Pros and cons for Southwest

[STLDisney_Freak]

Yes. If you want a shot at A you should be hitting 'enter' at 23 hours 59 minutes and 59 and 1/2 seconds. Even then you MIGHT not get it - depends how many people have paid for EBCI. They get automatically checked-in at 36 hours before the flight.

I also depends on how many people bought Business Select fares because they are automatically in A boarding.

 

[jimandami]

I just got the credit card and I'm wondering about how much are you putting on the card that you are getting a rt every 3 months? You can send me a PM if you don't want to post it to everyone.

Also not the poster you asked, but we can get a RT to Orlando for 10,000-12,000 points so that is about $3000-4000/month. We have been using the card for pretty much all budgeting expenses that take the card so it's pretty easy to hit that. Also, you can earn extra rewards by shopping online through their shopping program. I don't buy things just to get the points but when I shop online, I always check to see if the item I want can be purchased through the link.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

So what would happen if I boarded with my 2 year old and there weren't 2 seats together? Would I just put her in her carseat next to a stranger and go find a seat? "See you when we get to Disney, Kid!"

(I would never do that, but is that what happens?)

I have read on this board people that will never fly SWA because they are afraid of this. I have been flying SWA often for 13 years and have NEVER seen this happen. First of all, you and your 2YO would be allowed to board after the A group. Unless the plane is full of absolutely RUDE seat-holders (see other posts in this thread), there should be many sets of 2 seats still together. Second, if there are not, there will be at least one person on the plane who is not so selfish that they would not move, especially when the alternative is sitting next to a 2YO that isn't theirs.

It's not $50 for early boarding! it's only $12.50 each way per person. Don't forget is you are buying more than 8 tickets its best to call SWA to buy the tickets you will get a 10% discount. With other airlines they charge you a fee to call and buy tickets. SWA does not charge extra to call. Saving seats is not a big deal.

Paying $12.50 for ONE person to get on and then save 8 seats IS a big deal. I think you could get away with saving one seat per person, especially if it is the middle seat. But trying to save 8 is outrageous.

Why should you be able to save your seats for your family to avoid paying the $12+ per person when I was honest and paid the $12+ dollars per person?

Yep--I am not a follow-all-the-rules-to-a-T kind of person, but this really rubs me the wrong way. It seems like the seat-savers are "stealing" from the ones who paid the fee but are in line behind them.

I also wonder why 8 people have to sit all together. We are a family of 4 and usually we sit 2 and 2, not always even close to each other.

 

[winterwhite]

I also depends on how many people bought Business Select fares because they are automatically in A boarding.

It's more than that. Those who are a list preferred and a list come ahead of ebci.

 

[sheetz]

I find SWA better for short distance trips--long distance trips often require layovers or transfers which can add up to a lot of extra travel time.

 

[JJJnE]

Being 6'4" tall, I usually like to sit in a bulkhead location or the exit door row, but when I travel with family, I can't as I have a toddler. I love SW though...even with the little to no legroom, simply because it is cheap, reliable, and efficient.

 

[Couchy]

I love Southwest

no change fee
bags fly free
early check in ( still cheaper than other airlines)
free snacks
usually if I order a cocktail and attempt to pay 75% of the time they say "don't worry about it"
awesome customer service


Recently had to fly a different airline. Flight was cancelled due to maintenance. No flights out for 3 more days.... had to fly standby all day. Customer service was awful . I had paid to upgrade my seat and was not refunded when my flight was cancelled...

 

[borgthe]

It's not $50 for early boarding! it's only $12.50 each way per person. Don't forget is you are buying more than 8 tickets its best to call SWA to buy the tickets you will get a 10% discount. With other airlines they charge you a fee to call and buy tickets. SWA does not charge extra to call. Saving seats is not a big deal.

I have never heard of this 10% discount. Do you have a link to where it says this? Thanks

 

[bjscheel]

I love SW because of the flexibility. Before I booked with them, I was used to flights being pretty much set in stone after buying. You can change your flights completely, or get points/credit back if yours go down. I love that.

