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

[JennG]

We have flown AT many times as a family and with the merger it is only SW as an option. Now that the schedule has been extended I can now book our flights, I have a few questions:

1) If I book my flights today without the EBCI, can I add it later, say in like a few weeks, etc.? If I can, does it make any difference for your boarding # - like if I buy the EBCI today versus later I would get a better boarding position. Don't know if there is logic there or just luck of the draw.

2) Is there any advantage to booking 2 one-way reservations versus 1 roundtrip?

TIA for your help!
Jenn

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I haven't flown SW with my kids yet; this will be our first time. Usually fly USAir but someone forgot to have lower rates! I hear conflicting information on family boarding. Friends and family say as long as you have children. But the SW site states 4 years of age and younger. Anyone clarify/experience differently? I am nervous about not sitting together. Happier to check luggage rather than jockey for position to use an overhead

How old are your kids? My youngest is 4 and we were still able to board Btwn groups a & b our last trip. However, it won't really matter, IME, as long as you check in right at 24 hrs. You will be able to find some seats together in the back. I always check in right at 24 hrs and often get group A, and if I get group B we are in the first 1-15 of that group.

We have flown AT many times as a family and with the merger it is only SW as an option. Now that the schedule has been extended I can now book our flights, I have a few questions:

1) If I book my flights today without the EBCI, can I add it later, say in like a few weeks, etc.? If I can, does it make any difference for your boarding # - like if I buy the EBCI today versus later I would get a better boarding position. Don't know if there is logic there or just luck of the draw.

2) Is there any advantage to booking 2 one-way reservations versus 1 roundtrip?

TIA for your help!
Jenn

Yes, you can add ebci later. I have never felt the need to have it so I can't speak to how they come up with the numbers.

There are actually advantages to booking 1 way over round trip.

 

[digiMom]

We have flown AT many times as a family and with the merger it is only SW as an option. Now that the schedule has been extended I can now book our flights, I have a few questions:

1) If I book my flights today without the EBCI, can I add it later, say in like a few weeks, etc.? If I can, does it make any difference for your boarding # - like if I buy the EBCI today versus later I would get a better boarding position. Don't know if there is logic there or just luck of the draw.

2) Is there any advantage to booking 2 one-way reservations versus 1 roundtrip?

TIA for your help!
Jenn

1-You can add it later. Obviously, though, the later you add it, the further back you'll be in line.

2-I've looked into this too. I have booked roundtrip in the past and was fine. I have even changed one leg of the trip and been fine. Some benefits: I've heard if there's a problem with weather that affects one leg of the trip, roundtrip saves you from insurance only reimbursing the affected flight. I don't know how true that is. I've also heard that the fees are a little less. I haven't verified that either. That being said, I booked two one ways this time. I didn't see the times I wanted but booked anyway because I used with points. I think it will be easier to change one leg of the trip this way. Those are what I can think of. There are probably more.

 

[JennG]

1-You can add it later. Obviously, though, the later you add it, the further back you'll be in line.

2-I've looked into this too. I have booked roundtrip in the past and was fine. I have even changed one leg of the trip and been fine. Some benefits: I've heard if there's a problem with weather that affects one leg of the trip, roundtrip saves you from insurance only reimbursing the affected flight. I don't know how true that is. I've also heard that the fees are a little less. I haven't verified that either. That being said, I booked two one ways this time. I didn't see the times I wanted but booked anyway because I used with points. I think it will be easier to change one leg of the trip this way. Those are what I can think of. There are probably more.

Thanks. So it does matter when you add the EBCI as far as the order? Guess I'll be including it in the booking today! And I guess I better get on to booking in general!

 

[JennG]

Alright, another SWA newbie question.

After I book and if the price lowers for those flights later on, how do I get the lower price/credit for another flight?

TIA!

 

[digiMom]

Alright, another SWA newbie question.

After I book and if the price lowers for those flights later on, how do I get the lower price/credit for another flight?

TIA!

