The average traveler will accumulate about $340 in unused airline credits over a five-year period, and roughly a third of those will expire unused. Understanding how the credit system actually works - the rules airlines will not proactively explain - is worth real money.
Types of travel credit
- eCredit / TravelCredit: value from a cancelled non-refundable ticket. Tied to the passenger name, valid usually 1 year.
- Voucher: often issued as compensation (e.g., for a downgrade, denied boarding). Sometimes transferable, sometimes not.
- Flight Credit: a Southwest-specific term; same concept.
- Wallet or Travel Bank: an account-level credit balance you can apply at booking.
- Denied boarding compensation voucher: usually 200-1,000 USD from being bumped. Read the small print - some are only good for one ticket, no combining.
Using a credit
- Log into the airline account tied to the credit. Some airlines store credits in profile, some send a separate code by email.
- Start booking a new ticket. At payment, choose 'apply credit' or enter the credit code.
- The credit applies against the fare, taxes, and often carrier fees.
- If the new ticket is cheaper, most airlines issue a new credit for the difference. Do not lose track of the residual.
- If the new ticket is more expensive, pay the balance on a card. Miles or points can sometimes be applied on top.
Expiration and extensions
| Airline | Standard expiry | Extension policy |
|---|---|---|
| Delta | 1 year from original ticket issue | One-time free extension by request |
| United | 1 year | Rarely extended; agent discretion |
| American | 1 year | Sometimes extended on status request |
| Southwest | 1 year from purchase | Points conversion available on some fares |
| JetBlue | 1 year | Rare extension policy |
| British Airways | 1 year | Can be split across multiple bookings |
| Lufthansa | 3 years | Long window makes this less of an issue |
If your credit is nearing expiration and you have no travel planned, call and ask specifically for a one-time extension. Delta, American and BA grant this fairly often to elite members and occasionally to non-elite. The magic word is 'goodwill.'
When to demand cash instead
If the airline cancelled the flight (not you) and offered only a credit, you have the right to a cash refund under U.S. DOT rules and under EU 261. Do not accept the credit unless you actually want it.
Situations to always take cash if offered credit:
- You are not sure you will fly this airline again within a year.
- The credit expires before your next planned trip.
- You bought the ticket with a promotional card benefit that is expiring.
- The refund is more than you spend annually on this airline.
Airlines prefer credits because they carry a breakage rate - a certain percentage will never be used. Do not contribute to their breakage rate if you do not have to.
See also: refund options, voucher vs refund and airline cancellation policies.
Frequently asked
Can I combine multiple credits on one booking?+
Delta and American allow up to 3 eCredits per booking. Southwest allows unlimited. Most other airlines allow only one.
Can I gift a credit to someone else?+
Only if the credit is transferable - relatively rare, mostly voucher-type compensation credits. eCredits from cancellations are almost always tied to the original passenger.
Do credits earn miles when redeemed?+
Yes, treated like paid tickets for mileage-earning purposes on most legacy carriers.
Tom Halvorsen
Contributing editor at AirHelpService
Writes about air travel operations, passenger rights and airport procedures. Reader questions and corrections welcome via our contact page.
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