SW check in and then not fly?

[CarolA]

One of my friends asked me a question that I don't have a clue on, but I bet someone here does.

She has a SW ticket for later this week. Due to work issues she may have to cancel

Her flight is for 8 am Thursday, but she won't find out about the work issue until late Wed afternoon.

SO, if she checks in on line and then doesn't get on the plane would she still have a credit with SW for future travel. My bets are on yes, but.....

THanks!

 

[zurgswife]

Interesting question....my answer is no....just to be difficult

 

[rkmassa]

I'm going to say yes. If she goes online, she should be able to still cancel and take the money as ticketless travel funds. She can always call CS at SW. They are very helpful.

 

[kaytieeldr]

IF SHE CANCELS IN ADVANCE, yes, she'll get credit to apply to a future Southwest flight that must be completed within one year of when she purchased her original ticket (not one year from her cancelled flight). If she just doesn't show up, chances are no, she won't get that credit - although Southwest is different from most airlines, so I could be wrong... but why take that chance?

 

[CarolA]

Just an FYI. We called SW.

If she checks in, she cannot go on line to cancel. However, once she does not get on the plane the credit will be avaiable to use for re-booking. (The agent did say that if this ever happens and you are just going to miss a flight and want to rebook right then to call and they can help you cancel on a flight you have checked in on. You just can't cancel online.)

 

[lovesmurfs]

Why doesn't she just wait to do the online check-in until she's sure she's traveling?

 

[mareed]

Why doesn't she just wait to do the online check-in until she's sure she's traveling?

My guess is that she wants to check in 24 hours ahead of the flight to get an "A" boarding pass.

 

[jengelbrecht]

I'm confused. If she doesn't check in online and just doesn't show up for the flight she will get a credit to be used within a year of the booking date? Wouldn't she at least need to call to cancel, even if it's last minute?

 

[NotUrsula]

Hey, I guessed it right!

I had been told that with the current system, you were not counted as *on* the flight until your BP was scanned at the jetway door. If you don't get it scanned there by 10 minutes before scheduled departure, they can give your seat to a standby without giving you bump money, but they do credit you for the fare you paid (unless you choose to go standby on a later flight that day.)

 

[CarolA]

My guess is that she wants to check in 24 hours ahead of the flight to get an "A" boarding pass.

She does need an A boarding pass. To make this messier her DH and children are on the flight. If she cannot go, they will go ahead and go. She will take a later flight (That her boss will pay for LOL!) So since this is ONE reservation she wants to check in advance so DH and children get A's and can sit together if possible (Kids are 10 and 12 so no preboard. Of course with her DH in charge they probably will be late and wind up being C's and getting scattered, but they will be fine. Kids are much more responsible then DH! )

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I don't know how SWA works, but I do know that on other airlines that if you check in but do not board, your return reservation will be cancelled. Good luck getting a refund or credit then.

 

[CarolA]

I don't know how SWA works, but I do know that on other airlines that if you check in but do not board, your return reservation will be cancelled. Good luck getting a refund or credit then.

And once again we have the joys of SW. They are the ONLY airline I have ever heard of where if you don't fly flight 1, flight two is still out there waiting on you. (But in this case it wouldn't matter, the return to Nashville is on DL)

 

[iluvflorida8]

I don't know how SWA works, but I do know that on other airlines that if you check in but do not board, your return reservation will be cancelled. Good luck getting a refund or credit then.

Thats why I NEVER fly legacy airlines(Continental,Delta,US AIR,American,etc) anymore. I ONLY fly Southwest because of the "no charge" for canceling,re-booking,changing flights. I also always book 1 way tx with Southwest.This way if your fare ever goes down(DINGS), you can cancel and re-book, and get a credit.

Try doing any of the above, with a legacy airline and see how much $$$ it costs you.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

And once again we have the joys of SW. They are the ONLY airline I have ever heard of where if you don't fly flight 1, flight two is still out there waiting on you.

Yes, but the friend's dilemma was early check in to obtain an A boarding pass. On a legacy airline, there wouldn't be this problem, because she would probably already have an assigned seat.

 

[CarolA]

Yes, but the friend's dilemma was early check in to obtain an A boarding pass. On a legacy airline, there wouldn't be this problem, because she would probably already have an assigned seat.

Oh yeah... On her DL return her flights and seats have been changed at least twice. They are currently scattered around the plane. No biggie for them, but....

One of the "myths" of flying is that booking a seat on an airline gurantees your seat, NOPE you can and may get moved around.

 

[tracys2cents]

Her husband and kids should go ahead and check in early, and she should check in only after she is sure. Her husband can save her a good seat.

If you are there, at the airport, with ID in hand, they would easily let you cancel your flight and change. But if you're on the phone, and you've already checked in online....they will give you a hassle and tell you they have to wait and see that your flight takes off and you're not on it before they can cancel over the phone.

They may tell you in advance that it's no problem but out-of-the-ordinary stuff always IS a problem for them, especially over the phone.

 

[CPer'sMom]

If she doesn't check in online and just doesn't show up for the flight she will get a credit to be used within a year of the booking date?

With SWA that's exactly right

If she DOES check-in online and then just doesn't show up, she'll get the credit automatically when that plane takes off and she's not on it.

We had this issue last year during one of the big east coast snowstorms ~
after my daughter had checked-in online it started snowing non-stop and we were concerned about not being able to get to the airport in case there were traffic/road problems. Turned out she made it, but CS made sure we understood that if she did not make the plane she would have a credit on her account right away.

Can't wait for Dulles flights to start!! No more driving to BWI ....