Travel credit or voucher problem: what to do

Have this ready

• credit number
• terms of the credit
• original booking

Steps for any company

1. Check whether you were owed a cash refund instead of the credit.

2. Ask the company to extend the credit or convert it to a refund.

A company playbook below replaces these generic steps with the company’s own forms, phone numbers and deadlines.

Company playbooks (12)

Airlines

• Alaska AirlinesAn Alaska credit is valid one year from issue; ask for a refund instead if the credit came from an Alaska cancellation or significant change.
• Allegiant AirTravel credit must be used within one year of the original reservation and cannot be extended.
• Delta Air LinesAn eCredit from a voluntary cancellation usually expires 1 year from purchase; one from declining a rebooked flight lasts 5 years.
• JetBlue AirwaysTravel credit is valid 12 months from the original ticketing date and cannot be moved back to a card; ask for a cash refund if JetBlue caused the cancellation.
• Southwest AirlinesFlight Credits from tickets issued or changed on or after May 28, 2025 expire; ask for a cash refund instead if Southwest caused the disruption.
• Spirit AirlinesSpirit vouchers, credits and Free Spirit points are handled in the bankruptcy process, not by the airline.
• Sun Country AirlinesSun Country vouchers stay valid under their existing terms after the Allegiant acquisition.

Cruise lines

• Carnival Cruise LineCancelling an Early Saver fare before final payment gives a future cruise credit worth the deposit less $50 per person, to be used within 12 months. When Carnival cancels for a reason other than mechanical failure, the contract gives a future cruise credit or onboard credit; for a nonperformance cancellation you can choose a refund instead.
• Disney Cruise LineAfter a Disney cancellation or a delay of more than 3 days, you choose a refund or a cruise credit; request either within 90 days of the original sail date.
• Norwegian Cruise LineAfter an NCL cancellation or a delay of more than 3 days, a future cruise credit is an offer you may decline in favor of a refund.
• Princess CruisesThe standard cancellation policy gives no cruise credit; credit comes only through Princess Vacation Protection or a Future Cruise Package. Book Future Cruise Package credits within 18 months of purchase.
• Royal Caribbean InternationalWhen Royal Caribbean cancels, it issues a future cruise credit (FCC) by default. You can switch to a refund within 6 months. For other non-injury claims the contract limits Royal Caribbean's liability to an FCC.

Guides

• Airlines — how complaints work
• Online travel agencies — how complaints work
• Hotels and vacation rentals — how complaints work
• Cruise lines — how complaints work