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

[focusondisney]

We fly often at the holidays, and in recent years, I have seen all or certain flights on particular days around the holidays have Wanna Get Away fares unavailable, especially right after the dates are added as they recently were, thus increasing the cost. Later, WGA is added for those flights. I have always speculated that Southwest sees it's a desirable flight, pulls the WGA option, then adds it back if the flight doesn't sell out at the higher price or the demand drops. For us, the WGA fare has showed up again within a few weeks. I don't want you to think this is guaranteed, especially since your date is not immediately adjacent to a holiday, but just be aware that there is a possibility the WGA fare could show up again.

Yep, I’ve seen this happen for years, even at non holiday times. Posters from many other cities have seen it too. And you’re right WGA always comes back.

 

[BrightMorningStar]

What would be the reason this flight price is so much higher than all of the others for that same day?

Flying from Dallas to Orlando

View attachment 952390

The WGA will come back. Keep watching.

We have been flying SWA for many years. These prices will fluctuate, move around. etc.

This is a Wednesday and a high travel time for business travelers; SWA is hoping to get those people on this flight paying more.

You will also see more flights get added here in a few months for the first week of December. Do not be surprised if this flight is canceled and you are put on another. You will be able to choose another time if the one they assign you does not work for you.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Apparently I should be glad I got on right on time at fare drop. When I logged on at 7, all of the flights in both directions were 10k. Of course, I've started monitoring to see if points come down, but it doesn't seem likely this time around. Do you want to guess which ones we picked?

 

[eticketplease]

In my mind, Southwest is known for it's all-in fare, no extra fees here and there, and I assume most people pricing out flights are aware of that reputation, just like they know Spirit would charge you for the air you're breathing if they could only figure out how to ration it.

I was afraid I would wake up people this am when I read this and started laughing .

I have never flown Spirit and probably never will but based on their reputation if this was possible I can certainly see this as a possibility in the future for them.

 

[EACarlson]

I booked Thursday for a trip in September and got a price I wasn't thrilled with, but it was also LUV Vouchers and not horrible. I also set up a price alert on Google Flights. Got $50 back already when my outbound dropped yesterday. I'll be willing to change these right up until 5/28, then "no touchy" after that.

 

[disneylover81]

Apparently I should be glad I got on right on time at fare drop. When I logged on at 7, all of the flights in both directions were 10k. Of course, I've started monitoring to see if points come down, but it doesn't seem likely this time around. Do you want to guess which ones we picked?

View attachment 952745

View attachment 952746

I’d say you picked flights that are no longer 10k!

I wish my airport (MEM) had all those nonstops daily back and forth to MCO. We usually only have one a day, maybe two in the summer.

Every year we take a long Labor Day weekend trip and they’ll add one daily for Thursday-Monday. The one on Thursday has a late arrival so we are taking an early flight with a layover. We will be possibly coming back on Tuesday this time, depending on if we get to attend the DVC event at HS, and there’s none, so another layover. If we didn’t have all those RR points and CP, I swear we’d fly “first class” on Spirit.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

I’d say you picked flights that are no longer 10k!

I wish my airport (MEM) had all those nonstops daily back and forth to MCO. We usually only have one a day, maybe two in the summer.

Every year we take a long Labor Day weekend trip and they’ll add one daily for Thursday-Monday. The one on Thursday has a late arrival so we are taking an early flight with a layover. We will be possibly coming back on Tuesday this time, depending on if we get to attend the DVC event at HS, and there’s none, so another layover. If we didn’t have all those RR points and CP, I swear we’d fly “first class” on Spirit.

This actually isn't our preferred airport. We're much closer to Philly than BWI but, for a 2 hour drive, we get all of those choices direct. We'd much rather have a longer drive to a direct flight, so we suck it up and head south on 95 to use those RRs and CPs.

It's wild that the prices on just a handful of flight times more than doubled in a couple of days!

 

[focusondisney]

Apparently I should be glad I got on right on time at fare drop. When I logged on at 7, all of the flights in both directions were 10k. Of course, I've started monitoring to see if points come down, but it doesn't seem likely this time around. Do you want to guess which ones we picked?

How many people are in your party? It could be that even your group booking that particular flight was enough to rate. From my experience, it doesn’t take many people booking at any 1 time to make the rate increase.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

How many people are in your party? It could be that even your group booking that particular flight was enough to rate. From my experience, it doesn’t take many people booking at any 1 time to make the rate increase.

Just 3 of us because we haven't added the CPs yet. 3 people booking on opening day shouldn't more than double a rate. I'm assuming those are popular times because you don't have to wake up too early and you aren't getting home too late. At least, that's why we picked them.

Also, BWI is a hub so maybe the timing is such that those fights line up well with connections.

 

[focusondisney]

Also, BWI is a hub so maybe the timing is such that those fights line up well with connections.

Oh, that can be a reason for sure. People from lots of cities are booking those flights. But I do think with airfares, just a few people can sometimes make a difference. We know there’s only so many slots in each price before it increases, but not how many. Husband & I have a trip with our son & DIL in a few weeks. DIL & I bought early morning tickets on opening morning, we used the low fare calendar & constantly refreshed. We initially got the same price. I clicked thru first. By the time she was able to process hers, the price had jumped. I know other folks could have been booking too, but this just a random day not at a holiday time. Might have been just a few other people booking too cause the increase.

