SW new rates...re-booked saved lots

[HappyCamperToo]

OMG!!!

I NEVER thought my Christmas rate would drop!!!

I booked at $129 from MDW to MCO on 12/16 when the date first opened and have watched the lower rates fill up.

Wow--just rebooked for $99!! 4 times $30 is $120 for another trip, which I was just looking for a reason to make....

YIPPEE! Thanks so much for posting!

 

[HappyCamperToo]

But do you not have to click on CANCEL to retrieve the ticketless travel funds (TTFs) to pay for the new flight (to rebook for a DING fare)?

I'm NOT by any means a SWA guru, but from what I've heard, the CHANGE feature works for all changes except DINGs. It was explained to me on this board that for a DING fare you'll need to cancel to get your credit, than use the credit to buy. That's where the two windows open thing comes into play, one to cancel, one to as quick as possible rebuy. Unless you want to spend more money and just store the credits for another time.

 

[DVC Grammy]

Am I the only one who hates SW doing this to us? If you book early and are unaware of Ding or any other savings, you are basically penalized for booking early if they drop fares. I hate thinking about how much I probably overpaid in the past for SW flights, not knowing about this system.

Think about how much you'll be saving in the future, now that you know about Ding!

 

[pdarrah]

Am I the only one who hates SW doing this to us? If you book early and are unaware of Ding or any other savings, you are basically penalized for booking early if they drop fares. I hate thinking about how much I probably overpaid in the past for SW flights, not knowing about this system.

Nope - I LUV southwest for this! The other airlines also have "sales" and drop fares if they aren't filling the planes, BUT if you have already booked you are stuck with what you paid. They charge $50 - $100 "Change fee" to cancel or make any changes whatsoever! If I book early on another airline, I'm just out of luck if they have a sale later. On Southwest I at least can keep an eye on my flight and change it if a better deal becomes availalbe.

 

[jbhaupt]

Hi,

I did not receive a DING for my November rates I just re-booked. I was checking the rates for a friend and noticed they posted some lower fares for my flights, that was why I used the change feature (sorry, if I confused anyone). I am not sure why I didn't get a DING for that flight though.

I too agree that SW is great about changing fares, Delta charges the re-booking fee and by the time it's done it isn't worth it.

I can't wait for SW to go to seat assignments, I heard they were already testing it, and will start in 2008. That will make them even more desirable, I can't stand the cattle calls.

Bonnie

 

[dgaston]

Just got a Ding! for our return flight from MCO to PVD for our F & W weekend. I first purchased at $124 and today got the same flight for $44. I've rebooked four times, and hope that I'll have similar luck with DD's college graduation trip in January. Today for the two of us it was an additional $30 credit. I "luv" SWA.

 

[jbhaupt]

Debbie,

Great savings on your return flight...I'd love even more savings like that.

I was looking at your trips and was wondering what happen on your trip "disastrous July trip BWV" that made you say that...it made me sad to read that....

Bonnie

 

[dgaston]

OT -- Disastrous trip: DH lost consciousness just as we were checking into BWV after attempting to watch shuttle launch on July 1 (it launched July 4). He broke his fall with the left side of his face, breaking most of the bones there. And wouldn't you know, if you break the orbit at just the right place, shock waves travel through the bones to the optic nerve and damage it. Don has lost almost all the vision in his left eye. He's been totally scanned, EKGed, cardiac cathed, stress tested, and the best explanation for his fall is bp change due to position change (orthostatic hypotension). He still has some follow-up visits, but we know his heart is fine inside and out. And he can still teach HS.

BWV was great to us. They checked me into a studio, and later sent a car to get me at Celebration Hospital. Don was transferred to Florida Orlando Hospital and I spent 3 days 2 nights driving back and forth on I-4. He's still never seen the great BW view I had. (5th floor 5007) The Concierge also helped me remove the Dining Plan as we had no opportunity to use it.

So here's hoping F & W is great!

 

[pixie dust 112]

Can you cancel and rebook on any SW flight? My sister is flying from Albany to Orlando in January and the lowest rate is $145 each way. That seems high to me but we want certain flight because I will be traveling out of Baltimore and want to hook up with her at that airport. If she books at the $145 rate and something cheaper comes out then I can cancel and rebook without penalty? We usually fly US Air but their rates are twice as much.

i had Albany to Orlando and return booked for July @ $99 each way for each member of our family of 5. Special came out and I rebooked at $59.00 each way. That gave me a credit of $40.00 per ticket... and the 3 day special at that time was good for booking through mid oct. So we're going tomorrow through Monday and after applying the credit only had to pay $19.00 each way per ticket!!! With free dining, I feel like we've got the bargain of the century!

 

[jbhaupt]

OT -- Disastrous trip: DH lost consciousness just as we were checking into BWV after attempting to watch shuttle launch on July 1 (it launched July 4). He broke his fall with the left side of his face, breaking most of the bones there. And wouldn't you know, if you break the orbit at just the right place, shock waves travel through the bones to the optic nerve and damage it. Don has lost almost all the vision in his left eye. He's been totally scanned, EKGed, cardiac cathed, stress tested, and the best explanation for his fall is bp change due to position change (orthostatic hypotension). He still has some follow-up visits, but we know his heart is fine inside and out. And he can still teach HS.

