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

[katallo]

I need some help with booking. I have flight credits with Southwest. I’m confused with the ticketing options. Two adults with a SW basic credit card. I think one bag each is included. We will need seating with additional room due to knee issues. What is my best option? I’m trying to figure out of a certain category will give us the roomier seating option or do you buy basic and pay for the upgraded seats. TIA

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

We just went to Vegas Sun-Wednesday. I got a survey about our flight from Vegas back home (that occurred on Wednesday afternoon) and it's been a bit since I've had a survey about the "recent flight".

This time I could tell they were aiming to know if the upcoming changes would have had an impact.

For example they asked me what seat was I sitting in (originally middle then moved to window when boarding completed and no one sat next to me).

They noted we had a flight disruption and asked about how I felt about it (that probably has been a question before). I was honest and told them that it is appreciated when passengers know why and that I had used other sources (flightaware though I did not name them by name) to know that the delay was caused by flight delays in Texas; plane from Austin (origination airport for our plane) to Dallas delayed, flight from Dallas to Vegas delayed. I also advised them that the new boarding time provided was unrealistic given that the plane that would be ours wasn't even supposed to have landed by then. We ended up leaving about 30 mins after our updated departure time however I noted that we were able to make up time in the air so although we left 1 1/2 hours late from original flight time we ended up being only 1 hr late (gate to gate).

Some more interesting questions was related to how you felt about the below



I don't remember getting before (although it's been a bit since I last received a survey like I mentioned)


They asked about the quality and variety of inflight stuff such as beverage and snack options as well as movies and tv. We were in a Max8 with charging ports and that was a question as well.

Kinda wish they had asked about our flight from KC to Vegas as the FAs were very comedic at 6am. The main FA just after boarding had completed had said they would give 4 drink coupons to the passenger who could name all the FAs, one person was able to name all but 1 and the FAs ended up giving that person 3 drink coupons noting "we're going to Vegas after all". That's one way to get people to actually pay attention to the FAs although no I didn't even think to look at their names as we boarded

 

[focusondisney]

Kinda wish they had asked about our flight from KC to Vegas as the FAs were very comedic at 6am. The main FA just after boarding had completed had said they would give 4 drink coupons to the passenger who could name all the FAs, one person was able to name all but 1 and the FAs ended up giving that person 3 drink coupons noting "we're going to Vegas after all". That's one way to get people to actually pay attention to the FAs although no I didn't even think to look at their names as we boarded

Maybe that person is a regular on the KC to Vegas route & knew them all already.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Just canceled my basic ticket, connecting flight. It's the only option with the new and improved SW. Changed to a basic direct flight for 2000 more points. I really hate playing this game they've created. Used to be one click change. Now there are more steps.

 

[pooch]

I dunno, there were always a few steps. I changed my flight (under the old rules) a few weeks ago & it was several click here, click here, select new flights, click, click, click. Certainly not just 1 click

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Changing a flight with seats selected, a data point.

(Forgive me if we already have this, my memory is that someone was going to do it but then get points went up, so we didn't have a first have example)

My Choice fare for April went down today, so I went in to modify. Same flight, just better points, and it did make me select seats again. And, since it's Choice, I am allowed to change instead of cancel/rebook.

What was super weird is that I could *not* select the seats I currently have because they were marked with an X. They were the only seats in the regular section marked that way, I went back and double checked myself, so it's not just me being silly. For whatever reason, the system isn't realizing that those seats are already yours and can reselect them: it's holding them out of inventory.

I didn't try calling because I didn't mind moving a row. Maybe the phone agent would have been able to do it?

I'm also assuming that this will change with a software update from SW. The system should recognize if you're changing an existing flight and default you to start with the seats you've already selected, that's what legacy airlines all do, but SW hasn't built that out yet.

 

[Cruzin’Sisters]

Changing a flight with seats selected, a data point.

