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

[Tink3815]

Got the below email from SW today. Just wondering if it’s a glitch of some sort or something I should reach out to them about. Did anyone get something similar? For the record, I did not do any transactions through SW today…

We've added 0 points to your Rapid Rewards® account for your participation with one of our Rapid Rewards Partners on 08/06/2024. You can verify your balance and account details on your account page at Southwest.com®.

As a reminder, to receive points for your future Partner transactions, your account number must be provided to the Partner before check in/rental/purchase.

We appreciate your participation in Rapid Rewards and look forward to seeing you onboard soon.

-Your friends at Rapid Rewards

I also received 2 of these. I deleted and did not click on anything in the email.

 

[MinnieMSue]

Flying out of Columbus today and noticed something I have not seen before. They are giving people with canes and walkers a boarding pass with XT for extra time. Idk what their criteria is for it. In a nearby flight they boarded those people after A before family boarding. I also noticed somewhere on the app after I got my boarding pass it said for early bird people that book less than 24 hours are not guaranteed an A group. As I well know any early bird is not guaranteed an A group but never saw it written this way. I wish I had taken a screenshot of it. It certainly would lead one to think you were guaranteed an A group. I book anytime now and we are A 26 and 27.

 

[kittylady1972]

Flying out of Columbus today and noticed something I have not seen before. They are giving people with canes and walkers a boarding pass with XT for extra time. Idk what their criteria is for it. In a nearby flight they boarded those people after A before family boarding. I also noticed somewhere on the app after I got my boarding pass it said for early bird people that book less than 24 hours are not guaranteed an A group. As I well know any early bird is not guaranteed an A group but never saw it written this way. I wish I had taken a screenshot of it. It certainly would lead one to think you were guaranteed an A group. I book anytime now and we are A 26 and 27.

I did hear them talking about the XT on boarding passes on our recent SWA flights, but I don't recall when they boarded...I'm thinking in the same order (after A group).

I will say it's so fun to watch new to SWA people approach the gates. There was a woman on our flight over the weekend who walked up to the gate agent and said she had "Early Bird" and I think thought that meant she could just walk on the plane ahead of everybody else. The gate agent kindly pointed our her ACTUAL boarding group and showed her where to line up (it was either end of the A group or the B group...can't recall) for boarding the plane.

Honestly our last flight from LAX to BWI had so many pre-boarders that when the B-group lined up (we were assigned B-7 through B-10) there were no B-group people in the 2nd line. We were basically some of the LAST to board the plane. I expect that on my Florida flights...wasn't expecting it for a California origin flight.

 

[MinnieMSue]

I did hear them talking about the XT on boarding passes on our recent SWA flights, but I don't recall when they boarded...I'm thinking in the same order (after A group).

I will say it's so fun to watch new to SWA people approach the gates. There was a woman on our flight over the weekend who walked up to the gate agent and said she had "Early Bird" and I think thought that meant she could just walk on the plane ahead of everybody else. The gate agent kindly pointed our her ACTUAL boarding group and showed her where to line up (it was either end of the A group or the B group...can't recall) for boarding the plane.

Honestly our last flight from LAX to BWI had so many pre-boarders that when the B-group lined up (we were assigned B-7 through B-10) there were no B-group people in the 2nd line. We were basically some of the LAST to board the plane. I expect that on my Florida flights...wasn't expecting it for a California origin flight.

Oh wow that’s crazy. We were listening to the woman on the speaker boarding a flight next to our area and it was so interesting. She warned people to have 2 items only and if they had more than two she would put them in time out and they would have to condense their items while people would continue to board that were behind the person in time out. She was so strict and honestly I enjoyed listening to it.

 

[RedHead0186]

I also noticed somewhere on the app after I got my boarding pass it said for early bird people that book less than 24 hours are not guaranteed an A group. As I well know any early bird is not guaranteed an A group but never saw it written this way. I wish I had taken a screenshot of it. It certainly would lead one to think you were guaranteed an A group. I book anytime now and we are A 26 and 27.

No one who has Early Bird is guaranteed an A group. There's an FAQ that states this: https://support.southwest.com/helpcenter/s/article/What-is-EarlyBird-Check-In.

It makes extra sense that if you purchase early bird less than 24 hours out from the flight you're not guaranteed A group. EBCI checks you in at 36 hours out, that's how you get the better boarding position. Everyone else can then check in starting 24 hours out. So, if you book less than 24 hours out, you've 'lost' the ability to check in before most of the flight.

 

[MinnieMSue]

No one who has Early Bird is guaranteed an A group. There's an FAQ that states this: https://support.southwest.com/helpcenter/s/article/What-is-EarlyBird-Check-In.

It makes extra sense that if you purchase early bird less than 24 hours out from the flight you're not guaranteed A group. EBCI checks you in at 36 hours out, that's how you get the better boarding position. Everyone else can then check in starting 24 hours out. So, if you book less than 24 hours out, you've 'lost' the ability to check in before most of the flight.

