Southwest Airlines Community

I heckled and my Android OS was already upgraded to 11. I’m tempted to by an iPad just so I can watch movies on my flights.  ... View more

Yes, and that issue was fixed when it was brought their attention.  ... View more

These trip reports are so enjoyable to read! Thanks for sharing @SoCalFlyer97  ... View more

@vollyhawk wrote: Very good data, and I agree with almost all of what you said; however,    A. Southwest could make this better with a software change by cutting off Early Bird purchases when all A Group boarding passes are gone. -or- B. Allow Early Bird people who have paid real $$ to board before family boarding.   It is that simple, but they won't because this is about income via the EB fees collected. Purchasing EB amounts to "gambling". You are paying money and hoping you get an A Boarding pass and you have no idea if you will or not. Why should there be a gamble? S/W should just insure that you'll go as soon as possible over anyone else who didn't pay extra.   I also didn't touch on gate agents enforcement of Southwest policy for family boarding, although many others do on here.  Gate agents often send those needing extra time to get down the gangway first. Even before A Boarding.  They also do not enforce the family boarding policy of two adults only with the child or children under 7. I see huge families line up, aunts, uncles, etc.    I just don't believe the company should sell Early Bird boarding if you don't board before families holding C boarding passes. If families want to sit close to each other, then they should have to buy that option. I can see the idea to cap EB sales but I don't think the airline is going to consider changing this policy as the primary benefit of EB is "Automatic check-in" per the Marketing language on their website; the second being "Better boarding position" with the statement that an A-position is not guaranteed. There are passengers who like the convenience of having the airline do an auto-check in and are willing to pay for it. Capping EB sales would alienate this group.   Even in my "You're going to (destination)" confirmation emails, the marketing message for EB is "Don't miss out on automatic check-in: EarlyBird Check-In reserves your boarding position at 36 hours before your flight, earlier than regular check-in."   As mentioned, I don't opt for EB because I have the ability to check in at the 24 hour mark and can purchase Upgraded Boarding if I get a deep-in-the-B boarding position.    I believe Family Boarding is where it needs to be and left as-is because it involves traveling with children ages six and under; it is best that there be enough open seats on the plane where the child can sit together with at least one of the accompanying adults.   If you're looking for a solid A-position, I would suggest going forward if you book WGA or WGA+ (and if you're able to check in manually at the 24 hour mark) to opt for Upgraded Boarding once you check in instead of buying EB.   Purchasing for Upgraded Boarding opens at the 24 hour mark to sell the remaining A1-A15 slots that were not sold as part of Business Select. It does cap out once all of the A1-A15 slots are sold. It's a little more pricey than EB and the benefit is per flight segment, but if there are spots available, you'll be in the A1-A15 group. I've always been able to snag a solid position at the 24 mark, even for full flights headed in the peak travel direction (e.g. SAN to LAS on a Friday). Just keep in mind that Upgraded Boarding is not refundable and any passenger-initiated same-day flight changes or standby's forfeits the purchase. https://www.southwest.com/upgraded-boarding/   I would also still send your original letter to Southwest and they should also be able to provide you with some official information and tips on these two services.   Also, being a frequent flyer, do you think you may hit A-List before 2024? If so, that's another option as you'll be ahead of both the EB and Anytime fare group in terms of boarding position if you buy your flight at least 36 hours in advance. You'll also be able to board in between the A and B groups as a worst case scenario.   Hope this helps! ... View more

I remember reading about that LAS issue that’s unfortunate for them since they already have issues because of the runway construction  ... View more

@LWP wrote: GM!   I travel a lot—at least every week— and I’m a SWA loyalist.     I heard something new today from an attendant: it’s a Federal Aviation Regulation, (FAR) that roller boards must be wheels in or out in the front bin.  A courtesy? Yes, absolutely.  Especially on a full flight.  But this flight had at least 100 opens.    I just acknowledged the request, and sat a couple of rows back. These attendants deal with enough idiots, no need to add to the stress.   BUT… I am curious, I checked the FARs and didn’t see mention of this.   Does anyone know? As in not putting it in there sideways?   My guess is that this is to maximize the number of people in that section that can put their small personal items up above since there isn't any underseat space for them in the bulkhead row, as well as FA items and safety items taking up some of the space there.   Making it an FAR sounds like a stretch to me, the FAA would have to make separate rules for all different aircraft configurations.     ... View more

@Sasgirl wrote: This might be a weird question. If I want to upgrade my boarding position would the credit card I used for purchasing the tickets be used or would I be able to enter a new one? I'm a frequent buyer of Upgraded Boarding and have the option to use a different credit card to purchase it when I purchase after checking in via the Southwest website. I assume the same applies when checking in and purchasing via the App. Note that there is no option to buy this option with Rapid Rewards points, LUV Vouchers, Flight Credits or Southwest Gift Card. ... View more

