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Airline Vouchers? 7 Questions You Need to Ask First

A nationally recognized reporter, writer, and consumer advocate, Ed Perkins focuses on how travelers can find the best deals and avoid scams.

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Perkins' advice for business travelers is featured on MyBusinessTravel.com , a website devoted to helping small business and self-employed professional travelers find the best value for their travel dollars.

Perkins was founding editor of Consumer Reports Travel Letter, one of the country's most influential travel publications, from which he retired in 1998. He has also written for Business Traveller magazine (London).

Perkins' travel expertise has led to frequent television appearances, including ABC's "Good Morning America" and "This Week with David Brinkley," "The CBS Evening News with Dan Rather," CNN, and numerous local TV and radio stations.

Before editing Consumer Reports Travel Letter, Perkins spent 25 years in travel research and consulting with assignments ranging from national tourism development strategies to the design of computer-based tourism models.

Born in Evanston, Illinois, Perkins lives in Ashland, Oregon with his wife.

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Unless you’re really lucky, sometime during your travels you will find yourself in a situation where an airline owes you something. Maybe it’s because of a delay, lost baggage, a rescheduled flight, whatever. When that day comes, the airline will almost surely try to settle by issuing you airline vouchers for future travel rather than cutting you a check. At worst, the airline loses the cost of the seat rather than the posted fare; at best, you’ll somehow not get around to using the airline voucher, and the carrier will face no cost at all.

Airline Vouchers—What to Know

To decrease their risk, airlines incorporate gotchas into vouchers to increase the chances that you won’t be able to use them. So before you accept any airline vouchers, you need to ask seven questions.

How Long Are Airline Vouchers Valid?

A tight validity limit is one of the oldest voucher gotchas in the book. An airline offers a generous voucher, but you have to use it within six months. Clearly, many travelers are uninterested in or unable to schedule another flight within that short a time. This ploy is more prevalent with cruise lines than with airlines, but you still have to be careful.

Who Can Use It?

Is the value of the travel voucher limited to you, or can you use it to buy a ticket for someone else? Many airline vouchers may be used only by the person who initially received it for his or her own travel. Depending on your flexibility, that might or might not be a deal-breaker.

Does It Cover the Whole Price?

Airline vouchers seldom include the full cost of a future trip; often, you must pay the government taxes and fees separately. But I’ve heard reports of a much worse limitation: an airline voucher covering only the “base” fare and not the very stiff “carrier-imposed fee,” essentially a renamed fuel surcharge, which on some airlines can be more than the base fare.

Do You Get Just One Bite?

Some vouchers are valid for only a single transaction, even when the value of that transaction is less than the face value of the voucher. For example, if you use a $500 airline voucher to buy a $400 ticket, you might not be able to use the remaining $100 for second ticket. Instead, you lose that value outright.

Are There Any Fare Limitations?

I haven’t seen much of this one, but an airline could place some fare buckets off-limits to voucher-based tickets—not applicable to “flash sale” prices, for example, or for business class.

How Much Are Vouchers Worth to You?

Given the limitations on how you can use it, a voucher is effectively worth a lot less to you than its face cash value. Many experts estimate that a voucher is worth somewhere between a third and a half of its face value. If you ask for cash but an airline offers a voucher, take the voucher only if the face value is at least double the cash offer. When cash isn’t an option, if the voucher value seems to be inadequate, bargain for more or consider your alternatives.

Can You Get Cash Instead?

When a flight is oversold, an airline almost always resorts to offering travel vouchers to passengers who agree to get off and take a later flight. Usually, that works, and someone takes the offer. But if nobody bites, and the airline has to select someone to get off, government regulations specify cash payments, not vouchers, for “involuntary” bumping. You can get up to $675 in the U.S., depending on the circumstance, but only in the case of overbooking. European rules call for higher payments as well as payments for delays. Take the voucher only if its worth to you is a lot more than the cash.

More from SmarterTravel:

• Overbooked Flight? How (Not) to Get Bumped
• This Website Can Get You Money for Flight Delays or Cancellations
• 24 Things I Learned from a 24-Hour Flight Delay

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The Ultimate Guide to Travel Vouchers: All You Need to Know

Last Updated: April 30, 2024 September 16, 2024 — 4 min read

Travel vouchers are a valuable resource for adventurers seeking to explore the world while saving money. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a long-haul journey, understanding the different types of travel vouchers can help you use them effectively. Here’s everything you need to know.

What Is a Travel Voucher?

A travel voucher is a certificate that you can redeem to cover all or part of your travel costs. These vouchers can be issued by airlines, cruise lines, hotels, travel agencies, or tour operators.

They’re usually digital, and you may receive them when a travel provider, like an airline or cruise service, makes an error on a previous trip. For instance, if an airline bumps you from a flight that’s overbooked, they might give you a voucher for a free later flight. You might also receive one if you’ve purchased and then cancel a flight or accommodation that’s not refundable for cash.

Types of Travel Vouchers

Travel vouchers all essentially work in the same way by applying their value to the cost of your trip. However, it’s important to know the different types and what specific scenarios you can use them in:

• Airline vouchers: Airlines may issue these as compensation for flight delays, cancellations, or overbooking. They’re typically good towards future flights with the same airline.
• Hotel vouchers: Hotels often issue vouchers for complementary stays, room upgrades, or discounts on future bookings. You may receive one as compensation for inconveniences during your stay or as part of a loyalty program.
• Travel agency vouchers: Travel agencies may offer vouchers as promotional incentives or as compensation for booking errors or inconveniences. You can usually redeem them for discounts on future bookings or additional travel services.
• Tour vouchers: Tour operators sometimes provide vouchers for discounts on guided tours, excursions, or activities at various destinations. These vouchers may be included as part of a travel package or offered separately as promotional incentives.
• Cruise vouchers: Cruise lines may issue vouchers for onboard credits, cabin upgrades, or discounts on future voyages as compensation for service issues or as part of loyalty programs.

