Questions re: Changes on Southwest Ressie

[annnewjerz]

Sorry for another question so soon!!

I've never flown Southwest but read somewhere that you can make changes to your reservation without having to pay a fee...is this true?

If it is, would the following scenario be possible?

I book travel from Baltimore to Orlando for $200 RT including taxes and fees. The flight down has one stop, the flight back is non-stop. In a month, flights from Philadelphia are released for $150 RT and both flights are non-stop. If seats are available---can I change my flights to PHL and get credited the difference in price?

Also---can I change my dates at a later time? If my original flights were 10/16 and 10/20, can I change to flights on say 10/17 and 10/19?

This seems too good to be true.

 

[DebbieB]

Yes, you can do that, they are very flexible. The credit comes in the form of ticketless travel funds, which have to be used on SW within a year of the original ticket date.

 

[NotUrsula]

Yes, but it works the opposite way, too. If you are holding tickets a flight that you purchased for $150, but you want to change dates, and your new dates have no available seats for less than $200, then you have to pay the difference to switch (plus the applicable increases in taxes, if any.)

 

[annnewjerz]

Thanks for the info!

I do understand that if I want to switch to a more expensive flight, the price will go up. Basically, the flights that are in our price range on SW right now are out of Baltimore, but the first flight is not a non-stop. So, I'd like to switch that at some point if fares go on sale again to a non-stop OR a cheaper flight out of PHL which is closer to our home. If fares go up, I have no intention of changing flights---I'll be happy with this selection, but I'll be thrilled with a change if I can make it

 

[annnewjerz]

Yes, but it works the opposite way, too. If you are holding tickets a flight that you purchased for $150, but you want to change dates, and your new dates have no available seats for less than $200, then you have to pay the difference to switch (plus the applicable increases in taxes, if any.)

This is going to sound like a stupid question, but what is "holding tickets"---is there are a difference between holding the flights and actually booking the flights?

I was under the impression that I could make these changes down the road if I actually booked and paid for the flights today---but if that's not the case then I'm officially confused.

 

[NotUrsula]

When I said holding tickets, I mean as in "holding in your hand." (Which is kind of an old-fashioned expression b/c almost no airlines really issue paper tickets anymore; but I guess you can hold your e-ticket receipt in your hand. ) Essentially, what I meant was bought and paid for, but not yet used.

 

[annnewjerz]

When I said holding tickets, I mean as in "holding in your hand." (Which is kind of an old-fashioned expression b/c almost no airlines really issue paper tickets anymore; but I guess you can hold your e-ticket receipt in your hand. ) Essentially, what I meant was bought and paid for, but not yet used.

Thanks! I ended up booking with SW for $155 RT out of Baltimore and am going to keep my eyes peeled for a cheaper fare from Baltimore or a better flight from PHL to change to. I got a flight that'll make me happy for now, if I can get something a little earlier in the day and a little closer to home, I'll be