@ZevSupport wrote: Typing is fine, but it does get a bit tight when the person in front of me moves back OR when I have a drink. I guess I just make it work.  Tablet and tablet keyboard FTW, doesn't cover up the little drink holder area.      ... View more

@SoCalFlyer97 wrote: Also locked in a September rountrip to LAS for $49 each way yesterday before the sale expired. However, I had to book WGA to get the best of this deal (I usually book WGA+ so I have free sameday flight change/standby benefit).     Only 25 flights in a year and you can be A List and same day changes are free. Depending on how much you travel you might take advantage of the sale to get a few segments to get A List and then you can in theory book the healers flight of the day and change to the most expensive day of as long as a seat exists (comes in handy during holidays when they mark up prices for prime time flights even if not sold out) I got ahead of the game this year with the $29 sale they did last year so I don’t get stuck with December day trips  ... View more

@tappingmom1 wrote: DancingDavidE said: "so I’m here in a middle seat now..."   Why, DancingDavidE, why???  I'm sad for you...😥 No worries!   I had A16 even a little better position than usual, but pre-boarded with my mom and I had her take the window while I took the middle. Full flight so not much chance of sitting aisle/window that close to the front.          ... View more

@Sgbryan wrote: I called in to upgrade my trip. There was an error with processing. So, I called back and was told that my trip had been cancelled due to a error in processing.  They did not call me! I called them. Had I not, I would have been at the airport with a cancelled trip. I had to pay for the upgrade again and received boarding passes that had not been upgraded. I called back in and was told that I would receive an email, which I have not and the refund would take a billing cycle.  I am extremely surprised in the lack of empathy that each representative had, the inability to take ownership for their mistake and the lack of communication.  I have never experienced anything like this. And, yes... It was every person I spoke with. If I have a choice, I would not recommend this company for anything. Especially if you are looking to enjoy a vacation.  Hello!   I'm not sure what exactly you experienced as the description of the incident is a bit broad. I find it highly unusual for a computer glitch to cancel a flight reservation with multiple Southwest CSA's not being able to restore or rebook it for you.  A few questions that may help:   Was your original flight reservation booked directly through Southwest? When you attempted to upgrade your trip, did you contact Southwest directly to request the upgrade and what upgrade were you attempting to apply to your reservation (i.e. Fare class upgrade, Early Bird Check-In, Upgraded Boarding)? What exactly happened when you received word that the there was an "error in processing" followed by the reservation being cancelled? Describe the sequence of events. Where there any other possible circumstances that would have flagged this reservation for "error in processing" cancellation during the upgrade process (e.g. open issue/dispute with the form of payment used for the original reservation, reservation conflict with another booking, etc)? The airline should be able to provide a more specific reason.   I would try contacting Southwest again on this to see if you are due a LUV Voucher to compensate for the difference in the rebooked fare for this incident. ... View more

That is a helpful explanation. Thanks! ... View more

You can’t link the reservation to your account however there is a manage reservation button on the app you can type in the confirmation number and name then you can view their reservation but you can’t add your RR account to their reservation    if you are traveling with them on that confirmation number you can add your number when you look up the reservation and then you can see it on your account and earn your points for your ticket (they earn their own points)  ... View more

That's sad to hear. Oversells happen and there are some rules in place for them. All that has to be done is to follow them.   Must be one snack too many at Disney this time - you have 50 flights in a year without being COS and now they want to use that as a reason all of a sudden? Ugh.       ... View more

Contact the CEO and insist on compensation.  That's the only way to make a point with a publicly traded organization.      ... View more

Earthquake feelings/policy?   Snow feelings/policy?   High Winds feelings/policy?   High Temperature feelings/policy?     Where does it all end? ... View more

@Bevawn wrote: Hi all, I am so frustrated! My husband purchased my flight using his points. I now need to change the flight to the next morning and when I went to Change Flight,, it said  that I needed an additional almost 4k points. So I purchased 4k points and went back to change the flight and THEN it said I needed to log into his account to make the change. Ughhhh!  Why wasn’t there a warning when I went to change it in the first place? Had it said that, I would have logged into his account to purchase the points. Now I am out of money, have points that are useless for what I purchased them for and can’t change my flight!   I’m sure I know the answer, but does anyone know of a workaround here?!  Hello- Yes, as the other posters have indicated, the traveler holding the flight reservation should be logged into his/her account prior to making the Rapid Reward points purchase to be applied toward the traveler's flight.   At this point, l would contact Southwest Customer Service and have a CSA assist. https://www.southwest.com/html/contact-us/   Let them know that your intention of the 4,000 point purchase was to apply it toward the traveler's existing reservation. They should be able to assist you with getting the points applied to the traveler (they helped me greatly when I purchased Upgraded Boarding 24 hours prior to a trip that I made last winter only to be notified a few hours later of a late winter weather Travel Advisory for my home airport that prompted me to rebook the trip for another day...The CSA refunded the Upgraded Boarding purchase and assisted me with the rebooking).   Just be sure when you call to make it clear to the CSA of your intentions of this purchase.   ... View more