I am aware of all that but thought it was interesting how they stated it because I could see some people thinking it meant they would get an A boarding group. Now I think it is very common to have early birds in B group. We purchase anytime now

 

[run_Disney]

I thought that after 24 hours out EBCI becomes unavailable and your only option to upgrade boarding is the A1-15 upcharge provided it's still available. How would they even add in an EBCI after everyone has checked in and received a boarding position?

 

[MinnieMSue]

I thought that after 24 hours out EBCI becomes unavailable and your only option to upgrade boarding is the A1-15 upcharge provided it's still available. How would they even add in an EBCI after everyone has checked in and received a boarding position?

Excellent question. I was really to see the phrase when I was checking in. I will look for it again when I check in again in a few days

 

[mrsstats79]

We are flying to Vegas and have to make a stop but no plane change. I believe we can change our seats once the other passengers leave and the flight attendants do a head count. Is that still possible?

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

We are flying to Vegas and have to make a stop but no plane change. I believe we can change our seats once the other passengers leave and the flight attendants do a head count. Is that still possible?

If you're asking for what is the current procedure then yes you should be able to move around after they do the head count.

Depending on the layover duration and if they were able to leave the prior destination on time they may not have a lot of time to move around but I haven't heard of anyone not being able to (doesn't mean it hasn't happen just that I haven't heard it not being allowed).

If in the event a plane change does end up being required such as an equipment issue they should let you board first before the other flight does.

 

[titojackson84]

We are flying to Vegas and have to make a stop but no plane change. I believe we can change our seats once the other passengers leave and the flight attendants do a head count. Is that still possible?

I only had one flight with a layover but no plane change. They did a head count after everyone else deplaned and we could then switch seats before anyone else boarded. If there is a layover with a plane change, you are given a second boarding pass. If you buy the upgraded boarding, it only applies to the segment you purchase it for.

 

[dez1978]

So far I’ve gotten 10k points back on our flights to MCO on 11/21. Over 7 ppl that’s a lot! I’m surprised to see them still getting cheaper that close to thanksgiving but I’ll take it. Keep checking!

 

[RedHead0186]

We are flying to Vegas and have to make a stop but no plane change. I believe we can change our seats once the other passengers leave and the flight attendants do a head count. Is that still possible?

Yes, that's how it's been for me. If the layover is long enough, they will let you pick new seats then get off the plane (you are the first to board when they start boarding). If it's a shorter layover, they will let you pick new seats but you may not have to time to get off the plane and reboard.

 

[Disneytam]

I've looked through here but haven't found an answer to my question. Can you use a travel credit to purchase EBC for another flight? We have plenty of points to book a flight with but have lots of credit from past flights. Hoping to use them to pay for EBC as the increase to $35 each seems a bit steep to me. Thank you.

 

[jcarwash]

I've looked through here but haven't found an answer to my question. Can you use a travel credit to purchase EBC for another flight? We have plenty of points to book a flight with but have lots of credit from past flights. Hoping to use them to pay for EBC as the increase to $35 each seems a bit steep to me. Thank you.

Unfortunately you can’t use travel funds for early bird. You need to use a credit card.

 

[mmouse50]

Assigned seating ? Any idea when it might start, next booking cycle which opens August 22? The current cycle is only through March 5th. August will take it to April 7 which covers a lot of spring breaks.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Assigned seating ? Any idea when it might start, next booking cycle which opens August 22? The current cycle is only through March 5th. August will take it to April 7 which covers a lot of spring breaks.

I seriously doubt it. I would expect there to be much more detail, including whatever the new fare categories are and how to book them, more than 4 days before the policy will take effect. Also, aren't they physically redoing cabins to offer premium seats along with this change?

 

[han22735]

Assigned seating ? Any idea when it might start, next booking cycle which opens August 22? The current cycle is only through March 5th. August will take it to April 7 which covers a lot of spring breaks.

I'm pretty sure the email they sent said more details to come in September.

 

[han22735]

Another question....we fly tomorrow. Booked on day of release and bought EBCI regular wanna get away fare. My Brother in law bought same tickets(WGA) but waited to add EBCI for like a month and we got A44/45 they got A33/34 how's that possible?? Lol

 

[scrappinginontario]

Assigned seating ? Any idea when it might start, next booking cycle which opens August 22? The current cycle is only through March 5th. August will take it to April 7 which covers a lot of spring breaks.

I seriously doubt it. I would expect there to be much more detail, including whatever the new fare categories are and how to book them, more than 4 days before the policy will take effect. Also, aren't they physically redoing cabins to offer premium seats along with this change?

Interesting. We’re booking Thurs for March and I was fully prepared to have to try to navigate new booking system. I hope you’re correct and it’s business as usual.

We’re flying to Disney in a few hours so it would make for a busy morning trying to book VQ and possibly flights at the same time as trying to get to the parks for ETPE.