Change flight time on SW

[MikeNamez]

A few reasons. First, I often make multiple changes on my reservation before my flight. Second, it's $11 from Sacramento to Orange County, CA; not sure how much it would be on other people's flights. Third, it's per person, so if you're traveling in a group of 5 (which I am), that $11 becomes $55 for every flight change you make.

ETA: and if you have the money anyway in a travel voucher, why not use it instead of spending another $11?

Its $11 regardless.....$55 is not much as United charges $200 per.

.... crazy idea with the Voucher but what if you... saved it for next time....

 

[supersnoop]

It’s a $5.60 fee each direction. I’ve used the change function many times and I’ve never had to pay that fee for the change. It always applies to the new flight.

 

[DizMe]

It’s a $5.60 fee each direction. I’ve used the change function many times and I’ve never had to pay that fee for the change. It always applies to the new flight.

Same for me until my last flight (Dec 4-7). Now I have 2 charges for $11 for the flight because I changed the time. That has never happened to me before.

 

[DizMe]

Its $11 regardless.....$55 is not much as United charges $200 per.

.... crazy idea with the Voucher but what if you... saved it for next time....

Seriously, it's a minor thing, but I'm only trying to mention that it can happen. Vouchers can be a royal pain.

 

[AmyAnne]

Seriously, it's a minor thing, but I'm only trying to mention that it can happen. Vouchers can be a royal pain.

I appreciate you posting about this. Vouchers can definitely be a hassle, with the limit of 4 payment methods. Plus not being able to use the funds for anyone except the original traveler -- that was a great SW feature that got changed a few years ago.

 

[focusondisney]

Why do you say it's wrong to cancel and re-book? What is the advantage of "change" rather than "cancel"? SW is not going to give the OP the current value of the flight, only what was initially paid. This is true regardless of whether the flight is changed or cancelled.

“Change” holds your current reservation until the new one is confirmed. You don’t risk losing your reservation if the new fare disappears during the process. And if you purchased Early Bird Check In, it will stay intact with a change. If you cancel & rebook, you will lose those funds & have to purchase it all over again.

 

[loveswdw]

“Change” holds your current reservation until the new one is confirmed. You don’t risk losing your reservation if the new fare disappears during the process. And if you purchased Early Bird Check In, it will stay intact with a change. If you cancel & rebook, you will lose those funds & have to purchase it all over again.

Exactly! If you booked EBCI, then you'll lose it if you cancel. If you change, EBCI transfers over to your new flight. Never cancel if you can change.

 

[Judique]

Its $11 regardless.....$55 is not much as United charges $200 per.

.... crazy idea with the Voucher but what if you... saved it for next time....

Well...that's an idea but they are individual to each passenger and everyone might not go next time.

Happens at my house all the time....right now I have 5 tickets booked for 2 weeks from now - can't say when each person will travel again.

 

[DebbieB]

“Change” holds your current reservation until the new one is confirmed. You don’t risk losing your reservation if the new fare disappears during the process. And if you purchased Early Bird Check In, it will stay intact with a change. If you cancel & rebook, you will lose those funds & have to purchase it all over again.

Totally agree. I always use change.

 

[scrapquitler]

We purchased our tickets earlier and got a good deal . I want to move my flight to an earlier time on the same day . Right now the price for each flight is equal if purchasing them today . So will they just change them or is it an up charge per ticket? I think it's an upcharge per ticket my sil said they will just change them because the cost is equal to each other today . To me that doesn't make since they would lose money . TIA.

Southwest allows you to cancel and rebook. Essentially they give you a credit of the amount you paid, and it's good for one year from when you booked it. You can use that credit to pay for any different flight. If the flight you change to costs the same, you don't pay anything extra. If the flight you change to costs more, you just pay the difference.
Its one of the big benefits of SW versus almost all the other airlines.

 

[piccolopat]

OP, I am a little confused as to what you are saying. For example, did you buy your original ticket for $100 a month ago and want to change to an earlier flight that is $120 today, and that is the same price you would pay if were buying your original ticket today rather than a month ago? I think SW would charge you the $20 difference between what you paid and what the new flight costs. I think it is unrealistic to think they would consider this an even exchange simply because both flights cost the same today.