Did you know you can make y our own Southwest changes?

[RweTHEREyet]

Many of you may already know this, but I learned recently that if you book a reservation on-line with Southwest, you can actually make changes to that reservation yourself, and there are no fees or penalties for doing this, unless the fare changes.

I recently booked a flight, realized after all was said and done that I had chosen the wrong return date, so I called Southwest right away and was told that to keep my rewards that I needed to make my changes on-line. What a surprise that was to me, since other airlines make it such a big deal.

In addition to going in and correcting my mistake, I have also gone back in twice now when I noticed lower fares had become available and was able to book the lower fare and have a credit on file with Southwest. My experience had been that with Southwest once you booked your flight, that almost never did lower fares become available, but I have changed my July flights to Orlando twice now and have a $30.00 credit sitting there.

You go in and make your changes by selecting the Travel Center on t he right hand side of the screen and then choosing the option you wish.

Hope this helps someone.

 

[lawgs]

any time we have tried to use that feature, it required that we "change" the flights in order to get the better rates thus we did not get the same flights, maybe they have changed that now

will have to try it next time to see if it has changed

thanks for posting this

 

[markey]

I have changed my August flights 3 times for lower rates and have kept the same times. Now unless they go down to $39 I don't think I will get any cheaper, we have $115 taxes included out of BWI and that is usually what I pay each year.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I kept my same date and same time, didn't have to change anything, just got the lower rate.

I had always thought that when you went to their site and a fare was shown as "unavailable" in red that it meant it was all sold out. This is the first time I have ever had my fare go down on Southwest. and I love that they do not charge any fees or penalties for making the change.

 

[Dream1]

Are you saying that you were able to book a fare that said "unavailable"? If so, please outline the process you used. Thanks.

 

[Nanajo1]

I'm very glad to learn this. Thanks.

 

[MrsMud]

I kept my same date and same time, didn't have to change anything, just got the lower rate.

I had always thought that when you went to their site and a fare was shown as "unavailable" in red that it meant it was all sold out. This is the first time I have ever had my fare go down on Southwest. and I love that they do not charge any fees or penalties for making the change.

No, it doesn't always mean that. It says on the SW site that UNAVAILABLE (in red) means that either the flight is sold out, OR: that that fare is not available for the flight you have selected. Read here, not available RIGHT NOW. It may become available at a later time and even at a lower fare, which goes to show you should ALWAYS keep checking the site for the flight or fare you really want. Good for you!

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Thanks, I really did think that once I booked with SW that was as good as it was going to get. Thanks for the helpful tip, now I know to check back often.