Southwest Website Question

[luvmarypoppins]

How often does southwest update their website. I see so many changes with the flights and dates I am interested in. They are always switching from not available to available, then it disappears. (the cheaper fares) They know they have the market here and are the only airline. But I can see there is availability of every price range except the 2 cheapest categories etc. I just feel like they bait and switch. For example yest. afternoon they had availability of one leg and now that is gone, this goes on every few days. I just dont know what to do, book or hold out for the cheapest rate. It looks like the flights we want are really empty. Southwest is definetely frustrating me. They did this before for our other trip and we just decided to book american instead. What to do?

 

[CarolynNC]

How often does southwest update their website. I see so many changes with the flights and dates I am interested in. They are always switching from not available to available, then it disappears. (the cheaper fares) They know they have the market here and are the only airline. But I can see there is availability of every price range except the 2 cheapest categories etc. I just feel like they bait and switch. For example yest. afternoon they had availability of one leg and now that is gone, this goes on every few days. I just dont know what to do, book or hold out for the cheapest rate. It looks like the flights we want are really empty. Southwest is definetely frustrating me. They did this before for our other trip and we just decided to book american instead. What to do?

I doubt Southwest is baiting & switching. The cheap fares are in limited quantity. Those fares could have been snapped up. They could also reappear if the purchaser cancelled their flight or Southwest offered more seats at the special fare price. With DING and Southwest's liberal cancellation policy I could see availability changing daily/hourly. I've had it happen to me when I didn't act quickly enough.

I don't remember if this particular issue is addressed in the FAQ maintained on flyertalk but it's loaded with great information for folks who like to book with Southwest.

Here's a link to the FAQ.