Southwest Airlines Community

So,  you're confused about the rules for dealing with Covid??  Join the club.   They are inconsistent and change often... just like most everything else we get from the government, especially when dealing with novel pandemics.    Don't blame SWA.  If you don't like the situation, don't fly.    Problem solved.  ... View more

Please don't fly Southwest.   The rest of us will make our decisions on more pertinent facts.  ... View more

Still available for me on both mobile and app under My Account  ... View more

Interesting.   Well, maybe since I'm just using a work VPN, as opposed to some commercial service, they only block by IP address.    Good to know I got lucky.   ... View more

I'm also noticing they aren't mailing out any NEW drink coupons.  Not that I could use them, but it'd be nice to add to my pile.  Someday I might be able to buy the whole plane a round.    In any case, you can bring your own beverages through Security if it's under 3 oz.   Overpriced sodas available in the airport.   You might be able to figure something out.   Nice thing about bringing your own soda on the plane...you can leave your mask down while you're drinking. ... View more

Yeah, I'm not really seeing the issue.  A-list means you get to board within the A group.  Period.  Lots of other factors go into where you get placed, including fare paid and status relative to other passengers. Also, things aren't necessarily sequential.  I've seen plenty of open spots left empty lately, due to social distancing boarding perhaps.    And you'll get your own set of seats regardless.  No middle seats assigned.    My advice...run to the back, avoid the clueless sheep in the front who can't figure out how to board efficiently, and stop worry about it. ... View more

One criterion for boarding position is the price of your ticket.   Since a companion passenger pays ZERO,  it stands to reason that companions board later.      You will still both get your own three seats,  so not much to worry about.  ... View more

So, are you implying Southwest should do the same?   I disagree.   I think Southwest should do whatever they need to do to stay in business.    I'm about to take off right now.   I'm totally comfortable flying.   Well, I'd be better without a mask, with a Wild Turkey and Coke in my hand.   But... we can't have everything.    Enjoy driving without your mask.  But don't drink.  ... View more

@jksobonya wrote:   Speaking of drink coupons though, I do wonder if we will be sent more, or if our current coupons will be extended. I have a few that expire at the end of November. Drinks aren't currently being served on board, only water.    --Jessica It's been rumoured that they are automatically extended through 2021.  I've heard that a few places.    It does seem that they aren't sending out NEW ones, though.    By the time this is over, I hope to just tried in my stack of coupons for a handle and live it up.  Or maybe just buy a round for the plane. ... View more

Yes, I suspect we all have an opinion that is opposite to yours.  Will that affect YOUR opinion?  Probably not.  But since you came here to ask, maybe there's hope. ... View more

And, as predicted, you actually make up to 20% converting over to points, since you're not taxed on a flight purchased with points.      A $59 flight converts to 4400 points.   That same flight costs less that 4000 to book.  Again, minus the additional tier qualifying points you lose from not paying cash.   Good for flying kids and other companion travelers.    This benefit is greatest for cheap flights, since taxes aren't proportional.   A $100 flight is about less than 10% savings. and likely around 5% for a $200 flight.   Since points accrual on tickets purchased with cash is about 10%, there's probably no reason to do this unless your future tickets are under $100 or you'll definitely use the points on someone else.        ... View more

Thanks.   I just thought it would show up on the route map, which doesn't seem to work.  No routes are shown, just cities.    In list view, however... you can show only direct.. which shows Dallas and Denver.  ... View more

Is it just out of Denver?  Seems like a short flight.   Any way to see which direct flights are available?  The route map on the website seems kinda useless. ... View more

@chgoflyer wrote: Southwest's accommodation (an extension of Companion Pass validity period) is made presumably because of the reduced ability for it's use, due to the pandemic. This applies to all CP holders. Those who already qualified this year suffer from the same reduced ability to use their CP as those who did not, but only the latter are receiving an extension accommodation. Ah, my favorite contrarian... arguing no matter what I say.  I'll reply to the OP, since you want to be his ombudsman.    No, they are not.   You get to use your pass LONGER than they do.   Six months longer.      I'll assume you get the analogies.   They are quite easy to understand.    And I'm actually flying MORE now and getting more use out of my pass.   So... should SWA restrict me because my benefits are better than yours?   You seem to be hellbent on comparing your freebies to others.    Since you appear to be  someone who was able to charge $100,000 in six months or so,  I don't think many of us are going to have sympathy for your first world problems.    Let's take your logic to the extreme.   You seem to be able to easily get CP every year.   Since everyone else got six months free, and point credit,  do you expect a voucher for the same that doesn't expire, that you can use the first year you DON'T qualify for CP?  Because otherwise, you'd didn't get the same benefits, right?    That is indeed what you're asking for, even if you don't realize you are.    I'll try to let you speak for yourself.   Your little argumentative sidekick isn't very good at it.  ... View more

You're unintentionally complaining about most benefit programs in general, the minimum wage,  progressive income tax,  and the welfare gap.    People less well off than you can't get a "free" benefit without you feeling it reduces the value of your benefit.   No,  it didn't reduce the value of your benefit, it just reduced the value of your FREE bonus... that you didn't really need.    The intent is to help out people adversely affected by the pandemic.   You don't seem to be affected.   So don't complain you didn't get your "fair share".  You don't get welfare payments and food stamps either.    Sure, I'm less motivated to earn my CP for next year.   But if I get it, I didn't "lose" anything.      I have a better idea.   Punish SWA by actually USING your CP.  Book plenty of flights,  and get the second one free,  and keep the flights booked.   That's what I'm doing.   I'm milking every drop out of my CP that I can.   I'm about to take off right now.    And I'm helping keep SWA employees off welfare, so there's that.      ... View more

