See when a ticket's credit runs out.
Pick the airline and fare, then enter the ticket's dates. You get the day the credit runs out and three dates to remind the traveler.
The credit runs out
Remind the traveler
Quick reference
How long credits last, by airline.
Most credits count from the original ticket. Check what each airline counts from.
- Delta12 monthsfrom the original ticket date
- JetBlue12 monthsfrom ticketing, booked by that day
- Southwest12 or 6months for Choice or Basic, from booking
- Alaska and Hawaiian12 monthsfrom the day the credit is issued
- ARC standard1 yeara ticket's validity from its issue
Reference
Airline credit rules, side by side.
A ticket is good for one year from its issue date unless the fare says otherwise. Each airline then sets its own rule for the credit.
| Airline | What it becomes | How long it lasts | Basic economy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delta | eCredit | Valid for one year from the original ticket date. Domestic trips finish within the year; international trips begin within it. | Basic tickets from the US or Canada can be cancelled for an eCredit, less a cancellation fee, valid one year from the original ticket date. |
| JetBlue | Travel credit | Valid for 12 months from the original ticketing date. Book by that day; the trip itself can come later. | Main Base fares booked after July 29, 2026 cancel for travel credit, less a fee, on the same 12 months. |
| Southwest | Transferable flight credit | Choice fares give a flight credit for 12 months from the day the ticket was booked and issued. | Basic fares give a flight credit for 6 months from the day the ticket was booked and issued. |
| Alaska and Hawaiian | Credit | A credit is valid for one year from the day it is issued, for travel booked and flown within that year. | Saver fares cancelled at least 14 days before departure give a credit for half the fare, valid one year from its issue. |
| Another airline | The unused ticket | A ticket is good for carriage for one year from its issue date. The fare or the airline's tariff can set a different term. | Same as main cabin |
Step by step
Track every credit to its expiry.
- Note the credit at cancellationRecord the ticket number, the airline's rule and the day it runs out on the traveler's profile.
- Count from the right dayMost airlines count from the original ticket. Alaska counts from the credit's issue, and Southwest from booking.
- Remind ahead of the dateRemind the traveler on each date the tracker gives, and the team a few days sooner, since the exchange has to be ticketed in time.
- Check the name ruleMost credits stay with their traveler. JetBlue's credits can book travel for anyone.
- Exchange inside the windowIAR takes exchanges for 13 months from issue as standard. An exchange keeps the original ticket's date at most airlines.
Checklist
Keep every credit in use.
At cancellation
- Record the ticket number and the airline's rule
- Save the credit to the traveler's profile
- Note the day it runs out
Every month
- Match open credits to upcoming trips
- Check the name rule before you apply a credit
- Share open credits with each corporate client
Before it runs out
- Remind the traveler on each date the tracker gives
- Exchange inside IAR's 13-month window
- Ask the airline about options while travel is on hold
By the numbers
Ticket credits, in numbers.
Sources for this tool.
Checked on October 26, 2026. Airlines change these rules, so check the policy before you rebook.
- ARC, Industry Agents' Handbook ARC
- Delta, Cancellations and refunds Airline policy
- Delta, Certificates, eCredits and gift cards Airline policy
- JetBlue, Travel credits Airline policy
- JetBlue, Fare options Airline policy
- Southwest, Fare types and benefits Airline policy
- Southwest, GDS policy (September 2026) Airline policy
- Alaska Airlines, Contract of carriage (August 2026) Airline policy
- Alaska Airlines, Saver fares Airline policy
Related guides.
Agency operationsHow should a TMC track unused ticket credits?
Tie every open ticket to its traveler and its expiry, apply it at the next booking and report it to the client each month.
Corporate travelHow are corporate travel programs changing?
Corporate buyers in 2026 want cost control and one view of their program. Here's what they ask their TMC for at renewal.
AI and automationHow do we estimate the hours a team gets back?
Where every Projected figure on this site comes from, with its range and the checks we run on it.
Track every open credit to its traveler.
Walk us through the open credits on one account. Majeste saves each unused ticket's credit to the traveler's profile with its expiry date.
Book a walkthrough