Southwest ticket question?

[BuzzLiteyear]

We will be flying next December (family of 5). My oldest May not be making the trip as she may be overseas as a foreign exchange student. My question is:

If we don't know her status when I go to purchase the tickets, can I get a full fare ticket for her and then later cancel and purchase at one of the lower published fares (if there are any at the time)?

 

[DebbieB]

We will be flying next December (family of 5). My oldest May not be making the trip as she may be overseas as a foreign exchange student. My question is:

If we don't know her status when I go to purchase the tickets, can I get a full fare ticket for her and then later cancel and purchase at one of the lower published fares (if there are any at the time)?

Yes, buy an anytime fare.

 

[DVC California]

If you have enough SWA Rapid Rewards points, you might also consider purchasing with points.

You won't have to tie up funds on travel that may not occur, you can cancel anytime before the flight and have all the points returned to you account, or you can modify the reservation if the point "price" goes down, again crediting points back to your account.

HTH, Steve

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

Thanks! I wish I had enough points, that's a great idea.

 

[Huff]

The full anytime fare is fully refundable in cash.

If you buy the lowest priced fare and have to cancel there is no cash refunds available. However, you will get full credit to use on another flight within 1 year of original purchase date and SW does not have change fees. If you plan to fly again in the next year, buying the lowest fare may be a better option than the full fare in order to get the lowest rate possible.

 

[DVC California]

The full anytime fare is fully refundable in cash.

If you buy the lowest priced fare and have to cancel there is no cash refunds available. However, you will get full credit to use on another flight within 1 year of original purchase date and SW does not have change fees. If you plan to fly again in the next year, buying the lowest fare may be a better option than the full fare in order to get the lowest rate possible.

One caveat for this strategy is that the credit will be assigned to OP's daughter since the reservation was in her name. If daughter does not use the credit, it will be lost since it cannot be transferred to another family member.

I suggest that OP just buy tickets for the four who are definitely traveling and wait until closer to fall when daughter's overseas plans are finalized. SWA's pricing is dynamic and lower fares may appear at any given time (unless it is a high travel day).

HTH, Steve

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

One caveat for this strategy is that the credit will be assigned to OP's daughter since the reservation was in her name. If daughter does not use the credit, it will be lost since it cannot be transferred to another family member. I suggest that OP just buy tickets for the four who are definitely traveling and wait until closer to fall when daughter's overseas plans are finalized. SWA's pricing is dynamic and lower fares may appear at any given time (unless it is a high travel day). HTH, Steve

That is the problem, indeed. We will be traveling right around Christmas Eve and I don't want to not have a ticket. I think I'll go with the full price ticket and then hope I can get a lower priced ticket once we know. If not, that's the gamble I'll take.

Thank you, all! I appreciate your thoughts.