Awarded free flight on Airtran....can I use to book Southwest?

[DIS-OH]

In July, DH and I were awarded two free flights each when our Airtran flight was delayed twice for a total of 7 hours due to two separate mechanical issues. The gate agent announced the tickets were for anywhere Airtran or Southwest flies and to call 1-800-I-FLY-SWA to book the free flights.

When DH called, he was told to call a different number. He called that number and was told to call a third number. The third call did result in someone at Airtran confirming that we each had two free flights noted "in the system" but they could only be booked on Airtran.

While our flight was delayed, I spoke to the gate agent to clarify that the free tickets would be honored on SWA as they have more flight out of our local airport than Airtran. The gate agent assured me that the free tickets were good on SWA and that "we all got an email last month saying that they were good on both."

So...do you think the gate agent was telling us the truth or was he just telling us what we wanted to hear so we would take the 7 hour delay without complaining?

 

[DebbieB]

In July, DH and I were awarded two free flights each when our Airtran flight was delayed twice for a total of 7 hours due to two separate mechanical issues. The gate agent announced the tickets were for anywhere Airtran or Southwest flies and to call 1-800-I-FLY-SWA to book the free flights.

When DH called, he was told to call a different number. He called that number and was told to call a third number. The third call did result in someone at Airtran confirming that we each had two free flights noted "in the system" but they could only be booked on Airtran.

While our flight was delayed, I spoke to the gate agent to clarify that the free tickets would be honored on SWA as they have more flight out of our local airport than Airtran. The gate agent assured me that the free tickets were good on SWA and that "we all got an email last month saying that they were good on both."

So...do you think the gate agent was telling us the truth or was he just telling us what we wanted to hear so we would take the 7 hour delay without complaining?

Aren't SW flights on the AirTran website now? You should be able to book it that way.

 

[DIS-OH]

Aren't SW flights on the AirTran website now? You should be able to book it that way.

Thanks for the suggestion. Just tried it, but it didn't work. SWA flights don't show on Airtran site...just a link that takes you to the SWA site.

I tried putting our AirTran voucher number in on the SWA site...no dice!

 

[keishashadow]

Thanks for the suggestion. Just tried it, but it didn't work. SWA flights don't show on Airtran site...just a link that takes you to the SWA site.

I tried putting our AirTran voucher number in on the SWA site...no dice!

we passed on voluntary bumps last trip flying AT with another trip coming up was wondering how it would work if opportunity presents itself again.

If you call AT, please let us know how it works out, good luck!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

It appears that you cannot use your AirTran vouchers for Southwest flights:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/airt...7280-using-airtran-vdb-voucher-southwest.html

The issue is also discussed here:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324448104578611980670019710.html

I don't think the gate agent was deliberately lying to you; he probably just didn't know. I have found many GAs to be pretty ignorant regarding airline policies and I'm sure with the Southwest/AirTran merger, it can get confusing.