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I think basic supply-and-demand economics could dictate that the answer to your question could be "yes" but with a catch...
Before Southwest announced and implemented the free Sameday Standby benefits to all fare classes, the fares and availability shown on the "Select Flights" page 24 hours prior to departure often gave me a clue of how full the flight might be. Keyword: might.
If I saw a bunch of red "X Left's" combined with unavailable WGA/WGA+ fares and high Anytime/Business Select fares for my booked flight, that usually signaled to me that the odds of that flight being completely full were much higher and to prepare accordingly. However, more recently, there have been some days where I've checked this page 24 hours prior to departure and there were no red "X Left's" with all fare classes available for reasonable last-minute prices. I've assumed there was going to be plenty of room on the plane only to arrive at the airport the next day to learn that the flight is going to be full. The reverse has happened in some cases too. I think the free Same-day Standby benefit may have something to do with this.
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12-01-2023
12:20 PM
12-01-2023
12:20 PM
@fly2much wrote:
Was this stay during the current promotion where it states you earn "Plus 4 additional points per US$1 spent on select rooms when checking out by June 1, 2024, with a minimum stay of 3 nights"?
The terms state that the additional points count toward A-List, wondering if you can confirm or not?
Nope. This stay was not eligible for this promo as it was for a single night. However, it was a Points Plus property so I got 900 Rapid Rewards points. Points were not TQP or valid toward A-List but they were good toward Companion Pass.
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@mertsmith0 wrote:
I booked a Room at Aria Resort in Las Vegas, I booked the reservation through Southwest Hotels on 11/27/23 with free cancelation by 1/17/24. I was told SW uses Booking.com, however on my credit card the charge is listed as RTI*SWHotels. I was charged $6,420.17 immediately. I never received an email confirmation and I needed to cancel reservation during their free cancelation period. It's impossible to cancel the reservation through booking.com without a confirmation number and pin number that would have been on the confirmation email, but I never received it. I called SW airlines who said I must talk to booking.com. I called and emailed booking.com multiple times, however they will not help without confirmation number and pin number. They cannot even send me a confirmation email (so I can get the numbers) without me providing them the numbers first! I have spent hours working on trying to get my reservation canceled through booking.com and my credit. I did call the hotel and they noted I called to cancel during the free cancelation period, however they can't issue a credit, that has to come from booking.com. This is beyond frustrating.
Hello! I've used Southwest Hotels on numerous occasions. I would try the following:
Go to Southwesthotels.com and click on "Manage My Booking". Click on "Resend Confirmation Email" by entering your email address.
The email should arrive within the next few minutes. If the email doesn't show, double check junk/spam. If that still doesn't work, it's possible that the email address that was entered at the time of booking was entered incorrectly. If that's the case, a Booking.com rep will need to help you but I would try calling them again through Southwest Hotels instead of directly through Booking.com. Try this contact info (this is the contact info that I receive in my confirmation emails):
concierge@southwesthotels.com 1-844-782-9792 773-770-4953
Before telling the rep that you're requesting a cancellation, let them know that you booked a hotel room through Southwest Hotels but never received the confirmation email or number. Provide them with your name and email address.
As a general rule of advice going forward (this would apply to booking any hotel or any travel via any carrier): Always save (via screenshot or print to PDF) or do a hard copy print of the confirmation screen following the purchase in case the confirmation email fails to deliver. This will ensure you capture and have record of the confirmation number following the purchase.
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11-30-2023
11:00 AM
11-30-2023
11:00 AM
Hola! I was doing a routine price check of a few of my forthcoming hotel bookings on Southwest Hotels and noticed the folloing offer that I've never seen before when browsing through the Points Plus properties:
This offer now appears to show up on the guest info/payment page of a Southwest Hotels Points Plus property. An obvious key attraction of this offer is the added points boost. I did not see this offer appear for any of the non-Points Plus hotels nor via the RocketMiles portal but this was an interesting find.
I'll have to do some more "hotel shopping" to get an overall look at this upgrade and its worth but upon first glance, it appears that those looking to boost their Rapid Rewards points may benefit. Not too sure of the overall value of having a VIP concierge phone line attached to a hotel reservation but having a means to skip a phone queue in the event of reservation problem appears to be nice at first glance.
More to come...
