DING fares, do I have to be at my puter? and seating help

[miss missy]

questions: Trying to book for May. See good price for late flights I want on internet special.

1. What is the difference of a DING than an internet special?


2. I just got DING and I can't figure what I am doing LOL! There was one there today but when I clicked on the "message" in the DING box, it didn't have anything but rules... it didn't show what the deal was??? How can I tell what the DING is for?

3. And do I have to be at the DING puter to book DING? Do I ave to use the book flight icon on the DING box to get the deal?

4. And my other ? with SW is, how do I know I will not get split seats when it is just me and DD 13. I cant risk having to split up. Is it true that if I do online check in 24hrs before I will pretty much get an A boarding pass and be OK?


5. Does SW change flight times alot? Or cancel other than for weather? I would book soley for the late night flights reason, I would be going away from my normal airport and airline just to get these late flights. How likely are they to change them?


I am so confused.

TIA

 

[pamjb]

I will do my best to answer your questions. Let me preface it by saying....I love SouthWest.

1. The difference between an internet special and Ding! can be nothing or everything. I have seen internet specials from Philly to Orlando for $49. A few weeks ago, the entire summer was $49 from Philly to Orlando as an internet rate. Since I have plenty of opportunitiies to use ticketless travel funds, I tend to book my tickets as soon as the rates are released. Then when (and if) a Ding! comes out, I rebook it at the lower rate. Usually, SW's fares are less than I can get with another airline, so I don't mind if a Ding! doesn't Ding!. A big note here.....Always book your trip as 2 one-way, instead of round trip. If a Ding! only comes out for one leg of your trip, you can rebook that at the lower rate. Otherwise, you may save on one leg, but have a price hike on the other leg.

2. Can't help you with this one. It sounds as if you don't have the Ding! set up for your airport. You may have to click on "Update Registration" in the Ding! box.

3. Yes, you do have to be at the computer to book the Ding!

4. I have flown SW with party sizes from 2 to 8. Each time, our group has been together. We haven't been scattered across the plane. I have always had a A or B boarding pass. I always head to the back of the plane, as there are typically many seats together back there. It sounds as if you are planning a late night flight. I just flew from Orlando to Philly the beginning of March. Our flight left Orlando at 8:30 pm. The plane was not full and there were 0 pre-boards. There was plenty of space.

5. In the 10 flights I have taken with SW, I have never had a time change. I have had flight cancellations, but only due to weather. The time change issue was a big one with me. I previously flew Delta, but they changed my flight times so many times and I had to make so many phone calls to reclaim my seats, and get connections fixed. With Southwest, I have a direct flight and can be in Orlando in about 2 1/2 hours.

 

[miss missy]

I will do my best to answer your questions. Let me preface it by saying....I love SouthWest.

1. The difference between an internet special and Ding! can be nothing or everything. I have seen internet specials from Philly to Orlando for $49. A few weeks ago, the entire summer was $49 from Philly to Orlando as an internet rate. Since I have plenty of opportunitiies to use ticketless travel funds, I tend to book my tickets as soon as the rates are released. Then when (and if) a Ding! comes out, I rebook it at the lower rate. Usually, SW's fares are less than I can get with another airline, so I don't mind if a Ding! doesn't Ding!. A big note here.....Always book your trip as 2 one-way, instead of round trip. If a Ding! only comes out for one leg of your trip, you can rebook that at the lower rate. Otherwise, you may save on one leg, but have a price hike on the other leg.

2. Can't help you with this one. It sounds as if you don't have the Ding! set up for your airport. You may have to click on "Update Registration" in the Ding! box.

3. Yes, you do have to be at the computer to book the Ding!

4. I have flown SW with party sizes from 2 to 8. Each time, our group has been together. We haven't been scattered across the plane. I have always had a A or B boarding pass. I always head to the back of the plane, as there are typically many seats together back there. It sounds as if you are planning a late night flight. I just flew from Orlando to Philly the beginning of March. Our flight left Orlando at 8:30 pm. The plane was not full and there were 0 pre-boards. There was plenty of space.

5. In the 10 flights I have taken with SW, I have never had a time change. I have had flight cancellations, but only due to weather. The time change issue was a big one with me. I previously flew Delta, but they changed my flight times so many times and I had to make so many phone calls to reclaim my seats, and get connections fixed. With Southwest, I have a direct flight and can be in Orlando in about 2 1/2 hours.

Yay thanks! I am getting ready to book tonight or tomorrow. I just want to be sure I know what I am in for. Flying Song out of Boston for so long now. This will be out of Providence RI and that is so different for me. It looks like all will be OK doing this. The rates look awesome too!