Help for Southwest Flights

[southjerseymom]

Hi
Going to FL for a very special b'day party. Flying into JAX. Question: Southwest Internet special flights are unavailable for my return flight. The higher priced flight is available. If I book that flight and the cheaper flight opens up can I switch??? What's the best way to do this and is it possible? DH just called - we are go for the 1st trip away from our kids AND celebrate a very special b'day. I know the Dis can help with tips etc. Thanks In Advance!!!!

 

[PCFriar80]

Hi
If I book that flight and the cheaper flight opens up can I switch??? What's the best way to do this and is it possible?

Short answer; yes, you can switch. Here's how it works, and I did it recently
for our flight from MCO - BDL. When you see a cheaper fare for the day and time you are flying, simply cancel your existing reservation and book the new one at the lower fare. Once you cancel, the funds you originally paid for your flight will be transferred/credited into what is called "ticketless/travel funds". You will use these funds to purchase the new reduced fare and will / should have remaining funds. If you are computer savvy, you should open up 2 browser windows; one to cancel your existing reservation and one to rebook at the lower rate. This way you will avoid missing out on the reduced rate after you have cancelled. The other way to do it is call SWA directly and have them cancel for you as you get ready to purchase the reduced rate.
I know this sounds complicated but it works! I have also been able to get the savings from one fare to another credited back to my CC as I did not change flight dates or time. I calle the "non 1-800"customer service # for this


DH just called - we are go for the 1st trip away from our kids AND celebrate a very special b'day. I know the Dis can help with tips etc. Thanks In Advance!!!

If you have not done so yet, you should download "Ding" on your computer.
This will give you the potential opportunity for "reduced" rates on your route and times you're flying!

Good luck!

 

[PCFriar80]

Hi
"If I book that flight and the cheaper flight opens up can I switch??? What's the best way to do this and is it possible?"

Short answer; yes, you can switch. Here's how it works, and I did it recently
for our flight from MCO - BDL. When you see a cheaper fare for the day and time you are flying, simply cancel your existing reservation and book the new one at the lower fare. Once you cancel, the funds you originally paid for your flight will be transferred/credited into what is called "ticketless/travel funds". You will use these funds to purchase the new reduced fare and will / should have remaining funds. If you are computer savvy, you should open up 2 browser windows; one to cancel your existing reservation and one to rebook at the lower rate. This way you will avoid missing out on the reduced rate after you have cancelled. The other way to do it is call SWA directly and have them cancel for you as you get ready to purchase the reduced rate.
I know this sounds complicated but it works! I have also been able to get the savings from one fare to another credited back to my CC as I did not change flight dates or time. I calle the "non 1-800"customer service # for this


DH just called - we are go for the 1st trip away from our kids AND celebrate a very special b'day. I know the Dis can help with tips etc. Thanks In Advance!!!

If you have not done so yet, you should download "Ding" on your computer.
This will give you the potential opportunity for "reduced" rates on your route and times you're flying!

Good luck!

 

[JudyT]

I would suggest that you book the outbound and return flights separately rather than round trip. It does not effect the cost but will allow you to make changes independently of one another. When you make a change on a round trip, both cancel and you have to rebook, so if one is not available or not available at the lower price, it can be tricky to get it to work. It is defintely worth setting up the Ding and to check it often. I became almost obsesive and checked it daily. Overall, from the date of my booking (December 28, 2005) to our departure date, I got ticketless/travel funds totalling $351, which I "sold" to a friend who was traveling within the 1 year timeframe.