@DancingDavidE wrote: Fun pro-tip!   Was it as easy with any roller bags to get through the bus vs the connector? I had forgotten that it was separate fare from BART on the connection, or can you buy a day pass or other option to avoid separate fares?   Thanks also - I looked it up after my post and didn't realize Muni was only SF and East Bay have their own regional bus system...but close enough!   The bus was probably easier of the two options for roller bags as the bus boards at street level at OAK, BART Beige Line peoplemover had aerial stations similar to the Disney and Las Vegas Monorail which requires going up one floor.   The Coliseum BART station is also aerial with the bus stop at street level, main BART tracks on the 2nd floor and the Beige Line peoplemover on the 3rd floor. The Beige Line is similar to other peoplemovers with limited seating and wide-open floor space for standing.    AC Transit and BART are separate operators but both use a universal Bay-area "Clipper" fare card as an option to deduct fares. ... View more

@SoCalFlyer97 wrote: @oscarjuvera wrote: Hi everyone, does anyone know if I can bring with me an iron to iron my clothes? It's not a steamer nor a fancy one, it's a target classic iron.  Hi Oscar-   I didn't see any restrictions on TSA's website on bringing common clothing irons for checked or carry-on. I think an iron may be defined as a large electronic device but I could be wrong.   I would therefore remove the iron from the carry-on bag and keep it separate or in the tray when running it through the x-ray machine at the TSA Checkpoint for both PreCheck and Standard screening and putting back into the carry-on after clearing TSA just in case an officer needs to review the iron. Make sure it doesn't have water in it if you are carrying it on.   I don't see any issue with it in checked luggage for sure. It would be a little odd for a carry-on as most hotels have them at your destination but if you aren't staying at a hotel then maybe you need your own.   I'm also assuming it plugs in and does not have a battery, you said it was a Target classic iron. Otherwise battery restrictions would apply.     ... View more

@SoCalFlyer97 wrote: @Laura_Javier wrote: Subject: Formal Discrimination Complaint Regarding Flight Attendant Conduct   Upon entering the aircraft, I was already fatigued due to the significant delay (2.5 hours) in our flight. As the flight attendant approached to train us on emergency procedures, I briefly turned my face towards my friend, who was seated nearby, to seek assistance with fastening my seatbelt. However, the flight attendant abruptly interrupted her instructions and admonished me to pay attention.   Hi Laura- I would forward your letter in an email addressed directly to Southwest Customer Relations for review as this a customer-to-customer forum. https://www.southwest.com/html/contact-us/   However, having taken several Southwest flights, I can provide input on sitting in the Emergency Exit Row. Going forward, I would wait on the seat belt assistance until the FA is done with the Exit Row Training Briefing; FA's need to brief and train the passengers seated in the Emergency Exit Row on the emergency exit procedure which requires passengers to be fully involved in case of an evacuation. This includes an acknowledgement that would require full attention of the training briefing. The training is typically done about 10-15 minutes before the flight staff close the front door and FA's commence the general safety information briefing and final checks on seatbelts. Thus, if such a situation arise again, I would hold on the seatbelt, focus on the briefing first and then assist.   Hope this helps! However, I would forward your case to Customer Relations if you believe you were unfairly treated on the enforcement of this policy. I would echo @SoCalFlyer97 here that the FA have been taking it very seriously on my recent flights and you do have to pay attention and verbally reply that you are willing and able to help in the event of an emergency.    The last two flights I've been on they were very close to moving people out of the exit row for not paying attention to the briefing. One of these could have been a language barrier question about whether the person was understanding the duties, the other one was just a clueless person that hadn't been in the exit row before.   Here's an article on the topic as well, I think they could have gotten into deeper.  https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/read-this-before-you-take-an-emergency-exit-row-seat/2019/04/17/f43c0162-5af3-11e9-a00e-050dc7b82693_story.html   If you do want to follow up with the airline though use the Contact Southwest Customer Service methods as this forum is passengers helping passengers and we can't take any official action.       ... View more

@CupCrusher40 wrote: the price not shown on  southwest.com reservation page after the purchase page clicked off click on any current flight and then on resend receipt ... View more

Well, it is refreshing to know that we've moved away from misuse of family boarding and the unlimited carry on that goes on at MCO. ... View more