Benefits of Travel Vouchers

Travel vouchers offer numerous benefits for travelers, such as:

• Cost savings: Vouchers can substantially reduce your travel costs, allowing you to stretch your budget further and enjoy more experiences.
• Added value: Vouchers often come with added perks, such as room upgrades, complementary services, or discounts on additional purchases, enhancing the overall travel experience.
• Convenience: Redeeming vouchers is usually a straightforward process that you can complete online, making it convenient to take advantage of their benefits.

How To Use Travel Vouchers

Using travel vouchers is typically a straightforward process, depending on their specific terms and conditions. Here’s a general guide on how to use these vouchers effectively:

• Check the expiration date: Most travel vouchers have a set expiration date, so it’s essential to verify the validity period before planning your trip.
• Read the terms and conditions: Review the terms and conditions associated with the voucher, including any restrictions or limitations on its use. For instance, some vouchers may have blackout dates when they’re not eligible for use.
• Redeem online or contact provider: Depending on the voucher, you’ll likely redeem it online through the provider’s website or app. Alternatively, you may need to contact the provider directly to make arrangements.
• Book your trip: Once you’ve decided on your travel dates and destination, proceed to book your flights, accommodations, tours, or other services using the voucher.
• Apply the voucher code: At the end of the booking process, the site will usually prompt you to enter the voucher code to apply the discount.
• Confirm your reservation: After applying the voucher, double-check your reservation details to ensure accuracy and confirm that the voucher has been properly applied.

With your travel arrangements confirmed, all that’s left to do is pack your bags and embark on your adventure. By following these steps and staying informed about the terms and conditions of your travel voucher, you can make the most of its benefits and enjoy a memorable travel experience.

Common Questions About Travel Vouchers

How long do travel vouchers last?

How long your voucher lasts depends on the provider and the terms of the voucher. Some vouchers may expire in a few months, while others may be good for a year or more. Others may have no expiration date. Check the expiration date when you receive the voucher, and plan to use it within its valid period so you don’t miss out.

Are there any restrictions on using travel vouchers?

Travel vouchers may come with certain restrictions on how you can use them, such as blackout dates, minimum stay requirements, or restrictions on specific destinations or services. Make sure to carefully review the voucher’s terms and conditions before using it so you know what to expect.

What happens if I lose my travel voucher?

Most travel vouchers are electronic and stored on the provider’s website, so you don’t need to worry about losing them. However, if you lose a physical voucher, contact the issuer as soon as possible to report the loss. Depending on their policies, they may reissue the voucher. However, there may be fees or restrictions associated with replacing lost vouchers, so it’s best to act quickly and follow the issuer’s instructions.

Can I insure a trip booked with a travel voucher?

Yes, you can typically insure a trip booked with a travel voucher, however the amount of the travel voucher should not be included within your trip cost . This is because travel insurance is designed to cover the out-of-pocket monetary expenses travelers spend on their trip. Since you did not pay the cash value out-of-pocket for the voucher, it is not considered a reimbursable trip expense.

If you have booked a trip using a travel voucher, you can insure the additional prepaid and non-refundable trip expenses. Most policies are comprehensive, meaning in addition to coverage for your trip costs, you can also be covered for interruptions, medical emergencies, travel delays, and more.

By Casey Clague

Why an Airline Voucher Is Sometimes Better Than a Cash Refund

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Over the past couple of months, many of us have learned about the ins and out of canceling flights . Phrases like cancel-for-any-reason insurance and airline voucher are now part of every traveler's vernacular, and we've all found inventive ways to reach airline customer service representatives.

It's also become second nature to demand that cash refund when canceling flights —and to firmly say no to the travel vouchers most airlines are offering. But should you ever consider taking that airline voucher over cash? Some experts say yes, but warn there are things to keep in mind when you do. Below, we walk you through the nuances of vouchers—the good, the bad, and the potentially negotiable—so you can make the best move next time you cancel a flight.

The case for getting your refund in cash

There are some obvious reasons to take cash over a voucher. Most of us like our money where we can see it, and it's hard to justify letting an airline hang onto your money—especially when it looks like we won't be flying any time soon . "From a high level, cash is better than a voucher because you can't pay for groceries with an American Airlines gift card," says Scott Keyes of Scott's Cheap Flights . "If you had a $500 ticket, and they’re offering a $500 cash or voucher, cash is way superior because it’s fluid, and it doesn’t have an expiration date."

Jesse Neugarten of Dollar Flight Club is team voucher, but he agrees there are certain situations in which to push for your money back. "If you’re low on cash and don’t plan to travel anytime in 2020 or 2021, more cash on hand may be the best bet for you," says Neugarten. "Plus, some airlines, like Virgin Australia and smaller carriers, are shutting down, and they may not be able to honor vouchers in the future." If you bought a ticket from an online travel agent like Expedia, Travelocity, or Orbitz, then you absolutely want your cash back as well, Neugarten says, and not a gift card or voucher you have no reason to use.

If you end up needing to cancel and rebook a second time, travel vouchers can cause issues with insurance , too. "If you’re buying travel insurance, we’ve been telling people not to take the voucher and to get a refund," says Megan Moncrief, the chief marketing officer at insurance comparison website Squaremouth . "Historically, travel insurance providers widely grouped travel vouchers with points and miles , as award-based travel, which is typically uninsurable as there is no direct dollar amount associated with [the vouchers]." In laymen's terms: If you book a flight with a voucher and have to cancel, your flight cost in an insurance claim would technically be zero, meaning you wouldn't get any of that money back. Moncrief says that some providers are now changing their stance given the current situation, but it's important to keep this in mind when purchasing travel insurance—something most of us are doing these days—and make sure to understand the coverage offered on award-based trips.

The case for taking the travel voucher

All that being said, there are times when it makes more sense to take a voucher—namely, when the airline is willing to offer you a credit of a higher value. "What the smart airlines are doing is offering an incentive to take the voucher," says Keyes. "They might say you can take a $500 cash refund or a $600 travel credit [for your $500 flight], and that's when it starts getting interesting."

