What to expect when booking Southwest flights

[KSR0330]

I'm (im)patiently waiting for the flights to be released on 2/18 for our end of August trip. I would like to pay for one flight with RR points and put the other 3 seats down and all 4 seats back on my credit card. Is this possible to do in one transaction?

I want to get an idea of what I'll need to do ahead of time because there is typically ONE non-stop flight down... and I want to make sure we're on it! I'll be waiting at 6am ready to book and would love to be prepared for what I'll need to do. TIA!

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I'm (im)patiently waiting for the flights to be released on 2/18 for our end of August trip. I would like to pay for one flight with RR points and put the other 3 seats down and all 4 seats back on my credit card. Is this possible to do in one transaction?

I want to get an idea of what I'll need to do ahead of time because there is typically ONE non-stop flight down... and I want to make sure we're on it! I'll be waiting at 6am ready to book and would love to be prepared for what I'll need to do. TIA!

From my experience booking on southwest you would have to do 3 transactions
1st the one flight on points
2nd the 3 seats down on your cc
3rd the 4 seats back on your cc
Or
1st the 1 seat with points
2nd 3 seats round trip on your cc
3rd 1 seat back on your cc

 

[BenandMorgsMom]

That is correct information. Please remember: SWA flights are cheapest to purchase either Monday night or Tuesday morning. Fly every 7 weeks or so to MCO for many years....there are a lot of seats on that plane. I would look at price when released and see if it goes down the following Monday. Why end up with a voucher? The RR will go back on your card if flight goes down in price. Keeping track of vouchers and expiration dates is cumbersome. Just words I live by and we LUV SWA.

 

[a742246]

I would make that first transaction the credit card purchase, before I would use your points. Just in case you get shut out of the "sometimes" cheaper first booking on the first day (Feb 18) flights. Sometimes, around the holidays SW offers a 40% discount on buying points which brings the point purchasing down to the true point price. I don't know if they will offer this around Valentines day. But if they do I would consider purchasing them you, then book all your tickets by points!

 

[KSR0330]

Thanks for all of the information!

1st the 1 seat with points
2nd 3 seats round trip on your cc
3rd 1 seat back on your cc

This sounds like the easiest way, thanks!

That is correct information. Please remember: SWA flights are cheapest to purchase either Monday night or Tuesday morning. Fly every 7 weeks or so to MCO for many years....there are a lot of seats on that plane. I would look at price when released and see if it goes down the following Monday. Why end up with a voucher? The RR will go back on your card if flight goes down in price. Keeping track of vouchers and expiration dates is cumbersome. Just words I live by and we LUV SWA.

You're right. I looked at flights for this summer and there are few that are sold out. I'm sure late August flights are pretty safe.

I would make that first transaction the credit card purchase, before I would use your points. Just in case you get shut out of the "sometimes" cheaper first booking on the first day (Feb 18) flights. Sometimes, around the holidays SW offers a 40% discount on buying points which brings the point purchasing down to the true point price. I don't know if they will offer this around Valentines day. But if they do I would consider purchasing them you, then book all your tickets by points!

Wow! I didn't know they had sales on points! I'll keep checking their website. Thanks!

 

[Corey127]

That is correct information. Please remember: SWA flights are cheapest to purchase either Monday night or Tuesday morning. Fly every 7 weeks or so to MCO for many years....there are a lot of seats on that plane. I would look at price when released and see if it goes down the following Monday. Why end up with a voucher? The RR will go back on your card if flight goes down in price. Keeping track of vouchers and expiration dates is cumbersome. Just words I live by and we LUV SWA.

Do you think it's cheaper to book immediately when released or wait for a Monday night/Tuesday morning?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

It is not true that Southwest flights are always cheaper on Monday night and Tuesday morning. Generally, you will get the best deal when the flights are first released, unless there is a sale later.

 

[quagmire0]

It is not true that Southwest flights are always cheaper on Monday night and Tuesday morning. Generally, you will get the best deal when the flights are first released, unless there is a sale later.

I'd second this. I jumped on our flights the morning they became available (for June 2016). Prices have only gone up since then. I got them for a sweet deal.

 

[pooch]

I know what a good price for a nonstop Hartford to Orlando is. When I find that price, I buy. It isn't always the first day. It isnt always a Tuesday or a Wednesday. Just when I think I know the pattern, it changes. I often find good fares at the 2-3 month mark. The only thing that consistently works for me is to be patient & look multiple times a day