Southwest tickets cost more if you have more people?

[craftymom7]

We bought our tickets going down there for $161. It's still the same price. I looked for the same flight under 3 people and its $126!! How do I get that price? I could save $175.

 

[SirDuff]

It is because there are not enough tickets at $126 for your group. The system gives you the same price for all your tickets, so it will use the cheapest fare bucket that has enough for all of you. You could buy in bunches - get three tickets at $126 and the fourth (or more) at $161. it would mean having to do separate check-ins, but that is doable. You might be able to link the reservations, but I'm not sure (but I'm sure that someone could tell you - lots of SW flyers here).

 

[FTM22]

I booked for 4 but checked for 1 because I thought of this trick too. The prices were the same. It must depend on your specific airport because ours haven't been different despite using all the tricks. My issue had been availability at the WGA price on my preferred flight. It showed up this morning at the expected WGA price and so I went ahead and snagged them! After being shut out of that flight once, I did not want a rerun!

 

[craftymom7]

Can I call up and get that price?

 

[SirDuff]

Can I call up and get that price?

Only if you buy the tickets on separate reservations as I said above - there are not enough seats at the price for your entire family (this doesn't change by phoning).

 

[Kebby]

actually, if you call they will give you however many tickets at 126 they have and then charge you the 166 for the other tickets.

 

[elaine amj]

I like to do things myself online...but in this situation, I would call. so much easier!

 

[Canadian Disney Mom]

I have noticed this before. I always check for 1 traveller first and then for multiples to see if there is a difference. If there is a difference, I just book separate reservations. As noted above, the only real issue is check in time - you might get different boarding groups. We have done this multiple times and never not sat together on the flight. Mind you - I always check in right at the 24 hr mark, so that might be why

 

[Lewisc]

You can book 3 tickets at the lower price and wait. Sometimes revenue management will release additional seats at the lower fare bucket. I did that once and a seat opened up at the lower fare the next day.

 

[MomForFrozenAddicts]

It is the same with all other airlines. It is suggested to search price for 1 and move up. JetBlue's site shows how many tickets still available at certain price when the inventory is low for the allocation.