the policy of use it or lose began with Ben Baldanza ex US vp marketing who compared airline tickets with opera/concert tickets if you douse them you lose them.. i really did not agree at first but understood where he was coming from. when you buy something and it says NONREFUNDABLE be any different for the airline industry. this business has always been looked at some entitlement to the consumer like heh where is my hotel room where is my car rental where is my MIND. other transportation services you never hear in the news about some person who missed their business meeting because the bus to Boston had a mechanical problem. if anything the consumer lost big time back in 2000 when they wanted flyers rights the airlines got together and said okay this is what you will get and this is what you wont. Wn said we will not participate all we offer is a cheap price and nothing else to complain about they also dont charge change fees cancellations fees etc .. thats is why since DOT has kept records WN always ranks nbr one in consumer complaints... Heh they offer a good price and thats it... no seating.. no this no that... so there is nothing to complain about you knew it when you booked it. now we are not alone many other airlines have the same policy.. if you dont plan on traveling you need to cancel the booking prior to the flight leaving and you can apply the unused citash towards a new trip plus any penalty. understand when you buy the ticket online or otherwise you agree to all the policies of the fare.