What happens to unused funds or hours decides how much risk a card carries. This guide explains refund and rollover terms.
Any unused balance on a card is still your money. The refund and rollover terms decide whether you can get it back or carry it forward.
These clauses are easy to skip when you buy and costly to discover later, so read them first.
Programmes differ on whether they offer a full or partial refund, what fees apply on cancellation, and how much notice is required.
Check the conditions attached to any refund and how long the programme takes to return funds.
Confirm whether unused hours or funds expire at the end of a period or roll forward, and whether any cap applies to what carries over.
Expiry terms can quietly erode value, so factor them into how much you commit.
Ask what happens if rates change mid term, what protects your balance, and how a wind down would be handled.
Written answers on these points are a fair test of how a programme treats its clients.
Secure the refund and rollover terms in writing before you pay, not after.
If the terms are vague, that is itself useful information when you compare a card against booking on demand.
Tell us your typical routes and how often you fly and we will return indicative on demand pricing so you can compare against a card.
Our newsletter for the discerning traveller. Aircraft notes, route intelligence, and honest guidance on cost. No noise.