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11-30-2023
10:15 AM
11-30-2023
10:15 AM
@CupCrusher40 wrote:
ty
Not sure what you mean by "Red Wing" drag reduction as I could not find any credible reference of this subject anywhere else on the internet...but here's an informative article that talks about how the aviation industry is reducing drag. It goes into detail of how the plane's design, surface coatings and exterior cleanliness contribute toward better fuel efficiency and less drag:
https://skybrary.aero/articles/surface-coatings-and-drag-reduction
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@SoCalFlyer97 wrote:
@dfwskier wrote:
Southwest 30% off base fares*
Book Nov. 27-30, 2023 with code CYBER30
*Use code CYBER30 by 11/30 for select cont. U.S. flights btw. 1/9-3/6/24 and select intl./HI/SJU flights btw. 1/9-5/22/24. Restr., excl., & blkouts apply. Seats/days lmtd. Disc. applied pre-govt. taxes/fees
Time for SoCalFlyer97 to review the bookings back from WOW50 and prior Low Fare Sales...
It turns out after reviewing my bookings that WOW50 and the prior Low Fare Sale promotions were still the better deal for all my current reservations as of today instead of CYBER30. However, if you haven't booked your post-Christmas/New Year's winter trips yet, there still some good deals out there which makes the CYBER30 worth it; that was the case for me last year.
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There's many ways...See my reply on the other thread:
https://community.southwest.com/t5/Travel-Policies/need-to-check-if-a-flight-is-on-time/m-p/166192
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Greetings! There's multiple ways to track your flight's status:
via Southwest: via Mobile Website: https://mobile.southwest.com/flight-status
Type in your city pairs (and flight number too).
via Phone App: Your current flight should show on the front page. Clicking on the details should show its current status.
via Flightaware (mobile and desktop): https://www.flightaware.com/
This website also shows you exactly where the plane is on a map. In the search box, type in "SWA" followed by your flight number. E.g. To track Southwest Flight 1000, type "SWA1000". It will show you the estimated departure time and there's links where you can track the physical inbound aircraft should you arrive at your gate and the plane is not there.
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@luknoi wrote:
Not sure if this was answered but, I have a priority CC and supposed to get 4 Upgraded Boardings. Maybe i'm doing this wrong but, i have pre-bought 4 upgrades from Anytime to Business Select within the past 10 months and when i look at myRewards Home page, it shows that I have not purchased 1. What am i doing wrong or it it just finicky?
Hola!
It appears there was some confusion between Upgraded Boarding and the fare class Upgrade to Business Select; these are different products.
By the looks of your post, it looks like you upgraded your fare class from Anytime to Business Select under Upgrade to Business Select. This purchase is not covered by the credit card benefit whereas Upgraded Boarding would be.
To be clear, upgrading the fare class to Business Select gets you all the benefits of Business Select including A1-A15 boarding.
In contrast, Upgraded Boarding allows any passenger of any fare class to upgrade their boarding position to A1-A15 for any flight segment departing within 24 hours subject to availability (a benefit covered by the CC). Upgraded Boarding does not include the other benefits of Business Select.
Hope this helps!
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11-27-2023
10:19 AM
11-27-2023
10:19 AM
@gillshreyas wrote:
Hello dear travelers,
I'm gearing up for an upcoming flight and I'm curious about the inflight entertainment options. I haven't been in the air for a while, so I'm wondering what's new and exciting in the world of inflight entertainment. If you've recently taken a flight, could you share your experience with the available entertainment? Are there any standout movies, TV shows, or music selections that caught your attention? Additionally, how was the overall quality of the entertainment system? Your insights will help me prepare for a more enjoyable journey, and I'm sure other community members would appreciate your recommendations as well.
I echo @Munsingerjc
Also consider bringing a portable charging device in your personal item bag as most of Southwest's fleet does not have charging ports.
I really like the flight tracker feature which helps me identify the sites, mountains, freeways and towns from below...or if it's really cloudy outside, finding out what's really beyond that white layer.
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11-27-2023
10:08 AM
11-27-2023
10:08 AM
@dfwskier wrote:
Southwest 30% off base fares*
Book Nov. 27-30, 2023 with code CYBER30
*Use code CYBER30 by 11/30 for select cont. U.S. flights btw. 1/9-3/6/24 and select intl./HI/SJU flights btw. 1/9-5/22/24. Restr., excl., & blkouts apply. Seats/days lmtd. Disc. applied pre-govt. taxes/fees
LUV it!
Time for SoCalFlyer97 to review the bookings back from WOW50 and prior Low Fare Sales...
One thing I really appreciate about Southwest is being able to do a Flight Change with no change fee to grab the lower difference-in-fare during sales!
ps. Costco Members: The Southwest $500 E-Gift Card is also on Cyber Monday sale for $430...$70-off $500 worth of flights plus any Executive Member cash-back bonus. And it can be combined with Southwest's Cyber Monday sale. Sale ends today.
