Southwest Airlines Community

Yeah not a good  deal.  You only get 1 cent per point plus you pay taxes.    Using points only gets you over about 1.3 cents per point, plus no taxes.    Nope. ... View more

If you read the entire post you would know that after the woman put dog under seat as directed she never opened carrier again. She originally was comforting dog because it was crying. The dog let out a whimper and that was the initial decision to remove her. Southwest is basing their decision on what the flight crew reported. They did not reach out to any other passengers. If you did a true follow up you would know they had warned her about dog crying that if it continues they would remove her. Then said it was because she opened carrier which she had not. ... View more

@willjoh wrote: I fly on the 17th of June. It had a longer layover when I booked but I just received an email from SW saying the times changed and made the layover shorter. All flights on that date are booked. I guess I'll just have to pray there are no delays and make a run for it. Assuming it's in the same terminal, it shouldn't be too bad.  Can you standby to an earlier flight at BWI? ... View more

@manilowmaniak wrote: Who is WGA? WGA on this forum is Wanna Get Away (fare). ... View more

I'm NO battery expert but if it's a lithium battery, the battery will need to removed and stowed in the cabin. The scooter rides with the bags below. Either way you will want to make sure you are thoroughly familiar with both disconnection, removal, and replacement of the batteries in your unit. Otherwise you'll be depending on some one else to perform this task and if it ends up broken....well good luck. Safe Travels  ... View more

Yes, they should, however, I've had at least 3 instances where we did not get sequential boarding numbers. ... View more

Thanks for your reply. I only added Early Bird for me since everywhere I had read led me to believe that my Companion would still receive a boarding position next to me. As I said, it worked like that on the MDW to SAV flight but not on the return. Makes me think that even if I had paid the extra $25 to add EB to my Companion she might have been given a position nearer to mine but not necessarily with me. Either way I'll just play it safe and go with manual check-in from here on out. ... View more

Southwest Airlines continues to attract customers despite facing challenges due to several key factors that set it apart from other airlines. Here's why customers still choose Southwest Airlines: 1. Affordable Pricing: Southwest Airlines is known for its low-cost fares and transparent pricing structure. Customers appreciate the affordability of Southwest's tickets, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious travelers. 2. No Hidden Fees: Southwest is renowned for its no-frills approach and lack of hidden fees. Unlike many other airlines, Southwest does not charge for services like checked bags, flight changes, or seat selection, which can significantly reduce the overall cost of travel for customers. 3. Flexible Policies: Southwest offers some of the most flexible booking and cancellation policies in the industry. Customers can change or cancel their flights without penalty, and unused funds from canceled flights can be applied to future bookings, providing peace of mind and flexibility for travelers. 4. Extensive Route Network: Despite being primarily a domestic airline, Southwest has a widespread route network that serves numerous destinations across the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean. This extensive coverage makes it convenient for customers to travel to a wide range of destinations within Southwest's network. 5. Reliable Operations: Southwest has a strong reputation for reliability and operational efficiency. The airline consistently ranks high in on-time performance and has a track record of minimal flight cancellations and delays, earning the trust of travelers who value punctuality and dependability. 6. Quality Customer Service: Southwest prioritizes customer service and is known for its friendly and helpful staff. From booking assistance to in-flight service, Southwest employees strive to provide a positive and enjoyable experience for passengers, enhancing customer loyalty and satisfaction. 7. Unique Amenities: Southwest offers several unique amenities that differentiate it from other airlines, such as open seating, where passengers can choose their own seats onboard, and the Rapid Rewards loyalty program, which rewards frequent flyers with perks like free flights and priority boarding. 8. Commitment to Safety: Safety is a top priority for Southwest Airlines, and the airline has a strong safety record. Customers trust Southwest to prioritize their well-being and adhere to rigorous safety protocols, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. 9. Company Culture: Southwest has a distinctive company culture characterized by a fun and friendly atmosphere. This unique culture extends to the customer experience, with Southwest employees often going above and beyond to create a positive and memorable journey for passengers. 10. Environmental Initiatives: Southwest is committed to sustainability and has implemented various environmental initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint and promote eco-friendly practices. Customers who prioritize sustainability may choose Southwest for its efforts to minimize environmental impact. Despite facing challenges common to the airline industry, Southwest Airlines continues to attract and retain customers through its affordable pricing, transparent policies, reliable operations, quality customer service, and unique amenities. By prioritizing the needs and preferences of travelers, Southwest maintains its position as a top choice for domestic and international air travel. BenefitsCal ... View more