Neugarten says his Dollar Flight Club customers have reported the same. " American Airlines and Delta have been offering 10 to 20 percent bonus vouchers to those who elect to keep a credit with the airline, rather than take a refund," says Neugarten. "These airlines are not advertising that yet, but they are offering this over the phone to select customers on a case-by-case basis, or to those who ask for it." Few airlines, like Qatar Airways and Finnair, have formalized such offers, telling customers that all vouchers will receive 10 percent increases from the original flight prices.

"I think this poses a great opportunity for travelers to get additional value from their ticket by simply and persistently asking airline agents for these bonus vouchers," adds Neugarten. "Though these bonus vouchers have been offered at random, some people have simply asked for them." And if you're wondering how to do the dance? Neugarten says they've found a script that has worked. They make sure to thank the agent, mention they've heard of other people taking these vouchers, and use these golden words: "I would prefer to keep my ticket if you would be willing to give me a bonus voucher. Does [insert airline name] have the ability to offer this? If not, I’d happily take the refund." Given that airlines are legally required to offer cash refunds for canceled flights, it's well-worth asking—you'll either walk away with the cash you're owed, or a higher value voucher.

"Passengers are in much more of a position of strength than they normally are," says Keyes. "I haven’t heard of a passenger successfully negotiating a higher voucher, but it wouldn’t shock me if some airlines are in a position to do that. They need cash: They have so few incoming bookings and so many cancellations, so anytime they can hang on to a passenger's money because that passenger agreed to take a credit instead of a refund, it's worth trying."

Whenever you take a voucher, read the fine print

If we've learned anything during our coronavirus cancellations , it's to always, always read the fine print. And even when the voucher pot is, as Keyes says, being sweetened, make sure you understand the restrictions of a voucher before pouncing on it. "I’d look at two things," says Keyes. "The deadline or expiration date can be problematic for a lot of them." If a voucher expires, say, at the end of the year, it leads to a bigger question: Do you anticipate traveling by then? Is it even possible for you to use this credit?

"Secondly, who can use the voucher?" says Keyes. "Usually you can use [a voucher] to buy a ticket for anyone—a kid, a spouse, whomever—but sometimes the voucher is only eligible for the person who received it. That's another instance when a voucher becomes level valuable than cash." Keyes also suggests considering the airline offering the voucher, how frequently you fly it, and if the voucher works on partner airlines.

Vouchers are always better than miles

Last but not least, Keyes cautions that you should understand what type of travel credit you're getting—and be wary of accepting miles or points instead of a typical voucher. "There's a difference between a voucher and frequent flier miles," says Keyes. Some airlines, he warns, have been sending customers tempting deals to accept miles as refunds, or to convert vouchers into miles. But miles are even less tangible than vouchers and harder to use to your advantage. "When you purchase a flight with a voucher, it’s like purchasing with cash: You get the same status, and importantly, you earn miles," says Keyes. The same can't be said for flights purchased with miles. The only real benefit to miles as a form of refund, for the average traveler, is that they sometimes have a further out expiration date, but at that point, you're probably safest asking for your money back.

We're reporting on how COVID-19 impacts travel on a daily basis. Find all of our coronavirus coverage and travel resources here.

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How to Use Airline Flight Credits — So You Never Lose Out Again

Here are the rules for Delta, American, JetBlue, United, and SouthWest.

What are flight credits?

How to use a flight credit, what to know about flight credit expiration policies.

• Airline-specific Flight Credit Rules to Keep in Mind

Ralf Hahn/Getty Images

There are a few ways you might come by airline credits. When your flight is canceled or significantly delayed, an airline may offer you flight credits as compensation for the inconvenience. Or if you decide to cancel a refundable flight, you will most likely be reimbursed in credits and not cash.

Whether you need to use them right away or want to save them for later, there are a few things you need to understand about how they work. Plus, every airline has its own set of rules regarding flight credits, so using them can be confusing because the terms and conditions are not universal.

Looking at the policies of five major U.S. airlines, here's everything you need to know about flight credits, from how to use them to when they expire and if you can extend or transfer them.

Although they may go by different names among the airlines, flight credits are generally what's used in lieu of cash to reimburse canceled flights — whether you cancel it yourself or the airline does. They are linked to your original ticket, so you will need to have your flight information handy when you are ready to re-book.

Generally, you’ll be able to book a new flight using a credit on the airline’s website. If your original ticket had multiple forms of payment, you may need to call to complete a booking using a flight credit. If you booked the original ticket through a travel agency, you’ll need to contact the travel agency to cancel the flight and book a new ticket with the flight credit.

Flight credits usually have an expiration date. While the length of time a credit is valid varies by airline, more often than not, they are good for one year. Some airlines start the one-year clock when the original ticket was issued, not when the flight credit was generated.  So, if you book a flight and then need to cancel it six months later, your flight credit may only be valid for an additional six months.

Anna Harrison, a travel advisor and owner of Travel Observations , always reminds clients of another important factor when considering flight credit expiration dates. “Remember ‘fly by’ dates can be different than ‘book by’ dates,” she stresses. 

Check with your specific airline to see if you need to book your travel by the flight credit expiration date or if you actually need to travel by that date. The question of whether or not you can extend a flight credit after its expiration depends on the specific airline. However, most flight credits can’t be extended after their original expiration date.

Caroline Purser/Getty Images

Airline-specific Flight Credit Rules to Keep in Mind 

Delta air lines ecredits.

Delta Air Lines flight credits are called eCredits , and they can be used toward the payment of any Delta flight, including taxes and fees. They can be generated from an unused or partially used ticket, as compensation for service issues, from ticket exchanges that result in unused funds, or from e-gift certificates.

You can use up to five eCredits at a time and to redeem your Delta eCredit, you’ll need your 13-digit eCredit number that begins with 006. They are valid for one year from the day the original flight was booked, and travel must be booked by the expiration date. 

