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

[disneyfan150]

I posted this question in the disabilities forum as well, but figured some here may also have more insight.

We are going to be cruising out of Miami and Southwest just changed our flights to where we only have a 40 minute layover in Austin. That seems like too tight of a squeeze to make the connection with a scooter or needing wheelchair service and still preboard, which we need to do as we have paid for an extra seat and need the three together.

Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of time options to get us from Austin to Miami, so we are looking at changing to Fort Lauderdale, 2hich has better time options, but we already have a hotel in Miami, so we need a form of transportation from the Fort Lauderdale airport to our hotel in Miami that can accomodate a Pride Victory 10.2 scooter if we went that route.

Wondering if anyone has any suggestions? Or is there a better option that I am overlooking? We are flying from Long Beach, California of that helps.

I think you are correct in looking at other options. I have flown out of Austin. It is not a huge airport, but 40 minutes is just way too tight for anyone IMHO. FLL is probably easier to navigate than MIA. So that may work out. I am going to PM you about an idea.

 

[han22735]

I am especially frustrated with SW changing flights so soon after opening booking last month. This seems very irresponsible of them. I wonder why they would do this? Surely they have flight schedules figured out by now coming out of the pandemic. I did see some press about pilots complaining of fatigue. Is this why? We will probably never know but this is really not a good look for them and quite frustrating for the consumer. Ugh. Waiting to see how my October flights will be affected…

I agree completely. I'm used to a slight change here and there but to move direct flights at 11am to 5am is significant. We shall see what happens to September flights and beyond in the new few weeks

 

[cmarsh31]

I agree completely. I'm used to a slight change here and there but to move direct flights at 11am to 5am is significant. We shall see what happens to September flights and beyond in the new few weeks

My 3pm direct (only one available on release day) was changed to layover. Only direct now, brand new, 7:25am.

 

[Leigh L]

All airlines are rearranging flight times. Here is my sister’s tale of woe. She booked a noon return flight MIA to MHT following a DCL cruise on American because the only one Southwest had was at 5:30 pm getting in at 11:30 pm. (1.5 hr layover in BWI). Well, American changed her flight to leave at 2:30 pm. Then last week it changed to leaving at 4:30 pm arriving at 11:30. (2.5 layover) in Chicago. American won’t refund money if flight change is less than 4 hours. If her flight was at noon but now 4:30, that seems like 4 + hours to me. They argued that is was only a 2 hour change. She couldn’t cancel the first change to 2:30. Anyway she held her ground and after an hour later on hold, she got her refund. Then she booked the Southwest flight at 5:30 pm which “stinks“ to get back home so late, but using rewards points makes it smell a bit better. And no baggage fees….

Last June, American canceled our flights and scattered us across 2 different departing and arrival airports on different days (we had a few separate bookings between 5 of us). It was not easy getting refunds from them. I vowed never to fly them again lol. Although the way things are going they are the cheapest option now

But we're planning to drive in June rather than deal with this since we need to rent a car this time anyway.

 

[teawar]

I also experienced a change for Labor Day…my flight went from a direct 6 am flight, allowing for a full day of parks to an 11:00 flight arriving at 1:30 to MCO. We are hard core rope droppers, so this puts a crinkle in our plans. I’m glad I checked the boards to see this happened. No other direct flights from our town. On the bright side, we can sleep in…

 

[RLGNC]

Y’all are beginning to make me worry about our perfect flights RDU-MCO on 9/10!!!!

We're also coming from RDU, but on 9/13! Let me know if your flight changes and I'll do the same.

I also experienced a change for Labor Day…my flight went from a direct 6 am flight, allowing for a full day of parks to an 11:00 flight arriving at 1:30 to MCO. We are hard core rope droppers, so this puts a crinkle in our plans. I’m glad I checked the boards to see this happened. No other direct flights from our town. On the bright side, we can sleep in…

Where are you flying from?

 

[teawar]

We're also coming from RDU, but on 9/13! Let me know if your flight changes and I'll do the same.



Where are you flying from?

I am coming from Birmingham.

 

[Erica Ladd]

We fly in from RDU to MCO 9/10 and plan on flying back 9/13 but in delta so we leave late afternoon. Would NOT mind IF SWA added an afternoon return flight instead!

 

[Neverbeast]

Add me to the September just-booked-immediately-rescheduled club. we had planned to let all the kids finish school Friday, had a nonstop 6:50 flight arriving at mco 8:50. So perfect to get to hotel and early parks the next day… now they put us on a 9:55 flight arriving well after midnight. All the earlier options involve layovers and taking kids out of school earlier in the day. I’m worried everyone will be so grouchy traveling so late but here’s hoping the excitement sees us through?

I half expect it will still change between now and then anyway so it’s hard to get too attached to the new times either.

 

[Avery&Todd]

ugh - we head to MCO in mid-October, so I guess I have about a month before they change our flights!

 

[kristenrice]

ugh - we head to MCO in mid-October, so I guess I have about a month before they change our flights!