 I am a US Army Retiree of 20+ yrs.  But I don't expect pre-boarding privileges.  ... View more

FWIW-Isn't Southwest already basically doing this with their tiered Fare Structure? Basic Current Boarding Order(My perception/understanding of it) -Business Select= A-1 to A-15 -(A-list Preferred and A-List)=A-16 and on -Anytime Fare= Automatic EBCI -WGA+=Board After or buy EBCI  -WGA= Board Last or buy EBCI The problems are: -Those who Scam the Pre-boarding Process, either through fraud or being allowed to bring more than one support person. -Individuals/Families buying WGA Fares and expecting Business Select Fare Boarding, because they are Special and Rules do not apply to them. -Seat Savers, (all Seat Savers.)   My 2 cents, changing the process won't fix the problems listed above. My Solution: Fix the problems by simply applying the existing policies of both SWA and the FAA for boarding. ... View more

I Agree Assigned Seating………is necessary…… ... View more

Your payment date is irrelevant, it goes off the statement closing date. Once you spend the $4k there's nothing you can do to speed up the award. They'll issue it automatically after the statement closing date.  ... View more

I notice SW employees pre boarding often as I fly SW 8 to 10 times a month and very much agree it sends the wrong message to paying customers. When I asked an employee why this is permitted they said it’s “contractual”. I agree that employees need to get on plane like rest of us (only if their job depends on it, not to get home) but not preboarding. If they get a ticket, they are guaranteed a seat and wait in line like rest of us.  Throughout my life my employers have required employees to park furthest from the entrance for a simple reason: customers should be inconvenienced last, not first.  I encourage SW to examine this practice and do what is best for the customer.  ... View more

This situation says it was solved. If you read the solution it wasn’t solved at all ... View more

If you require crutches to be mobile, you will need to "stow these medical devices" in the overhead when you board. This would be a legit reason to pre-board. Safe Travels  ... View more

Thank you so much for this information! I believe her car seat is FAA approved but I will double check the next time we go out. Since her dad will be with us I don’t think I have to worry about not being able to put both arm rests up but will still most likely put her by the window since that seems to be easiest.  ... View more

Very good point. All things will be abused but SWA should at least try to curb it. They don't.  ... View more

I choose to use Early Bird because I do not always have the opportunity to "check in" 24 hours prior to a flight. But yes, Early Bird is no longer an effective means of guaranteeing a proper seat.   The biggest problem is that people will pay for one early bird seat and then "hold" seats for the rest of their party. It's ridiculous.   I now go out of my way to challenge people. If somebody is attempting to hold three seats I will tell them that I am sitting there. That person has paid for a single seat and obviously does not have to move. But I'll be darned if they are going to prevent me from sitting there.   If you want to hold a row of seats then go to the back of the plane. Otherwise, I'll be sitting next to you. The flight attendants know the ruse. They know what's going on and they choose to ignore it  and/or be complicent it this ruse. That's unacceptable. Stand your ground I say.    I will not try to break up families or anything like that, but again, you are more than welcome to grab a row in the back of the plane to ensure that you sit together.    I have contacted SWA several times regarding this matter and they consistently fail to remedy the situation. They typically sent out a reply indicating that people enjoy the open seating policy. This response ignores the situation.   I used to really enjoy flying SWA. The employees were friendly. The flights were on time. The experience was good. Things have really taken a 180 degree turn. I am at the point where I am going to cancel my SWA card, burn up all my points, and fly with a different carrier. ... View more

