There are many airlines (ahem, Sun Country) that are not extending vouchers. I know Sun Country isn’t the only one but I’m singling them out because a reader tagged me in a tweet earlier today stating: “Hey @JohnnyJet, what are you hearing about situations like this? Thoughts? https://t.co/iqkmhVQx06
He was tagging me in a friend’s tweet who was rightly complaining: “Just got off the phone with @SunCountryAir. They will not extend any flight credits even though health officials are advising us NOT to travel right now.”
I completely agree with his friend Monique because people are being discouraged from traveling right now and due to border closures, there are a lot of places that won’t even allow travelers in. I wrote back: “It’s a real shame. Just remember not to book with @SunCountryAir when you start traveling again.”
Fortunately, Sun Country replied with some information that I think is important enough to make a travel tip out of and share with you. So here goes …
First, Sun Country replied with: “@MoniqueMay Remember, you only have to book before your credit expiration, not travel. We’re now selling flights through April 2022. cc: @johnnyjet @daviddinkum”
It’s a good thing that Sun Country replied and clarified this point and they’re not the only ones with this policy. Basically, you don’t have to travel by the expiration date, just book something. That’s why it’s important to know the date your travel vouchers expire.
Sun Country also informed me: “There are no fees for changes made to itineraries more than 69 days prior to the travel date.”
FYI: Personally, I set multiple reminders about important dates like this, including using this free email service, and then I’d book something in the future. Many, if not all, airlines have the same policy as Sun Country and some will let you change your dates for free because of COVID-19 if, for instance, you decided to change plans. So be sure to read the fine print and book your tickets in the future.
Good to Know: I’ve flown Sun Country twice and I really enjoyed the experience but that was five years ago before they got new owners, a CEO and went ultra-low cost. They’re based out of Minneapolis and were a local favorite. I’m not so sure anymore and with hardline policies like this, I don’t blame them.
To bad SWA doesn’t follow that model. As much as I like them, their voucher expiration policy is pretty customer unfriendly. At least during this period of time.
I agree with Patrick. I had $400 in SWA vouchers that were expiring February 25, 2021. I went all the way to the executive office and was told they would not extend them because they had already given me an extension. Didn’t matter that both time we were in the midst of the pandemic. They did tell me anyone else could use the vouchers if I didn’t want to travel. My response has been to stop using my SWA rapid rewards credit card.
Mary Jo- why don’t you sell your vouchers on Craig’s list or NextDoor.com then? Some people have essential travel.
I think the airlines are in trouble like many businesses.I have had such incredible service with Southwest air over the years.they have helped me with vouchers before. They did some extensions during Covid.I’m sticking wiht them!!
My Iberia voucher is Book by end of June, travel by end of Sept. Original trip was May 2020. Unfortunately May is only month we three can travel together and I’m spending days in Quarantine (UK) on arrival. Should I book something and just pay change fee to book May 3022?
Should say “I’m not spending days in Quarantine……