Changing a flight on Southwest

[ewalshslp]

I booked last week on the day the flights opened...not happy with the prices or the flight times. We panicked and booked an early flight home with a layover. Checked the app today and there is a late afternoon direct flight for less than we paid. Went in to my reservation to change it, but that flight doesn't show there? Am I completely missing something? Do they make different flights/prices available to people that haven't booked? I'm confused!!!! Any help would be appreciated.

 

[ErinsMommy]

Nope should be there, but unless Southwest does something different than United or Jet Blue, you'll have to pay a 'change' fee to change flights which is pretty pricy.

 

[DopeyDame]

Nope should be there, but unless Southwest does something different than United or Jet Blue, you'll have to pay a 'change' fee to change flights which is pretty pricy.

Southwest is different (thankfully!) No change fee or anything.
OP, it definitely should be there. The schedules are the same whether you're trying to change it or book new. Maybe just double check that the dates you're entering are correct. (They do have day-specific schedules sometimes and that has messed me up once or twice.)

 

[ewalshslp]

thanks... I checked again and I am wondering if there is a glitch on their end...every single flight time is different for that day compared to the app??

 

[DopeyDame]

thanks... I checked again and I am wondering if there is a glitch on their end...every single flight time is different for that day compared to the app??

I just tried out a few random days on my computer and on the app (It's clearly a really quiet day at work....) and they are the same. I can't think what might be happening. Just triple check the dates are the same (same month? I've done that before...)
Sorry!

 

[Gwade4]

I had this happen too. What I realized is that when I was checking prices, I was checking for 1 individual. When I went to change the flight reservation, it was for my entire family (5 individuals). Figured that had something to do with it.

 

[Polish Hammer]

Yes, could be they don't have enough seats for everyone at that cost. I usually book for 3 and in the past ran into this issue when checking for prices by looking up only 1. And one of the great things about SW besides no baggage fees, is that there are also no fees for changing your reservations. Not sure how they can run their business that way yet the other airlines can't do it without ripping off the consumer.

 

[Minniekins]

@ewalshslp
Hmm, very strange indeed, and frustating, I'm sure! Well, this may sound silly or obvious but be sure you are looking at the flight times for the right airport you want to fly out of. I have done this several times, and almost totally booked the wrong flights - Instead of going from Chicago MDW to Orlando MCO, I had it reversed and was looking at going from Orlando MCO to Chicago MDW on the dates I needed and those times were totally different with times and prices! I was getting very confused, and pretty happy with one of those cause the prices were definitely better, but finally realized I'd been looking going the wrong ways.
I know you probably have checked that, but just in the tiny chance it might help, I figured I'd post my experience.

And if all else fails, you can call and they can help you rebook the flights you want to change to. I had to have them help me recently and it went very smoothly. Supposedly, if you then find another flight reduction you want to switch to, you then have to call again and they can help you again no problem, but you'd have to call to switch, but can do it as needed. And you can do this anytime day or night. The few times I've called for help with this, it was usually between 3 - 5 a.m.

How did you book, credit card or points?

 

[ewalshslp]

@ewalshslp
Hmm, very strange indeed, and frustating, I'm sure! Well, this may sound silly or obvious but be sure you are looking at the flight times for the right airport you want to fly out of. I have done this several times, and almost totally booked the wrong flights - Instead of going from Chicago MDW to Orlando MCO, I had it reversed and was looking at going from Orlando MCO to Chicago MDW on the dates I needed and those times were totally different with times and prices! I was getting very confused, and pretty happy with one of those cause the prices were definitely better, but finally realized I'd been looking going the wrong ways.
I know you probably have checked that, but just in the tiny chance it might help, I figured I'd post my experience.

And if all else fails, you can call and they can help you rebook the flights you want to change to. I had to have them help me recently and it went very smoothly. Supposedly, if you then find another flight reduction you want to switch to, you then have to call again and they can help you again no problem, but you'd have to call to switch, but can do it as needed. And you can do this anytime day or night. The few times I've called for help with this, it was usually between 3 - 5 a.m.

How did you book, credit card or points?

This is exactly what I was doing!!!! When I was looking on the app, I was looking at PHL to MCO, but I needed MCO to PHL!!!! That's why all the flight times were different!!! UGH!!!!!!

 

[Minniekins]

This is exactly what I was doing!!!! When I was looking on the app, I was looking at PHL to MCO, but I needed MCO to PHL!!!! That's why all the flight times were different!!! UGH!!!!!!

Omg, so glad I answered then! I almost deleted after typing figuring that probably wouldn't be it and you'd think that was a silly suggestion! Well hope your new lower fares were still available now for you to change to. Either way, keep stalking for lower price! Good luck!
I've be been watching my November return trip hiking for a drop, so far only increases but I still expect it to drop some. Want some points back, lol!

 

[ibob52]

oops ...

 

[DebbieB]

One time I was booking a flight from Pittsburgh to Burbank CA for work. Something didn't seem right with the times. Here I had it from Pittsburgh to Burlington VT! Always double check!

 

[hsmamato2]

thank goodness for SWA excellent change policy,I've accidentally booked to the wrong places before too, it pays to double check lol