Question about Southwest Air

[disneymomof1]

We have never flown Southwest before, on the website their are three tiers of tickets, the "Wanna Get Away" tickets are the cheapest. Is that what everyone gets. I don't collect points or rewards or anything. I am worried about getting bumped, is that ever a consideration? To make a long story short, is the Wanna Get Away tickets the way to go??!! Thanks !!

 

[mrsklamc]

While they do 'bump' there are usually volunteers. If I were you I wouldn't hesitate to book.

 

[luvmy3jewels]

We frequently fly SW and I always buy the cheapest fares available (even dings back in the day they were good deals). We have never had any issues with being bumped. I've never seen any advantages to purchase the higher fares. It's not like SW has a first class section.

 

[JB2K]

We have never flown Southwest before, on the website their are three tiers of tickets, the "Wanna Get Away" tickets are the cheapest. Is that what everyone gets.

Pretty much, as they are the lowest-price of all the published fares on SWA.

I don't collect points or rewards or anything.

You should -- Southwest makes it very easy -- you fly a set number of roundtrips and you get one free.

I am worried about getting bumped, is that ever a consideration?

No more so than on any other airline -- as a PP said, it's usually on a volunteer basis (plus, Southwest will offer you a "juicy" incentive to make it painless).

To make a long story short, is the Wanna Get Away tickets the way to go??!!

It is -- also, you might want to download the "Ding" application for even lower fares...

 

[Tammylynn]

One other thing about Southwest that makes them great:

No change flight fees! Even for those cheaper fares it's free to change flight times, days, etc. The only price you pay is if the cost of the flight went up.

If you need to cancel your flight altogether, the entire amount of the ticket is saved for use the next time you fly. All you need is your confirmation #.

Southwest is AMAZING!

Oh, and don't forget to check in EXACTLY 24 hours prior to your flight. Southwest has open seating and the earlier you check in, the earlier you can board (and choose seats together!).

 

[bettymae1121]

According to DOT stats, Southwest bumps about 11 people per 10,000 passengers, so it's pretty rare. That said, they usually bump by order of check in, those that check in last get bumped first. As long as you check in online at the 24 hour mark, you'll be fine (you'll also get a better boarding position). Don't stress about checing in exactly at 24 hours either, anytime the day before and you'll be good to go. Heck, DH and I checked in at the airport for SWA about 90 minutes before our flight and still got to sit next to each other, though we had to go to the back to find two seats together.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

That's all we've ever booked with SW, never had a problem

 

[bumbershoot]

My sis in law books the higher fares, because it's for business, it's expensed, and if her assistant calls her while she's in line to board to tell her the deposition was cancelled, she gets an actual refund rather than a credit. And she likes not having to do the 24 hour checkin, since the higher rates get you seated among the first anyway.


But we book getawaytoday fares and it's just fine.