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

Here’s what you need to know about using flight credits — including the specific rules for Delta, American, and other top airlines.

Fight credits can come in many different forms, but they are usually the result of a canceled flight. Since the ability to cancel or change a flight without fees has become more commonplace over the last few years, flight credits have also become something frequent fliers are dealing with more often.

Using flight credits can be confusing because their terms and conditions aren’t universal — every airline has its own set of rules regarding flight credits. Here’s everything you need to know about flight credits, including how to use them, when they expire, and how to extend them. Plus, we’ll look at flight credit policies from five major U.S. airlines.

Related: What to Do If Your Flight Is Canceled, According to a Travel Expert

What are flight credits?

Flight credits, also referred to as travel credits, are credits received after canceling a flight. They are usually tied to the original ticket, so keep that information handy when you are ready to re-book your flight.

How to Use a Flight Credit

Generally, you’ll be able to book a new flight using a credit on your 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 again when you want to book a new ticket with the flight credit.

What to Know About Flight Credit Expiration Policies

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.

Remember that 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, an affiliate of Gifted Travel Network, who is also a member of the American Society of Travel Advisors, 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. 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.

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. Passengers can use up to five eCredits at a time.

Delta eCredits 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.

To redeem your Delta eCredit, you’ll need your 13-digit eCredit number that begins with 006.

Delta eCredits 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: trip credit, flight credit, and travel vouchers. We’re focusing on flight credits, which are issued for canceled flights or unused tickets. AA flight credits can be used to book non-award flights only. These credits can’t be applied to extras like seat charges or baggage fees.

The flight credit 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, this can leave you with 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 also called travel bank credits. Travel credits can be used for JetBlue flights, including taxes, the air portion of a JetBlue Vacations package, change fees on Blue Basic fares, and increased flight costs due to a change on a Blue Basic ticket. The passenger name doesn’t have to match the name of the travel bank account holder, so it’s easy to use your JetBlue flight credits for someone else.

JetBlue travel credits can’t be used for any other charges, including baggage fees, Even More Space seats, or pet fees.

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 2 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 many 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. JetBlue travel 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.

If you want 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, look for the payment section labeled Apply Flight Credits, LUV Vouchers, and gift cards. Then, 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.

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