Guide · Booking
How to use your airline flight credit
By the TSA Wait Times team · Updated · Published June 2026
Airline flight credits are issued when you cancel a nonrefundable ticket or when an airline cancels your flight and offers a voucher instead of a cash refund. Most credits expire within 12 months. Here is exactly how to find and apply yours at every major airline.
How to use flight credits by airline
Delta eCredit
- Find it: fly.delta.com → My Trips → Payment → eCredits, or check your email for a credit number
- Apply it: When booking, select "Use a certificate, credit, or electronic travel certificate" at checkout
- Expires: 12 months from original ticket date (not from when you canceled)
- Key rule: eCredits can be used for any Delta flight, any passenger (transferable with some restrictions)
- Tip: eCredits appear in your SkyMiles account if you were logged in when the ticket was issued
United Flight Credit / Future Flight Credit
- Find it: united.com → My Account → Certificates & Credits
- Apply it: At checkout, select "Pay with certificate / FFC" and enter the credit number
- Expires: 12 months from original ticket date
- Key rule: Future Flight Credit (FFC) is non-transferable — must be used by the same traveler. Travel credit from airline-initiated changes has no expiry restriction.
American Airlines Trip Credit / AAdvantage Credit
- Find it: aa.com → Your Account → Gift cards & credits
- Apply it: At checkout, choose "Trip credit" as payment method and enter code
- Expires: 12 months from original ticket date
- Key rule: Trip credits are non-transferable — original passenger only. eVouchers from customer service may have different terms.
Southwest Travel Fund
- Find it: southwest.com → My Account → My Travel Funds
- Apply it: At checkout, select "Travel funds" and enter the confirmation number from the original booking
- Expires: 12 months from the original purchase date
- Key rule: Travel funds are tied to the passenger named on the original ticket.
- Tip: Business Select and Anytime fares are refunded to the original payment method — not issued as a travel fund
JetBlue Travel Bank Credit
- Find it: jetblue.com → TrueBlue account → Travel Bank
- Apply it: At checkout, the credit applies automatically if you are logged in
- Expires: 12 months from issue date
- Key rule: Travel Bank credits are non-transferable
Alaska Credit Certificate
- Find it: alaskaair.com → Your Account → Credits
- Apply it: At checkout, select "Use a credit" and enter the certificate number
- Expires: 12 months from issue date
- Key rule: Non-transferable; some credits (from Saver fares) may have restrictions
Frontier / Allegiant Voucher
- Find it: Credits are issued as vouchers via email after cancellation
- Apply it: At checkout, enter the voucher code from your email
- Expires: Typically 90 days (Frontier) to 12 months (Allegiant) — check the email for the exact date
- Key rule: Terms vary by fare class and any add-on purchased at booking. Always check the expiry date in the voucher email before assuming it is still valid.
What if your credit expired?
- Call the airline — agents have discretion to extend credits, especially for documented hardship or COVID-related issues
- Write to customer relations — a polite email including the original booking reference and reason for the delay can prompt a manual extension
- Some credit cards (Chase Sapphire, Amex Platinum) carry trip cancellation coverage that may reimburse a lost credit — check your card benefits before writing it off
- Per 2024 DOT rules, airlines must notify passengers before credits expire — if you received no notice, flag this when calling the airline
Credit vs cash refund — which to request
If the airline canceled your flight: per the 2026 DOT rule, you can request a cash refund instead of a credit. Always request cash if you are not sure when you will fly again.
If you canceled: you are generally entitled to a credit only — unless you purchased a refundable ticket.
Frequently asked questions
Can I transfer my flight credit to someone else?
Most airlines do not allow transfers — the credit must be used by the original passenger. Southwest Travel Funds can sometimes be transferred; Delta eCredits have more flexibility.
What happens to my credit if the airline changes ownership or goes bankrupt?
Credits may be worthless if the airline goes bankrupt without continuing operations. Prioritize using credits quickly for financially stressed carriers.
Can I use a flight credit to pay for checked bags or upgrades?
Generally no — flight credits apply to the base fare and sometimes taxes and fees, not ancillary purchases. Check each airline's terms.
My credit is not showing in my account — what do I do?
Call the airline with your original booking confirmation number. Credits sometimes need to be manually associated with your account, especially if you were not logged in when you booked.
Related guides
- Airline cancellation and change fees — DOT cash refund rights, fare-class rules, and a change-fee table for every major airline
- Travel insurance for flights — when a policy is worth buying and what trip-cancellation coverage actually pays
Data verified . Sources: Delta eCredit policy; United certificates & credits; American Airlines Trip Credit; Southwest Travel Funds; DOT Fly Rights.
Know exactly when to leave for the airport
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