Help with Reward Flights (Air Tran and Southwest)

[dedex13]

I recently signed up for a credit card with a bonus of 32 Air Tran A+ points specifically for a trip I am planning for late October/early November. And have some questions (being a total noob when it comes to air travel).

I know you have to pay the 9/11 fee, but do you also have to pay for the other taxes? Also can I still choose seats on Air Tran reward flights? What happens if you have to cancel? Can I still get the "insurance"?

I'm also considering transferring the A+ points to SWA Rapid Rewards, what happens with them if you have to cancel? I'd really rather do this, since SWA policies are more favorable but after reading some posts here am concerned about availability of SWA reward flights since I probably won't have the points in my account until September. I'm flexible -- I can fly out of BWI or PHL and plan to fly out Tuesday/Wednesday and return Monday/Tuesday anyway. Do you actually have to call regarding availability or once I have the reward in my account can you see the reward flights?

I know I don't really need to worry about this now, but I'm a planner and like to know what my options are well ahead of time.

 

[tyzzle]

I recently signed up for a credit card with a bonus of 32 Air Tran A+ points specifically for a trip I am planning for late October/early November. And have some questions (being a total noob when it comes to air travel).

I know you have to pay the 9/11 fee, but do you also have to pay for the other taxes? Also can I still choose seats on Air Tran reward flights? What happens if you have to cancel? Can I still get the "insurance"?

I'm also considering transferring the A+ points to SWA Rapid Rewards, what happens with them if you have to cancel? I'd really rather do this, since SWA policies are more favorable but after reading some posts here am concerned about availability of SWA reward flights since I probably won't have the points in my account until September. I'm flexible -- I can fly out of BWI or PHL and plan to fly out Tuesday/Wednesday and return Monday/Tuesday anyway. Do you actually have to call regarding availability or once I have the reward in my account can you see the reward flights?

I know I don't really need to worry about this now, but I'm a planner and like to know what my options are well ahead of time.

I am new to this whole thing as well but here are some things I figured out. On sw I believe you can look up reward point info on flights without membership, but membership to both programs is free and anyone can sign up. On AirTran you have to log in. For AirTran there are limited flights for rewards. One of my sept flights is already unavailable and the other is almost gone. With southwest I believe you can use points as long as seats are seats, but it maybe more (or less) points the longer you wait. And yes you can transfer points and rewards.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Go to the web site for Southwest and read the Rapid Rewards rules. All of your questions are answered there.