Southwest reward question

[brmillsy]

Hi all:

I was wondering if anyone had any experience booking reward travel on Southwest during Labor day itself?

I usually find that booking Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday is a pretty safe bet to get a standard reward. We are planning next years trip and were thinking of returning on either the 5th or the 6th of September.

The 5th is Monday, Labor day itself and the 6th being the Tuesday after.

So I was wondering if anyone had been able to book reward travel on Labor day or the day after or am I kidding myself thinking I would be able to use a reward.

Thanks a lot for your help!

 

[CarolAnnC]

Since this post is more suited to our Transportation Board (not DVC specific) I am moving it over there for feedback. Good luck!

 

[Donut23]

Good news - there are no blackout dates for Reward flights that weekend.

My suggestion is to book it as soon as the dates are available.

We are traveling on the Friday of Thanksgiving weekend. I was surprised how quickly the flights were filled for Reward tickets.


The good news, Southwest makes changes easy and the charge for the flight is minimal compared to some legacy airlines.

There is a thorough explanation (you know, the fine print) on the Southwest Airlines website under Rapid Rewards and Rules.


Now I HAVE heard a rumor for 2011 that Award tickets can only be used by the "holder of the reward"......but still just a rumor I believe.

 

[brmillsy]

Thanks so much for your feedback.

Couple questions - first, how did you know there were no blackout dates for that weekend? I tried to look but it only shows throough March 11th.

Second, do you happen to know if you can use a one way award? So if the way back is not avaiable can I use an aware for just the way down for say me and the rest of the family? So, something like using 4 rewards for four one ways for the way down?

Not sure if I'm being clear or not...

 

[CADisneyMom]

I work for Southwest and RR tickets no longer have blackout dates but there are only a certain amount of seats available per flight per day. Since the tickets are given to you as round trip tickets (basically) you can use them as one way tickets since they're each good for one way. So if you're planning on that weekend to fly on RR tickets then I would suggest booking it as soon as it becomes available, you can always change it later. Also, as far as I know the tickets can still be used by anyone but the member has to make the reservation for them. And also as far as I know, any funds associated with a ticket (whether RR or paid) the funds can only be used by the person who's name is on the reservation, whether or not someone else paid for the ticket.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I got the RR newsletter ad they said they ARE changing it so that funds can ONLY go to same user..no longer able to change it to another person...I thought it said January...

I have used RR credits for one way having been blocked for an available seat for return flight (they were already used up) versus being blocked....we try and fly SW exclusively...I just think they are the best bang for your buck and offer good service, really friendly staff and for us,,,,so close by

Good Luck, Book on that Opening Window for best chance to get it!

 

[brmillsy]

Thanks a lot for the information - question - when you guys are saying "funds" what are you referring to?

Also, if you use a RR for a one-way ticket does it cost you hlaf a reward or are you wasting one half of a reward?

Thanks again!

 

[dburg30]

Yea, I found out the hard way... I was wanting to use mine for my sister, that was no problem at this moment, but there were no seats left on the days I needed.... I guess last time I used them I must've booked pretty much right away. I assumed (yep, I know what happens ) that if the 'cheap' flights / web only flights were still listed on the wanna get away area, that I would be able to use them.... BZZZT.... sorry you loose, but thanks for playing, and here is a version of our home game

 

[brmillsy]

That's pretty much what happened to me for our March trip, I even checked the day the March flights went up and still could not get a flight out on Friday March 4th. Only one or 2 weird times with multiple connections were available. And that was literally the day it opened!

I'm assuming that was because it was a Friday and I noticed M,T,W seem to be a lot better. Not cool when you can't use rewards even on the first day of availability. Makes you wonder what good it is in the end.

That's why I was asking about the labor day scenario. If I can't use my RR for my August trip even on a Tuesday to Tuesday the day the flights open then I would have to say they are not worth having.

Anyway thanks for the info being shared. Still wondering about "funds" -vs- a free flight and if they are a different animal.

Thanks all and happy travels!