Us too…I guess we will just roll with it. We aren’t really planning anything for the first two days of our trip so getting there is pretty flexible. Getting home is another story. We aren’t planning anything for our checkout day and I booked us on the last flight of the day so if we get moved earlier, so be it. I just don’t want to get moved TOO early.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Any tips of finding the cheapest SW flights using points when your dates are set for Disney?

We wont be going until December, but I am looking at the current pricing for IND to MCO. Cheapest one way is 11,457 points. During summer 2020, it was way cheaper. I get COVID travel had a lot to do with it, but I don't know what to expect right now.a to keep an eye on this thread as the date of next flights release will be published here.

Suggestion : Be online by 6AM that morning snd just keep refreshing. Book as soon as they drop.

 

[Avery&Todd]

Us too…I guess we will just roll with it. We aren’t really planning anything for the first two days of our trip so getting there is pretty flexible. Getting home is another story. We aren’t planning anything for our checkout day and I booked us on the last flight of the day so if we get moved earlier, so be it. I just don’t want to get moved TOO early.

and we're the opposite! Right now I have us on nonstops that arrive at MCO at 2pm - and I'd LOVE to be able to buy an ILL+ for GoG that evening and eat at Epcot!!

we have another full day at Epcot, but I wanted the opportunity to ride GOG twice!

however, with the schedule changes Im seeing for late Aug/Sept it does look like the morning non-stop is now earlier, which would be ideal! Gimmie more time at Epcot!

 

[Mle8308]

SW now changed our return flight! Was at 9:30pm, late, but we planned on spending the day with family & friends. Now it departs MCO at 7:45pm, not a huge difference and still direct, thank goodness! But annoying. There still about 3.5 months before we go, I wonder how many more times it will change….

 

[Lsdolphin]

So still waiting to book Sept flights. rates are still the same as the day they opened schedule for Sept....

 

[DebbieB]

For anyone else here or for future reference, because you were in a free change window due to your flight changes. The system ignores all price differences if the other conditions are met (within 14 days, same city pair, etc.) In this situation you need to call them to get the points/money back.

My friend is coming off a cruise on 7/13. Coincidentally, another friend and I planned 7/13 to 7/16 for the DVC Moonlight Magic. Got the tickets last week, so my friend will be joining us. Her 7/13 return flight was changed and she was able to switch to 7/16 for free. The new flight is currently showing $519 (wanna get away sold out) so it was a great deal for her!

 

[Avery&Todd]

Moments of panic here - I keep checking the "flight status" of the flights we have from RDU-LAS next month as we have a layover on the way over through AUS and we've never flown through there before and I know Austin (AUS) was in the news last month for the crazy busy time they were having..

but then last night I said to myself -maybe you should start checking your return home flights as we go through Dallas (DAL) and have just under an hour layover...

this is what our flight looks like:



But this is what it looked like yesterday.....and this means we would have MISSED OUR FLIGHT, right?? If we arrived in DAL at 1:14, but our flight left at 1:11pm??!!! They would have allowed us to miss our flight by 3 min and that we'd been close as we would have arrived at Gate #7 and flown out of Gate #4...



Now the panic is really setting in and flashbacks from our flight trying to get home from MCO in March that got pushed 2 hrs bc of plane weight issues and then a medical emergency and THEN they put us on a flight the next day, and then lost my DH's bag for 4 days...

 

[EACarlson]

I personally wouldn't book anything with less than a two hour layover. Two weeks ago I flew to LAS and back, in both cases I had a 1:45 layover scheduled and in both cases I was almost running through airports to make my connections. Each was on a different airline and neither was SW but delays seem to be happening more than before.

 

[pfeifer1990]

Southwest novice flyer here. I have a few questions to understand how to use the app etc for check in etc.
We are flying out of MKE to MCO non stop in mid May. We have ECB. There are 4 of us. Checking 1 piece of luggage and each of us has a carry on.
Should we use the SW app and if so in what way? At what point do we find out our boarding group?
Any tips and tricks would be much appreciated.
Thank you in advance.

 

[EACarlson]

Southwest novice flyer here. I have a few questions to understand how to use the app etc for check in etc.
We are flying out of MKE to MCO non stop in mid May. We have ECB. There are 4 of us. Checking 1 piece of luggage and each of us has a carry on.
Should we use the SW app and if so in what way? At what point do we find out our boarding group?
Any tips and tricks would be much appreciated.
Thank you in advance.

If you have Early Bird Check In, which I'm assuming is what you mean by ECB, anytime between 24 hours prior to scheduled take off and when you get to the airport you'll need to check in. That is when you will find out your boarding position. If you have the app on your phone and notifications on it will push a notification at T-23:58, tap on the notification and it takes you right to the check in screen. There really aren't any tricks once you have EBCI, two hacks for MKE though, I always park at Rapid Park & Relax on Howell. It is the same price as the saver lot, shorter shuttle trip and much faster shuttle service. And you can buy 12 packs of New Glarus at the Italian restaurant at the end of the terminal to bring with you.