SW Question

[ducklite]

About two months ago, I bought my mom a ticket to come visit me in FLorida in May. Since then, my brother was seriously injured in a major accident, and long story short, she won't be able to travel then. She wants to come in November instead.

How do I handle this? I don't read the SW threads all that often, because I really don't fly them much, but they were the only non-stop from the airport near my mom, and she had no preference on carriers.

I'm assuming that I can cancel her and get a credit (they were non-refundable tickets, and I have no problem taking a credit), and then rebook her when November fares come out, paying any difference if the fare were higher. Is this the case? Can it all be done online, or do I call them?

Is there a "change fee" and how much? I ask this because if it's like some of the other carriers it will be a wash and I'm not going to bother to do the leg work to just lose the money anyhow...

TIA!

Anne

 

[tjmw2727]

I am not a SWA expert, flew SWA in October and have a trip booked for next week with them. Both times my fares went down after booking and I was able to change them online and get a credit, it was very easy to do.

The website is very easy to use, just log in and follow the instructions to cancel the flights. Save the current itinerary as it helps when you need to use the credits. I don't believe there is a change or cancellation fee, I am pretty sure the full amount of the credit will be available when she is able to book a future flight.

If you call and speak with a rep there is a slim possibility that you may get your $$ refunded in this situation, worth a try.

FWIW my two expereinces with telephone customer service at SWA have also been excellent.

TJ

 

[Shannon G]

I think you'll be able to cancel your mom's ticket and get a credit. My understanding is that Southwest does not charge a change fee.

A little OT, but I found SW to be very helpful and sympathetic in a similar situation. A few years back, then-DH and I were at WDW when his dad was in a very serious car accident (he died a couple of weeks later). We had flights on SW, at a GREAT sale price. Of course, with the accident, we ended up flying home 2 days earlier than planned - I was on the phone with SW changing our flights at 4 am. When I explained the situation and asked about whether we would have to pay more now for the new flights, I was told yes, because they don't offer any type of "bereavement" fares. However, after all was said & done, and after getting some advice online, I decided to call SW again and double check. By this point, FIL had passed away. The rep. I spoke to at SW had me fax her a copy of the death cert., proving why we had flown home early, and she then refunded the increase in fare.

 

[sweet maxine]

FWIW, I've found SW to be so much more accommodating than any other airline.

Is there a chance your mom is booked at the senior fare? I've booked my mom several times before at this fare, and it's always refundable. If not, just cancel the ticket you have, and those funds should be usable (100%) for up to a year. Southwest does not charge the usual $50 or so fee that other airlines do to change a ticket. Right now they're only booking through August 3rd (I think), so you'd need to check back for when they open up their schedule.

If you want a refund, I'd call. It never hurts to ask! Good luck!

 

[ducklite]

Thanks for the great advice! I'm not worried about getting an actual refund, just a credit. She's no on a senior fare, I didn't know they had them, but her ticket was only $160 r/t, so I think I got a good deal anyhow.

What I'm REALLY hoping is that maybe my brother will be well enough to travel, and I can buy tickets for him and his daughter to come down at the same time.

If you're in ALB and see the tall slender guy with a cane (we hope that's all it takes by then!!) with a beautiful blonde three year old girl and a short white haired lady--and the guy sets off the metal detector because he's got two rods and 32 screws holding his bones together, you'll know who it is

Anne

 

[Lewisc]

SW will automatically issue you a credit if your Mom doesn't show up for the flight. Obviously the courteous thing to do is to cancel the flight but if there is any chance she might make the flight you can wait until the last minute to cancel.

There is no change fee, you'll get the full $160 as a credit. You have one year from the date of your initial reservation to actually fly, not make a reservation. The credit can be used by anyone, not just your Mom.

SW tends to be more flexible than other airlines. A phone call might get you a refund instead of credit. Some people have had luck getting the credit extended but you should avoid that if possible.

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

the guy sets off the metal detector because he's got two rods and 32 screws holding his bones together, you'll know who it is

Anne

Anne: We just went through this with my brother. He was hurt in a warehouse accident on his first two hours on his new job (working his way through school) and had his leg basically amputated. I was 9 months pregnant at the time and my mom thought she'd have two kids in two different hospitals -- one in the trauma unit and the other in the maternity ward across town. Ugh. This past Sept., we celebrated my DD's first trip and my DB's recovery (albeit with one of those motorized wheelchairs!) at WDW. It CAN be done!!

 

[Alice Sr.]

SW will automatically issue you a credit if your Mom doesn't show up for the flight.

That's amazing! I'm new to SW, I always flew AA or United and resisted SW even though I should have known better from all the positive posts on the DIS
I booked our June flight with them and changed the return time and ended up getting a $200 credit. OP, I hope your brother is doing well and they all get to visit you in November.

 

[ducklite]

Thanks! He's home for three months until he can put weight on his heels, then he'll go to rehab for a couple months.

I have my credit sitting at SW, and I'll use it for mom's ticket this fall.

Anne

 

[safetymom]

Anne, not to hijack this thread but how is your brother doing?