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These are the airlines giving customers more time to use travel vouchers

April 30, 2022
•
3 min read
United Airlines Airbus A320 at SFO
These are the airlines giving customers more time to use travel vouchers
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Although the darkest days of the coronavirus pandemic are hopefully behind us, some airlines have continued to extend unused travel vouchers through 2023. But this doesn't span the entire industry, with some opting to keep 2022 expiration dates on some unused airline certificates.

So of eight major U.S. airlines, which airlines give customers the most flexibility in using their travel vouchers? Let's take a look.

United Express E175 at RDM
(Photo by Kyle Olsen/The Points Guy)
Current voucher expiration policyCurrent expiration policy is more lenient than the standard expiration policy
Alaska Airlines
Certificates are valid for 12 months from the issue date of your original ticket or 30 days from the date of exchange or cancellation, whichever is greater.
American Airlines
Vouchers are valid for one year from the date issued.
Delta Air Lines
All tickets expiring in 2022 will now expire on Dec. 31, 2023.
✓
Frontier Airlines
Vouchers are valid for 90 days from the date of issuance, and extensions are not offered.
JetBlue
Travel Bank credits issued for flight purchases with an original expiration date between Feb. 1, 2020, through Sept. 29, 2022, may be extended to Sep. 30, 2022.

You can apply for an extension here.

✓
Southwest Airlines
All travel using a travel fund must be booked and completed within 12 months of the original date of purchase.
Spirit Airlines
Reservation Credit is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance.
United Airlines
Credits set to expire on Dec. 31, 2022, will now expire on Dec. 31, 2023.
✓

Bottom line

Delta and United are making the most customer-friendly changes to voucher validity. These two airlines are giving customers through 2023 to use travel vouchers, regardless of when they purchased their ticket.

Although many of us have already been able to redeem our vouchers, it would be nice to see other airlines follow Delta and United's lead to give customers peace of mind.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.