SouthWest UGHHHHH!!!

[steph-in-ky]

I just called Southwest to purchase a second seat due to their customer of size policy. I purchased our tickets last month at the internet special for $59.00 each way. On their web site they say if you have to buy a second seat they will sell it to you at the discounted rate that you paid for the first one. Well I called to book the ticket and they are telling me that the best they can do is sell me a childs seat for $130 each way. The internet special offer is not running anymore or I would just go online and purchase it. I think this is crazy. They said there are no fares available for $59.00. I'm sorry but they should honor what their website says and all the seats are the same, if they wanted to sell if for $59.00 I see no reason why they can't. Anyone have any suggestions? I would have booked it at the same time, but I didn't know about this policy until after I had paid for the other tickets. I cannot afford to pay $260 for another ticket. I don't even think we will need the extra seat but I don't want to get there and then someone tell my husband he has to have it. I'm so aggravated.

 

[angwill]

If I am reading you post correctly you are buying the ticket for your husband? It is not usually men who get called on the COS policy it is women. If you read the policy it is based on the hip size only. A football player who's shoulders fill two seats is not responsible to buy the second seat. I don't know how big your DH is but it may not even effect him. It is also dependent on an employee deciding to call him on his size which may not even happen. I am not a person of size but I know that everyone will have an opinion that differs on the subject. I would suggest you got to SW website and read the policy on this subject and decide from there if you will even need to buy the second seat. Another thing to note is if they call him on it when you get to the airport he can tell them he wants to prove that he can fit in the seat and still get the armrest to go down completely and if he can do that they can not charge him for the second seat. HTH

 

[steph-in-ky]

Well the problem is that yes he does have broad shoulders, but he is wide in the stomach/hip area as well. So that is why I am concerened with the seat issue. I would rather spare him the embarassment of being approached by a SW employee. I was okay with purchasing the extra seet at the original price but the price they want me to pay is almost triple what I bought the first seat for. This is my issue.

There is what the website says:

Booking Instructions via our Reservations Center at 800- I-Fly-SWA (800-435-9792)

2. We will offer the lowest fare available and if an advance purchase, discounted fare is booked, the second seat will be sold at the same discounted fare.

Am I reading this wrong? Does that not mean they should sell the seat at the same price?

 

[Lewisc]

Am I reading this wrong? Does that not mean they should sell the seat at the same price?

Yes, you're missing the part where they tell you to buy both seats at the same time, not one a month later.

http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/cos_guidelines.html

You might call the customer service number, not the 800 number, and tell them your husband gained weight since you bought the ticket. That he wasn't a "COS" when you originally bought your ticket but is now. Maybe that will get you an exception.

 

[MarylandMommy]

I'm not sure if this helps, but when I read the policy, I thought it said that if you can't fit between the arm rests you need to buy another seat. If you are in the seat next to his, you can lift the arm rest (to make one longer seat) and he can share a little of your seat. I did this when I took my son's car set on the plane and it did not fit in between the arm rests.
Also, are you flying out on a popular day of the week? I think I read that if the flight does not sell out, you don't have to get the extra ticket either.
If you are set on buying the extra ticket, check online each day and maybe even a couple of times a day. I do that anyway to see if my ticket has gone on sale. The availability changes all the time (the internet fare magically can appear the next day, sometimes even the next hour).
Good luck!!!! Try not to stress and enjoy!

 

[Lewisc]

The OP is asking about SW. I'm not sure what airline you're talking about but it isn't Southwest.

1) SW has open seating. You can't guarantee a seat next to your spouse. SW says even a family member is entitled to a whole seat. SW specifically addresses this issue.

2) SW gives a refund if the flight isn't sold out, you're still required to purchase the second seat.

There isn't any part of your post that matches SW's policy.

I'm not sure if this helps, but when I read the policy, I thought it said that if you can't fit between the arm rests you need to buy another seat. If you are in the seat next to his, you can lift the arm rest (to make one longer seat) and he can share a little of your seat. I did this when I took my son's car set on the plane and it did not fit in between the arm rests.
Also, are you flying out on a popular day of the week? I think I read that if the flight does not sell out, you don't have to get the extra ticket either.
If you are set on buying the extra ticket, check online each day and maybe even a couple of times a day. I do that anyway to see if my ticket has gone on sale. The availability changes all the time (the internet fare magically can appear the next day, sometimes even the next hour).
Good luck!!!! Try not to stress and enjoy!

 

[pbharris4]

I am a COS and never flew SW before. I bought 4 RT tickets on a $29 DING fare. Two weeks later it dawned on me (after reading another post) that I may be borderline fitting in the seat. I had gained backthe weight I lost last year and also if the flight was booked and I needed another seat I wouldn't be reimbursed. I was all set to purchase an extra seat (just in case) for $74/each way...when I thought I'd call and ask a question about the whole COS thing when she asked me to hold on a moment.....she got back on and said that I can purchase the extra seat for$29/each way..like my other tickets..I gave her the same credit card info and they were able to override the system to get the rate and link the confirmation #s together etc. I was so happy I spoke with their manager to speak highly of their service. It can be done...maybe they put time constraints on it? I don't care if I get my money back or not..at the rate I paid me and my DD will enjoy the extra room.

I'd call back, be really nice and see what they can do for you. Maybe if you got a different person willing to help.

 

[steph-in-ky]

I am a COS and never flew SW before. I bought 4 RT tickets on a $29 DING fare. Two weeks later it dawned on me (after reading another post) that I may be borderline fitting in the seat. I had gained backthe weight I lost last year and also if the flight was booked and I needed another seat I wouldn't be reimbursed. I was all set to purchase an extra seat (just in case) for $74/each way...when I thought I'd call and ask a question about the whole COS thing when she asked me to hold on a moment.....she got back on and said that I can purchase the extra seat for$29/each way..like my other tickets..I gave her the same credit card info and they were able to override the system to get the rate and link the confirmation #s together etc. I was so happy I spoke with their manager to speak highly of their service. It can be done...maybe they put time constraints on it? I don't care if I get my money back or not..at the rate I paid me and my DD will enjoy the extra room.

I'd call back, be really nice and see what they can do for you. Maybe if you got a different person willing to help.

Oh thank you that gives me hope. Do you remember what number you called? I called the number for reservations today, perhaps you called a different one?

Thanks again for all the helpful posts!

 

[pbharris4]

I think it was the 1-800- I FLY SWA #..it was later in the evening like around 9.