Southwest Airlines Community

and in the process of taking masks off/putting masks back on to take drinks, passengers wil lbe constantly touching their faces - contrary to CDC suggestions. ... View more

Sorry, I totally disagree.   You were treated professionally, and in accordance with the rules.   You wanted special consideration and didn't get it.   So you come and complain here.   Claiming you were a flight attendant doesn't bolster your case.   On the contrary it makes you a hypocrite.    Next time weigh your bag.   Don't make other people strain to compensate for your laziness.  ... View more

Surviving off the backs of hard working taxpayers by accepting bail outs when unforeseen circumstances hit but we the passengers have no such option. I do not concur that Southwest is a wonderful airline and frankly have no problem with them failing that’s besides the point though. You are correct I gambled I lost and by letter of the contract I am bound to lose.  But there are times for the sake of affected travelers you bend those rules.  Unlike. It’s cases when one cancels a flight it is because of a personal situation why you can’t fly.  Not a country wide even world wide issue that affects many many travelers.not just me. In reality non essential travel has been strongly suggested to be forgone not just for me but for all.  By that suggestion the flight should be cancelled completely but Southwest won’t do that because they’d have to fork over the money they already spent.   I know I haven’t got a prayer in getting a refund and they can stuff their credit for a future flight.  I do like your suggestion of donating the points which is what I likely will do ... View more

Contact customer relations to plead your case.   Maybe you'll get a refund, and maybe you won't.   If you don't get it there you won't get it anywhere.   I'm done talking with you. ... View more

@chgoflyer wrote: I've noticed lots of complaints about this on social media. It seems that the notification process has been changed, or perhaps the cancellation process has. Many customers are finding out their itinerary has been changed only after checking their account details.    It appears that is not good enough. You have to check more than account details. I had  9:10 flight scheduled for today. Tried to change the flight, and the system refused to let me do so. Tried to check in and discovered the my flight had been changed to 11:35 -even though the SW webpage listing upcoming travel still showed a 9:10 departure time. The was no note that I had been rebooked..   I suspect that I could not change the flight because part of the SW system showed a 9:10 flight and another part showed a 11:35 flight. I finally just cancelled the flight because there was no way I I was going to spend lots of time on the phone with SW to sort this  out.   The moral of the story: the only way I found  out about the rebook was when I went to the checkin page.   I can only imagine what would have happened if i had been late in checking in and the airline had booked me on an earlier flight - that had already departed. ... View more

I suspect these points will be just like points you purchase, non tier and not CP qualifying.    --TheMiddleSeat     ... View more

@mikegrant wrote: I agree. I just filed a complaint with the DOT and FAA. I am also writing to my US congressional representatives. I had a flight scheduled this week and due to travel restrictions needed to cancel. I asked for a refund due to a flight being unavailable on my return. They told me the flight was unavailable because the flight was full. Southwest is lying to customers and playing games with their flight schedules to force people to cancel a flight before they do. There are flights tomorrow that are showing "unavailable" that are cancelled. I am not letting this go. If my return flight is cancelled I will be filing another complaint with DOT and FAA.   Southwest accepting Billions in public money 💰 to stay solvent but refusing the refund peoples money that they may need to pay for food and other necessities is abhorrent.   Unfortunately, it is true that carriers -- including Southwest -- are playing a game of chicken with customers right now, hoping the customer will cancel before the carrier does.   Here's an article with some examples. It's euro-centric, so the flyer rights section doesn't apply, but the rest translates well to current domestic carrier actions we're seeing.   The Evil Cancellation Game Airlines Are Playing With Passengers…   I was recently on Euro News discussing airline cancellation issues, and there’s a key distinction when it comes to your passenger rights. If the airline cancels, you’re entitled to a refund. If you cancel, even if travel isn’t possible, you’re left with nothing more than a voucher, at best.   This conundrum is leading airlines to play evil games with passengers, refusing to cancel flights until the last minute, in hopes of coaxing passengers into cancelling on their own. The reasons for doing so are huge, but the ethics behind it are questionable at best…   All around the world, airlines are intentionally not cancelling flights until the very last minute, or informing customers of “schedule changes” rather than cancellations, specifically to avoid refund rules.   In recent weeks, The United States and European Union each reiterated legal guidance to airlines that if a flight is cancelled, a refund must be offered – not just a voucher. Following the guidance, too many airlines are now choosing to play games with their schedules, to avoid the ruling.     Remember that, with Southwest, you have up until 10 minutes prior to departure in which to cancel and not fall victim to the no-show forfeiture. With phone lines jammed and reports of being unable to change or cancel some itineraries online, I wouldn't wait that long myself... I'd recommend checking on the morning of travel.     ... View more

