Changing Flights on SW

[Livelovedance]

I have flights that I want to change when the new flight dates open on Thursday. Can someone explain how changing Southwest flights works? Thanks!

 

[shoreward]

I have flights that I want to change when the new flight dates open on Thursday. Can someone explain how changing Southwest flights works? Thanks!

The best way is to make note of your confirmation number(s) - you will need to enter this on the new reservation. Then, check for new flights. When you see what you want to book and have checked for availability, open a new browser and go through the whole process, up to the payment page. Go back to your original reservation and "cancel" - it will confirm your cancellation, telling you the expiration date to re-use the funds from your canceled flight (travel must be completed within one year from original booking date). Go back to your payment page for the new flight and enter the old confirmation number and name where it says "Apply funds." If you owe any additional money, it will let you know. If the new flight is cheaper, it will show you any remaining credit for future travel. The travel funds only may be used for the same person named on the original reservation.

It's better to cancel and rebook, than to just "change," so that you can get a refund on any portion that's refundable, usually taxes and fees.

If you booked with points, you can just "change" the reservation, if you don't care about the taxes and fees being refundable, if new trip is completely canceled.

Remember, that you can cancel a trip and get a full refund, if cancelled less than 24 hours from time of booking, if you change your mind.

 

[Livelovedance]

The best way is to make note of your confirmation number(s) - you will need to enter this on the new reservation. Then, check for new flights. When you see what you want to book and have checked for availability, open a new browser and go through the whole process, up to the payment page. Go back to your original reservation and "cancel" - it will confirm your cancellation, telling you the expiration date to re-use the funds from your canceled flight (travel must be completed within one year from original booking date). Go back to your payment page for the new flight and enter the old confirmation number and name where it says "Apply funds." If you owe any additional money, it will let you know. If the new flight is cheaper, it will show you any remaining credit for future travel. The travel funds only may be used for the same person named on the original reservation.

It's better to cancel and rebook, than to just "change," so that you can get a refund on any portion that's refundable, usually taxes and fees.

If you booked with points, you can just "change" the reservation, if you don't care about the taxes and fees being refundable, if new trip is completely canceled.

Remember, that you can cancel a trip and get a full refund, if cancelled less than 24 hours from time of booking, if you change your mind.

I purchased WGA fares (not with points) more than 24 hours ago, so aren’t they non refundable? I was planning on changing instead of cancelling because I thought that was the case. Do I have to pay the taxes and fees again if I change the flight?

Thanks again!

 

[shoreward]

If you cancel, copying the original confirmation number, you just paste that number into the "Apply funds" box of the payment page of the new reservation. If you "change" the reservation, but ulitmately cancel the trip completely, the taxes and fees will not be refundable; they will be added to the cost of the flight in the form of "ticketless travel funds," which must be applied to the cost of future travel completed with one year from date of booking of the original flight.

This is a change in policy that began when Southwest starting using their new reservation system.

You can just "change," if you are not concerned about the cost of fees and taxes, or if you know you won't be cancelling trip. If you're sure the trip won't be cancelled, there is no additional risk of losing the funds. When changing or cancelling, the funds from the original ticket (flight and taxes/fees) just get applied to new flight.

 

[rwdavis2]

WGA fares are not refundable, just redeemable for another flight. If you click on the column heading when choosing a flight it shows you the applicable rules of the fare category.

 

[AngiTN]

Super easy. When the flights are opened, sign in to your account, click on your trip, click Change and select the date/flight you want. Check out again. It will either give you a credit or charge you more, whichever applies.

 

[Fangorn]

Super easy. When the flights are opened, sign in to your account, click on your trip, click Change and select the date/flight you want. Check out again. It will either give you a credit or charge you more, whichever applies.

As AngiTN says, you don't need to cancel and rebook. In fact, if you have already purchased EBCI for that existing flight, you'll lose it if you cancel and rebook. There is a "change" option that is super simple and you won't lose your EBCI that way. The cancel/rebook method really complicates things.

Steve

 

[AngiTN]

As AngiTN says, you don't need to cancel and rebook. In fact, if you have already purchased EBCI for that existing flight, you'll lose it if you cancel and rebook. There is a "change" option that is super simple and you won't lose your EBCI that way. The cancel/rebook method really complicates things.

Steve

True. Though do watch that ECBI. It's not uncommon for it to fall in to cyber space when you do a change. They'll fix it but don't just assume it follows your change. Check specifically to be sure it does.

 

[Fangorn]

True. Though do watch that ECBI. It's not uncommon for it to fall in to cyber space when you do a change. They'll fix it but don't just assume it follows your change. Check specifically to be sure it does.

Agreed. I personally have never had it go away when I've changed flights (and I do that a lot), but I've heard others say they have. Easy enough to check (the sunrise icon will appear on the new flight if it tagged along).

Steve

 

[focusondisney]

Don't cancel, just change!! Especially if you have purchase a EBCI. If you cancel you will have to repurchase that & it will NOT be refunded from your original reservation. If you change, it will carry over & you will still get the full value you paid for your original booking, including the taxes. I have never had to re-pay any taxes when I changed a flight. It all counted towards my new one. The only thing you will have to pay is if there is a price increase. And if the price of your new flight is less, you will still have a credit to use within one year of original booking.

 

[DVC-Don]

I've never lost my EBCI during a change, and I fly often and change often. In fact I've got a flight booked now that I have changed twice so far.

 

[Livelovedance]

Thank you everyone! I’m going to do the change flight option. It seems like the easiest way to accomplish what I need to do. Here’s to hoping tomorrow will bring reasonable prices!