Why I Love Southwest!

[Dizneydaz]

Besides the free luggage deal (which is awesome and necessary when going to WDW).

3 weeks ago I booked tickets for a short trip to SF for 3 of us. When I first started looking it was $39/e.w. Then it was $49. By the time we decided on what dates it was $59/e.w. Oh well, still the best deal and we had about $150 in credits we wanted to use from last year's trip to WDW that we got by rebooking when the fares dropped.

I've been checking every day since I booked and today the prices fell to $49/e.w. (April 29 and May 1) I quickly changed my reservation and now we have $60 in credit to use on a future flight. Hmmm, maybe our next trip to WDW? I'm still hoping prices will fall back to the original $39, but probably won't.

Coolest thing, is you can do the change online in about 5 minutes.

Still, I'm happy with my $98/r.t from ONT to SJC! Way quicker than driving, and cheaper once you factor in the gas and 2 extra nights lodging.

San Francisco, here we come!

We used to fly SW all the time to WDW when DD10 was younger and we could preboard. Then we switched to Delta since I could usually get the same fare and we could pre-pick our seats. However, when most of the carriers started charging for bags, it was a no brainer. Back to SW and no luggage fees. And now that you can check in for SW at POP, even better (so much easier when you don't have to haul your luggage around)

Last year just before we went to WDW SW started offering their "Early Bird" check in for $10 each, each way. We went ahead and did it and were able to get "A" on all legs of our flights. So worth the $20 for each of us. They automatically check you in at 36 hours and you don't have to worry about doing it while at WDW.

We won't be doing that for SF, the flight is only about an hour so even if we all can't sit together, no big deal.

 

[gojoe]

Why I love SW

1. SW has a 6:30 a.m. direct non stop flight from Prov. to Orlando.
2. SW has a 8:30 p.m. direct non stop flight from Orlando to Prov.
3. Free bags (we take 9 bags, family of 4)
4. They have some of the best and funniest flight crews
5. I check every airline from 2 airport that flies to Orlando and have never found any cheaper than SW
6. Almost always on time.

 

[Dizneydaz]

Wish we had direct from ONT to MCO but noone flies direct. Could go out of LAX but not worth the extra trouble. Other than the extra time it takes to take a non-direct flight I don't mind it. 5 hours on a plane without a break is a little long for me. Kind of nice to get off and stretch our legs. Though getting there in 5 hours is nice too!

I checked to see if I could get a cheaper flight (using cheaptickets) from ONT to SF (SJC) Best flight they found to SF was US Air, ONT to PHX to SF. Over 6 hours and $268 rt. (Instead of 1-1/4 hrs. and $78 Since SW fares don't show up on the "Cheaper" sights I never find one that can beat using SW direct.

I also love the crews on SW and their on-time history.

 

[dacky041208]

Why I love SW

1. SW has a 6:30 a.m. direct non stop flight from Prov. to Orlando.
2. SW has a 8:30 p.m. direct non stop flight from Orlando to Prov.
3. Free bags (we take 9 bags, family of 4)
4. They have some of the best and funniest flight crews
5. I check every airline from 2 airport that flies to Orlando and have never found any cheaper than SW
6. Almost always on time.

You're right about that. Last summer on our trip home, the attendant had an interesting speech before takeoff. I can't remember the whole thing but it was along the lines of:

If you don't like our service, the emergency exits are here, here, here and here.....

There is no smoking on the plane at all, if you try to smoke in the bathroom, you will be hit with a $200+ fine, and let's face it, if you had an extra 200 dollars, you'd be flying delta.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I love SWA for all the reasons stated above and the confidence that when I book a flight, SWA is not going to change it or cancel it on me, unless of course there is a weather or mechanical issue.

 

[Thumper_Man]

Same here. SW is the only airlines that flies direct from our location. Even though there's only one direct flight to and from MCO from our location, both times were perfect for us. All other airlines in and out of our location seem to never offer a direct flight. Always have to change planes.
I love the no baggage fees. Seen some flight prices comparable to SW, but when you add the baggage fees; prices sky rocket.
Agree the flight crews are some of the funniest.
I also got a good rate on flights. We're taking a mini-trip to Las Vegas. $39 each way.
I already booked our flights for Orlando. Watching DING to see if the prices come down.
Oh and gotta love DING. We've gotten good deals on some of our flights this way.
I also have a SW Chase card. Don't take me long to earn free flights with them. I average about one per year.

 

[alwaysmom]

Me too! Booked for our family of 4 over the 4th of July weekend. Was happy with rate of $682 total. Booked non-direct as it was the cheapest. Kept watching and found direct flights for the same days cheaper, now we are at $585 with a $97 credit and arrive earlier and depart later.

Also got flights for myself, mom & friend over spring break to West palm Beach for $69 each way, no direct flight BUF to PBI and to add to my delight I found a rental car for same time for friends flying into Orlando for15 days for $12.50 per day with taxes.

Woohoo!

 

[Dizneydaz]

Me too! Booked for our family of 4 over the 4th of July weekend. Was happy with rate of $682 total. Booked non-direct as it was the cheapest. Kept watching and found direct flights for the same days cheaper, now we are at $585 with a $97 credit and arrive earlier and depart later.

Also got flights for myself, mom & friend over spring break to West palm Beach for $69 each way, no direct flight BUF to PBI and to add to my delight I found a rental car for same time for friends flying into Orlando for15 days for $12.50 per day with taxes.

Woohoo!

Great deals!

 

[5boyz]

Hey dizneydaz!!!! I didnt know you could pay $10. and have a pre checkin??? So they do it for you both ways and you get your A boarding pass. Now can you just do it for o/w?

