Best use of Voucher?

[Theresa Brandon]

I have a voucher from TAP Portugal that expires in early September. Since I've postponed my fall 2021 Camino to next spring, I'm unsure what to do with the voucher. I've looked for future random flights worth a similar amount, and while they say they are changeable, they aren't refundable. Do I take a chance on being able to change it to a ticket I can actually use in the future, with the risk that I might not be able to? (I can afford a new ticket, but gosh it would be nice to be able to use this somehow).
I did request an extension for another year to the voucher but it was denied.

 

[Lexicos]

Jump up and down, throw a tantrum and insist on a refund. Try that. It works, sometimes. Tell them you’ve been saving for months and months, that you can’t afford to lose the funds and cancellation was due to circumstances way beyond your control. Ask to speak to someone more senior, if the operator is unsympathetic. These companies work on the assumption (often correct) that we’ll simply accept and abide by their rules, their self-declared rules. It’s worth challenging them sometimes. You never know!

 

[C clearly]

they say they are changeable, they aren't refundable. Do I take a chance on being able to change it to a ticket I can actually use in the future, with the risk that I might not be able to?

If I understand correctly, I don't see that you have a choice (unless, of course, Lexico's suggestion works), so there's no risk. You can either do nothing, and lose the credit, or make a reservation and hope that you can use it or change it again. It sounds like fun to make a reservation for a random trip!

 

[peregrina2000]

I have a voucher from TAP Portugal that expires in early September.

Jump up and down, throw a tantrum and insist on a refund.

Though I am not generally in favor of throwing a tantrum, just because I don’t think it gets you good results, I think Lexicos is on to something. Was your original flight cancelled, @Theresa Brandon? If so, TAP should have given you the option of a refund. If they didn’t, or if they did it in an obscure way, you might be able to convince them to extend the expiration date.

 

[OTH86]

Hmm, @Theresa Brandon is your TAP flight, by chance, departing from the US? If so, you may be able to use this bit of information from a year ago - https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...e-issuing-of-refunds-for-cancellations.67602/
Good luck!

 

[Theresa Brandon]

I chose to get a voucher originally, thinking that surely we would be able to travel this fall. By accepting a voucher I think I negated the option for a refund but I will check out the other thread and links.

 

[naplesdon]

I had a voucher good for one year from a cancelled round trip between Miami and Bilbao in June 2020 which was good until June 2021, then last April TAP automatically extended the voucher for a reservation made by February 2022 for travel until April 2022.
I actually was able to talk to someone at TAP about making the reservation but I have since thrown that number away. I was told if I made the reservation I could change it for travel beyond February and April of next year.
I booked a new round trip for late February 2022 to late March 2022. The new booking cost me another 125.25USD.
The confirmation I received says changes are allowed but with a penalty of 230USD.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Something that has worked for us in the past for a few things is Peg blows up (she is better at this than me) and then I come in calmly to work the with the customer service rep (with Peg much calmer herself). So our indignation is shown but the rep can see that something can be worked out. Never done over the phone though.

 

[OTH86]

Here's a link to a prior thread from July with more suggestions from people who HAVE gotten extensions to vouchers from TAP - https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/tap-travel-voucher-expired.70651/
Again, good luck!

 

[jsalt]

I have a voucher from TAP Portugal that expires in early September.

When you book another TAP flight with a TAP voucher it doesn’t have to be for yourself. I used a couple of TAP vouchers, that were credits from cancelled flights for myself and my husband, to buy a couple of TAP flights for our daughter and grandson. They can travel, but we can’t. So maybe there is someone else you can book a flight for, and they give you the money?

 

[ELHS220]

I have a voucher from TAP Portugal that expires in early September. Since I've postponed my fall 2021 Camino to next spring, I'm unsure what to do with the voucher. I've looked for future random flights worth a similar amount, and while they say they are changeable, they aren't refundable. Do I take a chance on being able to change it to a ticket I can actually use in the future, with the risk that I might not be able to? (I can afford a new ticket, but gosh it would be nice to be able to use this somehow).
I did request an extension for another year to the voucher but it was denied.

My voucher expires in April. My plan is to use it by then for spring/early summer of 2022. If I end up not going, I guess it’s lost.

Attached is a photo of a letter from the CEO that was probably e-mailed to all voucher holders. She invites people to contact her with any questions or concerns. Maybe it’s worth a try! Good luck.

 

[ELHS220]

My voucher expires in April. My plan is to use it by then for spring/early summer of 2022. If I end up not going, I guess it’s lost.

Attached is a photo of a letter from the CEO that was probably e-mailed to all voucher holders. She invites people to contact her with any questions or concerns. Maybe it’s worth a try! Good luck.