Southwest - hedging bet on taking flight

GrumpyInPhilly

DIS Veteran

Joined

Nov 1, 2014

• Feb 12, 2016

• #1

I'm an infrequent flyer and was hoping someone more experienced could answer a question.

I'd like to book a flight but I'm unsure (50/50) if I'll be able to actually take the flight until a day or two out. I was thinking of booking the refundable fare and then if I can go and there are still "Wanna Get Away" fares available cancel the refundable fare and book the lower cost fare. Is this what others do when unsure if they'll be able to make the trip?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

hsmamato2

<font color=magenta>Tink in Training-Good Girl,Bad

Joined

Mar 28, 2005

• Feb 12, 2016

• #2

you could do that.... but they will give you a credit for the returned flight,good in your name only for one year from original booking date.... you won't get your money back. If a credit works for you,why not?

 

supersnoop

What time is the three o'clock parade?

Joined

Nov 13, 2013

• Feb 12, 2016

• #3

hsmamato2 said:

you could do that.... but they will give you a credit for the returned flight,good in your name only for one year from original booking date.... you won't get your money back. If a credit works for you,why not?

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"Anytime" fares are fully refundable, so he would get money back.

Sounds like a solid plan to me. However, since I'll always fly again in the near future, I'd just book the cheapest ticket to start with so I get the lowest possible price. Even the cheapest tickets will be refunded as a travel voucher.

 

L

lost*in*cyberspace

DIS Veteran

Joined

Dec 30, 2005

• Feb 12, 2016

• #4

Your plan is fine, except it's very unlikely any Wanna Get Away fares will be available if you cancel your original ticket and rebook close to your flight date. It might make more sense to boo the Wanna Get Away fare now, then if yo have to reschedule, use the travel credit to apply to whatever fare is available when you rebook. That may save you some money in the long run if you are able to take the original flight.

 

keishashadow

Proud Redhead...yes, I have some bananas!

Joined

Dec 30, 2004

• Feb 12, 2016

• #5

GrumpyInPhilly said:

I'm an infrequent flyer and was hoping someone more experienced could answer a question.

I'd like to book a flight but I'm unsure (50/50) if I'll be able to actually take the flight until a day or two out. I was thinking of booking the refundable fare and then if I can go and there are still "Wanna Get Away" fares available cancel the refundable fare and book the lower cost fare. Is this what others do when unsure if they'll be able to make the trip?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

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it might work out better for you to buy points to book lowest fare upfront.

likely more expensive but not as much a refundable i'd guess

if you have to cancel, the points will revert to your SW rewards account.

as long as you keep it active (i believe a transaction once every two years, buying small amount of points works), then you will still have points until you are ready to utilize. Also could use for another person's booking.

 

a742246

And, and, and I caught a fish this big!

Joined

Feb 5, 2008

• Feb 12, 2016

• #6

If you book using SW Points you can cancel anytime and the points go back to your account, without penalty.

 

L

lost*in*cyberspace

DIS Veteran

Joined

Dec 30, 2005

• Feb 13, 2016

• #7

a742246 said:

If you book using SW Points you can cancel anytime and the points go back to your account, without penalty.

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It's unlikely an infrequent flyer would have enough points to book a flight using these.

 

AngiTN

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 7, 2011

• Feb 13, 2016

• #8

lost*in*cyberspace said:

It's unlikely an infrequent flyer would have enough points to book a flight using these.

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Southwest sells points and even had point sales sometimes

 

keishashadow

Proud Redhead...yes, I have some bananas!

Joined

Dec 30, 2004

• Feb 14, 2016

• #9

lost*in*cyberspace said:

It's unlikely an infrequent flyer would have enough points to book a flight using these.

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depends on the route & price. Often can book a one way fare from to MCO from PIT for under 5,500 points. While it may be more expensive 'out of the gate', it could be cancelled and the point value would still be intact.

 

goofy4tink

No tags...not needed! Transportation moderator

Moderator

Joined

May 2, 2002

• Feb 15, 2016

• #10

The one time I was heading south, and had a distinct possibility of not going, I booked fully refundable flights for all three of us. Man, that was pricey. But, we got really good boarding slots....A1, 2 and 3!! You could book refundable tickets now and 'if' lower fares were available closer to the flight, then cancel and rebook with the wanna get away fare.

 

Shelly F - Ohio

Disney Extraordinaire

Joined

Feb 22, 2004

• Feb 15, 2016

• #11

I would take the money you plan to use to purchase a ticket and purchase points with it. Book the flight and if you have to cancel the points go right back into your RR acct. The points can be used anytime. Its a good insurance policy with 100% refund and you don't have the travel voucher hanging over your head that has to be used in a year. This gives you the buying power to purchase the Wanna Get Away fare now while the fares are low. With the points anyone can used them even though they are in your RR acct. but a voucher has to be used only by you.