My plea for help with Southwest booking..

[dvcfamily41801]

I know this has been talked about before, and was trying to search, but there is SO much SW info on the boards (thanks to all!) but I am just going to ask 1 more time so I can find the answer...

We, along with many others are watching for July SW fares...hoping they come out soon.. and I am able to book the lowest fare I can..what happens if a DING special appears? Can I get a refund? Do I book the DING fare first and then cancel or vice versa? Do I have to book it (DING) one way down and one way back to get the fare or can it be round trip? Or do you not even book as soon as the next group of fares are released and just wait for DING???

Im sorry for asking so many questions that I know somewhere, somehow have all been answered .

First to sign up for the Southwest for Dummies class coming to a town near you...

 

[salmoneous]

You don't wait for a Ding, you may never get one that works for your schedule - especially flying to Orlando in July. As soon as flights are released and there is one that works for your schedule and your budget, book it. If something lower comes along, you can't get a refund, but you can get a credit on the price difference.

 

[1000th happy haunt]

What I've done is open two screens. Get the Ding ready, up to the point of making a payment. One the other screen have your current reservation ready to cancel.

Cancelling a reservation seems to have an instantaneous result with Southwest. The moment you cancel your credit is available to use (just make sure you have your original confirmation number handy). Cancel the one and immediately book the Ding using your credit.

There's a spot in the payment process where you can apply a credit number. Your credit number is the original confirmation number.

Disclaimer: This has worked for me in the past, but I won't guarantee that your credit will be as instantaneous. You may have to wait a few minutes.