Southwest credit question

[Lauri]

I've been using southwest for years, but with there changes over the past year to their RR program and to the use of unused credit, I'm not sure what to do. I always book the flight to and from Orlando separatly in case of fare decreases.

For our Thanksgiving return flight, I paid the FULL fare (over $300pp) to make sure we had a flight. Our flight did come down about $50 pp, so I booked that, changing our fully refundable fare to nonrefundable. The flight after ours in now only $132 pp, a hugh savings. But, my questions are this...

--I understand that we would only be able to get SW credit. I don't really think we will be able to use the credit before it expires. Also, the credit is now only usable by each of us individually? I could not use the whole $500 for myself, but must divide it equally among the four of us?

--With the new RR program, you get more points for the higher price that you pay. If I don't think that I could use the credits, should I just leave the higher priced fare as is? Otherwise, isn't it like getting penalized twice? (Loose the extra RR credit and loose the SW credit?)

Sorry so long. I'm just having a hard time wrapping my head around this. Thanks.

Lauri

 

[ccgirl]

I've been using southwest for years, but with there changes over the past year to their RR program and to the use of unused credit, I'm not sure what to do. I always book the flight to and from Orlando separatly in case of fare decreases.

For our Thanksgiving return flight, I paid the FULL fare (over $300pp) to make sure we had a flight. Our flight did come down about $50 pp, so I booked that, changing our fully refundable fare to nonrefundable. The flight after ours in now only $132 pp, a hugh savings. But, my questions are this...

--I understand that we would only be able to get SW credit. I don't really think we will be able to use the credit before it expires. Also, the credit is now only usable by each of us individually? I could not use the whole $500 for myself, but must divide it equally among the four of us?
Correct. The fare credit is under the ticketed passenger's name and must be used by them only.
--With the new RR program, you get more points for the higher price that you pay. If I don't think that I could use the credits, should I just leave the higher priced fare as is? Otherwise, isn't it like getting penalized twice? (Loose the extra RR credit and loose the SW credit?)
If you do not think you could use the ticketless travel credit (note it must be used 1 year from the date of purchase) then, yes I would probably keep the extra RR points. Although, what is the difference in points and would it really make a difference? Maybe you could fit in an impromptu flight somewhere if you had the ticketless travel funds???

Sorry so long. I'm just having a hard time wrapping my head around this. Thanks.

Lauri

Hope this helps. My answers in Red.

 

[Lauri]

Thanks. DS is applying to colleges this year (none far enough away to fly), so that will limit our getaway time this year.

I guess we'll go for the expensive RR credit instead.

Lauri