Changing SW flight due to hurricane question

[yankebabie]

we are on a SW flight on Saturday from ny to Orlando. Should the hurricane weather effect us and SW posts our airport and dates as one that we can change with no fee do to weather, do you have to call to do that or can you do it on line?

 

[mom2rtk]

You can change on SW regardless of whether there's a hurricane. You can make the change online. There should be a "change flight" link when you bring up your flight information.

 

[FCDub]

There’s never a fee to change your flight on Southwest. It can be done online or via phone.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Wouldn't a weather alert allow changes without charging for any potential fare increase?

 

[DebbieB]

If they put out a weather waiver, can your change flights without change in fare?

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Wouldn't a weather alert allow changes without charging for any potential fare increase?

Yes

 

[Ariel1014]

Does that apply to most airlines? Or is is SW specific?
(The no fare increase)

 

[rigs32]

Does that apply to most airlines? Or is is SW specific?
(The no fare increase)

Southwest specific. One of the many reason a lot of people prefer to fly with them.

 

[yankebabie]

So can you do that on line if it’s a SW weather alert? Or do you have to call. So u make sure u don’t get charged the difference

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

So can you do that on line if it’s a SW weather alert? Or do you have to call. So u make sure u don’t get charged the difference

yes as long as you originally purchased the tickets online. If you called to purchase your tickets you will have to call to make the change.
Online will walk you though step by step and will show that there is no price difference. Travel must take place withing 14 days from the original travel date

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

ALERT ISSUED NOW
https://www.southwest.com/html/advisories/swa_travel_advisory_2018891536512869640.html

 

[bumbershoot]

Wouldn't a weather alert allow changes without charging for any potential fare increase?

If they put out a weather waiver, can your change flights without change in fare?

Yes to the above posts.

Does that apply to most airlines? Or is is SW specific?
(The no fare increase)

People are answering only part of the issue/question

With SW you can always change without a change fee.

But there will still usually be a change in fare.


With a weather issue like this, though, once the airline allows changes, ALL airlines will allow a change without fare change OR a fee.

With hurricane weather (or winter storms etc), once that alert is made, no one has to worry about fares or fees. It’s not a SW thing once that happens.

 

[Shanti]

Does that apply to most airlines? Or is is SW specific?
(The no fare increase)

Southwest specific. One of the many reason a lot of people prefer to fly with them.

When it's due to a weather emergency like this, none of the mainstream carriers charge fees or fare increases for changes.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

You can change on SW regardless of whether there's a hurricane. You can make the change online. There should be a "change flight" link when you bring up your flight information.

Of course you will have to pay any price changes since you originally booked.

There’s never a fee to change your flight on Southwest. It can be done online or via phone.

But there's often a fare increase.

Southwest specific. One of the many reason a lot of people prefer to fly with them.

No free changes for weather waivers are not SW "specific" I have done it LOTS of LOTS of airlines. I realize that SW cheerleading is an industry, but....

As a general rule you do better on any airline calling in a case like this as systems often aren't set up for free changes.

Here's the current SW waiver, if you are NOT flying in to or out of one of the airports below you are not eligible for a free change! (NOTE: Orlando is NOT included)

Based on the forecasted weather conditions for the cities listed below, our scheduled service may be disrupted (flights may be delayed, diverted, and/or cancelled):

Wednesday, September 12 - Sunday, September 16

• Charleston (CHS)
• Charlotte (CLT)
• Greenville/Spartanburg (GSP)
• Raleigh/Durham (RDU)
• Richmond (RIC)
• Norfolk (ORF)

Customers who are holding reservations for the abovementioned dates, and want to alter their travel plans may rebook in the original class of service or travel standby (within 14 days of their original date of travel between the original city-pairs and in accordance with our accommodation procedures) without paying any additional charge.

 

[mom2rtk]

Of course you will have to pay any price changes since you originally booked.

Or you can receive travel funds (good for a year from date of original purchase) if the fare has gone down.

 

[AngiTN]

People are answering only part of the issue/question

With SW you can always change without a change fee.

But there will still usually be a change in fare.


With a weather issue like this, though, once the airline allows changes, ALL airlines will allow a change without fare change OR a fee.

With hurricane weather (or winter storms etc), once that alert is made, no one has to worry about fares or fees. It’s not a SW thing once that happens.

To the bold, only if your flight(s) are through one of the impacted airports.

And thank you for finally bringing up the clarification
It was driving me nuts how only half the question was being answered (and sometimes I think on purpose!)
Change fees and fare change charges are 2 different things! Even Southwest charges fare change fees.