Info on Southwest Wanted!

[poohs_hunny]

I have only flown Delta when going to Orlando, but this year Southwest looks like the better choice. I don't know too much about this airline, and I'd like some info and to hear about others' experiences.
First, what is the difference between the different fares, specifically, fun fares, promotional fares, and one-way internet fares? I read the conditions, but they all seem the same: must purchase 21 days in advance, etc.
Also, exactly how does the check-in process go to get assigned seats? I know that the A group is best, and that you can check in online 24 hours before, but I'd like more details. Also, what about the return trip? I won't have my computer with me when I travel. Can I check in at the resort desk the day before leaving to get my assigned seats?
Any help would be appreciated - I just want to know what I'm getting into before I purchase the tickets. Thanks!!

 

[zurgswife]

I have only flew Delta when going to Orlando, but this year Southwest looks like the better choice. I don't know too much about this airline, and I'd like some info and to hear about others' experiences.
First, what is the difference between the different fares, specifically, fun fares, promotional fares, and one-way internet fares. I read the conditions, but they all seem the same: must purchase 21 days in advance, etc.
Also, exactly how does the check-in process go to get assigned seats? I know that the A group is best, and that you can check in online 24 hours before, but I'd like more details. Also, what about the return trip? I won't have my computer with me when I travel. Can I check in at the resort desk to get my assigned seats?
Any help would be appreciated - I just want to know what I'm getting into before I purchase the tickets. Thanks!!

I love SW for many different reasons but the most popular are 1) the fact that you can change or cancel a ressie without penalty 2)They have lots of opportunities for sales; so even if you purchase your ticket at X price there is a really good chance you could save more before your flight.

1) Difference in fares...nothing really except the one that is full-refundable. All the others have the same policy. ALL you can make changes to or cancel without a penalty but if you have a credit balance it will transfer to ticketless credit.

2)Assigned Seats....there are none. When you check in online/or in person you are given a Letter A,B or C. These are designated groups at which people are boarded. People with diabilities or children under 4 are preboard prior to any of the letters. They have desigated areas for each letter to line up prior to boarding. People start lining up at about an hour or so prior to boarding.

3)since there aren't seat assignments you will only be able to get your resort to print you your A,B or C boarding pass

I won't fly anybody to orlando from phillly if I can help it. I'm a SW fan.

 

[poohs_hunny]

1) Difference in fares...nothing really except the one that is full-refundable. All the others have the same policy. ALL you can make changes to or cancel without a penalty but if you have a credit balance it will transfer to ticketless credit.QUOTE]

Thanks for your response. So, if I needed to cancel my reservation, I would receive a credit for another flight?

 

[zurgswife]

Thanks for your response. So, if I needed to cancel my reservation, I would receive a credit for another flight?

Usually yes, some people have posted that they have been lucky enough to get it posted back to there credit card. I have canceled and rebooked many flights and I just use the credit the next time. Very easy to do..

 

[owtrbnks]

I luv SWA as well, and you will get many opinions for answers. Why not just call Southwest with your questions?

 

[mdhkitten]

I think that you can't print your boarding pass if you have to check luggage. Isn't this only for people that strictly have carry-ons?

Oh, and if you fly a lot, you can join their Rapid Rewards program where if you earn 16 credits over the course of two years you get a free round trip. One round trip= 2 credits.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

You can print your boarding pass at the 24-hr mark, AND still be able to check your bags.

 

[mdhkitten]

You can print your boarding pass at the 24-hr mark, AND still be able to check your bags.

Thanks Tyler! I know that when they first started letting you print your boarding pass that it was for carry on only, but I had a baby almost 2 years ago, so I've been having to check in since she's a lap child, and we pre-board, so the letters haven't affected us lately!

 

[DJNOWICK]

Another reason I LOVE SW is that they are one of the few remaining airlines to let you preboard with children. SW policy applies to kids 5 and under; many other airlines (at least from BWI) do not let kids preboard to MCO - they say that if they did that, the entire flight would preboard.

I'll have had a good 10 years of not worrying about A B C with SWA just because of the prebaord policy when all is said and done!

jackie

 

[mom2missmous]

Just a note of caution on pre-boarding at MCO: although I haven't seen it myself, some others have reported that pre-boarding was suspended for the under 4 crowd when the flight had a large number of these little munchins.

 

[mdhkitten]

Just a note of caution on pre-boarding at MCO: although I haven't seen it myself, some others have reported that pre-boarding was suspended for the under 4 crowd when the flight had a large number of these little munchins.

I hope not! I went to WDW less than a year ago on Southwest and they let us preboard. We're going in two weeks, so I'll let you know once I return!

 

[Pinnie]

I have been on a few flights out of MCO that suspended preboarding families because there were so many of them. I flew out of MCO on Thursday night and the gate agent was VERY good about only letting parents and young children board. He drew the line at grandparents, aunts and uncles. He made those get in the correct corral and wouldn't let them preboard.

You can print out your boarding pass at your resort. I did this at SSR on Thursday. Only real NON issue was that while we had A boarding passes for our connection at MDW, our flight got in late and the plane was waiting for us (BLESS SWA) so DH and I parked ourselves in middle seats, him in the front of the plane and myself in the back. There were about 20 pax that had to make that connection and a few families got split up but NO one complained!!

pinnie

 

[ZuZugal]

Don't forget to download SWA DING! for some great rates.

Just go to the homepage for SWA and click on DING. It is easy to download, and the icon sits in your desktop tray and you can see when it has been updated for you to look at.

 

[Tink9748]

I am waiting for the fares to open for 0930-1007. Any idea of when they may post them? I was looking at AirTran, however the prices available now are around 50.00 higher a ticket than what they were a week ago. I did a search using early September dates on SWA and those fares are cheaper than AirTran and they are non-stop. I'm getting really nervous though since everyone is posting that the airfares are all going up May 1st.