Buying SWA Dings From Customer Service ?

[wee-haggis]

I have asked several questions in previous threads on the subject of ......
"safe method to cancel booking and re-book with DING without jeopardizing original booking".
I have another question. Is it possible to book a Ding by calling the SWA Call Centre and have them safely cancel the original booking and apply the credit toward the Ding without taking the chance of losing the original booking ?
Thanks

 

[wee-haggis]

*bump*

 

[4greatboys]

CS can cancel your booking but they cannot book the DING. What I have done in the past is when you get the DING go through the steps as though you are booking to make sure the rate is available on the flight you want. Once you see you can get it either cancel your previous flight or call CS to cancel it for you. Then rebook with the DING rate and apply the previous fare Ticketless Travel Funds to you new flight. You should have a credit remaining in your acct that can be used up to a year from when you first flight was booked.

 

[NotUrsula]

Open two windows at once, one with the Ding fare and the other with the cancellation screen.

Get set up to do the cancel, all but the last keystroke, and then try to get the Ding fare for your dates. If you can reserve the Ding, take it all the way to the step where you are asked if you want to "Apply Ticketless Travel funds?", then switch to the cancellation window and finalize that. Then you will have the credit to apply back in your Ding ressie window.

 

[wee-haggis]

Open two windows at once, one with the Ding fare and the other with the cancellation screen.

Get set up to do the cancel, all but the last keystroke, and then try to get the Ding fare for your dates. If you can reserve the Ding, take it all the way to the step where you are asked if you want to "Apply Ticketless Travel funds?", then switch to the cancellation window and finalize that. Then you will have the credit to apply back in your Ding ressie window.

Thanks...I'll have to think about that.
I have to admit that I'm a wee bit nervous about cancelling the original flight before booking the DINg (even though the time between obtaining the travel funds and rebooking with DING is only a few minutes at most).
Is it possible that you could actually loose out on both during the process ?

 

[4greatboys]

Its possible but I dont think its probable. I have rebooked with a DING several times and have not had a problem.

 

[coinkc]

You can also do it this way:

Instead of cancelling your original flights, go to "change flight" on the travel center menu. If there is a ding fare available, it will come up on the screen when you choose your new flights.

This way you are never technically without a reservation. You also get a chance to confirm your new flights before your old one is cancelled. Then you get a credit for the balance. customer service cannot book a ding fare because it is for on-line bookings only.

(I have done this at least three times without a problem...my daughter's dancing keeps us a travelling )

 

[poohbear2]

helpful info thanks!!

 

[Bobb-O]

You can also do it this way:

Instead of cancelling your original flights, go to "change flight" on the travel center menu. If there is a ding fare available, it will come up on the screen when you choose your new flights.

Change flight will not show dings -(I believe)

 

[disneyldwjr]

Change flight will not show dings -(I believe)

It did not show today when a ding came up for my fares. Had to cancel and rebook via the ding link.

 

[LIGrumpyGirl]

WHen I had to cancel and book a DING I called SW and had the person talk me through it...I was so nervous. Basically they cancelled the original and I booked the ding at the same time. Call them and ask for help.

 

[disneyldwjr]

Nothing to be nervous about. Just cancel and rebook. I took the sage advice I received here about booking separately and today when the DING came up for the return portion of my booking, I was able to do it without any problem at all.
The trick with the windows is really good IF someone does not grab them first. Holding the fare does nothing until you book it and pay for it.
I have done this so many times I can do it with my eyes closed.

 

[Rpsemont]

YOu can also "Gauge" availability of the DING by first seeing if it would be available for 8 passengers. If it's still available, but you only have 3-4 passengers, then you porbably don't have to worry.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I tried to change a ressie several times using the Travel Center and the Ding fares never came up...I could only see them through the separate link specifically for Ding. Also, I have rebooked the same flight for my parents about five times now as lower Ding fares became available and never had a problem by having the "cancellation" screen open along with the Ding screen. Now I just wish my own fares would go down!

 

[DonnaL]

You can use the change function only if you're booking an internet fare special......not Ding. Ding's will not show up on the change screens. I've done the double screen several times without any problems, however, there is the possibility you could lose the fares in the 2 or 3 seconds it takes to transfer the screens.