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

[Dakota731]

I just changed our departing flight since it’s now $35 cheaper each (2 of us) but only got one credited on my SW account? Will other $35 go back on my credit card? I don’t know how changes work. Before I clicked changed it said I’d save $70?

 

[scrappinginontario]

I just changed our departing flight since it’s now $35 cheaper each (2 of us) but only got one credited on my SW account? Will other $35 go back on my credit card? I don’t know how changes work. Before I clicked changed it said I’d save $70?

When did you originally purchase? Normally refunds are in the form of Travel Credits, not to your original CC unless the changes are made very closely to when you purchased.

Changes made today, the travel credits will not expire. If you make any changes after May 28th, those travel credits will expire.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Pardon my ignorance. We only fly (using SW) every 3 or 4 years.
We don't have a SW credit card or belong to a points rewards system.
We are paying for 5 airline tickets. We'll be checking 2-4 bags.
Should we get a SW credit card to cover the cost of checking our bags?

When do you intend to purchase the ticket? If you buy before 5/28, you will get your bags for free as long as you don't change the flight between then and travel date.

If you are buying from 5/28 or later, then checking 2-4 bags round trip is definitely more expensive than the cost of the annual fee on one of their credit cards. So, based on dollars alone, yes, opening the card for a year costs less then paying for those bags.

However, you also want to consider how good your credit is, whether you want to open a new credit card at this time, etc. You could also open a different credit card that you'll actually get more value out of and use the bonus that you earn towards the cost of those bags. If another card is going to give you $500 in points and you will generally find it to be a better rewards model than the SW card, it would make more sense to pay for the bags and getting the $500 bonus on that different card. Since SW cards give all of their points as rapid rewards and you only fly them every 3-4 years, it's likely that a general travel card where you can redeem for a variety of experiences is going to net you more value for your application than a SW card specifically.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

I just changed our departing flight since it’s now $35 cheaper each (2 of us) but only got one credited on my SW account? Will other $35 go back on my credit card? I don’t know how changes work. Before I clicked changed it said I’d save $70?

So, you logged into the other person's rapid rewards account and it doesn't say that they have $35 in travel credits?

 

[Dakota731]

So, you logged into the other person's rapid rewards account and it doesn't say that they have $35 in travel credits?

Only one of us has rapid rewards so does that mean they lose the credit?

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Only one of has rapid rewards so does that mean they lose the credit?

It's associated with their name and date of birth. I believe you can create a RR account for them and then the travel credit will show associated with them, but I would probably call in and have customer service talk me through to make sure I'm doing it right.

 

[dez1978]

It's associated with their name and date of birth. I believe you can create a RR account for them and then the travel credit will show associated with them, but I would probably call in and have customer service talk me through to make sure I'm doing it right.

I can see all of my families travel credits on my account, and use their credits without that.

 

[jcarwash]

I just changed our departing flight since it’s now $35 cheaper each (2 of us) but only got one credited on my SW account? Will other $35 go back on my credit card? I don’t know how changes work. Before I clicked changed it said I’d save $70?

Travel funds are per traveler, not per purchaser. You should be able to check the travel funds by name and flight confirmation number. I expect you'll see $35 for each person.

Use this page: https://www.southwest.com/travel-funds/

 

[Craig Larson]

Just want to confirm...If I consolidate travel funds and cancel after 48 hours that that still works to get non-expiring credits. I don't want lose $70 of flight credits

Obviously doing this prior to May 28, which I know would result in having expiring credits if after that date.

 

[awrites]

deleting since a refresh shows the question was already answered!

 

[Dakota731]

I guess after May, I won’t be able to change flights to save money with SW since basic fare credits expire in six months. We only travel on SW once a year since they don’t go to the other destinations we fly to. Bummer!

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

I can see all of my families travel credits on my account, and use their credits without that.

Are these flights where you are on the credit with your family? Or can you see a spouse/child in your account for a credit where you aren't one of the names associated with it?

I can see all of the credits I'm associated with for the amounts that are my portion. For instance, if I have $5.60 for myself, my husband, and my daughter, it shows in my portal as $5.60 but I know that the other two are on it as well.

I do have one credit where we didn't deplete it evenly, so my husband and I no longer have value left but my daughter does. That credit only shows up associated with her: it's no longer on my page or my husband's page.

And, yes, I agree that you can use the credit without creating an account. But, if the PP was concerned that the $35 was lost, making an account and seeing the credit tracked there would provide reassurance.

 

[Dakota731]

I find the credits listed separately when I type my name and confirmation number in, then when I do the same with my husband. Does this mean he can’t use both credits when buying us both tickets next year?

 

[eticketplease]

I find the credits listed separately when I type my name and confirmation number in, then when I do the same with my husband. Does this mean he can’t use both credits when buying us both tickets next year?

He can use both credits at the same time if you both are flying on the same flight. Whoever is purchasing the tickets will fill in the passenger info and then when you do the credit confirmation info you will put in one of the names and the confirmation # that had the credit. Once you hit apply it will see the other passenger is also on the credit confirmation and apply it for them as well.

 

[Tigger42]

When do you intend to purchase the ticket? If you buy before 5/28, you will get your bags for free as long as you don't change the flight between then and travel date.

If you are buying from 5/28 or later, then checking 2-4 bags round trip is definitely more expensive than the cost of the annual fee on one of their credit cards. So, based on dollars alone, yes, opening the card for a year costs less then paying for those bags.

However, you also want to consider how good your credit is, whether you want to open a new credit card at this time, etc. You could also open a different credit card that you'll actually get more value out of and use the bonus that you earn towards the cost of those bags. If another card is going to give you $500 in points and you will generally find it to be a better rewards model than the SW card, it would make more sense to pay for the bags and getting the $500 bonus on that different card. Since SW cards give all of their points as rapid rewards and you only fly them every 3-4 years, it's likely that a general travel card where you can redeem for a variety of experiences is going to net you more value for your application than a SW card specifically.

We'll be purchasing our tickets later this year for a May trip.
Credit isn't an issue.
We will go ahead and apply for the SW credit card.
Thank you for your reply.

 

[eticketplease]

We'll be purchasing our tickets later this year for a May trip.
Credit isn't an issue.
We will go ahead and apply for the SW credit card.
Thank you for your reply.

Is that this May? As in 2025?

If so, I would suggest picking up a different credit card as suggested by @TheOneWithTheTriplets since your bags will be free as I’m assuming you would buy before May 28, 2025