nerves about booking flight

[IwovMickey]

I found a good deal with southwest online, bit I have never booked a flight in my life! It says that it is a Promotional Fare. If I book online...then what? Do I get tickets in the mail? If anyone has any info I would truely be greatful We are going sept. 25th -- 30th. Thanks

 

[QueueCT]

Don't worry, it's a piece of cake. When you purchase the ticket on line a receipt for the purchase will be sent to your email address with a confirmation number (this is an "e-ticket"). When the day of travel arrives, you can either print the boarding passes at home within 24 hours of your flight (pretty sure SWA offers this) or you can go to the airport and they will give you a boarding pass when you check your luggage. Best part is, no tickets to lose.

Finally, check the terms of the promotional fare; it's likely that you will incur a penalty if you change your flight. This is normal and applies to most reasonably priced airline tickets.

 

[hedwig]

Southwest does not charge a fee for changing tickets ( have done it many times)- using Ding and promo fares. If you have to change a ticket go to their website, make changes, and if it is less- you will have a credit with Southwest to use within the year, so save original confirm number.

Southwest is the easiest airfare I've dealt with for making travel plans

 

[tkitty]

Once you book your airfare online, you'll never do it any other way again. Almost too easy!

 

[Wendy1953]

We always fly southwest, and we always book online! We've also changed our flights without charge....the only thing negative is you aren't assigned seats...so we also always check-in online 24 hours (used to be 12 hours, they've extended the time frame within the last year)...you are assigned an A, B, or C pass....the A's board first (except for those needing assistance and those with toddlers), then B's, and last but not least C's. We got C's once(we forgot to check-in online) and had to sit separately...no two seats same row left when we boarded. But, other than that Southwest is the way to go!

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

We always fly Southwest. We book online as soon as the date we want is available. We try to get the promo price on a nonstop flight for first thing in the AM. Later if we find that there is something similar availbale for a lower price we just change our tickets. We have never had a problem. We print our passes the night before and it is so fast and easy. The only thing that i do not like abotu Southwest is that there are no assigned seating. You get assigned Class A, B or C seating. Special passes, disabled persons and people with children under 4 get to board first as a courtesy. Because our children are young we have been able to board before everyone else, but this was our last year to do that.

 

[dreamergirl78]

That makes me a bit nervous. It will be just my son and I flying, and if we go with SW there might be a chance we can't sit together? I can't imagine someone else entertaining an 8 year old on an almost cross country flight!

 

[IwovMickey]

Thank you all for replying so quickly! I will try it and let you all know how it goes. Wish me luck

 

[azgal81]

That makes me a bit nervous. It will be just my son and I flying, and if we go with SW there might be a chance we can't sit together? I can't imagine someone else entertaining an 8 year old on an almost cross country flight!

I wouldn't worry too much about not being able to sit with your son. Southwest is pretty good about making sure families are together and passengers are also willing to move. You are pretty much going to get seats together unless you are in the C group and it's a really busy time. If that is the case and you can't find any seats together just talk to a flight attendent and they will help you move people around.

 

[Wendy1953]

I wouldn't worry too much about not being able to sit with your son. Southwest is pretty good about making sure families are together and passengers are also willing to move. You are pretty much going to get seats together unless you are in the C group and it's a really busy time. If that is the case and you can't find any seats together just talk to a flight attendent and they will help you move people around.

I agree with this poster, you shouldn't have a problem sitting with your 8 yr. old son, most people would offer to move so that you can sit together, and the flight attendant will ask for volunteers if no one volunteers on their own. You'll get to sit with your DS!

 

[dreamergirl78]

Thanks to both of you for easing my mind a bit! I appreciate the info. Have a wonderful weekend.