiration dates between January 1, 2021 and May 31, 2021 are currently extended until March 31, 2022.

Travel credit holders will be able to redeem them by calling American Airlines Reservations or online at aa.com.

Rebooking Policy: Delta Air Lines Update

Delta Air Lines extended the validity of its eCredit policy earlier this month for all existing credit holders through 2023. 

Under the updated policy, all travelers with existing Delta Air Lines eCredits will be able to use them to book future trips with the airline. All bookings must be made by December 31, 2023 for travel now until the end of 2024. 

How To Find Your Delta Air Lines eCredit

If passengers can a SkyMiles account when they canceled their flight booking, they can access their eCredits by logging in and accessing their profiles on Delta. 

You can also search for your eCredit to redeem for travel by entering the number of the credit card you used to book the trip or the 13-digit ticket number that was issued to you for your original flight. 

United Airlines Future Flight Credit Policy: 2022 Update For Travelers

According to United’s 2022 policy, most flight credits can be used for future travel within 12 months of the originally issued ticket. All future flight credits that were issued on or before December 31, 2021 are valid until December 31, 2022.

With United, all future flight credits are given to passengers who cancel their flight or change to a less expensive flight. 

What Can Flight Credits Be Used For On United?

Flight credits can be applied for flight travel as well as non-ticket items such as upgraded seating on Economy Plus, seat assignments on Basic Economy as well as preferred seating upon ticket booking. 

Alaska Airlines Updated eCredit Policy For 2022

All future travel certificates (also known as ecredits) issued by Alaska Airlines are currently valid for up to 12 months from the original ticket’s issued date or 30 days from the exchange or cancelation date, whichever one is greater. Alaska Airlines travel credits are issued when a passenger changes or cancels a non-refundable ticket.

Passengers can find their credits by email. The credit contains a certificate code and a PIN number, which need to be given when you redeem your credit for future travel on the airline. 

You can redeem your ecredits through the Alaska Airlines main website. Credits can’t be redeemed for travel booked through the mobile site or app. 

Southwest Airlines Travel Funds Policy For Unused Flights

Southwest’s flight credit system is called “travel funds”. This is where passengers can use their credits from canceled flights to book future travel on Southwest.

According to the airline’s 2022 policy, your travel funds expire exactly 12 months after you booked the original ticket with your credit card or gift card. If the original ticket was booked using a Southwest LUV Voucher, then the travel fund will take on the expiration date of the voucher. The same rule for the voucher applies if you book a flight using your travel funds.

You can check your travel funds balance by logging into your Southwest online account, or entering your six-digit confirmation number from your original flight booking on their website. 

Read More:

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19

WHO Urges Countries To Relax Entry Rules For Travelers

What To Do If Your Flight Is Delayed Or Canceled

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