Southwest Airlines Community

"Anyone have a fix or sure fire method?"   I know exactly what you're talking about!   I don't know if this is a sure fire method, but when I check in family, I use the 4-second rule...one Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi, four Mississippi...and then click the check-in button.  It works every time without having to go back and start over, losing "valuable" seconds. ... View more

Just wondering... Do you first need to make an account with Hyperwallet?? ... View more

I'm sorry that the customer service agent didn't give you a more thorough explanation.   Once your travel funds expire, there is a $100 charge to extend those expiring travel funds for 6 months.  If you had $200 in travel funds, you would have paid $100 to have $100 left...which would then need to be used in the next 6 months.  You didn't have enough travel funds to be charged the $100 fee, hence, your funds could not be extended. ... View more

I also have the one that DancingDavidE has.   I love it!  I can easily fit 2 pairs of shoes, 5 mid-season outfits, and a set of workout clothes in it, plus toiletries.  When I need to pack a jacket, it expands to fit it.  I carry my laptop in a tote that goes under the seat in front of me.   I would really consider the smaller size for reasons already mentioned upstream. ... View more

@Superk08 SWA did NOT "steal your hard earned money."   You said, "We thought we had a year to use that is what every single company is doing."   There lies your problem.  You thought.  Instead, you needed to know.  In your rush to purchase great non-refundable fares, you didn't understand the ramifications of canceling, pandemic or no pandemic.   "They did not provide me a service how can they keep my money !"  Because you agreed to their policies when you purchased those tickets.   Further, "every single company is doing."  Not true.   This is entirely on you and blaming SWA is completely unfair.  I understand that you're upset.  But being emotional and unfairly ranting makes it hard to sympathize. ... View more

Back in the day when we traveled with hiking carriers...   I always brought a 45-55 gallon trash bag (the clear, heavy-duty, yard and leaf kind from Costco).  I would first pre-write my name/address/phone/flight number(s) on the outside of the bag and let the ink dry.  I would then fold it up into a little square and put in into the carrier's pocket.  At the gate, the carrier went into the plastic bag and the bag was knotted tightly.  It was then gate checked.   The plastic bag kept it from getting dirty, the straps were contained, and the baggage handlers knew what was inside to <hopefully> handle with care.   It's always a good idea to put an identity tag on the item itself. ... View more

  @SouthWORST just wrote: "No clue how anyone could give their money or trust into Southworst."   Then why did you...again?  Saying one thing and doing another makes your rants comical.  And nonsensical. ... View more

@SouthWORST On July 9th you wrote: "This was going to be my last flight with this JV airline only because I have flight credits from all these cancellations."   And, yet, you booked and flew again tonight.  Hmmm... ... View more

Mom of a former Juilliard student...   Definitely what THEMIDDLESEAT said!!  Do NOT check it.    Buy it a nice middle seat.  If you really want to protect it, put it at the window (depending on the case) and you take the middle. ... View more

Per lindam: "All but 3 of the 20 were able bodied people walking onto the airplane."   How do you know this? That's right...you don't.   There are all sorts of reasons that may require pre-boarding...accessibility to a restroom, impaired sight, pain, anxiety, a broken arm, etc.  Just because a person is not in a wheelchair doesn't mean that they don't have a disability.   Quite honestly, it's none of your business.  Be lucky you don't have such a disability. ... View more

Disgusted56 said: "My recent trip there wer (sic) 10 wheelchairs that required preboarding and 6 of the 10 were couples."   Shout out to my mom and dad who still manage to travel and see the world...in their wheelchairs! ... View more

Thank you to @bwallet for the clarification regarding the non-use of car seats in hired cars In Texas.  I had no idea!   And apologies to @spratrat for my reaction and misunderstanding of Texas law with respect to his plan for transportation.   Crow for dinner... ... View more

Is it legal for an airline to change your destination airport? Yes. They have the power to switch your arrival, layover, and departure airports for a variety of reasons.   And there is this: "Each airline has its own policies about what it will do for delayed passengers waiting at the airport; there are no federal requirements. If you are delayed, ask the airline staff if it will pay for meals or a phone call. Some airlines, often those charging very low fares, do not provide any amenities to stranded passengers. Others may not offer amenities if the delay is caused by bad weather or something else beyond the airline's control. Contrary to popular belief, for domestic itineraries airlines are not required to compensate passengers whose flights are delayed or canceled. ...Compensation is required by law on domestic trips only when you are "bumped" from a flight that is oversold."  Source: U.S. Department of Transportation   I am sorry this happened to you and your family.  I've been through this many, many times.  It's never fun. ... View more

Per spratrat: "We have 2 young kids and no car seats to travel from the far north to the far south of Houston."   Wait.  What?  How were you originally planning to get the 2 young kids from HOU to home without car seats??? ... View more

@Gbonne  YOU are the one lacking ethics.  And YOU are the one who should be shamed if you attempt to shame a fellow passenger.   It is tacky, at best, to ask a stranger why they might be pre-boarding.  Many folks have hidden disabilities.  You really need to mind your own business and reconsider your own moral principles at play here. ... View more

