Remember when I got stuck with that lousy AirAisa credit shell? I’m glad I was able to give it away to a reader to use, but losing out on $250+ sure isn’t any fun. To prevent myself from visiting that situation again (and to save my readers from it too), I did some homework and researched some tips to “extend” the life of an airline credit shell. I learned that there is indeed a way to prevent your time-sensitive and non-transferable credit with an airline that is somewhat sneaky, but perfectly legal.
Here’s how: buy a refundable ticket for a future date on a trip you might end up taking. Then pay for part of it with your credit shell, and the remainder with a credit card. If you end up taking the trip at that time, then fantastic (though refundable fares tend to be a bit pricier). If the trip no longer works for you and your schedule, then you can simply change the ticket (since it’s changeable and refundable without penalty, but be absolutely sure of this at booking!) to a new trip that you’d like to take at a later date.
That method should preserve the value of your credit shell if done correctly because it will no longer be a credit, but now an actual reservation that can be used or modified in the future. Since the fare is fully refundable, it’s in your control to decide if you want to travel on the itinerary or simple ask for a refund it in its original form of payment. From what I’ve learned, this method seems to work on most major airline carriers.
Does anyone want to share their personal experiences?
Also it is wise to check the terms of the credit – it may be nonrefundable, in which case you could get only the cash portion of the ticket cost back.