American Airlines Flight Credits

American Airlines has three types of travel credits : flight credit, trip credit, and travel vouchers. Flight credits are what you'll receive in exchange for unused tickets (when you cancel a flight) and trip credits are given in exchange for canceled tickets and refunds (when the airline cancels a flight), plus any extra value you might save when exchanging tickets. A travel voucher is what you might receive if you volunteer to give up your seat on an overbooked flight.

Flight credits can only be used to book non-award flights and you won't be able to apply them to extras like seat charges or baggage fees . They must be used on travel that begins within one year of the original travel date, not from when you cancel the original flight. If you book your flights far in advance, you may have a short amount of time to use the credit.

Reservations using flight credits can be booked online for flights within the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands using the record locator or ticket number of the original flight. For reservations using more than one flight credit or for international travel, you’ll need to call American Airlines to book. American Airlines flight credits aren’t transferable — they can only be used for the person named on the original flight — and they can’t be extended past their expiration dates.

JetBlue Travel Bank Credits 

JetBlue flight credits are officially called travel bank credits and they can be used for airfare, including taxes and the air portion of a JetBlue Vacations package. They can't be used for any other charges, including baggage fees , Even More Space seats, or pet fees. However, the passenger name doesn’t have to match the name of the travel bank account holder, so you can use JetBlue flight credits to book a flight for another person.

To redeem your JetBlue flight credits without a TrueBlue account, you’ll need to create a Travel Bank account. Once you have travel credits, you’ll get two emails from JetBlue containing your Travel Bank username and a temporary password, which will allow you to set up an account. If you have a TrueBlue account, you’ll be able to see the amount of your flight credits in the Travel Bank Credit section of your online account.

JetBlue travel credits are valid for one year from the original ticketing date. Unlike other airlines, you only need to book your travel by the expiration date, but travel can be completed after the credit expires. If a reservation made using a JetBlue travel credit is canceled, the credit expiration date will not reset, and travel bank credits can’t be extended.

United Airlines Future Flight Credits

If you cancel a United Airlines flight or change to a less expensive itinerary, you’ll receive a future flight credit . In addition to airfare, these flight credits can be used for extras like seat selection when they are chosen during the booking process. Future flight credits can only be used for the person named on the original flight that was canceled or changed. 

To use a flight credit, choose your flight on the United website or mobile app as you normally would. During the checkout process, select "Travel Credits" as your payment method, and any credits you have will be applied to your total. You can combine multiple future flight credits to pay for one transaction, but they can’t be combined with travel certificates. To combine your future flight credits with PlusPoints, book your flight with the flight credits first, then request a PlusPoints upgrade.

Future flight credits expire one year after the date they were issued, and your travel must begin by that date to use the credit. Credits can’t be extended.

Southwest Airlines Flight Credits

Southwest flight credits , previously called travel funds, are created after canceling a flight or changing a flight to a lower-priced itinerary. They are easy to use online, and they never expire.

These flight credits are tied to your original flight number. When paying for a new flight on the Southwest website, select "Apply Flight Credits" and enter the confirmation number from the original flight and the passenger’s first and last name.

If the original flight that generated the flight credit was a Wanna Get Away fare, it’s non-transferable. If the flight credit was generated from a Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, or Business Select fare, it can be transferred to someone else, as long as both parties are Rapid Rewards members.

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What Is an Airline Voucher?

An airline voucher is like a coupon or credit that you may be provided, by an airline. Airline vouchers can only be used for goods or services from the specific airline from which they are given! You may get an airline voucher if your flight is cancelled, or if your flight was delayed. An airline voucher may be used toward a new ticket purchase, or a type of good or service on a future flight with the same airline.

Written by Becca & Dan

Posted in Travel

Updated on May 12th, 2024

Table of contents

• How do airline vouchers work?
• Do airline vouchers expire?
• Can you spend an airline voucher on anything other than flights?
• How to use an airline voucher

This article may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commissions when you purchase via those links — and it's free for you. It's only us (Becca & Dan) working on this website, so we value your support! Read our privacy policy and learn more about us .

How do airline vouchers work?

Airline vouchers are typically provided by an airline to a customer shortly after a flight is cancelled, a flight is postponed or something goes wrong on the flight for which a voucher is given.

I received a voucher for a cancelled flight in summer 2020. Quite frankly, upon the cancellation, it was not super clear that I was being given a voucher. I had to make a bunch of calls to figure it out.

The airline gave me a voucher through my travel credit card company (Chase). This was to compensate me for the portion of the flight I had purchased with my frequent flier miles, one of my favorite ways to save money while traveling .

With a voucher, you can only use it for a flight (if it’s a flight voucher) or in-flight goods and services.

Airline vouchers do expire, so you shouldn’t let them sit around unused for too many months. And, if you’re trying to stay on a budget with some travel money hacks , use those vouchers before they go to waste!

Do airline vouchers expire?

Yes, airline vouchers typically expire within a year.

On some occasions, a voucher may be good for two years, but you should be careful with lengths of validity that are too long because there’s always the chance that an airline can go out of business (take the Icelandic company WOW Air, for example).

When I was given my airline voucher from the airline, they told me originally it was good for two years. That seemed okay. I figured I’d have a chance to use it within two years.

Months later, I called back and was told that actually, it had been good for one year, and I had to make my booking by Dec. 1 for a flight departing on or before Dec. 31 of the same year! That wasn’t at all what I was told originally.

The main lesson here is to use airline vouchers as soon as possible to avoid devaluation or shortened lengths of validity.

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Can you spend an airline voucher on anything other than flights?

Sometimes you can use an airline voucher to buy flight add-ons, like upgrading your seat or your checked bag allowance. This is not the case all the time, though.

How to use an airline voucher

Using an airline voucher will differ by airline, and it may also differ internationally, as several major airlines are based outside the US. For several major US airlines, we will detail them below.

For all international airlines, we suggest going to the airline website and searching for how to use the airline’s voucher in the most optimal way possible.

United Airlines

United calls their airline voucher a travel credit. Note, though, that they also have a program called a travel certificate.

