Travel bank usage

[Johnno101]

My wife has a large amount still left in her travelbank from a flight that was cancelled a year ago. This has to be used by April 12 so the query is can she book a flight which has no cancellation fees such as to North America for six months time and then cancel that with it being put back into travel bank to use throughout 2017. We are in the midst of moving to another capital and have no idea yet what flights we will need over next 12 months.
If this won't work should we just book some flights as Flexi and change as needed?

 

[thetimeisnigh]

I just had a lecture from the call center today when I cancelled a flight. If the money is refunded to the travel bank, it is still keeps the initial expiry date.

 

[Johnno101]

I just had a lecture from the call center today when I cancelled a flight. If the money is refunded to the travel bank, it is still keeps the initial expiry date.

Well that is a little shortsighted but now we will be forced to book Flexi and change dates to suit. Did they let you put into travel bank or were you just asking?

 

[Jurahn]

Well that is a little shortsighted but now we will be forced to book Flexi and change dates to suit. Did they let you put into travel bank or were you just asking?

If a flight is booked using Travel Bank funds and subsequently cancelled, it appears the refund has to go back into Travel Bank, as per VA's FAQs:

How do refunds to Travel Bank work?

Refunds of tickets purchased with Travel Bank credits must be returned to the same Travel Bank account. For bookings cancelled prior to 1 May 2014, the Travel Bank credit expires 12 months from the date of cancellation. For bookings cancelled on or after 1 May 2014, the Travel Bank credit expiry will revert to the original Travel Bank expiry (i.e. 12 months from the original date of Travel Bank credit issue).