@DancingDavidE wrote: @srogers19 wrote: Thank you! Yes I did mean upgraded boarding, so I will try when I am within 24 hours of boarding. Thanks again Ill report back with any issues 🙂 Just to clarify I've usually seen this the same day of the flight, I'm not sure if they offer it when you check in at T-24 for a flight the next day. It is usually something you get at the airport.   Yes, Upgraded Boarding is available for sale on the phone app and website at the 24 hour mark and after completing check-in. Since I normally don't buy Early Bird Check-In, I usually make the decision to buy Upgraded Boarding at the 24 hour mark if I check in and get a deep B or further back position and flight demand appears to be high enough where the probability of a full flight will be likely. ... View more

I'm re-reading and it sounds like you did have a gate pass - did the podium understand that you weren't also flying? I think this is the mix-up. The gate sees only the two kids and knows what would be best. The podium though it was two older kids and an adult who don't qualify for family boarding.     ... View more

@SoCalFlyer97 wrote: @sshoate wrote: I just came back from a trip to Miami. I really didn't have anything expensive. But, for some reason the TSA wanted to steal worn earrings and small bottle 50ml of unopened alcohol. They really had to dig because my suitcase was packed. Then, they unzipped my toiletries bag opened my toothbrush holder and done whatever with it. I dont want to even know but there were brown spot in the bristles and on the side. I through the entire thing in the TRASH! I'm wondering are they taking bags in a secluded area to go through and steal whatever or is EVERYONE working for TSA thieves and no one says anything!!  And, if you put a lock on your bag they will break it steal your items do disgusting things to your toothbrush. So you come out way worse then just the stolen items. Ive learned my lesson, if there are items other than clothes put in carry on or personal item. I didnt have this problem with any other airline. As much as flights are there should be cameras EVERYWHERE TSA agents would take your luggage. Fire them..its a revolving job anyway sobthey would not be out much! I'm sure a full day's flights would pay for them. It would slow down the thievery and inappropriate things. Just a thought!!   Hello-   My experiences through the TSA checkpoint have always been professional both at my home airport at SAN and abroad. I think the alcohol may have flagged the carry-on for secondary inspection. Did you use the PreCheck or standard screening lane? If standard screening, was the 3-1-1 bag with the alcohol properly removed from the luggage before running it through the x-ray machine?   I'm able to use the PreCheck lane and should my bag get pulled for a secondary, I usually ask what specifically they're looking for and I'll point the agent to the appropriate area of the bag to assist them with their inspection. I always have my laptop, electronics and 3-1-1 bag packed in an area that can be easily accessed in the event of a secondary. Here's TSA's guidelines on alcohol for carry-on:   Alcohol: Permitted if less than or equal to 3.4oz/100 ml and stowed in a 3-1-1 compliant quart-sized bag.   If you believe everything in your carry-on and 3-1-1 bag was compliant and you believe your property was unfairly damaged or taken during an routine secondary inspection, I would file a complaint and provide your approximate time you went through the TSA Checkpoint, airport location and checkpoint location, which lane (standard lane or PreCheck), and flight number. The checkpoints have decent surveillance which should allow for a proper investigation.   https://www.tsa.gov/contact-center/form/complaints I think they were referring to their checked luggage. This still seems out of the ordinary though, and likely still the case that the liquid items were what caused it to be investigated further in the back.     ... View more

@SoCalFlyer97 wrote:   Plane spotting from 37,000 feet over the Temblor Range area of the Coastal Range facing the Central Valley. Anybody know the flight details of the bird below? Appeared to be a 737-700 headed somewhere from northern California toward LAX or SBA (Photo Timestamp: 6/22/23, 4:36pm, 23mins after takeoff; Flight 3595 SJC-SAN).               Our friends at Flightradar24 confirmed that the Southwest Boeing 737-700 that I spotted from my window seat over the Temblor Range mountains which crossed 4,000' beneath my flight route was SW Flight 458 that departed from OAK at 4:05p and was headed to LAX, cruising at 33,000'.  ... View more

Hello! Since this forum is customer-to-customer, I would email Southwest or contact Customer Relations with a brief message outlining the incidents involving your trip as well as a line-item detail of all your accommodation costs accrued as a result of your flight being cancelled. This appears to be a controllable cancellation in which Southwest has committed to provide complimentary accommodation.   However, I find it strange that the gate CSA who rebooked your Sunday cancelled segment to Tuesday said "no" when you found a Monday transportation option and wanted to move forward with that. Normally, protocol would be for the CSA to refund you for the cancelled segment regardless of which fare class you booked so you can move forward with your Monday alternative. I would bring this up to Customer Relations. ... View more