Southwest is getting ridiculous

[mmouse50]

A friend of mine purchased her flight to MCO from HOU and I thought we did it the same day but hers was 74.00 more than mine for the same flight. So we discussed it and decided to fly home on a later flight because it was cheaper. Re-booked both flights (have credits now) but I just checked the Southwest website and our original flights have now come down the $74.00 and our flight that we are currently on has gone up $11.00. Not changing again but why so much flip flopping? We changed the flights just 2 days ago.

 

[DebbieB]

A friend of mine purchased her flight to MCO from HOU and I thought we did it the same day but hers was 74.00 more than mine for the same flight. So we discussed it and decided to fly home on a later flight because it was cheaper. Re-booked both flights (have credits now) but I just checked the Southwest website and our original flights have now come down the $74.00 and our flight that we are currently on has gone up $11.00. Not changing again but why so much flip flopping? We changed the flights just 2 days ago.

All airlines do this. They slot so many seats for each price class. Then later on they review how it's selling and may allot more seats to the cheaper price class. What's nice about SW is they allow you to change it with no fee and give you a credit for the difference. The legacy airlines would charge you $150 per change.

 

[6elginfans]

That is the game you play. When is the best time to buy tickets. Is the best I am going to see, or should I wait. You never really know.

If it is a good deal for you, take it.

 

[hanly2]

I agree SW is the best because you can change it as many times as you want and it doesn't cost a dime. so basically you can't lose. i booked my flights 6 months in advance and have been watching the prices they are a lot higher then when I booked.

 

[a1tinkfans]

op, you are angry that southwest allows you to change your flights without a fee and that they will also give you $$/credit if your flight price goes down?
What am I missing?
Enjoy your SW trip!

 

[mmouse50]

I am not upset with Southwest not charging me anything to change - I was just upset that when the original flight she booked it was $74.00 more $ than my flight on the same day. So to save her money (credit wise) we re-booked at a later time on the same day. But now the original flight has gone down the $74.00 and the flight we are on is the higher price. Why can't they keep the prices the same instead of flip flopping them.

 

[lilipad]

I am not upset with Southwest not charging me anything to change - I was just upset that when the original flight she booked it was $74.00 more $ than my flight on the same day. So to save her money (credit wise) we re-booked at a later time on the same day. But now the original flight has gone down the $74.00 and the flight we are on is the higher price. Why can't they keep the prices the same instead of flip flopping them.

They can't keep their prices the same b/c they adjust their pricing to the market, current price of fuel (they wager on this years in advance btw) and other factors. It's one of the many ways they're able to keep their flights cheaper and stay in business. I fly SWA when i can for those reasons. Plus, I don't have to pay for baggage and if my son (or mother) suddenly get sick, we're not penalized (like on AA) or lose our money. I know how you feel though. You want to get the best deal, but how can you do this. Sometimes if you wait, you lose out though. It's a tough call. I've heard that Tues is often the best day to check prices. Also, if you get on their email list you get an extra heads up to sales, etc.

 

[helenk]

I love the fact that they lower the prices from time to time. And as other posters indicate all the airline do this. Besides I love the game of watching the airfare to see if I can get a better deal.
I had booked my airfare for my trip the end of Sept. When I started the amount of points for round trip was 18,020, then it went down to 16,040 and today I just changed it because it came down to 14,820
The points go back into my account which is great, so between my ticket and my grand-daughter's ticket I have 6400 points back in my account. No other airline that I can fly from PHL to MCO will do that. If I make a change using my reward points with USairways I'm charged a change fee, I thinks it ends up being about $150.00.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I am not upset with Southwest not charging me anything to change - I was just upset that when the original flight she booked it was $74.00 more $ than my flight on the same day. So to save her money (credit wise) we re-booked at a later time on the same day. But now the original flight has gone down the $74.00 and the flight we are on is the higher price. Why can't they keep the prices the same instead of flip flopping them.

Hmm... given Southwest's liberal change policy, the most likely explanation is that someone else on your original flight with the lower fare altered their plans. Being Southwest, they actually did put that ticket (those tickets) back into availability at the original lower price.