BWV was great to us. They checked me into a studio, and later sent a car to get me at Celebration Hospital. Don was transferred to Florida Orlando Hospital and I spent 3 days 2 nights driving back and forth on I-4. He's still never seen the great BW view I had. (5th floor 5007) The Concierge also helped me remove the Dining Plan as we had no opportunity to use it.

So here's hoping F & W is great!

Oh, my!! That does sound like a "Disastrous trip". I thought our 2003 trip was awful getting stuck in NY because of snow and ice for 2 nights and then in the airport for 13hrs after our plan returned to the terminal after almost lifting off the runway and going back, to wait for another flight, with 3 kids. I hope you have an uneventful and magical vacation next month....

Take care,
Bonnie

 

[dgaston]

Bonnie: A long time ago we were stuck at O'Hare with 2 kids in the winter...I can't imagine being in an airport that long with 3 kids. I remember (this was before ATMs) almost running out of cash just feeding the kids. I hope all your future trips are great too.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I booked our flights at $109 each way in August, have been watching almost daily to see if they'd come down (not getting any Dings PVD-MCO ). Anyway, was up at 3am last week with a head cold, checked our flights and without warning they'd dropped to $59 departing and $69 returning, so I was able to get a credit of $360 for next year while keeping the same flights. I love SWA!

 

[hsmamato2]

I'm going to sit and re-read this again...but, I think this is how it works.... I buy now, at high prices...99% sure they'll drop next month, Do i actually have to cancel the original flight, then rebook, to get a credit? or can't i just call, and they'll apply the diff. to my account for credit? Most of these flights are called nonrefundable, so I'd assume that means no $$$ back, just credits- then why are some saying they got the $$$ back to their cc's?
...And, if i don't want to, i don't have to sign up for rapid rewards, right? that program is a pain in the neck, and we never fly anywhere 8 times in one year.....

 

[HappyCamperToo]

I'm going to sit and re-read this again...but, I think this is how it works.... I buy now, at high prices...99% sure they'll drop next month, Do i actually have to cancel the original flight, then rebook, to get a credit? or can't i just call, and they'll apply the diff. to my account for credit? Most of these flights are called nonrefundable, so I'd assume that means no $$$ back, just credits- then why are some saying they got the $$$ back to their cc's?
...And, if i don't want to, i don't have to sign up for rapid rewards, right? that program is a pain in the neck, and we never fly anywhere 8 times in one year.....

Cancel and rebook only applies to dings. Otherwise, there's a link on the website where you just change your ticket and it does the adjusting for you. I just did that and for $120 credit which I'm hoping someone will get to use.
I think, not 100% sure, that if you book over the internet, then you have to make the adjustment over the internet, so not a good chance of getting a refund onto the credit card, but I wish someone with experience/luck about getting a "real" refund would please post again.

 

[hsmamato2]

So if it's a Ding, I have to use the 2 window method? I actually have to cancel!? yikes!or call customer service while I'm doing it? which way is preferred?
And... I do the travel center, hit change reservation if it's not Ding ,just fare drop?

 

[havencruiser]

You can't call at all if you wish to change to a DING price. The Customer service folks don't even see the DING fares. Open the two windows, cancel the first flight, then re-book with the DING fare.
If you booked a round--trip flight, you will need to cancel both legs of it so before you do that make sure a rate is available for both legs that is cheaper than what you are cancelling.For this reason it is much better to book two one-way fares. That way, if one leg drops in price and the other doesn't you only have to change one leg and you can keep the original price on the first leg.

 

[jbhaupt]

Sharon,

Thanks for the information about booking the flights seperately. Great idea...

Bonnie

 

[Rpsemont]

I did not receive a DING for my November rates I just re-booked. I was checking the rates for a friend and noticed they posted some lower fares for my flights, that was why I used the change feature

SO, if I'm not being too much of a pest, what are your November dates and what rate did you get? I also fly out of BDL, that's why I'm so curious. I'm still trying to figure out if I missed a sale. I still have not ticketed DD and BIL to GO to WDW on 11/7, or all of us to come home on 11/13. Not that I won't use the credit, I just hate to sacrifice the cash flow if I don't have to. Right now flights on the 7th are wide open, but @$109 pricier than I've ever paid for a fall trip. The return on the 13th IS $145 - too high for me. We'll Stay until the 14th if we have to

 

[jbhaupt]

We are leaving out of BDL on the 10th and returning the 18th. A friend of ours is leaving the 12th and returning the 17th. I think she booked flights for $145 each way and can't hit a lower fare. I check several times a day for her and all the DINGS that come through. I think I just hit it right. BDL is so expensive to fly out of.
I got a DING last week for $33 out of ISP (Islip, LI) and was thinking of changing to that...but DH likes BDL it is nice parking at RonC and getting there lickity split. For short trips we never have an issue with finding parking in the garage.
I do not mind the credit sitting there, we know we are going again...so, I try to look at it as well next time I do not have to come up with as much $$$.

I am so excited Nov is getting closer and closer...the kids are packed already and I need to work on DH and myself. I am a big planner and like to have things in order and ready to go.

Still concerned about the carry-on stuff. A friend just flew to Chicago and was told to had over her lip stick.

Bonnie

 

[hsmamato2]

We ended up finding a food fare out of White Plains,NY, BDL is 1/2 hour drive,this wll be an hour an change, but it's $84 each way,and now I'm not stressed, knowing we're booked! This is for Mid january