Please tell me all the in's and out's of Southwest!

[JenSop]

I've started reading a bunch of the Southwest threads with great interest, as I was able to find a decent price on flights for our July trip.

Here's the deal: I've ONLY ever flown USAirways. Really. Kind of crazy, but it's always been okay. But their prices are NOT going down. It's $168 p/p each way before taxes and fees. Then there's the luggage fee.

I was able to find direct flights on Southwest for a TOTAL of $468 for both of us. That's the total price after taxes. So now I have questions....

What's the deal? Are there more hidden fees coming along later?

I've been reading about the "no seat assignment" thing and EBCI. We don't have a lap top, so that means no computer access while at Disney. I guess that means we could be okay with check in 24 hrs. in advance while at home before our flight TO Disney, but add EBCI for the return flight since we can't check in online?

Does Southwest have Magic Express offered? We don't do car rentals and prefer ME. The first part of our stay is at AKV and the second part is at BLT - do they (Southwest) operate ME for both of those resorts?

I just want to figure out the details before taking the plunge to another airline. (My frequent flyer miles are with USAir, so that's another reason I've always used them.)

Any extra clarity would be so much appreciated! Thanks so much!

 

[Tara]

I've started reading a bunch of the Southwest threads with great interest, as I was able to find a decent price on flights for our July trip.

Here's the deal: I've ONLY ever flown USAirways. Really. Kind of crazy, but it's always been okay. But their prices are NOT going down. It's $168 p/p each way before taxes and fees. Then there's the luggage fee.

I was able to find direct flights on Southwest for a TOTAL of $468 for both of us. That's the total price after taxes. So now I have questions....

What's the deal? Are there more hidden fees coming along later?

The only other fee you could pay is for EBCI. There are no fees for 2 bags under 50 pounds each. Oh, they do offer alcohol and energy drinks (Monster) for a fee, but they only accept credit cards or drink coupons, not cash, so be prepared if you want something like that.

I've been reading about the "no seat assignment" thing and EBCI. We don't have a lap top, so that means no computer access while at Disney. I guess that means we could be okay with check in 24 hrs. in advance while at home before our flight TO Disney, but add EBCI for the return flight since we can't check in online?

That's what a lot of people do. I always add EBCI for both flights because we often take early morning flights and I don't want to have to worry about missing my check-in time if I oversleep.

Does Southwest have Magic Express offered? We don't do car rentals and prefer ME. The first part of our stay is at AKV and the second part is at BLT - do they (Southwest) operate ME for both of those resorts?

All Disney guests can use Magical Express, regardless of the airline they fly. The participating airline stuff is only related to checking your bags at the resort instead of the airport for the trip home. Resort Airline Check-in is completely separate from Magical Express. And if you can't use RAC, you can still use ME, you just have to take your own bags to the airport on the bus. (well, they'll be loaded under the bus, but YKWIM)

Yes, Southwest now participates in RAC at most Disney resorts. I think only POFQ and 1 other resort don't participate yet...maybe OKW? BLT/CR do participate, so you won't have any trouble there.

I hope you have a good flight experience. I remember being in your shoes, nervous about trying Southwest the first time. But I'm sure glad I did - I've had very good experiences with them.

 

[RumpleMom]

We really like SWA. We have noticed a lot more leg room when compared to AirTran.

For the return trip, we go to guest services at our resort to print our return boarding passes.

 

[charissemp]

You can also use guest services at any of the parks to check in at the 24 hour mark. Last June, we were at DHS. It didn't take them any longer than 5 minutes to do it for us and print the boarding passes. So, I'm not sure $10 per person would have been worth the minor hassle of going to guest services at that time of day.

 

[kiteri]

I have flown Southwest for almost all my trips. (Three trips to Orlando and one to Vegas all out of Pittsburgh in the recent past) I REALLY like Southwest.

