Southwest ?: Purchase Higher Ticket or Standby

[Terk-1]

I'm hoping you all could help me with this. I am flying out of MHT airport to Orlando for my upcoming trip to WDW on Southwest. When I booked my ticket, the first non-stop was not available at the disounted fare. Here's my question. The difference between what I originally paid and what it costs now is $47. Should I pay the difference and know I am on the earlier flight or should I try going standby? When I asked the SW agent regarding SW & standby, she indicated that each airport is different with how they handle this. Does anyone know how MHT handles it? Do they charge to do standby at MHT?

 

[CarolA]

Well unless you meet the REALLY nice SW agent who is willing to break the rules for you your only option is to pay the upgrade.

Officially SW does NOT allow standby and in the numerous times I have flown them I have never seen them break that rule. (There have been instances reported here, but...... don't count on it!) I am not sure why you agent told you each airport is different since it is pretty much in black and white. My understanding is that they might be flexible if your original flight is oversold.

 

[carolsherman]

Hi
My 2 ds and I were allowed to do standby on Southwest but we had to pay the difference between our ticket and the highest price one way ticket (this was to get on an earlier flight) then I couldn't even sit with my 2 ds who were 7 and 10 they were pretty freaked out. I would never do it again. Pay the $47 and at least you can more or less get in the a,b,c, line doing standby we were the last ones on the plane!

 

[GoldenOldie]

The one time I had to fly standby on an earlier flight on SW last February, I was required to pay the fare difference between my discounted fare to the full fare price. You will only be charged if you actually get on the earlier flight. If you do not, you won't be charged.

 

[Terk-1]

Thanks everyone for your input. As soon as I post this, I'm going to call and get the flight changed. The flight that I am currently on does not land until 2:30pm, I have a 5pm CP, and am concerned that I am going to be rushing way too much. The other flight gets in at like noon. This way I can land, meet TTC, stop at the market, check-in and relax a little before heading for EPCOT.

Thanks again everyone!!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Terk-1
Thanks everyone for your input. As soon as I post this, I'm going to call and get the flight changed. The flight that I am currently on does not land until 2:30pm, I have a 5pm CP, and am concerned that I am going to be rushing way too much. The other flight gets in at like noon. This way I can land, meet TTC, stop at the market, check-in and relax a little before heading for EPCOT.

Thanks again everyone!!

You can do this right on line. www.southwestair.com, hit travel center, then hit change iteneary (sp?). Simple, takes two minutes. I love that feature.