United “Future Flight Credits” may be used for flights on United or partner airlines, or non-ticket items, like seat upgrades, or preferred seating.

Note: They have an expiry of 12 months from the date the original ticket was issued . To see more about the United travel credits and travel certificates, visit the “Using United travel credits” page at United.com.

Delta calls their airline vouchers “Transportation Credit Vouchers.” These voucher credits can be used for the purchase of any ticket for passenger travel within the Delta system worldwide, and including code-share flights Delta Shuttle or Delta Connection journeys.

In contrast with the United airline voucher program, Delta credits cannot be used for things that are not flights, like sending cargo or any non-ticket purchases.

There’s a bunch of fine print surrounding the validity and ability to transfer Delta’s travel credit vouchers, so visit their Transportation Credit Vouchers “ Terms & Conditions page .”

JetBlue is an airline with which we currently have a travel credit due to booking, rebooking, and then rebooking a flight again, and being credited the differences each time we made a transaction. To do this, we messaged on our phones with JetBlue help, and we had to make some pretty long calls as well.

JetBlue has more terminology as well for their airline vouchers, namely “JetBlue Travel Credits” and “Travel Bank.” Travel credits can be used toward future flights, and I’m even trying to currently do this! Some good info is that you can use JetBlue travel credits to pay for JetBlue-operated flights or the “flight portion” of a JetBlue Vacations package.

You can apply a JetBlue Travel Bank credit at checkout when purchasing a flight on Jetblue.com.

One last thing is that JetBlue also has “JetBlue Vacations credits,” which are different from travel credits. These can be used toward any aspect of a “JetBlue Vacations package.” See more at this helpful page called “ JetBlue Travel Credits and Your Travel Bank .”

American Airlines

American Airlines has three types of airline vouchers. They are the following: Trip Credit, Flight Credit and Travel Vouchers. It pays to know which one you have, so that you can find out how to use your travel credit properly.

The difference in the names of these types of vouches differs in the reason they were issued to the passenger. For instance, American Airlines “Trip Credits” come from “compensation, refunds and remaining value from Flight Credit exchanges.”

Meanwhile, AA “Flight Credits” come from “unused or canceled tickets.” The first type of credit can be used to book flights that originate in the US and must be quoted in US dollars. Neither of these can be used for flight extras like seat or bag upgrades.

To become familiar with the American Airlines voucher system and how to use these credits, check out their page about “ How to redeem your travel credit .”

Onward with the airline travel credit terminology, Southwest calls their airline vouchers “Travel Funds.” You can use Southwest Travel Funds to use as a form of payment when booking a new flight.

Southwest Travel Funds are tied to a flight that was cancelled, so they can only be used by the person whose name is on the original flight ticket. They are not transferrable to another friend or family member, and they have an expiration date that you should check in the fine print.

This Southwest FAQ page helps out a lot with your questions, and you can check your airline voucher balance with Southwest at their Check Travel Funds page .

Spirit Airlines (& Frontier Airlines)

Spirit seems to call their airline vouchers “Reservation Credits.” These travel credits could be used to pay for fares, bags, seats, fees, and taxes, unlike some of the airlines above.

Keep in mind that the Spirit Airlines travel credits can not be used in the Spirit Airlines app (the capability is not yet available), so they must be used at Spirit.com.

For more information, they have a helpful guide at How to book your next trip using a Reservation Credit .

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Airline, Hotel and Rental Car Cancellation Refunds and Vouchers: How They Work

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Getting travel refunds at a glance

Air travel cancellations, hotel cancellations, car rental cancellations, vacation rental cancellations, canceling a flight, hotel or rental car: now what.

If your airline cancels or makes major changes to your flight — no matter the reason — you are eligible for a full refund under Department of Transportation regulations . So why do so many passengers end up with a voucher instead?

Airlines often try to skirt regulations by giving passengers the option to accept a modified itinerary, even if the changes are major. But for casual travelers who've found themselves entrenched in the confusing world of refunds and who are expecting to receive cash for cancellations, many travelers might be surprised to receive vouchers instead.

Whether it's airlines, hotels or rental cars, here's what you need to know about travel refunds and when you're entitled to one, as well as how to receive and use vouchers if you otherwise can't get a cash refund:

Although specific refund and voucher policies vary from situation to situation and airline to airline, some consistencies (and federal regulations) allow for a few broad generalizations. Here's the quick glance at what you're entitled to, based on type of travel:

Air travel canceled by the customer more than 24 hours after booking will usually be compensated in the form of flight vouchers, which must be used within a certain period of time. Customers who book a more expensive "refundable" fare may be able to get a cash refund.

Air travel canceled by the airline is eligible for a full cash refund, though the airlines will often try to avoid this.

Hotel cancellations are often fully refundable if made more than 24 hours before check-in (except for prepaid/nonrefundable rates), but this varies by booking.

Car rental cancellations are almost always fully refundable, except for prepaid reservations.

Vacation rental (Airbnb, Vrbo) cancellations vary by property.

Now we'll break that down a bit deeper:

Air travel cancellation policies vary based on two factors: when the cancellation is made and who is doing the canceling.

Cancellations made within 24 hours

All flights starting in the U.S. that are canceled within 24 hours of booking are eligible for a full cash refund under Department of Transportation regulations . It doesn’t matter if you book directly through the airline or through a third party booking service: You are eligible for a refund to your original form of payment if your flight originates in the U.S. and you cancel it within 24 hours.

However, some airlines make the process of receiving these refunds cumbersome or confusing, sometimes suggesting you accept alternatives to the cash refund. If you are having trouble finding a way to get your cash back online, call the airline or travel booking service directly.

Cancellations made after 24 hours made by the traveler

If you want to cancel a flight more than 24 hours after booking, it is subject to the cancellation policy of that particular airline and fare:

Refundable fares are generally eligible for a full cash refund.

Some tickets, including many basic economy fares, simply cannot be canceled.

Some tickets can be canceled for a voucher refund, minus a cancellation fee.

Others can be canceled for free, but are available to travelers in the future as flight vouchers.

