Need help with Southwest

[imagine]

Ok, so I have 51,000 ish SW points that I'm going to use to book some flight with soon. I need to book round trip flights for 8 people (I know the points won't go that far...) But my question is in regards to how SW works... can I book all at the same time and use the points for say 3 1/2 round trip tickets and pay cash for the rest? Do I need to book the "3" round trip tickets on 1 reservations and the remaining on another? If the points cover 3 round trip and 1 - one way do I have to book 4 reservations? (1 for the round trip on pts, 1 for the one way on points, 1 for one way on cash, 1 for round trip on cash?) Just trying to know how this will all work so I don't mess up in the process!!

If it would cover 4 round trip (doubtful, but stranger things have happened) then am i better off to book all 8 of us 1 way on points and then all 8 of us 1 way on cash?

2 of the 8 are kids (6 and 10) if that matters.... Thanks for any help you can give me! I've tried calling but got different answers, so coming to a place that seems to know from experience!!

 

[Diegosmom]

You can not mix cash and points on 1 reservation. And you can not partially pay for a flight with points.

I would do as many as I could on 1 way and then book the return for cash all at once...

Another thing to remember. They will not let you book a child (under 5 I think) if there is not an adult already booked. So book the adults first or all the kids with at least 1 adult. Dont try to do all the kids cash if you havent already booked the adults...Wow I think I confused myself lol...Just make sure you have a reservation number for an adult when you are booking kids.

 

[Diegosmom]

I just reread and your kids are over 5 so I think they could fly solo although I think you might have to pay more for unaccompanied minors. Which they wont be so just make sure you book them with adults or have confirmation number.

I would also "price out" the flights to see if there is 1 flight that is less points that could get you another flight out of the deal...