Can you switch a DING fare to a lower fare for the same destination?

[hokiefan33]

I booked a DING fare from RDU-MCO for $58 each way (which I thought was pretty good at the time). However, I see that they now have $39 one way for the same route. I would have to give up a 7:05 AM departure time for a 4:55 PM departure time, as the 7:05 AM (which I bought under DING) is now unavailable at the $39 rate. However, my return flight (11:05 AM) is still available at the $39 rate, so I wouldn't have to change that, thought I may switch that to a later flight (8:00 PM) so we can stay later on our return day to compensate for getting there later on our arrival day, if this all works out.

My question is: can I switch these flights to the $39 rate from my $58 DING rate? Are there penalties, even though I'm not switching cities, only price and time? How do I go about switching?

Thanks!

 

[dgaston]

I just switched a DING rate to the special sale rate and saved $42. In my case the same flights were available. If you go to the SWA website and click under Travel Tools you will find a listing called Change Itinerary. You have to type in your confirmation number and name on credit card and then it's very simple to switch the flights.

I hope it's that easy for you. Let us know.

 

[hokiefan33]

I just switched a DING rate to the special sale rate and saved $42. In my case the same flights were available. If you go to the SWA website and click under Travel Tools you will find a listing called Change Itinerary. You have to type in your confirmation number and name on credit card and then it's very simple to switch the flights.

I hope it's that easy for you. Let us know.

Do you get the difference put back on your credit card, or do they just issue SWA credit? We virtually never fly, so a SWA credit for a $100 wouldn't be real useful for us, but $100 back on our credit card would. Do you have the option which to take, a refund or credit??

 

[KarenP99]

I think if the change is made within 24 hours you can get the refund, otherwise it's just the credit.

I changed mine today from Ding to a lower sale fare.

Karen

 

[dgaston]

I've read that sometimes people get the refund when they phone Southwest. Call and see what they can do. To get the sale rate, you'd still have to book on the internet.

 

[vossjemi]

I just cancelled my Ding fare and then rebooked at the lower fare using the ticketless travel funds. Then I called SW long distance # on their website and they gladly refunded my cc the difference. I love SWA!

 

[Brian Noble]

Based on reports here, SW is inconsistent about crediting a card vs. ticketless travel funds. In general, I would not assume that you can get a card credited, though it does happen from time to time.