Southwest question about changing

[taximomfor4]

If southwest ever opens up March, I plan to check the best deal for us within about 4 hr drive. If the best price that day is, say, out of Columbus OH, and they later Ding Cleveland, can I switch? I know people who love southwest love that if lower fares come out, they can change to them without penalty...but does that include changing which airport to fly out of? And how would I go about changing it once a Ding comes out?

Beth

 

[Rpsemont]

You have to cancel one and rebook the other. This is true if you're changing airports or trying to change TO a ding fare. When you cancel the first, the funds are coverted to ticketless travel funds and when you book the second (or the ding) you use the ticketless travel funds that were generated by cancelling the first. The risk is that somewhere between cancelling and rebooking, you loose the availability. Also, to maximize flexibility, book your trip as separate OW tickets. That way if a ding comes out for one leg, and maybe isn't available for the other you can just cancel and rebook the OW.

If you know you'll be travelling again in the near future, you can also book the DING with a new credit card number and then cancel the previous. It's basically leaving money on account with SWA

(THey currently have about $400 of my money LOL!)

 

[Poorman]

You do it before you cancel. Using the existing flight as a base.
In the past I have changed my flight and got a credit. If you go to Travel center, and go to change flight reservation, you will put your confirmation number in and name on the credit card, it will bring you to a screen that lets you chose the flight, you pay what the rate is at that time. More, you get it added to your credit card , less, you get a credit. It is really simple, but the first time you do it you will be worried,I was. At the end of all this, it will ask if you really want to do it. I also believe the passengers all have to make the same changes.

Good luck.

 

[madge]

but does that include changing which airport to fly out of? And how would I go about changing it once a Ding comes out?

Yes. In the Travel Center, there is a place to change itinerary and you will put in your confirmation, and follow the directions. You choose the segment of the flight you wish to change, click next and choose your flights.

Unfortunately, you cannot change to a Ding fare this way (unless something has changed recently). There is no place to put the Ding promo code when the fares come up. You must cancel and rebook with ticketless travel credit or another credit card.

It seems more complicated than it is, I think....

 

[taximomfor4]

cool...thanks! Now if SWW releases March on a day I can catch it, I'll be all set!

Is SW the only airline so easy/inexpensive to switch around?

 

[Poorman]

Yes...