But...remember that boarding can begin up to 30 minutes before the departure time.    If you have an A boarding position and your first flight arrives late, then you might not be there when the A positions board, thus losing your ability to choose a better seat.   If your first flight arrives on time, then your extra 30 minutes before boarding begins can be put to good use...for that sandwich fish taco from Wahoo's 😋.   If you are content to just make the flight, 1 hour is fine. ... View more

"But for what it's worth, I don't think *any* airline is serving alcohol at this time..."   Small correction: I just enjoyed a delightful Woodford bourbon in FC on a late night flight on Alaska (my second favorite airline 😉).  In fact, I believe they were serving alcohol throughout the Main Cabin.   That being said, I don't choose my flights based on alcohol service. ... View more

A little off-topic! Just in case (since flight cancellations and delays are on the rise right now): If your flight is cancelled during a layover... And if the next available flight is the following day... And if the cancellation is not weather-related and you are given a hotel voucher for the night... ...be aware that you will not be able to use the voucher since you are underage.   This happened to my son twice in the last month, once during a gate change and once on his return flight.   Being stranded as a young traveler can be a PITA.  My son was prepared to spend the night in the terminal with a neck pillow, a super light blanket, and a toothbrush.  It made his experience a bit less miserable.   Hope you have a safe and pleasant trip. ... View more

@FlyALot This is completely on you.   If you didn't think this rule was "right," then you should not have agreed to SWA's Contract of Carriage when you purchased your ticket using Travel Funds.    You need to read the rules.  Few people do, and then whine about it...falsely claiming that they were "robbed."   If I screw up because I didn't read, for instance, a return policy in its entirety, and am later denied a return on an item...then the mistake is mine and I own up to it.  I don't blame the company and call their policy "disgusting."   ... View more

Mine is 8 digits.   The gauntlet has been thrown...  😏 ... View more

Not that I'm a fan of saving seats, especially five of them.  But...SWA does not have a policy for or against saving seats.   One parent could board with the two-year-old during family boarding, between Group A and B.  That parent could then save seats for the rest of the family.  I would only do this toward the rear of the aircraft.  Maybe even give the FA a heads up.  Be sure to have five items (sweater, purse, toy, etc.) to place on each seat so it's apparent that you are saving them.  Be prepared for some scowls, but it will probably work.   People, don't hate on me for this suggestion.  She has already purchased tickets on SWA and is in a bit of a pickle.  I wouldn't want my two (yikes...two!) seven-year-olds that far away from me or the other adult.  Early Bird most likely will be a waste of money and not helpful with regard to a better boarding position. ... View more

Did he have an actual disability? Was SWA informed of his disability at check-in or at the gate so that he received Priority boarding? Was he present at the gate at the appropriate time or was he late?   More information is needed...   Here is SWA's Policy: Advance notice of disability Customers with disabilities are not required to provide advance notice of the need for assistance; however, doing so helps us better prepare for the number of Customers who will need our help. We give Customers the opportunity to proactively notify Southwest Airlines of any specific disability-related needs during and after booking. When booking a new reservation, Customers may use the “Special Assistance” link on the Passenger & Payment Info page to indicate that he/she requires assistance. When booking online, Customers may notice that there is a link (identified with an italicized "i") that directs the user to the details of our policies for assisting Passengers with disabilities. After the Customer has selected his/her option(s), the Customer should scroll down and complete the booking process. If a reservation has already been created, simply click on the “FLIGHT | HOTEL | CAR | VACATIONS” link located on the top of our home page. Then, select “Manage Reservations” from the “Flight” column, input the required information, and select “Search.” From that page, click on the "Special Assistance" link under the Passenger name. Once a Customer has added his/her option(s), the Customer should click “Update Information” and the information will be saved to the Customer’s reservation. Customers may also advise us of any disability-related travel needs at the time of booking by telephone or, if a reservation has already been made, by calling 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) prior to travel. We recommend that Customers arrive at the airport no later than the recommended airport arrival time. If traveling with a power wheelchair, in the event that we need to prepare the wheelchair for stowage, we may ask that Customers relinquish his/her power wheelchair up to an hour in advance of departure. In this case, the Customer will be transferred to an airport wheelchair until boarding begins. If traveling in a group of 10 or more Customers who use wheelchairs, please advise us at least 24 hours in advance by calling 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) so that we can ensure adequate staffing and room in the cargo compartment of the aircraft for the wheelchairs. ... View more

I didn't know you could use your own 🤔 ...   As per SWA COS policy: Once onboard the aircraft, if necessary, please request a seatbelt extension from our Flight Attendant. Only one seatbelt extension may be used, and only seatbelt extensions provided by Southwest Airlines are approved for use onboard our aircraft. (underline emphasis mine). ... View more

Won three times during the course of the promotion for a total of 250 points...always the gray duffle bag 🤔.   Same login procedure today.  I won nothing but my husband received this message: Your entry has been recorded.  Due to extremely high volume, your entry has been placed in a queue.  You should receive an email containing your results within a couple hours.  Thanks for entering!   I'll be on the edge of my chair until the aforementioned email arrives...🤣.   Happy Birthday 🎉 and Thank You SWA for the 250 points.  It could absolutely make a difference someday when I'm just shy of the required points for a trip.     ... View more

@ghigbee  I like your attitude!!  I truly do.  You took responsibility, learned from it, and moved on.  I wish there were more people like you.  I hope you have a wonderful trip in November!! ... View more