Also thru Sam's Club: $450 ($50 Off) Regular Price
As with any e-gift card purchase, most are delivered within 30-60 minutes but allow up to 24-48 hours for delivery.
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11-27-2023
09:47 AM
11-27-2023
09:47 AM
@CupCrusher40 wrote:
At dawn is glare worse or at noon?
If the plane is facing...
North, Dawn: Sun to the right; Dusk: Sun to the left
South: Dawn: Sun to the left; Dusk: Sun to the right
East/West: According to Southwest's Route Map, all SW flight routes are north the equator. That will generally mean if the plane is flying east or west, the sun will be somewhere on the south side of the plane from dawn to dusk with the worst of the glare likely during the winter months. However, during summer, the sun may end up on the north side of the plane during dawn/dusk, especially as you travel further up north.
Examples:
Traveling from LAS to SAN during the late summer at dusk. Plane is facing southwest. Sun is compass west northwest with a direct glare into the window:
Traveling above a "milky" sky above a rainstorm from SAN to SMF at dawn during late winter in March. The plane is facing north-northwest. The sun rose shortly before take off and is compass-southeast. The camera captured the glare as camera direction was panned toward the wing facing east:
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@CupCrusher40 wrote:
ty
I assume you're asking about Upgraded Boarding following a Same Day Standby List request.
Passengers can purchase Upgraded Boarding anytime from 24 hours before scheduled departure until 30 minutes prior to departure (subject to availability). If you are cleared on your standby request and receive your boarding pass before the 30 minute mark, you should be able to purchase this benefit if it's still available.
Once you receive your text or email that you have been cleared on the Standby List and confirmed for the new flight, I assume you can buy upgraded boarding online at that point when checking in if it's still available. You can also go to the ticket or any gate CSA counter to get the new boarding pass and make the Upgraded Boarding request there.
Note that if you purchased Upgraded Boarding for the original flight, it will not carry over to the changed one.
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Have a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving Holiday everybody!
SoCalFlyer97 is home for this special day but if you're travelling later tonight or tomorrow...
Some holiday travel tips:
Arrival:
• If you're having a family member or friend drive you to the airport, give yourself lots of extra time. There's likely going to be a large queue of cars waiting. Prepare for the traffic ahead of time for less surprises.
• Check and see if your airport has free unrestricted shuttle service from an alternative pick up/drop off point so you don't have to drive up to a traffic-congested terminal. For example, SAN has a free shuttle that connects to the San Diego Old Town Trolley Station every 15 minutes. Likewise, the car rental facility at LAS is a great alternative for pick up's/drop off's too; just be sure to allow for extra time in case there's a line to get on the shuttle.
• If you're leaving a car at the airport, check the airport's website to see if you can prepay the parking tolls. Airport parking can get very pricey but knowing the rates and paying for them ahead of time can save you some unexpected sticker surprises.
• If your flight is delayed, still arrive at the airport 2 hours prior to the scheduled departure. The estimated actual departure often fluctuates and has been known to "recover" minutes or even hours as the airline works to resolve the delay. Don't be the one who misses the flight by not being at airport on time.
At the Airport:
Take advantage of the Southwest Self Serve Kiosks to: Print Boarding Passes Print Baggage Claim Tickets Change Your Flight
Also the Southwest App to: Change Your Flight Same Day Standby List
TSA Checkpoint Tips:
Download the MyTSA App to check estimated TSA Checkpoint wait times at your airport in advance. Again, less surprises.
If you have Southwest Business Select, Anytime, or an A-List without PreCheck, look for the Priority Express Lane. That's your special lane!
• Several airports have interlinked concourse or terminal airside connectors. That would allow you to use a different TSA Checkpoint in the event the one at your terminal or concourse has a long wait. Be sure to first check with your airport for your options and the extra walking distance required. Some airports like PHX will even mention this on their status monitors.
• Don't forget to empty (but keep) your water bottles before you get in line!
• Have both your boarding pass and ID ready to go at the ID check booth. TSA doesn't always require the boarding pass, but sometimes it does.
• Follow TSA's policy on 311 liquids to the letter.
• When you're going through the primary inspection area, standard screening requires that all items be placed in the tray for screening including jackets, shoes, belts, laptop, and your 311 liquids bag. Have those ready to go! If you've got PreCheck, you know the drill...
• And of course, follow the instructions of the TSA agent, especially if you get pulled for a secondary.
