But the airlines are changing their policies, at least temporarily, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Airlines Extending Travel Credits
Most domestic airlines are extending the redemption period. Even better, there is no action you need to take, as these credits will be extended automatically.
Alaska Airlines
At Alaska Airlines, credit certificates issued after March 1, 2020, with an original expiration date of July 5, 2021, or earlier have now been extended through Dec. 31, 2021.
American Airlines
American Airlines is also extending credits through March 31, 2022, for vouchers that are set to expire between Jan. 1-May 31, 2021.
If you have an expired voucher from a trip you canceled between March 1-Dec. 31, 2020, you must contact American Airlines to request an extension.
Delta Air Lines
Do you currently hold a Delta eCredit? If you purchased tickets before April 17, 2020, for travel between March 1, 2020-March 31, 2021 — and then had to cancel the trip — your credit amount will be automatically extended through Dec. 31, 2022.
Here's how to find your eCredit and make a future booking. Delta estimated it had more than $2.6 billion in outstanding travel credits at the end of 2020.
JetBlue
JetBlue says it will extend the redemption period to 24 months for "new travel credits" issued between Feb. 27-June 30, 2020.
Southwest
Southwest Airlines has extended the expiration date to Sept. 7, 2022, for credits scheduled to expire between March 1-Sept. 7, 2020. These credits may also be converted to loyalty points that do not expire.
United Airlines
United Airlines is extending the validity of flight credits to on or before March 31, 2022. You will have up to that date to book a trip for another 341 days out, into March 2023.
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