This just hit my email box. SWA/ATA Codeshare info and details

[debster812]

I just copy/pasted the email I just got from Southwest about the upcoming codeshare deal with ATA. I've skimmed it once, and will re-read it to really wrap my brain around it in a bit.

Hope it's helpful to others:

Dear Rapid Rewards Member...

Southwest Announces Cities for Codeshare Flights with ATA Airlines
We are thrilled to announce our codeshare agreement with ATA Airlines to you. As part of this agreement, you will now be able to fly to exciting new destinations through Chicago's Midway Airport for the same great value you have come to expect from Southwest. Beginning January 16, 2005, you can book flights via southwest.com for service beginning on February 4, 2005. The codeshare agreement will include the following ATA destinations:

Boston Logan Airport
Denver International Airport
Regional Southwest Airport (serving Ft. Meyers/Naples, Florida)
Honolulu International Airport
Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport
New York's LaGuardia Airport
Newark International Airport
San Francisco International Airport
Sarasota-Bradenton Airport
St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport
Washington National Airport.


The codeshare allows you to connect between Southwest and ATA at Chicago's Midway Airport. You are able to travel on a single ticket and the airline personnel will transfer your baggage between the airlines. In addition, you will still have the option of online checkin for the Southwest portion of your flights at southwest.com. You will then be automatically directed to ATA's checkin site to receive your ATA boarding pass and seat assignment for the ATA portion of your flight.

For now, Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards and ATA Travel Awards remain independent frequent flyer programs. This means that when you purchase a ticket from Southwest that includes travel on ATA, you will continue to receive credit just as you always have -- two credits per roundtrip or three credits if you purchase your travel on southwest.com and fly by April 1, 2005.

There also are no changes in the service offered for redemption of travel awards. Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Awards will be available for travel only on flights operated by Southwest Airlines, and ATA Travel Awards will be available for travel only on flights operated by ATA. In other words, Awards from either program are not valid for travel on codeshare service.

Southwest is excited about the opportunity to offer you new destinations through our codeshare agreement with ATA. In addition, we are able to grow our fleet by 29 aircraft in 2005 and expand the Southwest route system, which includes adding Southwest service to Pittsburgh in May.

For reservations and specific schedule and fare information, please visit southwest.com. We look forward to seeing you onboard soon.

Your Friends at Southwest Airlines


Hope it helps

Debbie

 

[dudspizza]

The question is, will we in MSP be able to get a good deal using ATA connecting to SWA at Midway? This sounds interesting...... and could it ever lead to SWA taking over ATA's prescence at MSP?

Duds

 

[mic&min]

I can't wait until Sunday to check out some prices from MSP. I am kind of concerned about the cost with the connection in Chicago. Since my daughter is 12 years old, I don't mind a connection as long as the price is right.

 

[dudspizza]

Will we be able to check prices directly on www.southwest.com? Or would we in MSP have to book two separate legs of a flight? One at ata.com and one at southwest.com?

Duds

 

[dudspizza]

Here is a link to southwest's site and the info. Looks like you will be able to book on either carriers web site. I personally will have no problem making a connection at Midway if I can save some money.

Duds

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=92562&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=662643&highlight=

 

[debster812]

I *thought* this might be of interest for all of our MSP flyers.

Hope this helps you guys out....tomorrow should be interesting on www.southwest.com

Debbie

 

[CarolMN]

I *thought* this might be of interest for all of our MSP flyers. ....(snip)...

It is! Thanks for sharing.

 

[mic&min]

It is very interesting for us MSP flyers. I just hope it proves to be a good thing for us.....

 

[MickeyMagic]

Fingers crossed!!! I sure hope this turns into a good deal for us MSP travellers!

 

[debster812]

Hey all you MSP folks--I was just on Southwest.com at around 2am (East Coast Time) and the new routes were not up yet, but in the press release there is a template showing the ATA city, and the corresponding SWA city you can get to after connecting through Midway. Both Orlando AND Tampa are on this list. Could be promising for those of you in NWAs clutches all these years.

 

[dudspizza]

Right now the best prices are 99 each way with INternet special or 234.00 round trip, not a great deal. I guess the good thing with SWA is that they will give credit if your price drops, but I wonder if they will ever offer the $49 each way deal since they have to share that money with ATA. My bet is this is the best price they will offer out of MSP, which isn't the best price you can find.

Only time will tell.

Duds

 

[zulaya]

So I need dates later in June...how often does SWA release the dates? I know it's a made rush for those deals but since they haven't been up here, I never paid that close attention.