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Yes, you can purchase it for one way. You are not guaranteed an "A" boarding pass, but you do get assigned a boarding number before others that didn't purchase EBCI, increasing your chance for a lower boarding pass number.

The great thing is that EBCI is that SWA will check in for you 36 hours before your flight so you don't have to be at a computer at T-24 to check in yourself.

 

[The House of Mouse]

I am considering booking flights today at $104 - they were $74 on Friday when I checked, should have booked then. If I book and they do come down lower, how do I switch to get the credit? We fly southwest enough that I don't mind booking and having a credit with them.
Thanks!

 

[Dizneydaz]

I am considering booking flights today at $104 - they were $74 on Friday when I checked, should have booked then. If I book and they do come down lower, how do I switch to get the credit? We fly southwest enough that I don't mind booking and having a credit with them.
Thanks!

On their website there's a link to Change Reservation. Click on Air Link first, Then Change Reservation. You use it as if you were making a change but you just re-book the same flight. Your credit will be issued using your confirmation number. Then when you want to use your credit on a future flight (you have a year to do so) you enter in that original confirmation number and it'll put in the credit. Pretty cool!

Oh, another reason I love SW, when you call them, they'll give you the option of having them call you back so you don't have to wait. I opted for them to call me in 14-22 min. instead of me having to wait on hold 14-22 min. (I couldn't find the Change Reservation link )

 

[Dizneydaz]

Hey dizneydaz!!!! I didnt know you could pay $10. and have a pre checkin??? So they do it for you both ways and you get your A boarding pass. Now can you just do it for o/w?

Yes, like PP said, you can do it o/w or r/t. $10 o/w, $20 r/t. The pricing isn't affected if you have more than one flight to get to your final destination.

Last year it, EBCI (early bird check in) was offered about a week or so before we left. We were going to just do the flight home so we wouldn't have to worry about checking in 24 hours before our flight while we were at WDW. (I usually have my DSis do it for us while at home). But we opted for both ways. It worked great for us. We did get A's both ways. In the past, no matter how soon I check-in (I always do it right at 24 hours) the best I have ever gotten has been B, sometimes even C. As more and more fliers use EBCI there may be less of a chance that you'll get A but if you don't use EBCI, then your chances of getting A are pretty slim.

Like I said, for San Fran. we won't do it. It's such a short flight and as long as DD10 and I can sit together my DM will be fine sitting by herself, if necessary.

Only bummer was that we weren't able to use our flight credits for pay the $60 for the EBCI. We had a credit due to the flight cost dropping. (we are using that to fly to SF).

It is pretty cool that they check in for you. All you have to do is print up your boarding pass ( I think I still had to wait until 24 hours before to do this though, can't remember for sure).

 

[rie'smom]

Why I love SW

1. SW has a 6:30 a.m. direct non stop flight from Prov. to Orlando.
2. SW has a 8:30 p.m. direct non stop flight from Orlando to Prov.
3. Free bags (we take 9 bags, family of 4)
4. They have some of the best and funniest flight crews
5. I check every airline from 2 airport that flies to Orlando and have never found any cheaper than SW
6. Almost always on time.

On one of our trips, the steward was telling us to duck if we saw flying cans because steward A and stewardess A were going through a nasty divorce. It was a whole spiel. Everyone was in hysterics.

 

[pooch]

Why I love SW

1. SW has a 6:30 a.m. direct non stop flight from Prov. to Orlando.
2. SW has a 8:30 p.m. direct non stop flight from Orlando to Prov.
3. Free bags (we take 9 bags, family of 4)
4. They have some of the best and funniest flight crews
5. I check every airline from 2 airport that flies to Orlando and have never found any cheaper than SW
6. Almost always on time.

2

SW has cancelled the early out/late returning non-stops from BDL. DD (25) and I take only ONE BAG between the 2 of us for an 8 day trip (do you really take 9?!?!?) so only $23 in checked bag fees - a wash with EBCI. Delta still has the good flight times and appear to be matching SW's fares. We actually got Delta for $69 last Sept and were comped to First Class.

SW will have to do an awful lot for me to use them this year. Maybe outbound but definitely not the return trip

 

[momof2gr8kids]

Can you use ME when you fly SW into Orlando? I didn't see it listed on the DW website.

 

[Dizneydaz]

Can you use ME when you fly SW into Orlando? I didn't see it listed on the DW website.

Yes, I believe you can. You can also use Resort Airline Check in at POP. I don't know about other resorts-last year it was a pilot program at POP but now it's permanent.

We always rent a car so I'm sure someone who flies SW and uses ME can verify it for you.

 

[ehaimann236]

Southwest is one of the better airlines from my experience. The price is usually a lot cheaper. The seats give you more leg room then other airlines I have been on. The flight attendants are usually very friendly.

The only downside is that they don't post flight days as far in advanced as others so it makes planning a little difficult at times.

ehaimann236

 

[ehaimann236]

Can you use ME when you fly SW into Orlando? I didn't see it listed on the DW website.

Yes we did use SW and ME. The only thing was there was something about baggage. We had to check it and ourselfs when we were leaving because of SW security policies. Maybe it had changed but if you call ME I'm sure they could tell you exactly what you have to do

 

[gojoe]

Can you use ME when you fly SW into Orlando? I didn't see it listed on the DW website.

By the middle of next month ME & SW will be at all Disney resorts.
http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2010...with-disneys-magical-express-shuttle-service/

And yes our family of 4 take 9 bags for a week.

• Wife; 1 checked, 1 carry on
• Daughter; 1 checked, 1 carry on
• Grand Daughter; 1 checked, 1 carry on
• Me; 1 checked, 1 carry on
• We also take a checked piece we fill with food on the way down and souvenirs on the way back

Now with ME both way we might add another