Need help on changing SW fare online

[SalandJeff]

We booked a flight on SW out of BDL. It was booked online and now the fare has come down substantially.

How do I cancel and rebook? Tried calling the 800 # and they said I have to do it online. So I went to the cancellation link and it said that it might not give me the SW credit for the flight right away. I need to use the credit to book the new flights at the lower price.

I'm afraid if I don't do this soon the flights will fill up.

Help!!!! (and thanks )

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by SalandJeff
We booked a flight on SW out of BDL. It was booked online and now the fare has come down substantially.

How do I cancel and rebook? Tried calling the 800 # and they said I have to do it online. So I went to the cancellation link and it said that it might not give me the SW credit for the flight right away. I need to use the credit to book the new flights at the lower price.

I'm afraid if I don't do this soon the flights will fill up.

Help!!!! (and thanks )

Jeff, I have yet to have a problem with the credit being immediately available.
What I do is first check and see if the fares are still available for your flights. Then I cancel and rebook. Takes just a few minutes. I did 5 in less than 20 mins. a couple of weeks ago.
Another "trick" I was going to try, but have not as yet, is to actually go into the change screen, rebook at the lower rates for different flights and book it that way and then do it again for the flights I wanted. This, of course, assumes they are still available.

 

[SalandJeff]

Gail - you are the best! I was hoping you'd see my post

I just went on SW and did what you said - we saved $140 on 2 tickets and that's just the one way fare.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!

 

[gigi1313]

what i did was go to the travel center, click on change air reservation, type in my confirm number and other info requested, then just change the flights i wanted... i changed my fare, while keeping the same date/time/flight... and have a southwest credit, which the phone rep told me i could request an actual refund to my credit card after i complete travel... (personally i like having the credit 'cause it will help me talk dh into another vacation!)

 

[stormy7578]

Originally posted by SalandJeff
Gail - you are the best! I was hoping you'd see my post

I just went on SW and did what you said - we saved $140 on 2 tickets and that's just the one way fare.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!

Which method did you use?

 

[SalandJeff]

Stormy

I went on SW's site (I actually opened 2 browser windows on SW so i could flip back and forth without hitting the back button, etc.).

I first checked the flight we wanted to make sure it was available. Then went to Travel Center, then Cancel Air Reservation. You will need your confirmation # and the name of person whose credit card you used to book. Did the cancellation and it put the credit on my SW account immediately. Then went to the ressie screen and rebooked the flight with the cheaper fare. Make sure you use the same traveler's names and credit card name. At some point, it asks if you want to use the credit to pay and when you are done it will show the balance of your SW credit. It took about 5 minutes!

 

[stormy7578]

Originally posted by SalandJeff
Stormy

I went on SW's site (I actually opened 2 browser windows on SW so i could flip back and forth without hitting the back button, etc.).

I first checked the flight we wanted to make sure it was available. Then went to Travel Center, then Cancel Air Reservation. You will need your confirmation # and the name of person whose credit card you used to book. Did the cancellation and it put the credit on my SW account immediately. Then went to the ressie screen and rebooked the flight with the cheaper fare. Make sure you use the same traveler's names and credit card name. At some point, it asks if you want to use the credit to pay and when you are done it will show the balance of your SW credit. It took about 5 minutes!

Thanks, sounds like you got some good advice. I will give it a try if my fare drops.

 

[hezzie]

I actually did this today by calling SW and having them cancel the reservation while I was on the phone and have my new reservation up on the screen. Once the original flight was cancelled, I continued to purchase the reservation at the lower fare and used the credit that was available immediately. It was very easy and I felt better speaking with someone and having the reservation up on the screen. The agent asked me if I had my reservation entered to ensure we had the 4 seats we needed.

 

[SalandJeff]

I also tried calling SW first. But the customer service person I got told me I had to do it online since I bought the tickets online. Same as everything else, I guess it just depends on who answers the phone and how willing they are to help!