(Forgive me if we already have this, my memory is that someone was going to do it but then get points went up, so we didn't have a first have example)

My Choice fare for April went down today, so I went in to modify. Same flight, just better points, and it did make me select seats again. And, since it's Choice, I am allowed to change instead of cancel/rebook.

What was super weird is that I could *not* select the seats I currently have because they were marked with an X. They were the only seats in the regular section marked that way, I went back and double checked myself, so it's not just me being silly. For whatever reason, the system isn't realizing that those seats are already yours and can reselect them: it's holding them out of inventory.

I didn't try calling because I didn't mind moving a row. Maybe the phone agent would have been able to do it?

I'm also assuming that this will change with a software update from SW. The system should recognize if you're changing an existing flight and default you to start with the seats you've already selected, that's what legacy airlines all do, but SW hasn't built that out yet.

I did the same as you. If my memory serves me right, when I first selected the flight/fare, Basic was unavailable and had to select choice with points and I selected standard seat. Yesterday when I went to doublecheck ALL my flights, I noticed Basic fare was now available, points or cash.

The points were 5000 less so I explored options, saw the -5000 and clicked. Continuing to seat selection: I saw my previously selected seats with a X. But it guided me to select the preferred flights for no charge!! Note that I have the SW credit card but I had it when I made the flight (Choice). Maybe I had the option to pick preferred seats but didn't know I could?

Lots to learn with this new process and here is where we share the experiences.

 

[eticketplease]

I did the same as you. If my memory serves me right, when I first selected the flight/fare, Basic was unavailable and had to select choice with points and I selected standard seat. Yesterday when I went to doublecheck ALL my flights, I noticed Basic fare was now available, points or cash.

The points were 5000 less so I explored options, saw the -5000 and clicked. Continuing to seat selection: I saw my previously selected seats with a X. But it guided me to select the preferred flights for no charge!! Note that I have the SW credit card but I had it when I made the flight (Choice). Maybe I had the option to pick preferred seats but didn't know I could?

Lots to learn with this new process and here is where we share the experiences.

Choice includes a standard seat at booking. You mentioned having a SW Card which there are 5 of. The Priority card and the Performance Business Card allow Preferred seats at booking.

 

[eticketplease]

Changing a flight with seats selected, a data point.

(Forgive me if we already have this, my memory is that someone was going to do it but then get points went up, so we didn't have a first have example)

My Choice fare for April went down today, so I went in to modify. Same flight, just better points, and it did make me select seats again. And, since it's Choice, I am allowed to change instead of cancel/rebook.

What was super weird is that I could *not* select the seats I currently have because they were marked with an X. They were the only seats in the regular section marked that way, I went back and double checked myself, so it's not just me being silly. For whatever reason, the system isn't realizing that those seats are already yours and can reselect them: it's holding them out of inventory.

I didn't try calling because I didn't mind moving a row. Maybe the phone agent would have been able to do it?

I'm also assuming that this will change with a software update from SW. The system should recognize if you're changing an existing flight and default you to start with the seats you've already selected, that's what legacy airlines all do, but SW hasn't built that out yet.

Did you try modifying again to get your original seats back?

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Did you try modifying again to get your original seats back?

No, I didn't bother. If I had really cared about those specific seats, I would have called to see if customer service could do it in one transaction.

 

[EACarlson]

No, I didn't bother. If I had really cared about those specific seats, I would have called to see if customer service could do it in one transaction.

Calling in you would have been able to do it. The CSR has the ability to remove you from the seats, but still hold them out of standard inventory so you can reselect them.

 

[hardcorestitch]

No more free seats for plus size passengers…

https://www.wtkr.com/business/compa...e-larger-passengers-to-purchase-an-extra-seat

 

[eticketplease]

No more free seats for plus size passengers…

https://www.wtkr.com/business/compa...e-larger-passengers-to-purchase-an-extra-seat

This is not the case.

People can be refunded just like they have been able to in the past.

