Quick Southwest question

[wdwscout]

We are trying out Southwest at the end of August. I've only flown them a few times- since we are pretty much tied to US Air and our miles there.

Anyway- I have seen lots of people talk about the prices going down and getting credits towards future flights.
How exactly do you do this? Do you have to call SWA, fill out an online form... or (probably not) do they give you the lower price automatically.

Our 2 one way flights to MCO are down $60. What do I do next?

TIA

 

[Cherinva]

What I did was go to the main page, and click on "change". From there I filled in the information on our current flight, then it gave me the option to pick another flight. I simple clicked on the same flight (with the lower price) and that's it. I now have a $66.00 credit on a future flight...which has to be used within 1 year. Good Luck.

 

[wdwscout]

Whoo Hoo!

That was easy!
Thanks much- I just saved $30 per ticket. And I know I won't have any trouble using it within 1 year.

 

[jeanigor]

Grab your bags! It's on!

 

[shmedly123]

Whoo Hoo!

That was easy!
Thanks much- I just saved $30 per ticket. And I know I won't have any trouble using it within 1 year.

Just remember it is one year from the time you book and not 1 year from the time you fly. I missed that the first time i used it.

Also, I am not sure how often you fly but should you use it say 6 months from now and that flight drops say $100 total, the $100 credit is tied all the way back to your original booking date and not the date you booked the second flight.


It is still great to be able to do it you just have to watch your dates. Honestly, I can't understand why other airlines wouldn't do the same thing. Sure you are flying a bit cheaper than your regular ticket but they pretty much secured a second flight from you in the future...win win.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Honestly, I can't understand why other airlines wouldn't do the same thing. Sure you are flying a bit cheaper than your regular ticket but they pretty much secured a second flight from you in the future...win win.

Please. I can't understand why other airlines have to nickel and dime you and charge you for even ONE checked bag.

I LOVE Southwest, but they also stink because they pulled all their direct flights Cleveland to Orlando. I don't mind a stop over, but I don't want to have to change planes and that is what almost all their flights out of Cleveland to Orlando are now. So I'm stuck on Continental, I can't get a credit if the fare goes down, I can't pick my "as close to the door" as possible seat and I have to pay $25 per checked bag.

 

[AmberLuvsWDW]

Wow. We are going in August and usually fly Southwest, but we just had to book our airfare through AirTran and JetBlue because Southwest was still too high. We kept waiting for it to go down because it was so unusually high, but it never did. I never knew they adjusted flights like that, so I will have to watch for it in the future. I'm glad some of you were able to take advantage of it!

 

[wdwscout]

Just remember it is one year from the time you book and not 1 year from the time you fly. I missed that the first time i used it.

Good (and important!!) point- I totally missed that one. Thanks.

I booked this flight for August back in March- so I really only have 6 months from the Aug flight to use the credit. Luckily, that will work for me. This trip is when we are moving my son down to WDW for the College Program- and I was already trying to think of a way to sneak in an extra trip- maybe October?? - to visit him.
We'll see him when we go down for the PCC2.0- but other than that, maybe not until January (if he wants to come home ).

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Linda, where are you flying Southwest from? I know it doesn't fly from Newark.

 

[wdwscout]

Linda, where are you flying Southwest from? I know it doesn't fly from Newark.

Philadelphia- it's the closest airport to me- about 20 miles maybe.
Newark is almost 90 minutes away without traffic. They have JetBlue- but I think I prefer Southwest and USAir.

I used to love going to Atlantic City for Spirit- but they have changed- much for the worse- in recent years. No more Spirit for us.

 

[DrMomof3]

We're flying SW for the 1st time in August (out of Islip which is about a 90 minute drive but it was $800 cheaper than JetBlue out of LGA, JFK, or HPN). My issue is that I ended up paying the $10 per ticket each way for priority seating since I'm flying alone with 3 little ones on the way down. It annoyed me bc SW likes to sell themselves as no-fee but that's not totally true.
But the free baggage is a good perk for us!

