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

[ButterflyJen]

Correct. You need to use the credits within a year of the original purchase. Since you have 4 different credits and only 4 types of payment may be used (3 credits and 1 credit card) you could have 1 credit left sitting there. (Yes, it happened to me once...despite 'knowing' about the 4 types of payment already...at 6AM I didn't remember that.) Either split your party into 2 and 2 (or 3/1) so you'll be able to use all your credits or do 2 one way flights and use 2-3 credits one way and 1-2 the way home.

We were in a unique situation this year with our November tix--our fare to Orlando was a 'wanna get away fare', but the flight home was 'anytime' which is fully refundable. Since one leg was the 'anytime' whenever I rebooked us, all the savings were fully refunded (vs. credits to use later). I recently rebooked again and now my 'anytime' fare is a 'wanna get away'...so if prices drop even more--that will turn into credits to use later.

Perfect. Thanks so much for explaining all of this!

 

[ABCastillo]

My family is traveling next March. When we called SW they said the dates will be released Aug 11. Does anyone know what time they are released? Thanks!

It's usually between 6 and 6:30 AM ET.

 

[rae96]

Thank you ABCastillo! We want to make sure we all get on same flight!

 

[jenseib]

Correct. You need to use the credits within a year of the original purchase. Since you have 4 different credits and only 4 types of payment may be used (3 credits and 1 credit card) you could have 1 credit left sitting there. (Yes, it happened to me once...despite 'knowing' about the 4 types of payment already...at 6AM I didn't remember that.) Either split your party into 2 and 2 (or 3/1) so you'll be able to use all your credits or do 2 one way flights and use 2-3 credits one way and 1-2 the way home.

We were in a unique situation this year with our November tix--our fare to Orlando was a 'wanna get away fare', but the flight home was 'anytime' which is fully refundable. Since one leg was the 'anytime' whenever I rebooked us, all the savings were fully refunded (vs. credits to use later). I recently rebooked again and now my 'anytime' fare is a 'wanna get away'...so if prices drop even more--that will turn into credits to use later.

I think that only applies if you have more than 1 reservation number with credits. In the past if we are all on one reservation the credits apply for each of us and then I can pay the rest.

 

[Geomom]

I think that only applies if you have more than 1 reservation number with credits. In the past if we are all on one reservation the credits apply for each of us and then I can pay the rest.

I don't know, last year our family of 4 was under 1 reservation number, but I could only apply 3 of the credits and had to use a credit card to pay for the rest, so I ended up losing my own credit as we didn't travel again before it expired. (Luckily the amount we saved with 3 people still made it worth it to us.)

 

[ABCastillo]

Thank you ABCastillo! We want to make sure we all get on same flight!

You are very welcome!

 

[jenseib]

I don't know, last year our family of 4 was under 1 reservation number, but I could only apply 3 of the credits and had to use a credit card to pay for the rest, so I ended up losing my own credit as we didn't travel again before it expired. (Luckily the amount we saved with 3 people still made it worth it to us.)

I did a family of 5 recently....so technically that is 5 credits right?...before putting in a CC

 

[momof2mouses]

Any idea when the next 50000 miles card will be offered? Traveling in December. Planning to drive, but might fly if we can get it on points. TIA

 

[mcd2745]

I've never actually changed flights with Southwest...so do the "no change fees" apply if you change flights more than once? Here's my situation:

We're booked on SW for our trip at the end of next month (depart Aug 24 / return Sep 6). We booked those flights back in the end of February when they were released. So I know we have until the end of Feb 2016 to fly. We are considering booking Jetblue flights for next month if the price is right (and they've come down some) and changing the SW flights to President's week in Feb 2016 (getting us just in under the 1-year wire). Unfortuantely, at the moment, "Wanna Get Away" fares for our dates in Feb are showing as completely blocked out. I've seen this before and am confident that they will eventually become available (at what price is another story). So, I'm thinking I may need to switch to "dummy" dates in the interim. Or...am I over-thinking it? Can I just cancel the flights, sit with a credit, and apply it when the dates become available?

 

[Baklava]

My family is traveling next March. When we called SW they said the dates will be released Aug 11. Does anyone know what time they are released? Thanks!

We're traveling in January. Currently SW shows $296 outbound and $196 coming home. Is it better to wait until Aug 11 and see what pops up or should I be jumping on what's currently available?

 

[rae96]

Baklava, I hope someone can answer that. My personal opinion would be to book them because I don't think the price would drop on flights already out. Again, I have never experienced this, but I have read about people getting credit or refunds when the price went down for their flight if they watched it daily to check for changes. I hope someone else can give you some better information. Sorry I am not more help!

