Infant Ticket and SWA Question

[labst60]

This will be DD's 3rd time flying. The past 2 times, we bought her a seat (both ways), and she did sleep in her carseat, and I was happy I bought them.

This trip, I purchased her a seat RT, then we changed our travel dates (I wanted to stay another day!!!) Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get a DING on my return flight (which is an 8:30PM flight out of MCO on a Saturday night). So, instead of $34+tax each way, the cheapest rate for the 2 remaining tickets is $131 (I was able to get one at $50).

So, it just kills me to spend $131 on a one way ticket for her so I called to see if there was an infant rate (there is, and it is completely refundable). She also told me that flight was wide open (lots of seats left). That makes me think a DING will eventually become available, but my question is this....

The reservation agent told me that I could cancel that flight any time up until checking in for the flight. So, if the flight is STILL not full, would I be able to cancel her 100% refunable ticket and then likely be permitted bring her seat onboard?? That would give me the option of NOT cancelling if I know **for sure** that I want her to have the seat b/c she is fussy or based on our experience on the way down. Has anyone done this?? Being that our flight doesn't depart until 8PM, I am 99% sure she will sleep the whole time and she doens't mind being held.

Anyone have experience w/ this?

 

[CarolA]

There was a post on this on flyertalk.com a few months ago.

The woman was more then a little upset that she was NOT allowed to bring her infant seat on board. Based on what she found when she called and wrote SW it is up to the gate agent and even if there are TONS of empty seats you may not be allowed to bring the car seat on board. (The flyertalk poster felt that SW was endangering her child, most posters felt that decision was hers) I can see both sides of this. ALL flyers would like an empty seat beside them and giving them to the car seat crowd certainly lessons the chances of getting one.

The safest place for the infant is in the carseat...

 

[labst60]

THanks Carol- I guess even if we couldn't bring her seat, we'd likely have a little extra space - and would also have the option of not cancelling the seat if we were just too pooped to hold her at that point! But like I said, after a day swimming at the Swan, she should be pretty pooped herself!

I am more worried about comfort/convienence (of us and others) than safety, as the most "dangerous" portion of the flight (or so I've read), is takeoff and landing. Seat or no seat, I will be nursing her during those times to reduce the pressure on her ears. Not that I don't care about safety... but I think you know what I mean!

 

[CarolA]

Actually if there is ever an emergency is the big risk.... You don't want to know what they MAKE you do with an infant if you have to do a "crash landing" You would not be allowed to hold her and FAs in those circumstances do NOT take no for a response. You put the infant on the floor and hold her between your legs. Yeah right!

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

I had a friend go recently with a 2.5 year old, HUGE 2.5 year old mind you. She thought she was FREE on lap, that it was 2 AND under. lol Anyway, sure enough, both flights, they took her on for FREE, and her carseat. They were never questioned at all.

 

[KarenP99]

I called SWA directly about infants.

This is the deal (and I was told this before for another flight, but wanted to call again to make sure nothing changed).

If you buy a seat for an infant, and the flight winds up with empty seats...once travel is completed they will REFUND you the amount of your ticket you bought for the infant.

So we buy a "normal" ticket online, and hope the flight isn't full so we'll get our $$ back. If the flight IS full, I'm so happy that I don't have to hold a squiggly wiggly 1yo for 3 hours...$$ well spent!

Good luck!

 

[Lewisc]

There are a lot of lap babies on flights to MCO. Unless the flight is so empty that all the families with lap babies can get seats and take care of potential standbys the GA will generally gate check all car seats. They don't want to decide which parents get the free seat or having to remove a car seat if they get last minute standbys.

memorymaker--SW has been know to ask for proof of age. This was shown on the Airline show and is clearly indicated on SWs website. Other airlines might rely more on the honor system.

Karen--Does that work if you book an adult fare or only if you book the, normally higher, infant fare? I know that's the policy for the second seat purchased by a COS but I've never heard of that policy for infants. That courtesy isn't anywhere on their website. I believe you, I wonder if it's an unwritten accommodation.

 

[labst60]

Karen - thank you for that information - that is great to hear!

Like I said, we paid for all her other flights, including the one on the way down (which I think all turned out to be full). But if I pay $131 and there are a bunch of empty seats, I'd be kind of ticked, you know?

If the plane is full and I decide she is not just going to nurse right to sleep or is in a "mood", I don't really mind paying for a seat for her for everyone's best interests.

 

[seashoreCM]

If the flight is full or close to full, as was mentioned above, everyone who brought car seats but did not buy tickets for the respective child may have the car seats taken away and gate checked. Meanwhile everyone who did buy tickets for small children also get carry on baggage allowances for those seats.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm