SWA rewards ?

[cortegro]

I have a family of 5 I am surprising with a trip July 25th-28th. I am planning for us to leave directly from a youth hockey tournament in Providence,RI. Because of the nature of the tournament, we could lose early and be available to fly as early as 8:00am or if we're winning or in the finals, it might be as late as 5:00pm.

I have never flown SWA before. I just signed up for rapid rewards club yesterday. I am about to transfer some of my AMEX rewards to SW rewards. If I understand everything correctly I will need 16 credits(x5) for a free flight. (minus the 2 credits for signing up)

Before I decided to use the points, I was going to purchase the flights. There is a flight out at 4:45pm non-stop (missed the $79 fare, but a $119 is avl) and the flight back leaves MCO @ 6:25pm ($79). The total would be $1076.

My question(s).

If I transfer the AMEX credits, then do I call SWA and just "order" those same flights?
Also, Can I change to an earlier flight at ANY time(ie..that morning)?

How would I go about printing boarding passes? (I plan on bringing the laptop/printer) I learned from you guys here that it is best to get "A" tickets that way? Can I print them for the flight I expect to be on then change later and still have "A" tix?

Sorry bout the ramble......

TIA, cortegro

 

[Lewisc]

If you standby for an earlier flight SW charges you the fare difference between a full fare ticket and what you paid. NO CHARGE if you're using a RR ticket (since it's unrestricted) but you'll lose your discounted tickets by having to pay a higher fare. If you miss your flight, and there is space on a later flight, SW will probably not charge you the fare difference.

You transfer your points AMEX points, SW issues you a free electronic ticket which you can book on-line. How many AMEX points do you have available to transfer?

 

[cortegro]

Thanks for the quick help.

I have about 150,000 amex membership points.

I'm not even sure if this is the BEST use for them, but I know it will help in explaining the trip to my wife!

I also heard I could exchange the AMEX points to my Hilton Card and in turn get Park Hoppers?


Also, some of the earlier flights were LESS expensive than the 4:45 flight.

thanks, cortegro

 

[Lewisc]

Do you have to seat together on the plane, what are the ages of your kids?

I don't normally burn a free ticket if I can book it for under $200 R/T but your case may be an exception.

If you stand by for an earlier flight SW will charge you the fare difference but then you should be able to board with your letter group. If you book an early flight and stand by for a later flight SW will probably let the fare difference slide BUT you'll board after the C's (won't sit together) and it's possible all 5 won't be on the same flight. Pre-boarding won't apply even if you qualify. The pre-board will already be on the plane before the standbys are called.

Will you be flying SW in the next year? If so I may have an idea for you.

 

[cortegro]

We are 2 adults and 3 boys (12,10,9).
I doubt we will fly southwest again in the next year, but it's possible(we go to about 10 youth hockey tournaments a year).

The nearest airport to home (Riverside, CT) is Hartford,CT. (about 1 1/2 hours away) It is usually easier fro me to fly out of White Plains Airport, LaGuardia, or JFK.

It seems like maybe I should stick with my points, and just buy the later flight at about $215/per. You mentioned that I might be able to board(and therefore sit together) stand-by on the earlier flight(s) if I printed out my "A" tix for the later flight in the morning.

Sounds pretty confusing....?


Thanks, cortegro

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by cortegro
I should stick with my points, and just buy the later flight at about $215/per. You mentioned that I might be able to board(and therefore sit together) stand-by on the earlier flight(s) if I printed out my "A" tix for the later flight in the morning.

Sounds pretty confusing....?


Thanks, cortegro

NO, Sorry if I confused you.
1) Standby on an earlier flight will require you pay the difference between the price you paid and full fare (387.20). Since you'll be standby you'll board last AND PROBABLY WON'T BE SITTING NEXT TO EACH OTHER. You won't get a letter boarding pass.

2) Travelling on a RR (free) ticket will allow you to call up and change your reservation without paying any extra. You'll be able to get a boarding pass at the airport and have a shot of sitting next to each other.

3) I don't think I'd use the AMEX for a $200 fare but see what else you can do with your points. It may be better than your alternatives.