Now that most U.S. airlines have removed cancellation fees , the most common situation is the last one. You will be able to get a full refund for your nonrefundable flight, but not a cash refund. Instead, you’ll get a voucher or credit for future flights booked within a certain time frame. This isn't ideal, but it’s better than nothing. Just remember to use your voucher before it expires.

Cancellation made by the airline

If the airline cancels or makes major changes to your flight, for any reason, you are eligible for a full refund under Department of Transportation regulations . The definition of "major changes" isn't totally clear, but in general, any schedule change of more than 24 hours should be eligible for a full refund.

However, airlines will often try to skirt this regulation by giving passengers the option to accept a modified itinerary, even if the changes are major. Here’s an email from Singapore Airlines, with our highlight in red:

Because “accept” looks like a default option and the alternative is less prominent, a passenger may not be fully aware of their rights. Don’t fall for it: Always request a refund if the proposed changes aren't ideal.

Also note that sometimes airlines owe you money for delays or cancellations (or at least other forms of compensation, such as meal and hotel vouchers).

And if your flight was canceled at the last-minute by the airline, you'll have to move fast to minimize disruption for the rest of your travels. Make these moves fast if your flight was canceled . And while this won't help you now, bookmark this for next time: NerdWallet's guide to how to book a flight that's less likely to get canceled .

Hotel cancellation policies are generally more straightforward than airline policies, though there are no federally enforced cancellation rules. Hotel bookings generally fall into two categories:

Fully refundable rates, which can generally be canceled within 24 hours of check-in for a full refund.

Prepaid, nonrefundable rates.

Most hotel brands offer flexible rates as the default, which are generally more expensive but either are refundable or don't require upfront payment, period. Often though, travelers prefer prepaid rates purely because they tend to be cheaper. Before booking, consider how likely it is that your travel plans might change. Saving a couple bucks on the prepaid rate might not be worth it in the end if you had to cancel and now can't get your money back.

You should be able to see the terms of the cancellation policy for your booking during checkout. Read and understand them before committing.

One more reason why hotels tend to be more generous than airlines. Unlike airfare, the value of canceled flexible hotel bookings usually isn't offered in the form of credits or vouchers, but as a direct refund of the deposit amount to your credit card .

This one’s easy: Unless you specifically book a prepaid rate for a car rental reservation, you should be able to change, cancel or modify it without incurring a fee. The rules for cancellations on prepaid rates vary among companies and reservations, but they are often more flexible than nonrefundable airfare — and even more flexible than hotel bookings.

Vacation rental brands like Airbnb and Vrbo take a slightly different approach: They offer a range of cancellation policies, from extremely flexible to nonrefundable, and let the hosts (property owners) choose from these policies.

So when booking, look for the specific policy on each property. Here’s an example of Airbnb’s flexible policy:

Refunds from cancellations should come directly to your card — no credits or vouchers are involved.

» Learn more: Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) travel insurance explained

Canceling travel is never a fun experience, but it can be made all the more challenging when confronted with a host of different rules and conditions for each type of booking. Thankfully, most hotel cancellation policies are fairly straightforward: You can either cancel your booking or you can’t, and you’ll get a cash refund if you do.

However, airline cancellations are a world unto themselves and require a bit more patience and understanding. In general, you won’t get a cash refund unless you cancel within 24 hours of booking, cancel a refundable fare or have the booking canceled by the airline.

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Travel credit

Understanding travel credit options.

We offer different types of travel credit: Trip Credit, Flight Credit, and Travel Vouchers. Each type of travel credit has its own terms and conditions, so be sure to read them carefully before redeeming your credit. Keep in mind, travel credits can only be used to book flights, and can’t be used to pay for extras like seats or bags.

Types of travel credit

*Can’t be used for extras like seats or bags.

**AAdvantage Business ™ trips can only be booked for 1 passenger at a time.

***For Trip Credit issued on or after April 2, 2024, AAdvantage ® members have 12 months to use their Trip Credit when canceling their trip on aa.com or the American app and their AAdvantage ® number is included in their reservation. Non-AAdvantage ® members have 6 months.

^When booked on aa.com, Flight Credit can only be applied to flights within the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. (U.S. currency only).

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How to find and redeem your travel credit

If you received a travel credit, you can use it to book your next trip. Here's how to find and redeem your Trip Credit and Flight Credit.

Trip Credit

If you're an AAdvantage ® member, most Trip Credits will appear in your AAdvantage ® account.

For Trip Credit issued on or after April 2, 2024, AAdvantage ® members have 12 months to use their Trip Credit when canceling their trip on aa.com or the American app and their AAdvantage ® number is included in their reservation. Non-AAdvantage ® members have 6 months.

Log in to your account

If you’re an AAdvantage Business ™ Travel Manager, visit your company’s travel management portal to view available Trip Credit.

Log in to your business account Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines.

Step 1: Find your Trip Credit email

• Look for an email from American Airlines with the subject line ‘Your Trip Credit.’
• Your Trip Credit number is a 13-digit number that begins with ‘00115.’

Keep in mind there are separate ticket numbers for add-ons like seats, upgrades, and bags.

Step 2: Book and add your Trip Credit

• Go to aa.com and book your new flight.
• On the payment screen, select ‘Trip Credit.’
• Follow the prompts to pay using your Trip Credit.
• You may use a credit card to pay any remaining balance.

General rules

• Trip Credit is non-refundable, non-transferable, non-returnable, may not be redeemed for cash, check or credit (except where required by law) and has no implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability or fitness.
• Trip Credit is void if bought, sold or bartered, advertised for sale or used for commercial or promotional purposes.
• We won’t replace Trip Credit if lost or stolen. This may include inadvertent deletion, forwarding or access of the email containing your Trip Credit number. Please guard the Trip Credit number as you would cash.
• Except where prohibited by law, we reserve the right to refuse, void, cancel, reject or hold for review any Trip Credit mistakenly issued in an incorrect denomination or issued or obtained, directly or indirectly, in connection with fraudulent actions, fraudulent claims, compensation abuse or in connection with any violation of these terms and conditions.