@gsking wrote: Yes, on the app there's a list of recent activit .    Not sure about the iPhone, but detailed activity isn't available on the Android app. You have to use a desktop (or non-mobile version of the website) in order to see that info (as detailed above). ... View more

The answers are correct .  Nothing you do short of putting new money in the system will get you to your companion pass.   If you have the money right now, you could buy $8,000 from Southwest on your RR card and get 16,000 points.  That means either buying some expensive flights and then canceling them for travel funds, or just buying the points directly from the sale.  At the current 45% sale, it's probably about a wash.   I think of it as a way to infuse some cash into SWA to help them weather the storm by prebuying future travel. ... View more

You are so wrong it is ridiculous.   You do not even know me and you take the liberty of making personal attacks on me on a public forum.  Bitterness is not in my make-up over issues like this.  Life is too short and there are much bigger & meaningful issues in this world.  But sometimes issues need to be exposed and vented about on principle.  I am a middle aged man, and this is the first time I ever posted on a blog, forum, or whatever you call this thing,  because after 12 months of sub-par service I thought this was a good outlet and resource - not a place where criticisms of Southwest are mocked and not taken seriously by people who represent the airline and get perks from them for doing it.   I will continue to fly SWA as they usually get me to where I need to go and the RR program, Companion Pass and other perks are usually very good.   They have had a rough last 12 months and they are putting too much of their burdens on their customers.   I have plenty of reliable friends and contacts (including Travel agents) who share this opinion.  It is shameful that you and your friend Middle Seat do not even budge and admit the validity of any of my complaints and the many others I see have been posted.   The two of you obviously enjoy taking personal shots at loyal Southwest customers.  This is pretty pathetic since you are compensated representatives of the airline - albeit in perks - you are compensated!   So, you are obviously not motivated to show objectivity.   And again, you avoid the issue - you refuse to acknowledge that some of these replacement itineraries are so ludicrous that they should never even be options compared to what is available.  You defend the wonderful computer algorithm and hide behind "you can change it".   Yeah, but a valued customer should not have to be put in a position that they are stuck with such a ludicrous itinerary that they have no choice but to change it.  That is the point.   Particularly since the change cannot be made easily and quickly as you suggest.   So answer me this - same question as I have for Middle Seat - are you in disagreement with the Southwest employee I referenced?   She was clearly on my side on the issue I helped with, acknowledged the issue was absurd and offered a full cash refund even though it was a Wanna Get Away fare.   And one other question - what is the basis for questioning my honesty?   If you have any way of suggesting that I prove some of the stuff I am posting about is true, I welcome your input and will post such evidence if possible.   Have a wonderful day dfwskier.   ... View more

@Suebedoo85 Yes, you are eligible for a cash refund due to your flight being canceled. Call or contact Southwest via the live chat in the Southwest app or send a private message on Twitter (@SouthwestAir).   --TheMiddleSeat ... View more

I've flown SW 5 times in the past month.   In each of those flights there were less than 10 passengers.  On two of the flights there was one other passenger than myself.   You have absolutely nothing to worry about in terms of social distancing. ... View more

UPDATE:   my full refund hit my credit card account today.   Thanks Southwest and the customer service rep , she was fantastic.    good luck everyone.  ... View more

And keep in mind that the expiration date(s) shown online aren't updated yet -- Southwest says it's technology team is still implementing the changes necessary to reflect the new, coronavirus exception expiration dates in each member's account. ... View more

Considering everything going on, I'm not sure whether this is a refreshing change of pace or much ado about nothing.  Methinks you have too much time on your hands.  I'd say you may even be GLAD at all the decrease in carbon output these days? ... View more

This is good news! But, that article suggests they're "refunds," which is a bit confusing. They're actually credits, in the form of vouchers, equal to the EBCI fee amount, but with an expiration date of one year from date of issue, and not usable towards taxes or fees -- including future EBCI purchase. They are usable by anyone, however, unlike travel funds which are limited in use to the original passenger(s).   Here's a better reference: Southwest early-boarding fee policy reversed after coronavirus backlash   To further clarify: The vouchers will be extended to customers who canceled their flight(s) with travel dates of March 1 to May 31, 2020 (possibly June 30, 2020 now) and who contact Southwest to request them.   If Southwest cancels your flight you'll actually automatically receive a full refund of the EBCI fees, back to the original form of payment.   If Southwest cancels your flight and rebooks you, but the new flight doesn't work for you, you'll need to contact Southwest and request a refund.   Hope this helps. ... View more