Airside:
• Don't forget to refill 'em water bottles! Have those and some extra snacks in your personal item bag beneath your seat in case your flight is bumpy and there's no snack/beverage service as a result of it, or if your flight experiences a prolonged tarmac delay.
• Try to use the bathroom at the airport before you board your flight. That will reduce the likelihood of having to use the restroom on the plane or be in a situation when you got to go whenever the seatbelt light is on.
• Head to your gate and confirm the status and board time for your flight. If you've got more than approximately 30-45 minutes before board time, feel free to check out the amenities or utilize an empty gate space. If you're within 30-40 minutes of board time, be near the gate area. 15-20 minutes prior, stay at the gate and be ready to listen to the boarding announcements!
If the plane that you're to board is not yet at the gate, you can track it real time with FlightAware or FlightRadar24. Once I see that the plane has landed, that's the time I usually make my way back to the gate.
Boarding:
• Listen the Ops Agent carefully during boarding announcements. This would be an ideal time to combine all belongings into your carry-on and personal item.
• Stay seated until your boarding group is called forth.
• Have your boarding pass ready to go! Screen brightness for digital passes turned all the way up
On the Plane:
• Pick any available open seat. Once you pick your seat, try to clear the aisle as quickly as possible.
• Large Carry On's in the bin with the wheels facing in or out, not to the side; smaller personal items or bags under the seat in front of you (of course, leaving the area around your feet clear).
• Unwritten Rules: When I find an empty seat but somebody else is occupying the other seat, I politely ask them if the seat is available; if they say it's "taken", I move on...Likewise, I don't save seats. Also, the unwritten rule states the one in the window seat decides on the window shades; the one in the middle seat has the armrests in between the seats.
• If the plane has a tarmac hold that may result in a tight or missed connection, let a Flight Attendant know. They may allow you to exit the plane first upon arrival at their discretion.
Most of all: Be patient. Be kind. Be loving in your holiday travels so all our families can be happy!
Safe travels out there and have a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!
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@missb wrote:
My account was hacked and 29,578 points were fraudulently utilized for a flight that I did not authorize. When I contacted customer service, I was told that they could not tell me whom the ticket was issued to. This person was able to fraudulently access my account and steal my points but, I can't know who they are? This is crazy. Also, why was this person able to access my account so easily and make changes without me being notified? Changes should not be made so easily without the proper verification. Better security measures should be in place. I worked very hard to accumulate my points and I am highly upset that a random person was able to steal my points so easily. Has anyone else experienced this? If so, what was the resolution?
Hello!
I would immediately try contacting Southwest again and report the suspect transaction. They should be able to locate the transaction in question and possibly put a stop on it if the flight has not yet been taken.
Once you get a live rep on the phone, I would first say something like "I need to speak with somebody who can help me with an authorized Rapid Rewards Points transaction."
I would also report the theft to the police. While it is unlikely the police will be able to immediately "get" the thief, the police report can be used as documentation and evidence that the transaction was unauthorized.
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@dfwskier wrote:
Learned something new this morning at 12:01.
I decided to look at the website before making the call. I was able to make my same day no cost confirmed change at southwest.com.
I really appreciate the Same Day Confirmed Change benefit for WGA+, Business Select, Anytime, and A-List ticketholders...No change fees! I've used this perk a few times via the App/website...Absolutely worth it! Haven't needed to do Same day Standby List just yet.
Enjoy the benefit and the ease of using it online!
One footnote: There is somebody who I know real well who had a trip from SAN to SAT earlier this month but didn't fly Southwest; they booked third-party and was placed on one of those other "low cost" competitors that turned out to be more expensive than flying via a legacy carrier with all the fees; they could only "dream" of having the free same-day change/standby benefit...
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11-20-2023
12:44 PM
11-20-2023
12:44 PM
@CupCrusher40 wrote:
red writing 2 left at bottom of price square: at price point or plane seats ?
Normally, "X Left" means remaining bookings for the posted price (or fare class sales availability). However, as @dfwskier mentioned, "X Left" could also mean overall flight availability.
One way to check for sure is to start a booking and set the passenger count to any number higher than the "X Left" value (I think 8 would be the max). If the flight in question still appears to be an option, that would mean the "X Left" is for posted price or fare class availability; if the flight shows as "Unavailable" for all the fare classes, the "X Left" would likely mean overall availability.
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11-20-2023
12:32 PM
@dromero
Thanks for bringing this up and your efforts 😊. Hopefully the engagement rings can make their way back to their rightful owners...
Please note that this forum is a customer-to-customer message board that may not get read by Southwest's Lost/Found department. Lost/found claims will most likely not be processed. As @dfwskier mentioned, the found ring should be processed through Southwest's Lost/Found. If not done so already, I would immediately turn it in to a Southwest rep as the lost property was likely to be reported already by the owner.