Amanda

 

[MM32830]

My issue is that I ended up paying the $10 per ticket each way for priority seating since I'm flying alone with 3 little ones on the way down. It annoyed me bc SW likes to sell themselves as no-fee but that's not totally true.

But the free baggage is a good perk for us!

The $10 per ticket you paid is what's called "Early Bird Check In". It's a totally optional fee but in your case is a good value. However, I would probably have used it only on the return leg. As long as you have access to a computer exactly 24 hours before flight time you can get an A boarding pass which is what you'll get with Early Bird Check In.

I fly Southwest just about every month and I personally like the way they handle check in and seating. I always check in exactly 24 hours before flight and I'm rewarded with a "A" boarding pass.




_________________
Armand

 

[MM32830]

If you have a Southwest credit that you don't think you'll be able to use, you can always sell it at PlasticJungle.com. They will discount it about 20% but you can still get most of your money back.



______________
Armand

 

[WaltD4Me]

We're flying SW for the 1st time in August (out of Islip which is about a 90 minute drive but it was $800 cheaper than JetBlue out of LGA, JFK, or HPN). My issue is that I ended up paying the $10 per ticket each way for priority seating since I'm flying alone with 3 little ones on the way down. It annoyed me bc SW likes to sell themselves as no-fee but that's not totally true.
But the free baggage is a good perk for us!

Amanda

Southwest usually boards family with small kids first. Did they stop doing that?
I always check in 24 hours before my flight to get an A boarding pass, but families with little kids still boarded first. I never even knew they had a $10 Early Bird check in. Is it new?

One of the things I love about SW is the way they seat. I know it's a concern if you are flying with kids, but I never had a problem, I always get A or B boarding passes and wasn't ever seperated. I like to sit in the first 5 rows if possible. For our return flights if I knew I wouldnt be able to check-in, I always had a family member do it and fax me the boarding pass to the resort.

 

[jeanigor]

Southwest usually boards family with small kids first. Did they stop doing that?
I always check in 24 hours before my flight to get an A boarding pass, but families with little kids still boarded first. I never even knew they had a $10 Early Bird check in. Is it new?

One of the things I love about SW is the way they seat. I know it's a concern if you are flying with kids, but I never had a problem, I always get A or B boarding passes and wasn't ever seperated. I like to sit in the first 5 rows if possible. For our return flights if I knew I wouldnt be able to check-in, I always had a family member do it and fax me the boarding pass to the resort.

My last couple of flights I got a "B" pass...I seem to recall they board families with small children in between "A" group and "B" group...so less than half full, but still could be problematic.

 

[MM32830]

Southwest usually boards family with small kids first. Did they stop doing that?

Good point! DrMomOf3 really didn't have to buy the Early Bird Check In since she qualifies for family boarding. Family boarding used to be before everyone else. Now, only those needing special assistance (wheelchairs, walkers, canes, etc). pre-board before the A group. Then the A group boards.

Family boarding is between the A and B groups. Still lots of space on board.





___________________
Armand

 

[MLK-RI]

Noticed when I booked a recent SWA flight that they are changing policy and as of Jan 28, 2011 the funds from any flight cancellations or changes that you would normally have in your account and be able to use for anyone will after that time be tied to the original ticket holder only.

I've written SWA my displeasure at this but so far haven't received a response. While I am happy they allow a year from booking to use the funds, I am unhappy I won't be able to use them for another family member etc. any longer.

 

[jeanigor]

Noticed when I booked a recent SWA flight that they are changing policy and as of Jan 28, 2011 the funds from any flight cancellations or changes that you would normally have in your account and be able to use for anyone will after that time be tied to the original ticket holder only.

I've written SWA my displeasure at this but so far haven't received a response. While I am happy they allow a year from booking to use the funds, I am unhappy I won't be able to use them for another family member etc. any longer.

I was unaware of this policy change, and dislike it as well. I'd rather give my credit to a friend than let it go to waste...even though I have been on the receiving end of the gift more often.