Expiration and validity

• Valid until 11:59 p.m. (CT) on the date listed on the Trip Credit, and we won't reissue it past the expiration date.
• We won't accept invalid or expired Trip Credit.
• We won’t accept Trip Credit with an invalid number or if we are unable to locate it within the American Airlines systems.
• To receive Trip Credit, your original ticket must be canceled before the departure of the first flight (or the ticket loses any remaining value and cannot be used for future travel).

Redemption and usage

• You may redeem Trip Credit on aa.com or by contacting Reservations. Trip Credit is not redeemable through any other channels, including airport ticket counters or travel agencies.
• When contacting Reservations, tell the agent you have Trip Credit and you want to use it to book your travel.
• Trip Credit is redeemable toward air travel on flights operated by American, American Eagle ® or flights marketed by American (designated with an AA*). You can’t use Trip Credit for payment of air travel on any other airline on aa.com.
• Contact Reservations to use Trip Credit for qualifying one world ® or other airline partner itineraries.
• Trip Credit is redeemable toward the base air fare and directly associated taxes, fees and charges collected as part of the fare calculation.
• You may not use Trip Credit for products and / or services sold separate from the fare price or for taxes, fees or charges in connection with AAdvantage ® award travel, American Airlines Vacations℠ or any other non-flight products and / or services sold by American.
• You may only use non-taxable Trip Credit for single-passenger reservations on aa.com.
• Contact Reservations to use Trip Credit for more than 9 passengers. Trips booked with an AAdvantage Business ™ account can only be booked for 1 passenger at a time.
• The recipient of Trip Credit can use it to pay for travel for themselves or others.
• You may redeem up to 8 Trip Credits in a single transaction on aa.com or through Reservations.
• If the ticket price is greater than the value of the Trip Credit, you may pay the difference only with a credit card accepted by American.
• If the ticket price is less than the value of the Trip Credit, we’ll issue a new Trip Credit for the difference. For personal trips, the Trip Credit will be emailed to the customer who is ticketed on the Trip Credit redemption. For AAdvantage Business ™ travel, remaining Trip Credit is issued back to the company account.
• If changing a business trip with Reservations and the new ticket price is lower than the original trip, any difference in trip value will be issued as Trip Credit to the traveler.
• You may not combine Trip Credit with the value of an existing ticket to pay for a new ticket.
• Child and infant fares on international flights cannot be booked with Trip Credit.

Flight Credit

If you're an AAdvantage ® member and had your account number listed in your reservation before cancellation, you can log in to your account and view available Flight Credit in your AAdvantage ® account.

Step 1: Find your canceled trip or confirmation email

• You'll need your 6-character confirmation code and 13-digit ticket number.
• American tickets have a 13-digit number that begins with '001'.

Step 2: View your canceled trip

• Go to aa.com and choose ‘Manage trips / Check-in’
• Choose ‘View canceled trips’ and enter your trip details.
• You’ll find your Flight Credit details on the ‘Your trip’ page.

Step 3: Rebook and add Flight Credit

• Go to aa.com and find your new flight.
• On the payment screen, choose ‘Add Flight Credit.’
• Enter the ticket number from your canceled trip and apply the credit.

Book a trip with your Flight Credit

• Flight Credit is non-refundable, non-transferable, non-returnable, may not be redeemed for cash, check or credit (except where required by law) and has no implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability or fitness.
• Flight Credit is void if bought, sold or bartered, advertised for sale or used for commercial or promotional purposes.
• We won’t replace Flight Credit if lost or stolen. This may include inadvertent deletion, forwarding or access of the email containing your Flight Credit number. Please guard the Flight Credit number as you would cash.
• Except where prohibited by law, we reserve the right to refuse, void, cancel, reject or hold for review any Flight Credit mistakenly issued in an incorrect denomination or issued or obtained, directly or indirectly, in connection with fraudulent actions, fraudulent claims, compensation abuse or in connection with any violation of these terms and conditions.
• Flight Credit is valid for 1 year from the date the ticket was issued. We will not extend or reissue once it expires.
• If you don't show for your flight, your ticket will no longer be valid or eligible for any credit.
• We won't accept invalid or expired Flight Credit.
• You may redeem Flight Credit on aa.com, in person at the airport or by contacting Reservations.
• When contacting Reservations, tell the agent you have Flight Credit and you want to use it to book your travel.
• The recipient of Flight Credit can use it to pay for travel for themselves only.
• Flight Credit is redeemable toward air travel on flights marketed and operated by American, by American Eagle ® carriers or on flights marketed and sold by American but operated by one of American’s codeshare or one world ® partners (i.e. flights designated with an AA*).
• Flight Credit is redeemable toward initial booking, the base air fare and directly associated taxes, fees and charges collected as part of the fare calculation.
• You may only redeem 1 Flight Credit for single-passenger trips on aa.com or through Reservations. In order to redeem up to 2 Flight Credits in a single transaction, you must contact Reservations.
• If the ticket price is greater than the value of the Flight Credit, you may pay the difference only with a credit card accepted by American.
• If the ticket price is less than the value of the Flight Credit, you can only use the value of Flight Credit needed for the current booking while remaining value will be issued as travel credit for future reservations.
• You may not use Flight Credit for products and / or services sold separately from the fare price or for taxes, fees or charges in connection with AAdvantage ® award travel, American Airlines Vacations℠ products or services or any other non-flight products and / or services sold by American.

