Southwest flight change question

[mamamelody2]

We have a return flight March 12. We booked the 9:10 AM flight because it was the only affordable one, but we sure didn't want to be heading out at 6 AM. Luckily, they changed the flight to 9:05 which meant we could change the flight at no charge.
There was another nonstop flight at 4:20 but it was showing unavailable.
However, when I went to the app, I was able to switch to that flight. How is that possible if it was "unavailable"? I just don't want something to be messed up here.

 

[supersnoop]

Seats must have opened up. Or it was "unavailable" in the fare category you were looking at, but still had seats in Business Select. When changing a flight due to operational changes, you can get any seat available, not just the ones in your current fare class.

 

[Evita_W]

Seats must have opened up. Or it was "unavailable" in the fare category you were looking at, but still had seats in Business Select. When changing a flight due to operational changes, you can get any seat available, not just the ones in your current fare class.

Yes, Southwest is more than generous on this, as they don't even have to allow changes for less than something like a two hour change, but they do for even a one minute change in schedule. And they allow changes to any fare class.

 

[mamamelody2]

Thanks! I didn't even think of that!
That makes me feel better that there's not some weird mistake.

 

[sam_gordon]

Yes, Southwest is more than generous on this, as they don't even have to allow changes for less than something like a two hour change, but they do for even a one minute change in schedule. And they allow changes to any fare class.

Legacy airlines have joined that club. Many (most?) have waived their change fees... at least for the time being. But you would still need to pay the difference in fare, if any. That's the same with SW, isn't it?

 

[Evita_W]

Legacy airlines have joined that club. Many (most?) have waived their change fees... at least for the time being. But you would still need to pay the difference in fare, if any. That's the same with SW, isn't it?

No, with SW, if they change your flight time by even one minute, they let you change your flight to any other within a certain number of days. Either the departing or arriving airport has to remain the same, but you can change one of the two as well. And they do not charge you the price difference.

You do have to pay the price difference if you are changing your flight without the airline having changed the flight time.

 

[Evita_W]

Legacy airlines have joined that club. Many (most?) have waived their change fees... at least for the time being. But you would still need to pay the difference in fare, if any. That's the same with SW, isn't it?

No, with SW, if they change your flight time by even one minute, they let you change your flight to any other within a certain number of days. Either the departing or arriving airport has to remain the same, but you can change one of the two as well. And they do not charge you the price difference.

You do have to pay the price difference if you are changing your flight without the airline having changed the flight time.

Southwest also still allows two checked bag per person without extra fees.