 

[EACarlson]

No more free seats for plus size passengers…

https://www.wtkr.com/business/compa...e-larger-passengers-to-purchase-an-extra-seat

It's a return to the pre Covid policy. I know I've talked about it before, maybe even somewhere in the 800 pages of this thread. Their post covid policy made no sense. How were you going to IDB a paid passenger because a Customer of Size, needs two seats but didn't say anything until boarding? Now SW could have been forced to pay $800 cash, plus hotel rooms and food, to abide by that policy. I think the previous and now current policy makes a ton of logical sense, and they were the only ones that did anything close when I first heard about in 2009.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

No more free seats for plus size passengers…

https://www.wtkr.com/business/compa...e-larger-passengers-to-purchase-an-extra-seat

I had already mentioned this a few weeks ago on this thread. Like the poster who just responded to you was saying it's not exactly a revolutionary thing however it is certainly making the news rounds as I'm seeing a gadzillion articles over the last few weeks about it. Mostly I think because almost no change SWA has made recently has been customer friendly so understandably so it's getting a lot of attention.

The policy already had a stipulation that you may have to purchase an additional seat and then seek a refund after the fact but SWA was also very fluid with this making it more like a "at the gate" judgement call so I kinda doubt many people who needed an additional space, for whatever reason, often booked one ahead of time. I do know it's been talked about on this thread before where some people have gone ahead on done it when say they had a broken leg or similar and needed to have more room.

 

[leebee]

Is there any way to track your SW card to see how long it's been opened, or when you last had one in the past?

 

[Simba's Mom]

No more free seats for plus size passengers…

https://www.wtkr.com/business/compa...e-larger-passengers-to-purchase-an-extra-seat

I'm a little confused about this. It says that the second seat "must be purchased in advance". But what if Joe traveler thinks "I'm not THAT big-I'm not going to encroach on my neighbor's seat" but the he gets on the airplane and the reality is that both he and his neighbor are impacted by his size. It's kind of hard/impossible to turn back time and have him buy a second seat. What's happening then?

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

This is not the case.

People can be refunded just like they have been able to in the past.

I agree factually they can be refunded but they've added some hard to meet qualifications for it intentionally so no necessarily accurate to say no free seats any longer it also should be acknowledged that the updated policy is entirely meant to provide as little amount of refunds as possible.

 

[Cruzin’Sisters]

Is there any way to track your SW card to see how long it's been opened, or when you last had one in the past?

I called last week to cancel mine and I asked "By the way, can you check when I opened it?" and they told me. My priority card annual fee was going up to $229. They tried to get me to stay by letting me renew at $149 but I lost the $75 travel credit with the new card. Then they countered with a statement credit. But I wanted to sign up for a new card for the 100,000 points (since it had been more than 24 months). So I will try next month!

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I'm a little confused about this. It says that the second seat "must be purchased in advance". But what if Joe traveler thinks "I'm not THAT big-I'm not going to encroach on my neighbor's seat" but the he gets on the airplane and the reality is that both he and his neighbor are impacted by his size. It's kind of hard/impossible to turn back time and have him buy a second seat. What's happening then?

They do tell you to review the width of the seats (to be fair normal airplane seats have gotten ridiculously narrow over recent years). They also tell you if you haven't reserved a seat and you arrive at the airport

• You will be required to purchase an additional seat and pay any applicable seat fee at the airport (at the applicable fare available on the day of travel).
• If the flight is sold out or adjacent seats are not available on your flight, we will rebook you on an alternate flight to your destination on which adjacent seats are available.

Although SWA says "Once onboard, if necessary, please request a seatbelt extension from our Flight Attendant." so if it's a situation with the seatbelt not fitting correctly there's a solution provided that doesn't cause disruption.

The rub will be will SWA stick to their policy and deplane the passenger if there are no seats available and the flight has already boarded, that is a wait and see approach. I could see them also attempting to ask passengers to move around which I'm sure will be exhausting for all passengers to have see happen. The worst is if they don't actually stick to their policy and just tell the passenger who is being encroached upon to deal with it or if they attempt to move that passenger elsewhere (which is not the solution it is made out to be).