@twallace I think it would be best that Southwest's Lost/Found department handle the processing of both of these claims. I would not attempt to "process" such a claim among ourselves via this board. If you haven't done so already, I would open a claim here:
https://www.southwest.com/help/day-of-travel/lost-and-found
I would also contact the Lost and Found department of the airports in question too.
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11-20-2023
12:10 PM
11-20-2023
12:10 PM
@floridaguy wrote:
I am planning to visit the Richard Nixon Presidential Library in February of next year. I've flown to Phoenix AZ before on Southwest but not farther west.
I'm looking for advice on which airport would be the best to fly into. Southwest offers several options near Yorba Linda and I'd appreciate any feedback. I do not see any nonstop flights from MCO.
@floridaguy
Being a SoCal resident, I make frequent visits to Yorba Linda although I've never visited the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. I need to put that on my list...
If I were you, I would most likely opt out of the non-stop option and pick SNA. This is mainly to address ground transportation to Yorba Linda. Based on my experience, I would also pick PHX as the layover airport if possible (LAS would be my 2nd choice). Both PHX and LAX have a variety of amenities, are Southwest "hubs", and have multiple departures daily to SNA.
Southwest fares to SNA are usually higher than both LAX/LGB but public transportation from LA County into Yorba Linda is very limited and would almost certainly require a car rental or an expensive Uber/Lyft ride.
Unless you're planning on using the LAX FlyAway express bus and connecting to OC via the local Metrolink or Amtrak system, best to fly into Orange County to avoid this hassle. Traffic in between LAX and east Orange County can be very brutal and paying the "higher" prices to use SNA and not have to sit in traffic in excess of possibly hours might actually be worth it in this case.
Also, if you plan on staying at a traditional hotel while in California, I would also pick any "suburban", non-destination hotel near John Wayne Airport that has free shuttle service to/from SNA airport. That would allow you to skip the car rental and you can then use Uber/Lyft between the hotel and the library without having to pay airport surcharges.
I just checked the Uber fares and the app quoted me about $25 each way from a local hotel near SNA to Yorba Linda (or $20 for shared ride). That could also help neutralize the airfare difference of using SNA instead of LAX.
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@jksobonya wrote:
My fear is that the stands are going to stay up and it's never going to go away entirely ... I feel like they ruined a lot of the LVStrip to prepare for a race that, in the end, not a lot care about.
Today's race day...10pm PST...I'll be in bed by then!
I have another trip to LAS booked after the Christmas holidays. I'll likely have time to swing by the Bellagio area but I predict that no evidence of F1 infrastructure will remain. I saw a few I-beams but most of the other supporters appeared to be the same material used for temporary scaffolding.
One interesting fact though: Quality of life appeared to take a major decline for visitors and workers during the several months leading up to the race going all the way back to last spring. Crews had to close traffic lanes through several sections of Las Vegas Boulevard and other major throughfares along the track route to repave and prep the roadway. That led to serious bottlenecking and standstill congestion in the district which made rush hours in SoCal look like the Priority Express Lane (okay...a little exaggeration).
@jksobonya wrote:
Hotel prices have plummeted this week and I am sure people who paid hundreds/thousands for rooms are a bit ticked that they are quite cheaper now due to apparent lack of demand.
This is a reason why SoCalFlyer97 always picks the "Free Cancellation" option when I hotel shop through the Southwest Hotels and Rocket Miles portals, although to be fair, I did not do a curiosity price check of the Vegas area for this weekend's race when the rates were at their peak levels.
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Hello Community Southwest:
Here's a photo trip report of my recent hotel stay in West Riverside CA earlier this month that was booked through Southwest Hotels.
This is my second stay with the Hampton Inn for this location. No issues at all with Booking or Check-in. Southwest Hotels also had the best pricing of the booking site competition, even before the 900 Points Plus bonus.
Room Type: 1 King Bed Non-Smoking Rapid Rewards Points Plus: 900 SW Hotel Base Rate: $149 w/ Free Cancellation
Competing Booking Site Rates w/ Free Cancellation: Rocket Miles: Not Listed Other 3rd Party Lowest Price: $161 Booking Direct: $160 Standard; $157 w/ Hotel Loyalty
Got the Pool View too!
The "flight" to the Fourth Floor is not full; So feel free to spread out.
It's safe to say: Hilton and Southwest Hotels Delivered again! The 900 points came a few days later.