 

[Geomom]

I've never actually changed flights with Southwest...so do the "no change fees" apply if you change flights more than once? Here's my situation:

We're booked on SW for our trip at the end of next month (depart Aug 24 / return Sep 6). We booked those flights back in the end of February when they were released. So I know we have until the end of Feb 2016 to fly. We are considering booking Jetblue flights for next month if the price is right (and they've come down some) and changing the SW flights to President's week in Feb 2016 (getting us just in under the 1-year wire). Unfortuantely, at the moment, "Wanna Get Away" fares for our dates in Feb are showing as completely blocked out. I've seen this before and am confident that they will eventually become available (at what price is another story). So, I'm thinking I may need to switch to "dummy" dates in the interim. Or...am I over-thinking it? Can I just cancel the flights, sit with a credit, and apply it when the dates become available?

You can change flights multiple times with no fee. Yes, you can just cancel the flights and sit with the credit and apply it when the dates become available. Depending on what area you're flying from--it's iffy if those 'wanna get away' fares will come back during President's week. We're flying out of Manchester, NH that week and I know that they had those fares available on day 1. Now having said that...we're traveling to Disney for THanksgiving (through Providence, RI) and there were NO wanna get away fares available on day 1 for the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Some of those flights finally opened up some 'wanna get away' fares 2 weeks ago (so about 4 1/2 mths out from our flights). And yes, those fares are gone now.

 

[mcd2745]

You can change flights multiple times with no fee. Yes, you can just cancel the flights and sit with the credit and apply it when the dates become available. Depending on what area you're flying from--it's iffy if those 'wanna get away' fares will come back during President's week. We're flying out of Manchester, NH that week and I know that they had those fares available on day 1. Now having said that...we're traveling to Disney for THanksgiving (through Providence, RI) and there were NO wanna get away fares available on day 1 for the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Some of those flights finally opened up some 'wanna get away' fares 2 weeks ago (so about 4 1/2 mths out from our flights). And yes, those fares are gone now.

Thanks. We fly out of Islip, NY. So demand is very heavy and there are a lot less flights than there used to be just a few years ago (which makes zero sense, but that's another story). I have seen it happen many times before where the WGA fares show as unavailable (even on day 1 - as was the case here), and eventually become available. Although, of course..."prior results do not guarantee future success".

 

[Baklava]

You can change flights multiple times with no fee. Yes, you can just cancel the flights and sit with the credit and apply it when the dates become available. Depending on what area you're flying from--it's iffy if those 'wanna get away' fares will come back during President's week. We're flying out of Manchester, NH that week and I know that they had those fares available on day 1. Now having said that...we're traveling to Disney for THanksgiving (through Providence, RI) and there were NO wanna get away fares available on day 1 for the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Some of those flights finally opened up some 'wanna get away' fares 2 weeks ago (so about 4 1/2 mths out from our flights). And yes, those fares are gone now.

Wait... so if I buy at $296 and there's a better price later they'll just give me the difference in a credit? No fees? For real?

 

[Geomom]

Wait... so if I buy at $296 and there's a better price later they'll just give me the difference in a credit? No fees? For real?

Yes, no fees, for real! But, they won't just 'give' you the difference, you need to do a 'change flight' and book it at the cheaper rate. If you booked it originally as a 'wanna get away' fare, it will stay on your account as a credit. You need to use that credit (complete a flight) within 1 year of your original purchase. If you had a business class or anytime rate for either of your legs, you can get the credit as a refund.

 

[Baklava]

Yes, no fees, for real! But, they won't just 'give' you the difference, you need to do a 'change flight' and book it at the cheaper rate. If you booked it originally as a 'wanna get away' fare, it will stay on your account as a credit. You need to use that credit (complete a flight) within 1 year of your original purchase. If you had a business class or anytime rate for either of your legs, you can get the credit as a refund.

To clarify (because I am slow witted today):

If I spend $1200 on tickets and see them later for $800...

Do I end up out of pocket $1200 with tickets and a $400 credit or do I end up out of pocket $2000 with a $1200 credit.

 

[Geomom]

To clarify (because I am slow witted today):

If I spend $1200 on tickets and see them later for $800...

Do I end up out of pocket $1200 with tickets and a $400 credit or do I end up out of pocket $2000 with a $1200 credit.

Out of pocket $1200 with a $400 credit. When you go to rebook it will say you owe a negative amount and list it as a credit.

 

[brighteyes]

What is early bird check in? thanks

 

[apress]

I'm not sure if this has been asked before but I had question about changing flights and early bird check ins. I recently purchased a flight for 6 people with early bird. Now a better time has become available at the same price I purchased my other flight. Can I change to the other flight and keep my early bird. Also how do I make the change? Thanks for the help, never have done this before.

 

[sbarisch]

What is early bird check in? thanks

Early bird check-in is being checked in already, rather than having to log in to southwest.com and check in 24 hours prior to your flight. The earlier you are checked in the closer you are to the front of the line when boarding the plane. It's an additional $12.50 per person, per flight, so $25 round trip. We do this every time so I don't have to worry about logging in right at 24 hour mark and trying to check in to our flights.