Manual Changes with a DING fare?

[calypso*a*go-go]

Has anyone had any luck at all getting customer service @ SW to change a DING fare manually? Here's our scenario: $99 each way from Portland to Orlando, travel dates 10/01-10/30. Our outbound is on 9/30 which we currently have a previous DING of $89, our inbound is on 10/07 and has a DING of $114. Because it was my first time using DING fares I didn't know it would be much more beneficial to book as O/W instead of R/T. Can't cancel the entire ressie and rebook because of the 9/30 travel date (which is currently @ $159!). If I could somehow get the new fare on our return, it would save about $60 total on 4 tickets. Am I just stuck? Has anyone been able to get around this or convince someone @ SW to change it to the lower fare? Only have an hour or so before the DING expires, so hopefully someone can help.

 

[disneyldwjr]

It is an online only. The SWA reps. cannot do anything for you. I have tried.
They don't even see the DING fares.

 

[Wigit12]

They won't do it over the phone. We learned that lesson and ALWAYS book O/W now.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I've spoken with a couple of CS people and my only option right now would be to book the MCO-PDX as a separate O/W ticket using the lower DING fare, then just use the PDX-MCO portion of my first ticket and call the next day to cancel the return w/the unused balance going into future travel funds. I don't think it's worth having $500 tied up, for who knows how long, to save $75. Guess I'll just hold off and hope more DINGS come out that include my date in Sept. For here on out -- I'm going to be the O/W travel queen!!!

 

[tmt martins]

Yes I have 4 one-way legs booked right now for our next two trips just because of this reason.

We just had a Ding on one that saved us $250 FOR THE 3 OF US .

It was a lesson learned last year as the same thing had a good rate booked one-way then pops a ding for just the return but the other one was 2 ctagories higher so it would have cost me money.

Good luck maybe you will get both dates.

 

[clkelley]

I think though that you can book the Ding! one-way up until payment information, then call SW and cancel only the leg you don't need, then your funds will be available.

Then finish the one way Ding! booking.

 

[disneyldwjr]

I think though that you can book the Ding! one-way up until payment information, then call SW and cancel only the leg you don't need, then your funds will be available.

Then finish the one way Ding! booking.

They cannot do that. I tried that once and the entire reservation had to be cancelled.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

That's exactly what the person @ SW told me. She said to wait until after we have departed to cancel the return leg of the flight. I haven't given up hope. Someday my DING will come...and away to the castle we'll fly (and so on, and so on).