Why use Southwest

[Mouse Skywalker]

This thread is interesting to me. Mr Incredible said something I didn't know. Consider this scenario: I book a flight for April 2006 from Buffalo to Orlando for $79 each way. Sometime later a DING fare comes out for $49 each way. I can actually change my ticket from the $79 to the $49 one? Wow... is that true? How do you do that?

Also, here's another SW question. If for some reason I can't take my trip in April 2006, I get a credit to use those funds for another ticket? Can I use them for tickets in April 2007?

If this is all true, I'm definitely flying SW.

 

[tomerin]

for us southest is really my best option. for the times i want to fly the prices arent really too different between the carriers. i live on eastern long island so i use macuthur airport. the convience alone is worth big bucks to me. i could get to laguardia or jfk in nyc but the hassle of leaving my house to drive to those airports isnt worth it. even if the flight i want is more money then lets say jet blue, the cost of gas, dealing with bigger airports and longer lines etec makes southwest a no-brain decison for me.

 

[music54]

non stop to orlando-why dont any others fly nonstop
islip is 1 mile away from my house-its great

 

[clkelley]

This thread is interesting to me. Mr Incredible said something I didn't know. Consider this scenario: I book a flight for April 2006 from Buffalo to Orlando for $79 each way. Sometime later a DING fare comes out for $49 each way. I can actually change my ticket from the $79 to the $49 one? Wow... is that true? How do you do that?.

Yes you can do it on the website. There is no cancellation fee.

.[/QUOTE]Also, here's another SW question. If for some reason I can't take my trip in April 2006, I get a credit to use those funds for another ticket? Can I use them for tickets in April 2007?

If this is all true, I'm definitely flying SW.[/QUOTE]

If you can't use your April 2006 ticket, you have one year from date of PURCHASE to use your ticket, not one year from date of flying time.

Carol

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Thanks for the help Carol. This is very helpful. I'm hoping that SW extends their flight schedule today. If so, I'm booking 4 Buf --> MCO flights!

 

[baptrap]

This thread is interesting to me. Mr Incredible said something I didn't know. Consider this scenario: I book a flight for April 2006 from Buffalo to Orlando for $79 each way. Sometime later a DING fare comes out for $49 each way. I can actually change my ticket from the $79 to the $49 one? Wow... is that true? How do you do that?

Also, here's another SW question. If for some reason I can't take my trip in April 2006, I get a credit to use those funds for another ticket? Can I use them for tickets in April 2007?

If this is all true, I'm definitely flying SW.

Yes.

You will need to cancel the original reservation using the web site. Use the Travel Center area. Wait a a minute for the system to process the transaction. The reservation computer system and the computer system that handles the money are seperate so sometimes there is a slight delay until the funds clear if the money system is busy, although lately its been much better.

Next you will need to make the new reservation using the Ding program. Once you have confirmed your flights, on the payment screen is an area where you can indicate that you want to apply remaining credit for other ununsed reservations to this purchase. Its the section called "Apply Travel Funds" Click the button called "View and Apply Travel Funds" You will need to put in the confirmation number that you canceled that has the money on it and also put in the name of the person's credit card that was used for the purchase (for security). It will show you how much there is available and you then you check that you want to apply it. The remaining amount will be held on account for one year. After one year, its soutwest's.

Our trip in August was done just like this. Tickets were bought on an Internet Special and then later a Ding fare came out. I cancelled and rebooked and used the savings to purchase a ticket for my DS instead of using a free ticket we were originally going to use for him.


As to your April question. It would depend exactly upon the dates. If your April 2006 dates were in late April and your April 2007 dates were early in April, then yes. Don't lose that confirmation number though... Its tough for them to look it back up.

Welcome to Soutwest.

 

[baptrap]

Yes.

You will need to cancel the original reservation using the web site. Use the Travel Center area. Wait a a minute for the system to process the transaction. The reservation computer system and the computer system that handles the money are seperate so sometimes there is a slight delay until the funds clear if the money system is busy, although lately its been much better.

Next you will need to make the new reservation using the Ding program. Once you have confirmed your flights, on the payment screen is an area where you can indicate that you want to apply remaining credit for other ununsed reservations to this purchase. Its the section called "Apply Travel Funds" Click the button called "View and Apply Travel Funds" You will need to put in the confirmation number that you canceled that has the money on it and also put in the name of the person's credit card that was used for the purchase (for security). It will show you how much there is available and you then you check that you want to apply it. The remaining amount will be held on account for one year. After one year, its soutwest's.

Our trip in August was done just like this. Tickets were bought on an Internet Special and then later a Ding fare came out. I cancelled and rebooked and used the savings to purchase a ticket for my DS instead of using a free ticket we were originally going to use for him.


As to your April question. It would depend exactly upon the dates. If your April 2006 dates were in late April and your April 2007 dates were early in April, then yes. Don't lose that confirmation number though... Its tough for them to look it back up.

Welcome to Soutwest.

I messed up. The one year time is from date of purchase, not date of flight. So unless you purchase the April 2006 tickets right before your flight dates, it would be hard to reuse them in April 2007.

If you don't think you could use them in time before they expire, if a family member is traveling (brother, Sister, parents), they could use the funds to purchase their tickets and just pay you the money directly. You get your money back and they aren't out any more money, but did you a huge favor.

 

[Mister Incredible]

When I cancel to get a Ding fare, I typically call SWA. This way if anything happens during the transition the person on the line can undo the cancellation and you still have your original tickets. Some times it's SWA credit, most times they will refund the amount. So I have them cancel on the phone, then while they are on the line I book the Ding rates using the credits they just gave me over the phone. It's just a little way to make sure nothing gets messed up.

As far as printing boarding passes at Disney. I went to guest services at the Boardwalk, and they checked in and printed the boarding passes for me.

Easy, Easy and customer friendly.