SW questions

[undertheseas]

I know this has probably been asked but I can't find it and/or I'm confused!

SW now has really good rates out of Kansas City. I prefer to fly out of Saint Louis (SIL is wonderful and offered to take us to and from the airport). If I book the internet rate out of KC right now and there's a DING for STL later, I can cancel the KC flight and book STL with my refund, right? Do I have to call them to arrange the refund to be applied or can I do it all online by myself? How far in advance do I have to print my tickets? Is there somewhere at POP that I could print return tickets? And I think I could still use ME but I'm confused about the baggage check? Please help me, last time we flew we didn't know better and just paid the going rate through Disney so it was easier (but cost a lot more).

Thanks!!!

 

[Microcell]

You can do it all online, but why would you want to go to STL????

Tee hee hee, I am in KC and we are often made to feel like red haired step-children over here. I really like Kansas City's airport better too. We have flown out of STL when the fares are cheaper. Gotta love Missouri, it takes us only 3 1/2 hours to get from one end to the other!

I recommend calling Southwest when you do it, they can walk you through it online (which is cheaper than having them do it- they can't access the online fares). I am on the lookout for DINGS myself, but can't remember each step you need to take or I would tell you myself.

I think you can have them print the return tickets there at Concierge, but I usually do it at home before we go. Do you mean online check in? That I believe they can do. We have always been able to preboard (child under 5) so we never have done that.

With Magical express, you don't have to worry about your luggage getting to the resort, if I recall correctly the ME people get the luggage when you get there, but since Southwest does not participate, you have to take your luggage to the Airport when you leave. That is what I seem to remember anyway. I might be wrong and you have to get your luggage to ME yourself. Anyone better with recall than I am?

They will mail you the tags (bright yellow ones) that you put on your luggage, and at Orlando they seperate those out and ME delivers them to your room. Other airlines will check them at the resort when you leave, but not SW. You have to schlep them to the ME bus and then to the baggage check in the airport.

 

[undertheseas]

Thanks Microcell! I love KC's prices but free parking in STL is hard to pass up. Do you know how much long-term parking is at MCI? Thanks for the suggestion to call SW and have them walk me through it, that didn't occur to me but that way I can be sure I do it right. You're awesome, thanks!

 

[malibuconlee]

http://www.flykci.com/Parking/InteractiveAiportMap/Index.htm
IT's $5.50 a day for long term parking in Kansas City. Very easy too as the lots are separated by terminal. Southwest and Delta are the long airlines flying out of terminal B. I flew out twice last year from KCI both times on Southwest.

 

[clkelley]

Directions for Southwest changing fares.

First off, book each passenger individually, and book each direction individually. (One-way tickets).

If your new airfare is just a lower fare on the regular internet site, then just go to travel tools and change flight and then a credit will given to you for the difference.

If your new airfare is a Ding! fare then go through the Ding! process and book except for applying payment.

Then open up a separate window in your internet browser and cancel the previous flight, then use the confirmation # from the previous flight as ticketless travel funds to pay for the new Ding! fare.

Repeat as necessary for each passenger and each direction of your flight.

 

[donmil723]

Hi undertheseas! We live in Mid-Mo too and have flown out of both STL and KC. Lately, we have been booking the first flight out in the morning and stay at a hotel that has a park and fly program. We like the Holiday Inn Express in KC and the Pear Tree Inn in STL.

Yes, you can book the air out of KC and cancel it if a DING from STL becomes available later. However, if you change anything about your flight (different departure or arrival city, flight, day, etc.), you will not be able to ask for the refund to be applied to your credit card. You will, however, be issued SWA ticketless travel funds that expire one year after booking. You can get a six month extension on those funds, if necessary.

I have called SWA when doing that very same thing and they are very nice about talking you through it. However, you can do it on your own. You go to travel center on SWA's website and pull up your reservation. It will bring up each person's itinerary and you choose which flight(s) you want to change. Before I actually cancel though, I open a new window and go through all the steps to book the new flights until I get to the point where it asks for ticketless travel funds to be applied. Then I cancel the first flights and immediately apply the travel funds and rebook. I have never booked each way separately as it gives you a choice to change or cancel either leg of your round trip.

You can check in online and print your boarding passes 24 hours in advance. We do this at home before leaving for the airport. And you can have the lobby concierge at your resort, check you in and print your boarding passes for the return trip.

You can use ME. I'm not sure who you would call as we are DVC members and call our Member Services to schedule ME. I would think you would call Disney reservations. As one poster said, you will put the yellow ME tags on your checked bags before you arrive at your departure airport and then you don't have to go to baggage claim in Orlando. ME will pick up your checked bags and take them directly to your resort. You can go directly to the ME check in on the lower floor. On the way back, you will have to take your bags with you on the ME bus.

Hope this helps!

Donna

 

[undertheseas]

Thanks guys! You are the best! I'm booking them now!