I wish more people had taken the virus this seriously back on March 4. ... View more

" Hi @anyonebutswa. Thank you all for coming here and sharing your concerns. I know everyone is hurting, and I'm so sorry if we've been letting you down throughout these unprecedented circumstances. While we are not making exceptions to refund nonrefundable fares canceled by our Customers, I urge you to contact Customer Relations to discuss your individual situations if Southwest canceled your reservation. It's important to note that our Customer Relations Department is a different Department than 1-800-I-FLY-SWA. While Customer Relations' phone lines are not open on weekends, they respond on Facebook and Twitter 24/7/365. Thank you. Nicole Community Manager   Nicole, I called Customer Relations after speaking with customer service and was told in no way could i receive a refund.  While i appreciate that we have been given until June of 2021 to use the $1800 we have in credits, I would prefer to have the cash back in my bank account.  I asked to speak with a manager several times while speaking to the customer relations dept and was told I would have to leave them my phone number and they would call me back.  It has been four hours and still have not received a call back from a manager.  BTW, thanks for trying to help others. ... View more

This isn't an issue or question of refund vs. travel credit.  I'm happy to get either, because I know I'll fly again soon.    It's just a bit surprising that it wasn't automatic. Everything else on their system is so well automated .  But I suppose it speaks to the fact that I fly them quite a bit and have never had a full cancellation (beyond minor itinerary adjustments)   Given that these are extraordinary time , I guess it's no shocker that things have to be done a bit more manually .  ... View more

Wow! ... View more

Oh, write to the company like I've seen numerous people on here suggest people should do with Southwest refund requests? OK, yeah, American is doing soooo much better, lol.    --TheMiddleSeat ... View more

You waited 10 months to use your funds, and then cancelled a flight (arguably) before the full impact of this virus had hit.  Seems like SW is being reasonable with their rules. You want them to retroactively change them?     Although, I do commiserate with the new money you added being "tainted" by the expiration of the travel funds.  That is an unfortunate side effect of their otherwise quite generous policy, to which there doesn't seem to be a simple solution that is more equitable that would also not be abused.   All things considered, I'd wait until they expire, call up and see what you can get.  Maybe it's $200, but maybe it'll be less.  I figure more likely they'll extend the expiration time to 12 months.   We can hope. Good luck.  In the big scheme of things, it could be a lot worse than $200. ... View more

And...travel funds need to be used by the originally ticketed passenger.  So, even though you bought the tickets, they are permanently attached to their respective traveler.    (The unwritten $100 waiver may unlock them, but I'm not aware of it).   If you use the travel funds for a more expensive ticket, then cancel that ticket, the additional cash you spent on the second ticket will revert to a travel fund with the ORIGINAL expiration date.  So "new money" can get tagged as "old" if you're not careful. ... View more

@Dallas_FD26 wrote:   Both United and Delta are refunding tickets. I’m unsure if you, as an individua, work or are sponsored by Southwest, but they got it wrong on this one. TheMiddleSeat is correct. Someone said airlines are refunding. The another person, and another, and another. Then everyone accepted it as fact.   It is not.   Stay tuned, and airlines may start doing things differently. As of this moment, they are not.     ... View more

For all of you who are giving the poster a bit of grief about their concern, let me ask you a question.   What monetary difference would it make for Southwest to extend travel funds until this outbreak is over? The answer is "no difference" unless you consider that if they don't they'll keep the poster's money and supply nothing in return. It wouldn't cost Southwest one dime to simply extend the expiration dates. This person is not asking for a refund. If the poster doesn't feel safe putting their family onto a plane at the moment who are any of you to lecture them? I'm a pilot. If any of you were to decide you didn't feel safe flying with me for ANY reason I'd be ok with that because a person's fear whether real or imagined is just as terrifying. I'm also an avid motorcycle racer. I have no fear of being on my bike at 175 mph but I'll bet you would. Each and every one of you probably has a fear of one kind or another that the poster would consider to be irrational. Give the poster a break. Southwest (and every other business) is in the business of making their customers feel good about their experience. The stance that Southwest has taken with this will simply cause lost customers and lost revenue. The reasonable decision would be to just extend the travel funds beyond this (yes media hyped) outbreak. ... View more