I wrote a TripAdvisor review of this business-oriented hotel three months ago from my prior stay and it is posted there.
Details of how I shop for hotels and found this deal are outlined here: https://community.southwest.com/t5/Rapid-Rewards/Southwest-Hotels-Rapid-Rewards-Points-Plus-Shopping-Tips/m-p/165178
More Hotel Reports: SoCalFlyer97's October 5 One-Nighters at 5 Hotels Report: https://community.southwest.com/t5/Rapid-Rewards/Oct-23-Southwest-Hotels-Five-One-Night-Trips-at-Five-Points-Plus/m-p/164506
"Up for a rewarding trip" too? https://www.southwesthotels.com/
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11-16-2023
09:29 AM
11-16-2023
09:29 AM
@ndimitru wrote:
Today, again seeing different promotions on the webpage on my PC and on the APP on my phone.
For example, seeing Earn 3X. Companion Pass qualidying points on the APP but not on the webpage.
Seeing The More The Merrrier, 10x total points on the APP but not on the webpage.
Earn 25% bonus on the RR card, seeing this on the APP but not on the webpage.
I think the promo's that get displayed are location-specific. Being in SoCal, I'm getting all different promo's including a 2x CP points promo, not 3x. Here they are:
"As Low as $59" Sale from Los Angeles (expires today) - Both Web/App
"Golden State Opportunity" CP Promo: Earn 2x CP Points on Flights - Website Only
75,000 Points / SW Credit Card Offer - Both Web/App
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11-15-2023
09:56 AM
11-15-2023
09:56 AM
@bec102896 wrote:
So last night I got several schedule change emails but I noticed something different this time on the app. I can change my flight for free 2 times
you used to only get 1 free change is this new?? Anyone else notice this?
Yes. I was also notified that two of my WOW50 bookings posted a schedule change, one of which was a mere five extra minutes of travel time for the departure leg. When I reviewed, the schedule change did "unlock" the free change benefits for both bookings that can be modified up to two times: Change flight dates/times up 14 days before or after original travel date; and change to nearby airport if multiple airports serve the destination/origin city.
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11-14-2023
04:11 PM
@hemiforjin1 wrote:
I was recently excited to receive a notification from SWA regarding a fare sale. So I immediately bit..visited site and typed in my dates. Since I will be using my RW miles, I need to stay witin a certain amount. In selecting the best time to fly calendar I was elated to see a great possibility for us, even gave me the amount which fit into my points. Next I was instructed to select flights and all of a sudden prices where considerably higher than the first page. Is this standard operating procedure? Seems like bait and switch to me, no combination would even come close to previous page even at the cheapest selection..
Hello! Note that this forum is customer-to-customer but I've had similar experiences and therefore echo @dfwskier
Whenever I shop for flights by browsing the Low Fare Calendar (e.g. after seeing "$44" for Saturday flights from SoCal to LAS), there have been many times that I've seen the low fare posted for flight times that won't work for me. Yes, as A-List, I have the option of buying the cheaper flight and using Same Day Flight Change or Standby on travel day, but that runs me into the risk of my desired flight time filling up and not being able to Same Day Flight Change or Standby to it.
I even sometimes get the infamous "Things move fast around here" notice at the top of the page too with all the departures having marked-up fares...
The Fare terms with the Low Fare Calendar disclose that "All fares and fare ranges are subject to change until purchased".
Based on these circumstances, I mainly use the Low Fare Calendar tool to idea-shop. Whenever Southwest posts a sale, I'll make it a priority to look for and book a trip that I need to complete. However, it can sometimes take the entire duration of the sale for me to locate the right deal, find a discounted flight that works into my schedule on days/times where the fare is low, and lock it in.
If you're flexible, you should be able to do the same.
I would follow the advice of the notice whenever it appears when you shop: "Don’t give up! You can still explore other options back at the Low Fare Calendar and see updated fares."
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@floridaguy wrote:
Why bother to document this data?
Simple answer: It's best to have factual data at hand for a hotly debated subject like Pre-boarding.
Again, I'm not going to publish my personal opinion of Southwest's pre-boarding policy nor current federal law on it; I'm just presenting the facts of my trips and sharing what's actually happening at the gate for my flights.
I leave it to the readers of this forum to make their own informed travel decisions and form their own opinions on aviation advocacy for the good of the traveling public.
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@bec102896 wrote:
Hurray for those LAS reserve FAs for the quick fix and only a slight delay I’ve seen similar situations and then it became a 2 hour delay or cancellation I’ll take a 33min delay any day over that.
Where’s the next trip taking you?
