Post all SW questions concerns, etc. here...

[Leigh L]

Just wanted to share yesterday's flight experience for us.

Have flown multiple times since August but never SW yet. Our flight was from DC to Milwaukee and it was maybe a quarter full. This is a direct route that used to run I think 3x a day, but then went down to zero for the last year. A direct flight popped up a couple of weeks ago so I switched from BWI since Reagan Airport is closer and less traffic to get through.

Walking around the terminal, the MCO flight from DC looked very full as did Tampa and Fort Myers, so anyone flying to FL I'm guessing these are the most popular for spring. However, flying anywhere else might still see the early pandemic conditions like we did.

They loaded us by calling A 1-30 first to line up, then loading 1-15. So not exactly socially distanced, but not as tight as usual either. Since they had everyone line up about 10 minutes early, it was a little more clustered than airlines who call by rows (back to front) and then load immediately. We didn't feel unsafe but it was not socially distanced.

Beverages and a snack were served. SW was pouring into cups (other airlines we've been on were handing out bottles of water or cans of soda, the last flight being in February).

Overall, great experience

 

[TNKim]

I just received an email from Southwest for an offer for A-List status! I've never had it before so this will be wonderful for our May trip! Can someone explain what exactly is Priority Boarding? Does it board first or between A & B groups? From what I can tell, I still have to check in at 24 hours prior to the flight for boarding passes.

We're excited to offer you our A-List status travel benefits. A-List makes getting to your destination even easier. All you need to do is register and when you travel through June 30, 2021, you'll enjoy the advantages of A-List.

•​ Priority boarding* for everyone on your reservation •​ 25% points bonus on qualified flights •​ Same-day standby** •​ Priority check-in and security lane access***

Register now to enjoy A-List status on travel through June 30, 2021. We look forward to seeing you onboard, on the A-List, soon!

 

[Gitelfor]

I just received an email from Southwest for an offer for A-List status! I've never had it before so this will be wonderful for our May trip! Can someone explain what exactly is Priority Boarding? Does it board first or between A & B groups? From what I can tell, I still have to check in at 24 hours prior to the flight for boarding passes.

We're excited to offer you our A-List status travel benefits. A-List makes getting to your destination even easier. All you need to do is register and when you travel through June 30, 2021, you'll enjoy the advantages of A-List.

​ •​ Priority boarding* for everyone on your reservation •​ 25% points bonus on qualified flights •​ Same-day standby** •​ Priority check-in and security lane access***

Register now to enjoy A-List status on travel through June 30, 2021. We look forward to seeing you onboard, on the A-List, soon!

This is a targeted promotion. Priority boarding means that you will be automatically checked in at 36 hours before scheduled departure, as long as your reservation was made before the 36 hour check in time. Your boarding position and those under the same confirmation number will automatically be assigned, before EBCI customers. The lowest boarding number assigned on any booking, other than Business Select, will be A16. Normally, for leisure destinations, such as MCO, you should be no higher than A30. On flights with lots of business travelers, the number could be higher, but s/b always in A group. Make sure that you are shown as registered for the promo and that A-List status shows on your account.

Half of the people I know who fly Southwest received this promo. After signing up, the change in status will almost immediately show up on your account.

 

[MIChessGuy]

This is a targeted promotion. Priority boarding means that you will be automatically checked in at 36 hours before scheduled departure, as long as your reservation was made before the 36 hour check in time. Your boarding position and those under the same confirmation number will automatically be checked in, before EBCI customers. The lowest boarding number assigned on any booking, other than Business Select, will be A16. Normally, for leisure destinations, such as MCO, you should be no higher than A30. On flights with lots of business travelers, the number could be higher, but s/b always in A group. Make sure that you are shown as registered for the promo and that A-List status shows on your account.

Half of the people I know who fly Southwest received this promo. After signing up, the change in status will almost immediately show up on your account.

I received this email as well, but was disappointed to see already-booked flights excluded in the fine print. Apparently this only works with itineraries that are booked *after* the customer accepts the free A-list offer. Oh well.

 

[jo-jo]

I received this email as well, but was disappointed to see already-booked flights excluded in the fine print. Apparently this only works with itineraries that are booked *after* the customer accepts the free A-list offer. Oh well.

I too got it and didn't see the already booked flights thing. I came to this thread just to see what it meant with all the "goodies". Oh well.