This trip I booked Airtran for my return because Southwest hadn't opened fares for my return date and I wasn't waiting MONTHS for them to open fares. Then AirTran changed my nonstop flight home to a flight with a layover and I dropped them like an old habit and bought my return flights on Southwest and feel SO much better about it.

Southwest's flight staff is very efficient and super friendly. They get that plane unloaded, cleaned up, reloaded and rolling so quickly. I don't want to jinx myself by mentioning this, but I have never had a Southwest flight run late. More than half of my flights have actually arrived at their destination EARLY!

I will mention that more than half of my Southwest flights were oversold though by a seat or two. I don't know how they handle that if nobody volunteers to take the next flight, but I ALWAYS try to log in as soon as possible at the 24 hour prior mark in case they go by your boarding pass number.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Here's some info from SWA regarding EBCI and Boarding.

http://www.southwest.com/help/boardingschool/

http://www.southwest.com/flight/early-bird-faq.html

I love SWA and whenever possible choose them over any other airline. I am spoiled and just hate the idea of paying fees for my luggage.

 

[mster425]

I'm sure you've read this on other threads but there is no in flight entertainment on any SW flight I've ever taken (no movie or TV)

However, the flight attendants are the nicest I've come across and there is more leg room. I'm a bad flier and the little things help a lot!

 

[MAYNARDS99]

For the flight home, I have a family or friend check us in!

At the airport, I then print my boarding passes and check my bags.

Really, isn't that what friends are for? (To get up early so you can have fun?)

 

[JimboCh]

I will mention that more than half of my Southwest flights were oversold though by a seat or two. I don't know how they handle that if nobody volunteers to take the next flight, but I ALWAYS try to log in as soon as possible at the 24 hour prior mark in case they go by your boarding pass number.

Someone always gets off if need be. They just up the offer and someone always grabs it. I would not ever worry about that.

 

[linzbear]

You can also go to guest services to check in 24 hours ahead of your return flight if you don't want to spring for EBCI.

Southwest seems confusing the first time you try them because they are so different from other major airlines, but you soon see why everyone loves them so much!

 

[JenSop]

Thanks for all the great info so far everyone! I'm feeling better and better about the flights!

I did go ahead and book EBCI for the return flight. We leave Orlando at 8:50pm on the last day of our trip. At 8:50 the night before, I think we will be out enjoying Epcot EMH! So I don't want to have to be worrying about any kind of check in. $20 was worth that peace of mind.

I will make sure I'm on that computer 24 hours before our flight out of Philly, though! It'll be rough (our flight out is at 6:10am) as it'll mean two mornings of getting up super early, but for DIsney, I can do it!

 

[Dotsie]

Can you take a nintendo ds onboard? We're flying in a couple of weeks and my kids are going to want some kind of entertainment to keep them occupied for the 2 1/2 hour flight.

 

[ccgirl]

Absolutely, you can take the Nintendo DS. They ask that you turn it off during takeoff and landing. They will make an announcement and will also let you know when you can use approved portable electronic devices. We also bring a portable DVD player. I love SW!!

To those needing to checkin, you can also use a phone with internet capabilities. Just print your boarding passes at the airport.

 

[LoriH91]

To those needing to checkin, you can also use a phone with internet capabilities. Just print your boarding passes at the airport.

We LOVE Southwest! With all the fees for checked & now carry-on bags, they just make sense. Especially for those of us who don't fly out of a major airport... or city, for that matter!
Thanks for the tip about using the phone's internet to check in. That hadn't even occurred to me!

 

[pamjb]

I will make sure I'm on that computer 24 hours before our flight out of Philly, though! It'll be rough (our flight out is at 6:10am) as it'll mean two mornings of getting up super early, but for DIsney, I can do it!

Hey Jen,

I'd be more than happy to check you in for your flight. I am up everyday at 4:20 am for work.

 

[ccgirl]

LoriH91 you are welcome. The address is http://mobile.southwest.com

I have it bookmarked on my blackberry.