When I did it, I called and the rep walked me through doing it online. If you're used to doing things this way, it's pretty easy. Go to this webpage to get started.

http://www.southwest.com/flight/change-air-reservation.html;jsessionid=A865C7E76E662D9341ECCB186A297335

Each passenger gets a separate credit to use within I believe a year. So if you have 4 people and the price goes down by $10 a ticket, each person gets a $10 credit rather than you getting the whole $40 yourself, if that makes sense.

 

[juliehoey]

Why can't I find the cost I paid for each way? I didn't write it down thinking it would be there but I can only locate the total cost of the trip. I'd like to know in the event a later flight opens or the price changes. A friend recommended calling SW and they can tell you. But isn't it somewhere in your account to view from their site? I think the price went down on my departure to my destination.

 

[jenseib]

Why can't I find the cost I paid for each way? I didn't write it down thinking it would be there but I can only locate the total cost of the trip. I'd like to know in the event a later flight opens or the price changes. A friend recommended calling SW and they can tell you. But isn't it somewhere in your account to view from their site? I think the price went down on my departure to my destination.

If you see the total cost can't you divide it?
I am pretty sure it shows it on the email confirmation too.

 

[poohj80]

Why can't I find the cost I paid for each way? I didn't write it down thinking it would be there but I can only locate the total cost of the trip. I'd like to know in the event a later flight opens or the price changes. A friend recommended calling SW and they can tell you. But isn't it somewhere in your account to view from their site? I think the price went down on my departure to my destination.

Should be on the e-mail confirmation or look up your reservation on SW web site using the confirmation number and act like you are going to change and it should show you prices.

It's not always the same both ways so you can't just divide it.

 

[juliehoey]

If you see the total cost can't you divide it?
I am pretty sure it shows it on the email confirmation too.

I can divide it for total roundtrip but each way was a differnt cost Then later yesterday morning the flight to PHL went up to $233 for WGA and now it's sold out. But I thought I paid $191 for that way. The departure to MCO I thought was $171, now it's $141. UGH... The email confirmation breaks down for taxes, fees, etc but not each way cost.

 

[juliehoey]

Should be on the e-mail confirmation or look up your reservation on SW web site using the confirmation number and act like you are going to change and it should show you prices.

It's not always the same both ways so you can't just divide it.

I was going to try the change and see that but was scared I would lose my flight! But I'll attempt that. If no go then I can reach out to SW. Thanks!

 

[poohj80]

I was going to try the change and see that but was scared I would lose my flight! But I'll attempt that. If no go then I can reach out to SW. Thanks!

Just don't confirm anything and you'll be fine.

 

[juliehoey]

Just don't confirm anything and you'll be fine.

That worked!! THanks so much

 

[poohj80]

That worked!! THanks so much

Glad I can help someone else for a change since I have received so much helpful info on these boards!

 

[juliehoey]

Glad I can help someone else for a change since I have received so much helpful info on these boards!

I was just thinking that! Sometimes you dread asking a question not knowing if you'll get 'flamed' for being uninformed
Thank you again!

 

[JennG]

When I did it, I called and the rep walked me through doing it online. If you're used to doing things this way, it's pretty easy. Go to this webpage to get started.

http://www.southwest.com/flight/change-air-reservation.html;jsessionid=A865C7E76E662D9341ECCB186A297335

Each passenger gets a separate credit to use within I believe a year. So if you have 4 people and the price goes down by $10 a ticket, each person gets a $10 credit rather than you getting the whole $40 yourself, if that makes sense.

Thanks. I'm definitely more of a self-service/do-it-online versus calling person

 

[amss14]

When swa let's familes with small children board early does that mean just parent and child or all people in party with children.( Example: 2 parents, 2 small children, and 2 grandparents. Can we all board early together)

 

[ksloane]

When swa let's familes with small children board early does that mean just parent and child or all people in party with children.( Example: 2 parents, 2 small children, and 2 grandparents. Can we all board early together)

I've seen entire groups board and I've seen them limit the number of adults.

 

[amss14]

Just fyi. Southwest just put ding offers out for march24-April 8 flights.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I've seen entire groups board and I've seen them limit the number of adults.

I've never seen entire groups board, I've only heard them make the announcement "Immediate Families of Small Children Only. No Grandparents, Aunts or Uncles". I seen them stop Grandparents.