How long are airline travel vouchers valid?

It varies by airline and voucher type, but many are valid for around 12 months from the date of issue, and some require you to book (not travel) before that date. Always read the expiry terms on your specific voucher and diarise the deadline.

Can I use a flight credit for someone else?

Often not. Many credits and vouchers are tied to the original passenger's name and can only be used by that person, while some transferable travel-bank credits are more flexible. Check whether yours is name-locked before you plan to gift it.

What is the difference between a voucher and a flight credit?

A flight credit is usually the value of a cancelled ticket held in your account for future travel on that airline, while a voucher is often a separate promotional or compensation code. Both have their own rules on expiry, transferability and what they can pay for.

How do I avoid losing the value of a voucher?

Note the expiry the moment you receive it, use it toward a trip you would take anyway rather than an overpriced fare just to spend it, and confirm any name or route restrictions first. Booking early in the validity window gives you the most choice.

How to Use Airline Travel Vouchers and Flight Credits (2026)

Reviewed by the ScanFlyGo team · Last updated: August 2026. Voucher rules vary by airline — always read the terms on your own credit.

Quick answer

To get full value from an airline voucher or flight credit, find its expiry date immediately, check whether it’s locked to your name and to specific routes, and redeem it toward a trip you’d genuinely take — not an inflated fare bought just to use it up. Book early in the validity window for the widest choice, and keep the code and any booking reference somewhere safe.

Compare fares before you redeem on ScanFlyGo →

Voucher vs flight credit: know what you hold

The words get used loosely, but the two work differently and it pays to know which you have.

Type	Usually is	Watch for
Flight credit	Value of a cancelled ticket held in your account	Often name-locked; expiry from issue or original booking date
Voucher / eCredit	Promo or compensation code with a value	May have route, fare or minimum-spend rules
Travel bank credit	A stored balance you draw down	Sometimes more flexible or transferable

The restrictions that catch people out

Most lost value comes from small print, not bad luck. Before you plan around a voucher, check these:

Expiry — and whether it’s the booking date or the travel date that must fall within the window.
Name lock — many credits are only usable by the original passenger.
Route or fare limits — some can’t be used on partner airlines or the cheapest fare classes.
Residual value — find out whether leftover value is kept or forfeited if your new fare is cheaper.

How to redeem without wasting value

Read the terms first, then log in to your airline account or booking to apply the credit at checkout. Some vouchers apply automatically with a code; others need a call to the airline. The single biggest mistake is treating a voucher as free money and overpaying for a flight just to spend it — compare the open-market fare first so you know what the ticket should really cost.

If the voucher only partly covers a trip, check how the balance is handled before you pay. And if you have several credits, spend the one expiring soonest first.

When a voucher is worth less than it looks

A credit is only valuable if you’ll actually fly that airline before it expires and can find a fair fare. If the carrier doesn’t serve your routes, or its prices sit well above rivals, the headline value may not translate into real savings. Weigh it honestly against simply booking the best available fare elsewhere.

Frequently asked questions

How long are vouchers valid?

Often around 12 months from issue, sometimes requiring you to book (not travel) by then. Check your specific terms.

Can I use a credit for someone else?

Frequently no — many are name-locked. Some travel-bank credits are transferable; confirm before gifting.

Voucher vs flight credit?

A credit is usually a cancelled ticket’s value in your account; a voucher is often a separate promo or compensation code. Each has its own rules.

How do I avoid losing value?

Diarise the expiry, use it for a trip you’d take anyway, and check name and route limits first.

The bottom line

Vouchers and flight credits are worth real money only if you redeem them on time, within their restrictions, and against a fair fare. Read the terms, book early in the window, and always sanity-check the open-market price first. Compare live fares on ScanFlyGo, browse popular routes, and track your flight live once you’ve booked.

Some links on ScanFlyGo are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Voucher terms vary by airline and are set by the carrier, not ScanFlyGo.