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

[Tink3815]

Update
Contacted Southwest and points bought and transfered are now taking the 72 hours. They do not know if it is due to updates being done to system or if this is the new normal.

 

[T.G.I.Friday]

Since I was wondering about this before, I wanted to share in case it helps someone else.

I booked a Choice Extra flight using points and was able to book the same seat category for my companion.

I’m really glad that Southwest didn’t make the companion seat anything other than what the purchased seat is. (Like how before buying business select didn’t extend to the companion).

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Since I was wondering about this before, I wanted to share in case it helps someone else.

I booked a Choice Extra flight using points and was able to book the same seat category for my companion.

I’m really glad that Southwest didn’t make the companion seat anything other than what the purchased seat is. (Like how before buying business select didn’t extend to the companion).

Do you have status (A-list or A-list Preferred)?

Do you have a CC?

Just trying to figure out if your particular case is not due to the fare class purchased but instead due to either status or a CC.

Also we'll need to keep an eye out on the Boarding Group the Companion gets because once assigned seating happens it no longer (at least according to SWA) will be an extended perk like right now you'll get sequential boarding groups, once assigned seating happens it goes more based on what the Companion's situation is or at least that's what SWA says

"For Companion Pass holders and Companions, boarding group will be assigned based on their seat location or Credit Cardmember/Tier boarding benefit, whichever is higher. Companion Pass holders and their Companions will both be eligible for the most favorable seat options conferred by their individual Tier status, Credit Cardmember status, or fare. Sequential boarding is not guaranteed. We’ll share more information about boarding and airport experience as flights with assigned seating start to take off on January 27, 2026."

 

[T.G.I.Friday]

Do you have status (A-list or A-list Preferred)?

Do you have a CC?

Just trying to figure out if your particular case is not due to the fare class purchased but instead due to either status or a CC.

Also we'll need to keep an eye out on the Boarding Group the Companion gets because once assigned seating happens it no longer (at least according to SWA) will be an extended perk like right now you'll get sequential boarding groups, once assigned seating happens it goes more based on what the Companion's situation is or at least that's what SWA says

"For Companion Pass holders and Companions, boarding group will be assigned based on their seat location or Credit Cardmember/Tier boarding benefit, whichever is higher. Companion Pass holders and their Companions will both be eligible for the most favorable seat options conferred by their individual Tier status, Credit Cardmember status, or fare. Sequential boarding is not guaranteed. We’ll share more information about boarding and airport experience as flights with assigned seating start to take off on January 27, 2026."

I do have status and the credit card.

Honestly, boarding numbers don’t matter as much to me just as long as we are able to sit together. Knowing we have assigned seats next to one another and I’m not trying to upgrade her at the 24 hour mark or trying to save a seat for her or us switching positions so she is on the plane first is a huge relief. It makes Southwest much more appealing. We had pretty much stopped flying with them because I hated the whole process so much.

*I should add that my companion is my minor daughter. As she’s gotten older, it’s gotten easier, but there was zero chance that I was going to leave a 10 year old at the gate with a B40 boarding position while I boarded at A2 or whatever.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I do have status and the credit card.

Honestly, boarding numbers don’t matter as much to me just as long as we are able to sit together. Knowing we have assigned seats next to one another and I’m not trying to upgrade her at the 24 hour mark or trying to save a seat for her or us switching positions so she is on the plane first is a huge relief. It makes Southwest much more appealing. We had pretty much stopped flying with them because I hated the whole process so much.

*I should add that my companion is my minor daughter. As she’s gotten older, it’s gotten easier, but there was zero chance that I was going to leave a 10 year old at the gate with a B40 boarding position while I boarded at A2 or whatever.

I was thinking about overhead bin space. A Choice Extra would be Boarding Group 1 or 2.

Our flight we just did this past Sunday back home we Boarded at A21 and A22 with just a few people pre-boarded and all of those seats up at the front of the plane, which we were on a plane that had been converted to extra legroom, overhead bin space was completely gone. My husband was able to store his above his seat but mine had to go across the aisle and one row back. ETA: and actually a person had to not sit in our row because there was no overhead bin space available for them, we had left the window seat open for them but no bin space leaving that seat empty towards the front of the plane (I then moved to the window seat after boarding had completed).

As far as Boarding the existing way until about 10 days from now you were NEVER required to leave your daughter at the Boarding gate. You were ALWAYS allowed to board with her, you would however, using your example Board at B40 position. You could have also paid for EBCI for the Companion and Boarded with her. Flying SWA never meant you had to leave your minor alone.

Now with the new Boarding process I would anticipate they maintain that so let's say for example's sake you got Boarding Group 1 and she got Boarding Group 2 you'd assume they would allow you to Board in Boarding Group 2 with her. The tricky thing with the wording on SWA is right now they are not guaranteeing Companions board together once January 26th arrives which puts you in the same position as you were before when you stopped flying SWA. It's actually worse now with a Companion with assigned seating with SWA compared to before. Outside of the Business Select like you mentioned and after they adjusted the rules sequential boarding rules with status so she would board right next to you, now with assigned seating that is not guaranteed.