 

[Erica Ladd]

I didn’t get an email. Boo. And I’ve been looking at June flights!!

 

[jo-jo]

I didn’t get an email. Boo. And I’ve been looking at June flights!!

Maybe they only sent it to people whom it wouldn't help.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

We finally decided that it's not worth the hassle of trying to coral our toddler (currently 16 months old) on our August flights as a lap child and now want to buy him his own seat. Is there a way to buy his ticket so it's linked to our current confirmation numbers so I only have to check in once for us?

 

[Gitelfor]

We finally decided that it's not worth the hassle of trying to coral our toddler (currently 16 months old) on our August flights as a lap child and now want to buy him his own seat. Is there a way to buy his ticket so it's linked to our current confirmation numbers so I only have to check in once for us?

I would call Southwest for assistance. Due to weather issues, as well as schedule changes, I recommend calling during off-hours, if you decide to call; otherwise, you may have a long wait till your call is picked up.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

I would call Southwest for assistance. Due to weather issues, as well as schedule changes, I recommend calling during off-hours, if you decide to call; otherwise, you may have a long wait till your call is picked up.

I plan on calling tomorrow. What would you consider off hours for SW?

 

[Gitelfor]

I plan on calling tomorrow. What would you consider off hours for SW?

If you are an early-riser and have some time before you have mommy duties, I would try then. You may be given an option for a call back, instead of holding on line, but people are complaining about call back issues. I hope that works out for you, without having to wait too long.

 

[scrappinginontario]

I’m guessing you’ll need to contact them regardless as I can’t see you being allowed to purchase a ticket for a baby that isn’t linked to an adult ticket. You might be best to call. If you’re up now it’s probably a good time to try as opposed to during the say.

 

[Gitelfor]

We finally decided that it's not worth the hassle of trying to coral our toddler (currently 16 months old) on our August flights as a lap child and now want to buy him his own seat. Is there a way to buy his ticket so it's linked to our current confirmation numbers so I only have to check in once for us?

This page from Southwest has useful information about purchasing a ticket for a child younger than two. Scroll about halfway down the page for pertinent information.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

I ended up FB messaging SW and was able to confirm that I could book the reservation online and put my own confirmation numbers in to link our reservations as the adult traveler with him.

 

[Gitelfor]

I ended up FB messaging SW and was able to confirm that I could book the reservation online and put my own confirmation numbers in to link our reservations as the adult traveler with him.

That is good it was easily resolved without calling. I normally suggest tweeting Southwest, but lately, they have been taking at least half of a day to respond. In the past, they had responded within one hour.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

That is good it was easily resolved without calling. I normally suggest tweeting Southwest, but lately, they have been taking at least half of a day to respond. In the past, they had responded within one hour.

I messaged them around 10 yesterday night and they got back to me this morning. Not too bad considering how inundated they must be.

 

[bsmcneil]

I have a question about the companion pass, if anyone here can help (I'll keep searching, too). So, I signed up for the SW visa in time to get the miles + companion pass (provided I spend, I think, 5,000 within the first 3 months). My question is - can I go ahead and buy my ticket on a flight and go back later to add the companion (once I have the pass)?

 

[barb969]

I have a question about the companion pass, if anyone here can help (I'll keep searching, too). So, I signed up for the SW visa in time to get the miles + companion pass (provided I spend, I think, 5,000 within the first 3 months). My question is - can I go ahead and buy my ticket on a flight and go back later to add the companion (once I have the pass)?

If you are using points make both reservations now and when you get the pass call and they will refund your points. Otherwise wait.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Here's your friendly reminder that Southwest Airlines next schedule release is expected to occur on THIS THURSDAY April APRIL 1ST For those planning to snag flights, set those calendar reminders so you don't forget! I'll post additional reminders as the date draws nearer.

Currently SW is offering flights through 8/16/21 and this next release will take their schedule out to 11/5/21.
For those that care about "release timing" it can vary, but here are the recent "go live" of previous releases:

Release Date Time (eastern)
12/10/20 7:15am
8/13/20 9:15am
5/28/20 9:06am
3/12/20 9:40am
12/11/19 9:10am
10/30/19 7:15am
9/26/19 7:30am
8/15/19 10:41am
5/30/19 9:20am

 

[katallo]

For the sake of everyone who works let's hope it's early rather than after 9!