Electronic Travel Voucher

• eVouchers are provided for U.S. customers only.
• eVouchers are non-refundable, non-transferable, non-returnable, may not be redeemed for cash, check or credit (except where required by law) and have no implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability or fitness.
• eVouchers are void if bought, sold or bartered, advertised for sale, or used for commercial or promotional purposes.
• We won’t replace eVouchers if lost or stolen. This may include inadvertent deletion, forwarding or access of the email containing your eVoucher number. Please guard the eVoucher number and PIN as you would cash.
• Except where prohibited by law, we reserve the right to refuse, void, cancel, reject or hold for review any eVouchers mistakenly issued in an incorrect denomination, or issued or obtained, directly or indirectly, in connection with fraudulent actions, fraudulent claims, compensation abuse or in connection with any violation of these terms and conditions.
• eVouchers are valid for 1 year from the date of issue, and we won’t reissue them past the expiration date.
• We’re not responsible for honoring invalid or expired eVouchers.
• We won’t accept an eVoucher with an invalid number or if we are unable to locate it within the American Airlines systems.
• You may redeem eVouchers only on aa.com or by contacting Reservations. eVouchers are not redeemable through any other channels, including airport ticket counters or travel agencies.
• eVouchers are redeemable toward air travel on flights operated by American, American Eagle ® , one world ® partners or on flights marketed by American (designated with an AA*). You can’t use eVouchers for payment of air travel on any other airline.
• Flights sold or originating outside the U.S., Puerto Rico or U.S. Virgin Islands or operated by other carriers are not eligible.
• eVouchers are redeemable toward the base air fare and directly associated taxes, fees and charges collected as part of the fare calculation.
• You may not use eVouchers for products and / or services sold separate from the fare price or for taxes, fees or charges in connection with AAdvantage ® award travel, American Airlines Vacations℠ or any other non-flight products and / or services sold by American.
• The eVoucher recipient can use it to pay for travel for themselves or others.
• You may redeem up to 8 eVouchers in a single transaction.
• If the ticket price is greater than the value of the eVoucher(s), you may only pay the difference with a credit, debit or charge card with a billing address in the U.S., Puerto Rico or U.S. Virgin Islands.
• If the ticket price is less than the value of the eVoucher(s), the unused amount will remain on the eVoucher until it reaches zero, at which time the eVoucher will be deactivated.
• You may not combine eVouchers with the value of an existing ticket to pay for a new ticket.

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Airlines are increasingly using vouchers over cash — here are the secrets for how to use them

• A United Airlines passenger received a $10,000 voucher as compensation for being bumped from a flight.
• Airlines use vouchers as compensation in place of cash.
• Here are things you should look out for when using vouchers to buy a ticket.

On Thursday, a  United Airlines passenger received $10,000 after being bumped from a flight. Contrary to some reports, this was in the form of a voucher and not cash.

Vouchers are nothing new. We hear about them all the time, especially if a flight is oversold or when something goes wrong.

And they're usually used as compensation in place of cold, hard cash.

In fact, airlines make it clear these vouchers have no cash value.

" Airlines give you these vouchers to achieve two things: Solve their problem, such as an overbooked flight, and have you go away," travel industry analyst Henry Harteveldt told Business Insider. 

However, the terms and conditions that govern what you can do with these vouchers vary greatly based on the type of certificate you were given and the airline you are flying.

So it's important you not only negotiate for the highest amount possible but also get clear answers on the terms of use before accepting them.

Here are a couple of things to pay attention to.

Which airlines you can fly

First, there are restrictions on which airlines you can fly. 

These days, major airlines such as American, Delta, and United, are all members of global airline alliances. As a result, these airlines can sell tickets on flights operated by their alliance partners.

For instance, United, as a member of Star Alliance, routinely sells tickets on its website for flights operated by alliance partner Lufthansa. Unfortunately, these tickets are not eligible for voucher holders. 

"Electronic travel certificates (vouchers) can be used for travel on United and United Express-operated flights," a United spokesman told Business Insider in an email. "Certificates are not valid for travel on Star Alliance flights or United-marketed flights operated by other airlines."

Conversely, American Airlines will allow you to use vouchers for flights operated by its Oneworld alliance and AA codeshare partners. 

Airlines can also restrict where you can redeem the vouchers. Some vouchers stipulate that they cannot be redeemed at third-party travel agents and websites.

Where it will allow you to go

In addition, the voucher might not be able to take you everywhere you want to go. That's because airlines may place restrictions on destinations or point of origin.

For example, the terms of American Airlines eVouchers clearly state that it's valid for " flights operated by American Airlines and the American Eagle carriers for itineraries sold and originating in the U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands."  

Even more interesting is the fact that "f lights sold or originating outside the U.S., Puerto Rico or U.S. Virgin Islands or operated by other carriers are not eligible."

So if you happen to be in Spain and want to use your voucher to pay for a flight back to the US, you're out of luck.

What it will pay for

The extent to which a voucher will cover the cost of a ticket varies. 

For example, Southwest Airlines' LUV Vouchers can only be used as a form of payment towards the cost of airfare. The passenger is on the hook for any additional government-imposed taxes or fees, which, in some cases, can cost as much as the airfare itself. 

On the other hand, Delta Air Lines' transportation credit vouchers  and American eVouchers can be used to cover both the cost of the airfare and any associated fees or taxes. 

Can I give it to someone else?

Sometimes you can even use the value of the voucher on someone else. According to Southwest , its LUV Vouchers are fully transferable. 

Delta Air Lines vouchers are transferable, but with some caveats.

For certificates issued before December 15, 2011, Delta will allow you to transfer the voucher to another passenger by simply giving that person the 13-digit voucher number and the name to whom the voucher was issued. 

For certificates issued on or after December 15, 2011, the value on the voucher can be applied to a different passenger as long as the person to whom the voucher was issued is traveling on the same reservation.

Unfortunately, American Airlines eVouchers are non-transferable. 

However, even fully transferable vouchers can't be sold. In fact, selling or bartering away your voucher will almost certainly cause them to become void. 

Can I combine more than one voucher?

Instead of a $1,000 voucher, sometimes an airline may choose to give you two $500 vouchers. Don't worry — many airlines will allow you to combine multiple vouchers. 

American, for example, will allow you to combine up to eight vouchers to pay for a single ticket. 

Last but not least, look at the expiration date

Most airline vouchers are valid for one year after its issuance. However, this can vary, so pay attention to its expiration date. 

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