Agree!...and that's two for two. Similar situation happened on my return flight from SJC in October: https://community.southwest.com/t5/Inflight-Experience/Oct-23-Photo-Trip-Report-SAN-SJC-with-Halloween-D%C3%A9cor-and-a/m-p/164762
Where is SoCalFlyer97 going next? A trip is scheduled and confirmed for the Bay Area in January but there may have something in between Thanksgiving and Christmas...Just depends if I need to travel then...
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Not going to opine but just stating for the record:
I usually have one or two Southwest roundtrips per month and I've started to document the number of pre-boards for my trips in response to the Pre-board subject on this board. I have been posting them in my last three Photo Trip Reports:
https://community.southwest.com/t5/Inflight-Experience/Nov-23-Photo-Trip-Report-SAN-LAS-with-Formula-1-Track/m-p/165643 Inbound 4, Outbound 3
https://community.southwest.com/t5/Inflight-Experience/Oct-23-Photo-Trip-Report-SAN-SJC-with-Halloween-D%C3%A9cor-and-a/m-p/164762 Inbound 2, Outbound 6
https://community.southwest.com/t5/Inflight-Experience/Sept-23-Promo-Companion-Pass-Photo-Trip-Report-SAN-PHX/m-p/164489 Inbound 3, Outbound 4
Before I started documenting this, I recall the most pre-boards I've seen in 2023 for my flights was one instance where about 10 pre-boarded. Most flights for me have been around 3-5.
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11-13-2023
10:32 AM
11-13-2023
10:32 AM
@sindhuagarwal wrote:
I'm curious if anyone else is facing similar challenges at the moment or has recently.
If you have any insights into potential solutions or workarounds, please share them.
I understand that anything related to IT can unexpectedly go out "at the moment" which could lead to trouble if the mobile boarding pass fails to load upon boarding the plane. Because of that, I take a number of proactive measures. Sometime after the 24 hour mark prior to departure:
1. I'll log onto the App, view the Boarding Pass and select the option to save the screenshot of it so that the image is stored locally on the device and can be accessed in case there's trouble with the internet signal or Southwest App when it's time to board the flight. 2. I'll also log into the website and also download the Print version of the Boarding Pass. If I have access to a printer, I'll also print the paper copy; otherwise, if I don't have access to a printer, I'll use my confirmation number to print a copy of it at the Airport kiosk on travel day.
When I board (and whenever TSA asks for it during the ID check process at the TSA checkpoint), I typically use the print version and have had no problems. However I always have the digital one saved in the event the paper one gets lost or the barcodes cannot be read by the scanners.
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Greetings Everybody!
SoCalFlyer97 took a day trip to LAS. This trip was booked entirely with Rapid Reward points from September's WOW50 sale with the inbound trip later rebooked thanks to a fare drop in October under the "Wanna get away with low fares?" sale. Las Vegas Boulevard is certainly turning into a racetrack complete with temporary grandstands for its upcoming F1 Grand Prix event to take place the following weekend Nov 16-18 with the 50 lap race taking place on Saturday.
I was not there for any F1 business but had a chance to walk along the boulevard to provide you with the construction progress shots. Let me tell you straight up: The cost to sit in one of those black VIP chairs...gonna run you a few grand!
But there's an airport "VIP" program that doesn't cost much at all and certainly holds its value in my opinion. This is a must-have travel tip that I share to many folks. I encourage readers on this board to get TSA PreCheck if you qualify for it, or even Global Entry that comes with PreCheck if you have any thoughts or plans to go international, even if it's across a land border, even if it's just for a few trips here and there.
Membership in both programs lasts five years and for this trip, I felt like a Vegas VIP because the PreCheck lane from SAN had absolutely no waiting at the TSA Checkpoint. The regular line was nearly full.
If you don't or cannot get PreCheck, remember that Southwest's A-Listers, Business Select and Anytime ticketholders can use the Priority Express Lane. Also don't forget CLEAR.
Outbound Flight: Plane: 737-700 Florida One Full Flight, On Time Preboarders: 4
Farewell SAN!
Gotta have those Remy Grahams with free OJ. Also brought my water bottle and refilled it after clearing TSA.
Welcome to LAS!
My little "private" concourse wasn't so private today:
LAS flew a good amount of flights from this area and most of the gates were in use. Still not nearly as crowded compared to other areas of the airport and got a bunch of remote work done while waiting for my appointment.
Took care of my business, now let's see how Las Vegas Boulevard is shaping up with the F1 Race.