Last year DH and I each got the cc and the 50,000 points, and I bought 4 tickets from Omaha to San Diego and 4 tickets back from Anaheim to Omaha. Then, I found out that there was a big marathon in San Diego the first part of our trip (making our hotel really expensive) and Grad Nites at DL the last part. Flipping the trip would save us money and aggravation. I got on the SW website and made it so we flew into Anaheim first, and left from San Diego. So easy and no cost!

I have to say I did 24 hour checkin for our trip out I kind of messed up- I had 4 windows open (you have different conf #'s for everyone with points). I clicked on the button on each window, but I should have clicked on two buttons before moving on to the next person- we got somewhere in B, but then at the airport I was chatting and didn't notice them doing B, so we ended up boarding with C. The girls and I got the last row together and DH just a row away. On the way back with EBCI we got A15 or so. Doing EBCI both ways this year so I don't have to worry about it. Our girls are big enough now that it is not a big concern, but of course we would prefer to be close so we can talk and share any sort of entertainment/gum/snacks we bring.

We are flying on points again this year. DH has his own semi, so he charges $3000-$5000 fuel every month. We should be able to fly free every year or two. Plus I do e-Rewards and earn 500-1000 points every month.

I have to say a lot of their prices are not very budget, but if you watch you can do okay. Since we can go on points, we will put up with any seating hassles.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I have never heard of this 10% discount. Do you have a link to where it says this? Thanks

I don't know if there is a link. But last summer I needed to book 10 seat and got an error when I tried to book online and a message that said if you are booking more than 8 tickets to call customer service. When I called the agent on the phone told me I qualified for a 10% discount.

 

[1buckeyegirl]

Love southwest!!! We were on one of the wonder cruises that were cancelled in Jan. I had Booked my airfare way in advance! We ended up sailing two weeks later and all I had to do was go online and change our flights. It took all of ten minutes and no change fees!

 

[sonnyjane]

Able to cancel up to 10 minutes prior without penalty? Free checked bags? Funny flight attendants? Free booze on holidays? What's not to love?!?!

 

[MillauFr]

Able to cancel up to 10 minutes prior without penalty? Free checked bags? Funny flight attendants? Free booze on holidays? What's not to love?!?!

No non-stops to southern California is why we don't fly them. I always prefer non-stop even if I have to pay more. So it is always Alaska for us.

 

[KalamityJane]

I don't know if there is a link. But last summer I needed to book 10 seat and got an error when I tried to book online and a message that said if you are booking more than 8 tickets to call customer service. When I called the agent on the phone told me I qualified for a 10% discount.

Is that 8+ seats on the same flight or would 10 one ways on 2 flights do it, do you know?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Is that 8+ seats on the same flight or would 10 one ways on 2 flights do it, do you know?

The 10% discount is for a group rate, which is for 10 or more people traveling together (not 8):

http://www.southwest.com/html/air/business-groups/group-travel.html

I agree with a PP, another reason I don't travel on Southwest is that I don't enjoy 1-2 stops. I prefer non-stop flights and Southwest has fewer of these than my preferred airline.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Being 6'4" tall, I usually like to sit in a bulkhead location or the exit door row, but when I travel with family, I can't as I have a toddler. I love SW though...even with the little to no legroom, simply because it is cheap, reliable, and efficient.

You are free to sit in bulkhead seats with children.

 

[msmama]

I agree with a PP, another reason I don't travel on Southwest is that I don't enjoy 1-2 stops. I prefer non-stop flights and Southwest has fewer of these than my preferred airline.

I can drive 15 minutes to the airport and have a flight with connections (SW) OR drive an hour and a half (with no traffic) to another airport (other airlines) which is why I fly SW as often as I can!!

(Not saying either is right or wrong, just giving other opinions which may fit Pro or Con depending on the person).