Trying to book my free SW promotional flights...

[brymolmom]

And I need help.

Finally today dh and I both have 4 certificates in our RR accounts - . Been waiting for this. So I click on the FIND AVAILABLE DATES and my preferred dates are 8/21/11 - 8/29/11 from BUF to MCO. And it shows as AVAILABLE on both days. When I click further to SELECT DEPARTING and RETURNING flights - it shows a bunch of options for flights each way - but I see no way to actually select them (no radio button, etc.) so I'm not sure if this means that flight is not really available - but the screen prior said there was SOMETHING available, but there is no 'selecting' option for either flight.

So, I call the number and the woman I got was just about as confused as I was....she ended up coming back to me and saying there are no flights available on 8/21...So I asked why it showed as available and she didn't know. So I hung up since I really don't want to change that date unless it's truly necessary - not because someone's confused. I was going to call back and try to get a different person.

Thoughts? Do you have a radio button or similar to show which flights are actually available and which ones aren't when you get to this screen?

THANK YOU! I'm ALMOST there!!!

 

[esmetutu]

From what I'm able to gather (being in the same boat you are); you check online to make sure the flight is available (like you did), and then you have to call SW to make the reservation.

The best way to find available flights is to check from the Rapid Rewards page where it shows the certificates. There should be a little graphic on the right to click that reads "Find Flights" or something along those lines. When it takes you to that page it shows all the flights that are available with a promo certificate. You also have the option to see how many points or dollars it would cost for the same flight. Then you call with the dates and flight #s, and certificate numbers...

Sounds like you did all that though! I'd definitely call back. I certainly know firsthand the power of calling back all because of Disney!

Hope this helps. Good luck!

 

[wdwfan1]

I had no trouble booking my free flights on line this week. Maybe it was a glitch. Try again later or tomorrow.

Good luck

 

[esmetutu]

I had no trouble booking my free flights on line this week. Maybe it was a glitch. Try again later or tomorrow.

Good luck

Were you able to pay using your certificate numbers? I had the same "problem" as the OP when trying to book... no way to select the flights I wanted. When I made the flights into points or dollars I was able to select them to get to the payment screen, but there was no place to enter my certificate numbers.

 

[dvcfamily41801]

I had/have/ the same problem. I had to call in and I was they had to tell me what seats were available as I could not find that online either. Of course, our departure dates were not so we are in the process of trying to make changes (October) so we will see how that goes.

They said normally you can book online, but I guess they are having issues with new program so cant at this time.

 

[DVC Grammy]

I tried to do the same thing yesterday, and finally had to call SW customer service (I was trying to use the credits for my DD and her DH one way from Orlando). As it turned out, the only flight with "certificate" seats available on the day they needed was at 8-something in the morning.
No way would I do that to them!
I was surprised that SW drastically limits those seats. The SW rep did say that the best opportunity to use any kind of "freebie" on a particular flight and date is to book it as soon as the booking window opens. Otherwise, they might only be usable on a less popular flight.

 

[Dizzy for Dsny]

I had the same problem last night and called Southwest directly to book. Our agent indicated that they have had problems with the online site, specifically using the certificates. Just give them a call - they'll get you squared away!

 

[mickey2000]

Nothing is FREE in this world!! My son was told that seats are limited on each flight ! With the prices going up he went ahead and booked and will use them another time.

 

[brymolmom]

OP here...it ended up fine. No problems. Yes, I agree - not 'free' - but for $140 total (annual fees plus $5 each ticket fee) - we got FOUR nonstop flights to Orlando - that would have cost us over $1200 total!!!!

It was true that the first desired date had no available seats, so I had to tweak a bit. We are going the following day and then adding 2 nights on at the end (due to leaviing very early in the morning, I still wanted some time that last day - so now we have a WHOLE day and are just leaving first thing the next). Even with the extra $200 for 9 nights, instead of 8 at POR, we're still ending up WAY ahead of the game.

I ended up having someone yesterday 'hold' all our seats, but due to a glitch she couldn't actually process the certificates yet. I called this morning and it was all done - I have confirmation emails and all!

Very good promotion, I am very satisfied.