The journey begins on the northern end at the Mirage hotel where crews built one of several temporary grandstands. I've been reading that tickets to sit in this area cost in excess of over $2,300-$4,300 a pop for the 3-day event. As of the week of 11/5, the Ticketmaster prices for this area posted as follows:
The Mirage Grandstands $2398 Each (3-Day Ticket All Ages with Complimentary food, water and soft drinks); The Mirage VIP Seats (standard seats but with added perks) $8720 for Two.
Crews appear to be building another grandstand in front of the Venetian. According to the F1 website, this is marked as the "Venetian Zone" but I did not see any tickets posted for sale for this area nor any notes that the area is sold out. Room Packages sold by the Venetian appear to include tickets for another area of the race, not this location. Likely a private VIP area.
Going a short distance further south, is the Sports Illustrated Club area:
$1750 Thursday, $1750 Friday, $3500 Saturday, $7630 All 3 Days Perks included access to Club SI, a shared hospitality space; All-inclusive food and beverage menu, including beer, wine, and spirits.
And finally, the Bellagio Fountain Club seating:
This appears to be a mini VIP stadium area built directly in front of the Bellagio hotel. Take a look at these prices: $11,247 each excluding Required Minimum Hotel Stay at an MGM Resorts Property. Ticket included all 3 days, premium track views, meet-and-greets with F1 Ambassadors, access to the Club’s private indoor and rooftop hospitality decks, Unlimited curated menu by celebrity chefs, premium bar featuring selections by master mixologists and sommeliers.
Let me just tell you this:
After I completed my business and before I took my photo walk along LV Boulevard, I spent lunch with a friend of mine at a casual dining, non-celebrity restaurant near the Bellagio grandstand. We had the time of our lives, enjoyed quality food, for great prices! I don't think I'm missing out on anything by not paying five figures for a sports event.
For the record, F1's basic packages are located near the Sphere. These packages included complimentary food by Wolfgang Puck Catering, water and soft drinks, access to live entertainment in T-Mobile Zone at Sphere featuring J Balvin, Major Lazer and Mark Ronson. The $500 3 Day General Admission Standing Rate was sold out as of the week of 11/5.
Some additional shots of the track:
Time to head back!
Did I mention TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are worth it? How about another no-wait processing via the PreCheck Lane:
Now that's VIP!
Return Flight: Plane: 737-700 Full Flight, On Time until... Preboarders: 3
So this flight was due to depart on time. Everything was looking good. The Ops Gate Agent called up the A-Group to line up. Just before, the pre-board group was cleared to get on, there was a crew emergency; one of the Flight Attendants had to deplane and return home.
The Gate agent had everybody sit back down but quickly assured us the flight was still a go but the crew needed time to find a replacement flight attendant and get them reassigned to this flight. The replacement FA arrived at the gate approximately 20 minutes later with a nice applause as she walked through. A short while later, we all boarded.
Despite the personnel issue, the flight ended up being only 33 minutes tardy out of the gate according to FlightAware, recovered about 10 minutes en-route and arrived at SAN 24 minutes after the 7:15pm scheduled arrival. That's excellent in my opinion considering a last-minute crew emergency. It could have been much worse. Kudos to our Southwest Ops once again!
Some nice skyline views of Vegas and Downtown San Diego:
Safe Travels!
SoCalFlyer97
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11-08-2023
09:19 AM
11-08-2023
09:19 AM
@nefcc wrote:
Rarely do you get to see such a noble gesture from flight crew these days. Sitting in the aisle, I suddenly lost my right ear bud, a fairly expensive one. Tried for a few minutes in vain. Brandy, the flight attendant was not new to this situation. She comforted me immediately. The team took special efforts after the passengers disembarked, found it elsewhere from my seat, gave it back to me waiting outside, to my utter surprise and gratitude. They even made the next set of passengers wait to board before the flight continued on to Boise, while searching for it. Thank you Southwest! Thank you Brandy and team🙏
Great to hear this!
Based on my experience, both ground and flight Southwest staff are really good about accommodating passengers who accidently leave items on the plane after they deplane but immediately notice it upon walking into the terminal (e.g. On one of my recent flights, somebody left their earbuds on the plane when they deplaned. Since passengers are not allowed back on once they leave, the Gate Ops agent instead came aboard and alerted the FA's of the lost item. The FA's, made an announcement to the next set of passengers to look for a pair of earbuds in the seatback pocket and to push the call button if found...they were found and the Gate agent returned the earbuds to their rightful owner).
Since this forum is customer-to-customer, would you forward your compliment in an email to Southwest Customer Service so they can process it:
www.southwest.com/html/contact-us/
Safe and happy travels!
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