Adding SW companion pass after flights are booked?

[*pixie*]

DH and I have flights booked in December. I'm hoping to have a companion pass before then. Once I get my companion pass, is there any way to use it on flights I have already booked?

 

[rigs32]

You would have to cancel the ticket for the person who is going to use the companion pass and then rebook using it

 

[Lewisc]

If you're within your 24 hour booking window I'd cancel and get a refund now.

 

[*pixie*]

Thank you, that's exactly what I needed to know!

 

[a742246]

Also, if you did early boarding you will lose it for the cancelled ticket. So you would have to buy early boarding for the new companion ticket if you want it. (At least it was that way 2 years ago).

 

[*pixie*]

Also, if you did early boarding you will lose it for the cancelled ticket. So you would have to buy early boarding for the new companion ticket if you want it. (At least it was that way 2 years ago).

Good to know, thanks!!

 

[leebee]

I would keep your husband's reservation for now. What if you don't earn the companion pass in time? Flight cost isn't going to go down, and if you cancel now and don't earn the pass in time, you'll have to rebook him at a higher rate. Also, what if the flight fills/sells out? SW flights are often full. For now, I'd keep the current flights. Once you earn the pass, cancel your husband's flights and add him as your companion. It doesn't matter if you booked "Wanna get away" and there are none left; as long as there are available seats on the flight, SW will book him. Regarding money already spent... you won't get the early bird cash back/transferred, but they might either credit previously-paid taxes to your credit card OR they will hold them as travel funds in your DH's name (which you can apply to the new, companion fare).

 

[Lewisc]

If you don't qualify for the companion pass and have to be a ticket closer to flight time you may pay $$$. How certain are you about qualifying for the companion pass? Booking a reservation using points

I would keep your husband's reservation for now. What if you don't earn the companion pass in time? Flight cost isn't going to go down, and if you cancel now and don't earn the pass in time, you'll have to rebook him at a higher rate. Also, what if the flight fills/sells out? SW flights are often full. For now, I'd keep the current flights. Once you earn the pass, cancel your husband's flights and add him as your companion. It doesn't matter if you booked "Wanna get away" and there are none left; as long as there are available seats on the flight, SW will book him. Regarding money already spent... you won't get the early bird cash back/transferred, but they might either credit previously-paid taxes to your credit card OR they will hold them as travel funds in your DH's name (which you can apply to the new, companion fare).

Flights don't generally sell out until a few days before departure. Check a few times a day and generally at least one seat will become available. A companion ticket is good for any fare bucket. You're not looking for a good fare, just a seat.
I'm assuming the OP is confident of earning the companion pass. The pass will go be good through 2020. You only pay the taxes, around $5-$10. Travel funds will expire long before they're used up. Cancelling within the 24 hour window avoids getting bounced around SW corporate asking for an exception, a refund back to a credit card for a non-refundable fare.