@5280Av8r wrote: Southwest dropped Mexico City because Southwest limits bookings to their website only and doesn't allow third party sales and was not able to accept foreign currency as payment. That said, looking at Mexico City, most of the demand originates in Mexico City going to the US. That immediately gives the local airlines such as Aeromexico and Volaris an advantage. Second, it meant that most customers were wanting to pay with Pesos rather than US dollars and SWA isn't set up for that. Contrast that with Cancun, Cabo, and Puerto Vallarta where most demand is vacation goers from the US to Mexico paying with US dollars. So, the only way for SWA to add Mexico City back is if the demand shifts to people originating in the US or if their system is developed to accept foreign currencies such as the Peso. Some constraint there as well due to capacity, limiting it to Houston as a gateway is a disadvantage to other carriers with wider service especially since it is a lot more business flights than leisure.       ... View more

Sorry your flight was late   2 hours is nothing these days. My last 2 trips have both been 3* hours late but stuff happens things break. I’d rather it break before take off even if that means I’m stuck on the plane instead of having to deal with an emergency landing.  you can always send an email to southwest and maybe they can send you a voucher for the inconvenience.  ... View more

Definitely a Chase issue. It's a benefit/credit offered by Chase NOT by Southwest. I would seriously doubt a Chase rep on the phone, has any idea what you have used or have not used in terms that type of credit in the last month much less the last 12 months. Only that your card gets you "4 credits per year."    BTW- Had to use one of my 4 upgrades recently because my Companion did not get sequential boarding. credit came through, funny part I also got a statement credit because I added the 5% off Southwest the "Chase Offers." $50 charge minus the $50.00 credit, minus $2.50. I made $2.50 on the boarding snafu. ... View more

This is a simple misunderstanding of the Southwest boarding policy. You are not assigned seats. It is first come, first serve. A group boards first, B group boards second, C group boards third and last, and by that time, most aisle/window seats are taken. Now you know for the future. You could have gotten around this by purchasing early bird, which gives you a better boarding position (but even then it is not guaranteed, if many others also purchase early bird).    --Jessica ... View more

@MizzT74 wrote: That being said I just felt it would make sense to purchase the base price ticket if I were being offered family boarding simply to try and save a little money.  I do not expect to get anything more than what I pay for... That's exactly the rules and thousands of people do this every day. It isn't entitlement.     @MizzT74 wrote: And even though they have family boarding the real assurance would just be to purchase business class tickets.  But thank you all for your feedback.   Business Select will be way overkill for that. Although you would be one of the first 15 positions the cost increase may be 3x the cost of WGA fares.   Consider upgraded boarding, if it is available, on the day of the flight but that's it. The system is designed that regular customers can buy WGA fares and have a very reasonable, if not quite certain chance of sitting with their children.   The only time it doesn't work is if the child is seven or older or if the passengers are late and miss the window for family boarding.     ... View more

Under the Air Carrier Access Act, you can self-declare as an individual with a disability and preboard.  There is no proof, no medical exam, no committee, no documentation.   You can do back flips, acrobatics and gymnastics all the way to the gate, then self-declare, then preboard.     ... View more

What was your specific reason to pre-board? (Not interested in your disability and Please do not share it.) Just what pre-boarding "need" did you have? need help sitting? stow medical device? extra time? ... View more

Might I suggest that you review FEDERAL LAW before posting such comments as recommendations to Southwest? ... View more

I cannot speak for Ithaca, but... Cornell is in Ithaca.  Just saying.   Also, network integration... Corning/Elmira/Horseheads/BigFlats is a SW Air desert.  Look at the SW destinations map.  Untouched territory that could be an easy connector to Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, NYC, Detroit, etc.   Competition ... again, Delta charges a premium to fly into ELM because they have zero competition, and as far as I'm concerned, Allegiant doesn't count as competition.  Southwest oughtta add a few flights, at least to test out the market.  Hey, a girl can dream, right?  LOL      Stay warm!   ... View more

They only had MIA since 2020 so you shouldn't miss that one too much.   I'm a little surprised there isn't more LGA/FLL available though.   LGA is so constrained they must be seeing some higher fares on other routes that end up using all the slots.   A one-stop in BWI or elsewhere along the eastern coast wouldn't be so bad though. Avoid any connections through DAL or DEN though. 😂 unless your username is @bec102896  ... View more

There must have been a promotion or something if you had it briefly and now don't have it again.   You can go here and click the pull down on "point type" to show tier qualifying points and see what your progress is. Southwest Airlines - My Account - Points Activity     ... View more