Airfare question

[TinkerbellRules]

Could someone please explain this?

**Seats are limited and won't be available on some flights that operate during very busy travel times and holiday periods.

Standby travel requires an upgrade to the full unrestricted fare. **

This was on the Southwest site. If I purchase an internet fare, doesn't that guarantee me seats? I'm a little concerned about this "ticketless" system.

 

[Beverly Lynn]

what they are trying to tell you is that airlines do overbook flights by 10%. this is because they do have people that no-show. but if you are not given a seat because the flight is full then they generally compensate you in the form of putting you on the next available flight and giving you a voucher to fly for free on your next trip with them.
as for their standby I'm not sure. I know the major carriers you can standby on the same day for a different flight with most of the restricted fares. since we don't have southwest flying out of pit and I don't book them I am not positive about their operations. sorry on that.

when people aren't going to get on the flight they generally ask for volunteers first and then they proceed to whoever checked in last as to who isn't getting on the flight.

 

[DVCKid]

The standby thing means that if YOU change your mind at the last minute and want a different flight--leaving earlier, later, whatever--the the price of your ticket, even if you choose to fly on a standby basis, will increase to full fare. We learned that when we tried to change our flight from New Orleans to an earlier time. We decided to wait.

I always thought the statement about fares not being available on some flights or time frames was notification that there may be changes in fare if the passenger chooses to make changes to their flight times or dates.

Southwest doesn't give seat assignments at all. It's open seating on all flights, which is one of the things I like best about flying with them! When you check in at the gate you'll get a boarding pass. Passengers are boarded in groups according to the number on your pass (1-30 first, then 30-60, and then 60-90 (or is it 120?) and above are last).

I wouldn't worry about ticketless travel. We fly SW all the time, and have never had a problem. We're flying to Orlando in two weeks and this trip will earn my second free ticket with them!

When you find a great fare, go for it!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

I would not worry about the availabilty statement. Most of the times if the fare is not available or the flight is full, you cannot book it.

 

[TinkerbellRules]

Thanks for all your replys. I feel a little safer now We're still not sure if we are flying or driving. I heard on the TV today that "if you're planning on flying in the future, you may want to wait a few weeks to purchase tickets". That's all I heard of the trailer. I think it's going to be on the news tonight.