Bad weather coming--? about changing SWA flights

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

UGGH!!!


They are predicting a Nor'easter for the day we fly out!!

Who has experience with changing SWA flights? We are looking into the possibility of flying out the night before.

We are supposed to fly down on Wednesday afternoon (now the peak of the storm), and are hoping to go down late Tuesday night. We have a room and Universal tickets that we really don't want to lose. (or the deposits either)
At least we know we'll get there before the cruise on Saturday! Proof that it is important to fly down before the cruise if you are from snow country...

 

[PhotoLisa]

Hey Sue:

Its easy to change your flight on their website --painless actually -- and no fee.

Check to see if the flights you want are available and then change your ticket by clicking on View or Change a Ticket on the main homepage. If there is any difference in price, either good or bad or nada, it will only charge you appropriately but no fee.

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

Hey Sue:

Its easy to change your flight on their website --painless actually -- and no fee.

Check to see if the flights you want are available and then change your ticket by clicking on View or Change a Ticket on the main homepage. If there is any difference in price, either good or bad or nada, it will only charge you appropriately but no fee.

I just spoke to a SWA rep about their policies...$750 dollars difference ..unless the airport declares an emergency (much to early for that)
If the airport declares an emergency they will change us for free. I have to check as it gets closer. If it happens, I have to call SWA and try to get on a flight out.
I hope this storm goes out to sea!! If not, I can see my family sitting at the airport. We will be sure to bring stuff to do, that's for sure...

 

[LoveMickey]

I would suggest looking on line instead of talking to them. You may have better luck.

Plus, we may not get the storm. You know how the forecasters are, they usually don't get it right. And we have not got a storm yet.

Good luck though.

 

[dizzi]

I have changed flights with SWA, and i know your predica ment, you most likely bought very inexpensive flights, now they are all booked for the inexpensive and only have the higher seats left, >>RIGHT?

Yeah been there, unfortuanlty when we had to do this it was a just bite the bullet and do it, but $750 yuck! That would pay for a round trip of driving and then some.....

Have you considered that?

You may be able to get your money back from SWA depending on the ticket you purchased, and just drive before that dreadful storm hits!

Driving may be actually betetr than geting stuck at the airport!

 

[Mjasp]

Sue...What did you pay for the flights one way to get there?

Figure out what you paid for the outgoing flight, then go online and select a one way flight and see the difference, that what you should pay. I know Islip to Orlando the most expensive on Tuesday is $205 each, but if you take away what you paid already it should be less.

Good Luck, I will pray for sun along with you. me doing a sundance

 

[aan1701]

Sue.
A SWA emp. here. If there is a bad storm that is going to affect our operations, and we know for a fact it will cause problems, we do let you rebook your flight at no charge what so ever.

 

[Mjasp]

aan1701...Will they let you change it BEFORE though. I know during hurricane Frances, it didn't cost me anything. But if they are forecasting significant snow wednesday and you call them Tuesday morning to change your flight from wednesday to tuesday afternoon or evening, will they charge you?

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

Sue.
A SWA emp. here. If there is a bad storm that is going to affect our operations, and we know for a fact it will cause problems, we do let you rebook your flight at no charge what so ever.

I have talked w/3 different SWA employees, they all told me unless my flight is cancelled or the airport closes down, I can't make a switch without paying the difference.
My big concern now is that if we don't get out on Wed, there is NO availability for the rest of the week to book (even at surrounding airports), so even though I booked 3 full days ahead of the cruise to avoid this situation, I could possibly not make it to the ship!!??
The idea of driving 28 hours (without stops) with my 3 kids is almost too scary to contempate. We barely make the 6 hours it takes us to go camping in the summer.
I am keeping my fingers crossed. My kids (and I) would be totally heartbroken if the situation we purposely tried to avoid keeps us from this vacation that we have been planning for over 2 years...

 

[Lewisc]

SW will sometimes allow changes without paying extra during bad weather. They announce it on the website. They don't do it "on spec". The storm has to imminent, not forecast days in advance. The weather forecast has changed to rain in some areas.

SW, and other airlines, will sometimes add flights in order to move passengers that are stuck during bad weather.

 

[iluvflorida8]

I just changed my flight from Tuesday afternoon(1:15) to tonight at 7:45 out of Pittsburgh. I called Southwest Customer Relations, and explained that since I am a frequent RapidReward member(fly 2-3x a month) that I asked if I could change my flight to 1 day earlier.....

They said since I was a very good SW customer they would allow a 1 time exception for me.Otherwise they have to wait until the severe weather is official and would hamper the airport. So I didn't have to pay the difference in flight fare. I LOVE Southwest and I get to beat the SNOW!!!

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

SW will sometimes allow changes without paying extra during bad weather. They announce it on the website. They don't do it "on spec". The storm has to imminent, not forecast days in advance. The weather forecast has changed to rain in some areas.

SW, and other airlines, will sometimes add flights in order to move passengers that are stuck during bad weather.

I am glad to hear they will add flights. I am still hoping our original flight gets out...it's just incredibly stressful wondering about the weather.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

We had to cut our trip short also due to Hurricane Frances. I called SWA from our Wonder stateroom at 5am. They had me on hold for 1/2 hr, but they put us on a flight that night and didn't charge us anything for the switch. I really love SWA, they've been good to us!

I hope you find a way to get down there before the storm. I might even consider biting the bullet and paying the difference if it meant we'd otherwise miss our trip. The other thing you could *possibly* do would be to book on another airline and save your SWA costs for a future flight? I think others are high as well, but you might luck out and find something if people are cancelling.

Good luck.

 

[Maxwell]

Sounds like mostly rain Boston south so Providence should be ok. Manchester on the other hand will be tough.