 

[Lsdolphin]

Staying at Pop for May trip which was supposed to be a split stay with CSR. Although disappointed to have to cancel the extra 3 days at CSR I’m looking forward to being able to do the new airline check-in from POP and avoiding dragging luggage to MCO.

 

[Simba's Mom]

It didn't occur to me that when Southwest said they were going to start charging for bags how much revenue that will add. Did they say that if you get their credit card, at least you won't pay baggage fees? That's the way it is on United.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

It didn't occur to me that when Southwest said they were going to start charging for bags how much revenue that will add. Did they say that if you get their credit card, at least you won't pay baggage fees? That's the way it is on United.

Yes, cardholders will get first bag free for themselves and up to 8 guests on their reservation.

 

[katallo]

That applies to flight credits as well? How to cancel our flights this week so hopefully those credits will be good forever.

 

[EACarlson]

That applies to flight credits as well? How to cancel our flights this week so hopefully those credits will be good forever.

Correct, flight credits that are currently non expiring, will remain so with changes up until 5/27, after that any changes that result in a flight credit will have an expiration.

 

[Chuck S]

Hmmm, I guess I need to get one of their credit cards.

 

[Sparrow'sLady]

https://support.southwest.com/helpcenter/s/article/policy-changes

Red part - positive change.

Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers​

How will Southwest honor one standard checked bag for Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers and those traveling on the same reservation as the Cardmember?

Starting on May 28, 2025, all Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers and up to eight additional Passengers traveling on the same reservation are eligible to receive their first standard checked bag free. At time of bag check, the cost of one standard bag will be waived per Passenger on the reservation if a Cardmember is on the reservation. Cardmembers who are already exempt from paying the charge for their first checked bag, such as those with A-List status, will not be eligible for this Cardmember benefit as it does not provide an additional free bag. Weight and size limits apply.

Some days ago I read that Cardmembers would receive a refund for one checked bag; is that still available?

No, we have worked toward improving your Cardmember benefits so now you won't be charged and refunded for your first checked bag. The cost of your first checked bag and those of up to eight Passengers on the same reservation will be waived at the time of bag check.

Will my credit card benefits be updated now that you are moving to assigned seating?

Yes, we will be updating the benefits to our Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmember later this year with new ways to earn points and seating benefits when we roll out assigned seating. All cards will come with a first checked bag free, and your benefits will extend to up to eight additional Passengers traveling on the same reservation.

 

[kristenrice]

https://support.southwest.com/helpcenter/s/article/policy-changes

Red part - positive change.

Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers​

How will Southwest honor one standard checked bag for Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers and those traveling on the same reservation as the Cardmember?

Starting on May 28, 2025, all Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers and up to eight additional Passengers traveling on the same reservation are eligible to receive their first standard checked bag free. At time of bag check, the cost of one standard bag will be waived per Passenger on the reservation if a Cardmember is on the reservation. Cardmembers who are already exempt from paying the charge for their first checked bag, such as those with A-List status, will not be eligible for this Cardmember benefit as it does not provide an additional free bag. Weight and size limits apply.

Some days ago I read that Cardmembers would receive a refund for one checked bag; is that still available?

No, we have worked toward improving your Cardmember benefits so now you won't be charged and refunded for your first checked bag. The cost of your first checked bag and those of up to eight Passengers on the same reservation will be waived at the time of bag check.

Will my credit card benefits be updated now that you are moving to assigned seating?

Yes, we will be updating the benefits to our Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmember later this year with new ways to earn points and seating benefits when we roll out assigned seating. All cards will come with a first checked bag free, and your benefits will extend to up to eight additional Passengers traveling on the same reservation.

How are they going to "waive" the charge at the time of bag check? I'm just curious how it will work if you "pre-pay" for your checked bags when you check in at T-24. I assume the system won't know you are a cardholder until you input your credit card number, right? I would also think that you can't just flash your credit card at the bag drop....how would they verify that the account is active/open?

 

[Chuck S]

How are they going to "waive" the charge at the time of bag check? I'm just curious how it will work if you "pre-pay" for your checked bags when you check in at T-24. I assume the system won't know you are a cardholder until you input your credit card number, right? I would also think that you can't just flash your credit card at the bag drop....how would they verify that the account is active/open?

It will likely require that the tickets be paid for with a SWA credit card, which would then tag the itinerary number for free baggage. A simple tweak to the system.

 

[EACarlson]

How are they going to "waive" the charge at the time of bag check? I'm just curious how it will work if you "pre-pay" for your checked bags when you check in at T-24. I assume the system won't know you are a cardholder until you input your credit card number, right? I would also think that you can't just flash your credit card at the bag drop....how would they verify that the account is active/open?

With other airlines, it is a flag set in your frequent flyer profile that you hold the card. Then when you go to check in, it allows you to select up to 1 bag for each covered individual without charge. The data would go both ways between Southwest and Chase, you specifically allow them to do this when you sign up for the card. How it will probably work is that Chase will send over a list of changes to cardholders and their SWRR numbers each day. Southwest verifies the names and numbers match and trips the flag.