Only you can keep yourself separated from other people.   Don't be surprised when people don't behave as cautiously as you do.    As far as eating, therein lies the problem with masks covering our mouths.  There is literally no way to eat without taking off a mask, unless you're a dolphin and breath through a blowhole.  This same issue occurs in restaurants, albeit with slightly more distancing.   You have two choices if you are worried:   1.  Leave your mask on, eating later or skipping it.  2.  Don't fly   What you may now realize that there is only so much that can logically be done to address this problem,  so much of what is done is therefore illogical.   But it makes some people happy, and makes others feel safe.     If you don't feel safe, you can only change your own behavior.   Nothing else can be done with other people's behavior.  ... View more

I'm trying to just end this since you need to be right.   And seem to have finally admitted you don't know what SW will do.   Even though you can't bring yourself off your pedestal enough to understand that consumers don't care about your legal definitions.   They care about what their dollars will buy.   But really?    The details haven't yet been announced, but I suppose it's possible Southwest might only allow the airfare portion of travel funds to be converted, since the tax portion is fully refundable.    Fully refundable?  Maybe legally, but it's NEVER been offered back.   So why do you make these statements?   Are you trying to confuse people?   They only refund the 9/11 fee.  The other taxes are NOT fully refundable,  not now or in the past.    Let's just ignore this discussion until SWA makes their offer.     Then we can argue the merits of converting based on value.   Oops, based on worth.   ... View more

Do what you want with your money, but it would be cheaper to buy a WGA fare and Early Bird Check In. ... View more

You're conflating many different issues here.   1.  HIPPA rules state they cannot demand indication or proof of disabilities.  Therefore they can't enforce mask rules beyond what they are.  If someone claims asthma, they can not wear a mask.  Plain and simple.   2.  FAA rules limit projectiles in the cabin during takeoff and landing.  They CAN enforce those rules.   3.  That leaves telling people to stay seated and separated during deboarding.  Yes, I wish they would harp on this one to make people get a clue.  Of everything they can do, keeping people from standing cheek to jowl would be very effective in reducing transmission.   Your best bet otherwise?  Sit on the window seat and wait for the herd to deboard before you stand up. ... View more

I get it now.  You're purely fixated on the term "valuation".  Yes, that means something to SW, but what points are worth to us is something different.  You're talking SW apples, I'm talking customer oranges.  I think most of the people here concerned about their travel funds are more concerned about oranges.  Fine.  I won't use the term valuation if that perturbs you.   And thanks for explaining a bunch of stuff I already knew.  Yes, you elucidate it better than I do.  That wasn't my point.  My point was getting the question answered, which I'll state again...   So, you agree we'll be making money?  Doesn't that seem strange to you?  SW will convert our fees paid for taxes to points, and then let us use those points to buy flights without taxes?  I suppose THEY aren't losing money, it's the government.  Some loophole where the government doesn't get to tax reward fares?   Therefore, it's an opportunity to buy points for the best possible price., or another way of saying it, is you can prepurchase a bunch of flights at base fare price without taxes.  Extending the tax holiday, if you will.  With the aforementioned benefit of unlimited refunds, offset by the disadvantage of losing TQP's.   Are we in agreement now? ... View more

Great!  I'll make money on this.   $49 ticket paid with cash. Returned to travel funds worth $49 Your conversion rate of 1.28 cents per point earns me 3828 points. I use those points to book the $49 fare over again for 3033 points.   I have 795 points left over.  Glad you did all the heavy lifting on the math.  Thanks!    PS.   You can say points didn't get devalued all you want.  But when a flight costs me the SAME price in cash, but MORE points, then I can certainly say the points were devalued.  Maybe using your above nonlinear complex math, they didn't.  But I'm still out points due to some change.  If you would like to tell me where those points are hidden so I can get them back, I'd appreciate it. ... View more

@stayinalive2020 wrote: I would like this flight attendant to be identified and publicly shamed.  Thought you might find this interesting...   https://www.amazon.com/So-Youve-Been-Publicly-Shamed/dp/1594634017 ... View more

Just look at the idio...er....people and shake your head.  Maybe eventually they'll get a clue.   So far, in my experience, they won't.  At least most of them won't.  They are gleefully oblivious standing 2019-style up against their neighbor.   More reason to grab a window seat.  No butt in your face, ever. ... View more

Yes, I am comparing cost to value, because they have a lot of similarities.  Most of us make these sorts of calculations many times a day.   But you bring up a good point, since they devalued points due to the tax issue.  But it seems on my check that they are "back to normal" from what I can tell.  (I lost points on a trip I booked before, then they cancelled it, and didn't tell me.  When I rebooked it, the price in points was higher).    A $49 flight is only 3033 points, so 1.6 cents per point (again).  A $160 flight came out to 1.4, since taxes aren't linear.  You must have calculated your value on a more expensive flight to get 1.28.   So it appears there isn't a "fixed" rate.  A cheaper flight would result in fewer points per dollar, a more expensive flight more points per dollar.   They'll have to fix it to a certain value.  If it's 1.28, then you could "make money" spending those points on cheap flights.  If it's 1.6, then most people will lose value. ... View more