Help Me Hank: Travel voucher woes

Jeff Arsenault, traveler
"We just wanted to get away for three maybe four days tops."

Jeff planned on using these air travel vouchers he'd paid $1500 for in an online charity auction in March 2006. They're good for four U.S. round trip tickets and expired in one year. Jeff and his wife decided to use two of them to hit Las Vegas, a favorite destination. He called the airline's reservation desk to book their seats.

Jeff Arsenault, Traveler
"It wasn't a pleasant experience."

That's because the agent said 'no seats available.' So, Jeff and his wife tried different dates, and different places.

Jeff Arsenault, traveler
"We tried flights to Las Vegas, we tried several different locations in Florida, we tried New Orleans."

Still no seats available. What made it weird, Jeff had checked the same flights online and they all showed open seats.

Jeff Arsenault, traveler
"I was expecting to be booked on flights."

What made this real travel trouble, the voucher expiration date was looming. The airline gave him a three-month extension. He tried 12 more times to book seats, but still no tickets. To get him off the ground he got online.

Jeff Arsenault, traveler
"I sent an email to 'Help Me Hank.'"

Airline companies told us they donate lots of travel vouchers to charities. But, they're not a fly anytime-free ticket. Voucher seating is always limited.

We told the airline, Jeff had tried to follow their rules, calling months in advance and offering many travel options. If there were no seats on any of the many flights he checked, he shouldn't lose the vouchers.

Turns out, the airline does extend deadlines on a case by case basis, and that's what they did for Jeff. Now the family has until July 2008 to book a trip, and that year may mean a travel change. Now they'll need tickets for three, and Noah can take off for the first time.

Jeff Arsenault, traveler
"He's getting to the age now where we'd be able to take him somewhere."

As you can see, using a voucher is not the same as using cash. The airlines say, plan your trip far in advance, pick dates midweek, and be flexible with your destination. 

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