Something weird at Southwest

[ratlenhum]

I check our flights several times a day to see if they've gone down. Our trip to Orlando probably can't go any lower but the trip back to LI certainly can. It has gone down once already and I changed flights and got credit.

Today I went to southwest and check the flight and it came up $129. I signed it, brought up our ressie and clicked on change flight and there all the other flights of the day are coming up $129 but my flight is $149. If I sign out and search the same flights again, it comes up $129 again.

 

[Jestocost]

I check our flights several times a day to see if they've gone down. Our trip to Orlando probably can't go any lower but the trip back to LI certainly can. It has gone down once already and I changed flights and got credit.

Today I went to southwest and check the flight and it came up $129. I signed it, brought up our ressie and clicked on change flight and there all the other flights of the day are coming up $129 but my flight is $149. If I sign out and search the same flights again, it comes up $129 again.

Are you searching for the same number of tickets as you have on your reservation when you are doing your initial check or are you just searching based on one passenger, then trying to book the lower rate for multiple passengers? If the former, I can't explain it. If the latter, the problem is that there are some tickets available at the lower price but not as many tickets as you have passengers on your reservation. When that happens, the system only will let you rebook at the lowest rate available for the number of tickets you need.

 

[ratlenhum]

Are you searching for the same number of tickets as you have on your reservation when you are doing your initial check or are you just searching based on one passenger, then trying to book the lower rate for multiple passengers? If the former, I can't explain it. If the latter, the problem is that there are some tickets available at the lower price but not as many tickets as you have passengers on your reservation. When that happens, the system only will let you rebook at the lowest rate available for the number of tickets you need.

Yup, that was it. Thanks. I just tried again and when I look for 1 adult the price is lower than if I look for 3. Next time I'm making 3 separate reservations instead of booking all three together!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You are getting a higher price for three reservations because there aren't three seats available at the lower price. Making separate reservations isn't going to get you three of the lower fares.

 

[ratlenhum]

You are getting a higher price for three reservations because there aren't three seats available at the lower price. Making separate reservations isn't going to get you three of the lower fares.

No but if I have 3 separate reservations I could get one of them at the lower fare

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

True, and that would be the way to go.

 

[cybrkitn]

I understand hoping for a lower price back to LI. Our dates for December just opened up. There are two flights back to MacArthur airport on 12/11 for us. The first one would be $190 and the other $168.

I noticed that you said you were able to get a credit. So my question is if we book our flight and lower prices come out for our return date, can we still get the lower price even though we already have a reservation? I'm afraid of booking our flight and then find out that we're stuck with that price and can't get the lower price. I know with SW it's a hit and miss with prices especially with SW Dings. You either grab them when they come out or you miss out.

 

[mcd2745]

I understand hoping for a lower price back to LI. Our dates for December just opened up. There are two flights back to MacArthur airport on 12/11 for us. The first one would be $190 and the other $168.

I noticed that you said you were able to get a credit. So my question is if we book our flight and lower prices come out for our return date, can we still get the lower price even though we already have a reservation? I'm afraid of booking our flight and then find out that we're stuck with that price and can't get the lower price. I know with SW it's a hit and miss with prices especially with SW Dings. You either grab them when they come out or you miss out.

If you booked today and 3 months from now, that same flight is, let's say, $30 pp cheaper...you just "change" flights to the same flight and you will receive $30 pp credit for use toward a future flight up until one year from today (you have to actually fly within one year from today - not just book). So if you booked today, the price you pay becomes your "ceiling' price. You don't have to worry about it going higher, but benefit if it goes lower - and you notice it has gone lower and take advantage. That, of course, assumes that you will be able to make use of the credit. If you have absolutely no plans to fly again within one year from today, then the credit doesn't really do anything for you.

 

[Halle]

Yup, that was it. Thanks. I just tried again and when I look for 1 adult the price is lower than if I look for 3. Next time I'm making 3 separate reservations instead of booking all three together!

If your flight is cancelled you run the risk of not all getting on the same flight. That has happened to us twice, Air Tran and United.

 

[crashbb]

If your flight is cancelled you run the risk of not all getting on the same flight. That has happened to us twice, Air Tran and United.

You can call and have the reservations linked together, so that they are treated as one reservation (in terms of flight changes). I've done it with United and Continental (not with Southwest). It also meant that those traveling with me got the benefit of my Elite status (e.g. could select seats in the section that is reserved for Elite travelers).

 

[Halle]

You can call and have the reservations linked together, so that they are treated as one reservation (in terms of flight changes). I've done it with United and Continental (not with Southwest). It also meant that those traveling with me got the benefit of my Elite status (e.g. could select seats in the section that is reserved for Elite travelers).

Crashbb, I never knew that....many thanks for the info.

 

[crashbb]

Crashbb, I never knew that....many thanks for the info.

No problem! Glad it could help.