Southwest fare drop - refunds on Wanna Get Away fares?

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I've been seeing this exact question pop up multiple times. I honestly think it is some sort of glitch in their system because no one has come back and reported they actually got a refund even though it gives the "option" for one. SWA is pretty transparent in their refund guidelines based on booking fare selected.

 

[Betsy82]

I've been seeing this exact question pop up multiple times. I honestly think it is some sort of glitch in their system because no one has come back and reported they actually got a refund even though it gives the "option" for one. SWA is pretty transparent in their refund guidelines based on booking fare selected.

They honored it for me but did tell me it was a glitch they were honoring for those that saw it. My flights dropped twice and they happily refunded both times back to my credit card and let me know when they did it (it took a few days). The second refund was almost $100. I had a screenshot of the screen though which they had me send them. HTH.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

They honored it for me but did tell me it was a glitch they were honoring for those that saw it. My flights dropped twice and they happily refunded both times back to my credit card and let me know when they did it (it took a few days). The second refund was almost $100. I had a screenshot of the screen though which they had me send them. HTH.

I'm glad they honored it for you some places wouldn't even take a screen shot; though that seems like they would be doing that a lot until they had it fixed.

 

[Betsy82]

I'm glad they honored it for you some places wouldn't even take a screen shot; though that seems like they would be doing that a lot until they had it fixed.

I agree, I wasn't going to fight for it but they were very pleasant. I actually booked another round of flights in between the fare drops of the initial reservation so would have ended up using a credit for the first drop but appreciated the refund the second time as I have nothing left to book!

 

[Barbruka]

OK everyone, I figured it out. Duh, stupid me. I changed to a different return flight which was more expensive. In fact $50 dollars more expensive for each of us. I did what several of you suggested, and looked at my old receipt. I thought the new flight was cheaper. Actually more. Southwest is fine, I'm the stupid one. LOL!

 

[DebbieB]

If you cancel a wanna get away fare, they do offer a refund on the taxes. I guess legally they have to because it's not their money to hold. Could be part of the confusion.

 

[mickeyfino]

OP here. I haven't seen a refund, but did see the credit by going to Flights > Manage Reservations > View Travel Funds. So all is good! We travel frequently and will definitely use the credit before one year.

Thanks all for chiming in. Lots of great info!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

SWA doesn't have change fees. I have six future flights with them and have changed them all with no fee incurred.

 

[n2mm]

I rarely fly SW, but booked for February. I saw my return flight dropped $50. I know I would use the change feature for the same flight, but I purchased early birds and concerned I would lose it if I change to get the credit.

 

[mom2rtk]

I rarely fly SW, but booked for February. I saw my return flight dropped $50. I know I would use the change feature for the same flight, but I purchased early birds and concerned I would lose it if I change to get the credit.

As long as you use the change function, the EBCI should go with it.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

As long as you use the change function, the EBCI should go with it.

This. The EBCI is tied to the record locator/confirmation number for the booking. When you use the change function, that doesn’t change, so you still have EBCI if you had booked it. If you cancel the flight completely and later use the resulting credit toward a new flight with a different record locator, you will not carry over the EBCI, so that money is lost.

 

[Halle]

I was told to call and speak with an agent when I want a lower fare credit and have paid for EBCI. has anyone else been told the same thing?

 

[AngiTN]

I was told to call and speak with an agent when I want a lower fare credit and have paid for EBCI. has anyone else been told the same thing?

It's a good idea. In theory it shouldn't matter but for some reason a lot of times the ECBI drops off when you do the fare change. A phone call will fix it