@MELLOWMYRA61 wrote:
I booked a flight for Miami from Baltimore. The itinerary should have said Leaving on Oct 4 2023 and Returning October 6, 2023 for two passengers. But without me reading the itinerary I assumed that it was right. On Oct 6,2023 we go to the MIA airport and to my surprised wa told that my flight left the same day I came in. Who does this? Leave 6:55 am to Miami and comes back three hours later? I ask for another boarding pass and was told NO REFUND two hours after the flight departs. Then I was told I could purchase another boarding pass for $1,200. Are they crazy? $1,200 for a two hour ride? I believe I should get a refund. When the customer service lady had me on the phone, she should have ask questions to confirm the Arriving and departing dates. I then had to pay $517.00 to rent a car for a 18 hour drive home. I didn't plan all this for a two day vacation. If this is how Southwest takes care of it's customers, then maybe I should go to another Airline next time and don't worry about points reward. Now My bank account is Overdrawn by $517.00.
Thanks Southwest. What can you do for me before I go tell the world my experience with Southwest?
Hello-
Sounds like that was a terrible surprise emotional shock and oversight. Note that this is a customer-to-customer discussion board and it looks like you already tried to resolve with a Southwest CSA rep at the airport.
As a frequent Southwest customer...unfortunately in case like this, I have to quote Abraham Lincoln on this and state there is no way to dodge the passenger responsibility of confirming the dates during booking. Southwest has a very solid means of communicating reservations from the original confirmation email to the multiple follow up's as trip date approaches. In my opinion, the dates shown on the flight details of each email are very clear. Unfortunately, the CSA's have no obligation to issue a refund in this case.
Going forward, always look at the dates and check it twice regardless of the airline or transportation carrier. I would also save a screenshot of both the flight/fare selection page and the confirmation page as backup.
Should I ever get into a situation like this, I would first go to a quiet area of the airport and let the emotional shock cool down first. Should I ever be quoted $1,200 to standby on a one-way flight, I would check for flight options for the next day and consider looking for and staying in a safe budget hotel somewhere in Miami area overnight for an extra night. I would have not done the car rental option all the way to BWI given the long distance and cost. I assume an 18 hour trip would also require a stopover. As of searching tonight on Southwest's website, a 6:35pm nonstop flight out of MIA to BWI tomorrow 10/9 still had WGA fares available for sale for $373.
Always consider the different options and never make a major travel decision when emotions are high; that could further exacerbate surprise travel disruptions like this. Let the emotions cool down first; that will allow for better Plan-B implementation and execution such as possibly staying over one extra night and booking a much less expensive flight the next day.
