Need Help with Flying Southwest

[disneydaisyndonald]

Thanks in advance for your help.

Family has already done our Disney Trip for this year but have decided to take a Cruise for Thanksgiving. The airline prices out of Charlotte, nc are all over $465 and there are 4 of us. We are willing to drive to Raleigh(2.5 hrs) and take Southwest. I know that they release on 6/27/07. I have also read that the better prices are found several weeks after they release and I have subscribed to the Ding!!!

Ok, I guess we could use a credit on their airline so should I book the dates immediately if they are below the $465(which I would think they would be) and be able to get a credit or should I wait. I will need the early morning flights to ensure that we get there for the cruise leaving at 7pm.

Question on the refund, can you get multiple refunds or is the one it. Will they refund you based on the lowest price or the price when you call.I will do some more research on that piece. Thanks for your help to a southwest newbie.

 

[Windy City Heather]

I am a southwest newbie too. My question is I have 5 people traveling (2 families) and I pay for the whole thing how is the credit handled. Can I use the whole credit myself or does each person have to use there own credit. My sister and her husband most likely would never use there credit but my dd and I should would. I am holding off on purchasing the tickets I want because I really don't know this answer and was just hoping for a ding to end the wonder.

I have heard that if the price drops more than once you can get the credit both times so you can do it more than once.

 

[gigi1313]

that's a lot of questions...

let's see... you can get credits every time the fare goes down... anyone can use anyone's credits as long as you have the confirmation number and cardholder name of the person that booked the flights... you can buy/sell swa credits on ebay even!

how do you know that southwest will be opening their schedule on 6/27... typically people guess but it's not written in stone that i know of... start checking every day...

if you find a price you can live with, don't wait "several weeks" for the price to go down because it just might not! but then again it might and if it does you can have a credit... if you can afford to gamble (or just like to gamble) then wait, but there's no guarantee it will go down...

good luck!

 

[Windy City Heather]

Thanks. That is exactly what I wanted to know. I think we will be booking this weekend.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

how do you know that southwest will be opening their schedule on 6/27... typically people guess but it's not written in stone that i know of... start checking every day...

Check the SWA website under Special Offers, they specify when they are releasing dates.

 

[a1tinkfans]

my experience with sw is that the credit is used by anyone. I purchased tix for another family member and the money went into my "credit" account for future use.
YES, you can keep getting your prices reduced so check you DING and the website too! Last year we reduced 2-3 times!!
What I learned this year (despite flying SW for years AND both dh and I flying this trip for FREE (but had to get my childs ticket) is that the SUNDAY dings are nearly non existant! Something I will take into account for future trips.
SW is really the best customer service and if you have ANY questions or issues, call them, they REALLY are wonderful and (No I don't work for them, lol!)

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I will need the early morning flights to ensure that we get there for the cruise leaving at 7pm.

It is always safer to fly to a cruise departure city the day BEFORE the cruise starts.

 

[disneydaisyndonald]

Thanks for the answers exactly what I was looking for.

Also looking at Saturday departure too.
Thanks a bunch. I will be right on this one and checking it everyday for price differences.

 

[gigi1313]

Check the SWA website under Special Offers, they specify when they are releasing dates.

wow, that must be relatively new as i've never seen it before and typically see a zillion threads speculating when the next set of dates will open up!

but, as a caution, it also says that it's subject to change:

"We are currently accepting air reservations through November 2, 2007. On June 27, we plan to open the schedule for purchase through January 11, 2008. This date is subject to change! Please check back frequently."

 

[MrMarv]

That's the best advice you can get from the industry's best website; small wonder that that website is responsible for a mind-boggling 70% of the tickets they sell!!!!!

That 2 1/2 hour drive from Charlotte to Raleigh should save you a bundle on airfares!!!!!!

 

[CarolA]

I would buy the DAY they released if I was traveling Thanksgiving weekend. They KNOW they can sell those tickets at FULL price. The urge to discount is small then....

Also, I agree with others I would arrive the day before. What if there is storm or something that delays the flight, the boat will leave without you....

 

[wink13]

YES, you can keep getting your prices reduced so check you DING and the website too! Last year we reduced 2-3 times!!

Okay, so if I book a ticket now I can call or go on the website if prices go down and book another flight getting credit for the amount I paid?

How exactly does this work? Please help as I've been waiting to book a flight when airfares goes down but if I can book now and if fares go down still get the cheaper flight that would be great.

Please advise.