Southwest Airlines Community

@PhillipSmith wrote: Great news! ??? ... View more

Thanks so much! ... View more

@DancingDavidE definitely agree, I tried to suggest booking the placeholder spot in my original response but I guess I should have emphasized "do it" more than just suggest it being optional. Thankfully I've not yet been in a sold out situation, but someday it's bound to happen.   Generally we're booking at least two weeks out, holiday travel is already booked, and we tend to book the companion ticket immediately and cancel later if the companion ticket is not needed after finalizing plans (work schedules never let us know for certain if we can travel together until the last minute). We get anxious when we see there's only 1 WGA fare left (at least at that particular price). CP adds a whole new level of strategy when booking trips.  ... View more

Publicized or not, it's one of the stupidest things I've ever seen Southwest do.   (Also, that message appears on every change -- refundable or not. Which makes it even more nonsensical.)   Refundable fares, that become non-refundable if you make any change to the itinerary?!   Absurd.   Yes, the solution is to simply cancel and rebook all refundable fares. But if, as Southwest says, this is caused by a limitation in the new "next generation operating system," then why not fix that limitation? Or make it so that any "change" to a refundable fare is processed behind the scene as a "cancel and rebook"?   I think we know the answer.   This is going to burn many people. Especially those Business Travelers that Southwest has tried so hard  -- with varying success -- to get.   Say your company requires the purchase of a refundable fare, so they book Anytime. Then the flyer pays out of pocket to upgrade to Business Select. Then they need to cancel. The ticket is no longer refundable to the company, but is now locked in use to the flyer.   What might be the effect on companies using Southwest going forward?   Stupid, short-sighted decision, Southwest. 😞 ... View more

Take a look at https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/airport-experience/tsaprecheck.html   If I remember correctly, the opt-in process is no longer needed/required to be considered for random inclusion in PreCheck....  "TSA will also proactively prescreen Passengers who are traveling, with the goal of possibly pre-clearing more Passengers to use TSA PreCheck lanes. These passengers will not be required to submit any additional information, submit an application, or pay a fee."   Even if you only travel a few times a year PreCheck is well worth the time/money/hassle to get. Knowing for certain you'll have access to PreCheck lines eliminates so much time previously wasted at the airport and removes the worry about how bad security will be and how early to arrive at the airport.  Additionally, just one international trip justified getting Global Entry vs standard PreCheck for me so consider that option too.    ... View more

As stated previously, it would need to be in a box and would probably be considered oversized. Based on the link you posted, you'd be better off ordering a new table and having it shipped to your destination.  ... View more

Good question. The way the policy is written it makes it sound like one adult could board during family boarding with the 6 year old, but because there's two adults the 9 year old and the other adult would board in their assigned boarding position. Here's the policy: An adult traveling with a child six years old or younger may board during Family Boarding.    In reality, yes, the whole family could probably get away with boarding during family boarding, but you're at the mercy of the gate agent. As the adults had already purchased EBCI, waiting for family boarding would probably be a downgrade (assuming they get A boarding positions with EBCI) so purchasing EBCI for the kids would probably result in a better boarding position and be more of a sure thing vs waiting to see how the gate agent interprets policy.        ... View more

Points post to your account AFTER your trip is completed.  Points for flights are generally within 24 hours after they are completed and hotels will most likely take several days. ... View more

Yeah, not the best IT. All I can say is keep checking the booking screen price at least once a day, prices often go down even without an announced sale.  ... View more

You could try the BWI Lost and Found since it was lost at the airport, not on a flight. (410) 859-7387 ... View more

While in general terms, the overhead should be ok, be warned if you're on a full flight there may be lots of folks pretty upset if you're taking up more than your share of bin space. I could see some irritated flyer trying to cram their suitcase on top of your dress or squishing your dress between two suitcases. Remember, not everyone will be super nice and caring about your dress. If you can place it nicely into a suitcase (either carry-on or checked) that would be my suggestion. Don't just assume that because the dress will lay in the overhead that you won't have any problems.  ... View more

Well, checked baggage is treated like checked baggage. There are so many bags going on and off in such a quick amount of time that I wouldn't check anything and expect it to be treated differently. While I've never had any problems with how Southwest has treated my luggage, if you're worried I wouldn't check it.   Any chance it meets the size requirements for carry-on?  Southwest Airlines limits carryon bag dimensions to 10 x 16 x 24 inches. ... View more

I believe it was a weather related delay in BWI however my issue is, if SWA knew my grandmother would have no chance of making connection why would they even allow them to take off? It seems crazy to me to have her fly to BWI only to have to sleep at airport or make other accommodations on her own. Very sad.  ... View more

Southwest does not, but you could bring one. I've used one on many Southwest flights and never had any issues. Just ask the folks sitting behind you nicely and give a brief reassurance that it won't affect them at all as you install it.  ... View more

On our trip to Cancun and Playa del Carmen we took a day trip to Tulum and really enjoyed it, and hope to return for an extended visit sometime.   Tulum has great beaches, many smaller hotels/accomodations, and lots of restaurants and activities.   In particular the area south of the ruins and town have a strip of hospitality places along the beach. We ate at an amazing Italian place! Apparently the area had been known for European tourists much before it became popular with U.S. visitors. Lots of botique hotels, restaurants, and shops, and definitely visit the ruins on one of the days.   You'd fly to Cancun on Southwest and drive or shuttle down there. ... View more

Check out Southwest's young traveler guide: https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/family/young-travelers.html   It does say the child should have something for proof of age in addition to contact information for adults dropping off and picking up the child. The guide also talks about the escort pass which you can get to go to the gate with the child.  ... View more

@franktravel is pretty well traveled and may be able to offer some suggestions. I love the commitment to using Southwest for your Bahamas trip, @Carrieh0920!  ... View more

Assuming that you are looking at purchasing Wanna Get Away fares/tickets just purchase an additional ticket for the infant with their name listed as the passenger. If you are looking at Anytime fares/tickets you can call a request the child discount, but it will not be cheaper than the Wanna Get Away fare. Purchasing Wanna Get Away tickets for children also means you do not need to provide proof of their age as you would have to do with an Anytime fare and TSA doesn't require ID for any minor. When you get to the gate, inform the gate agent you would like to gate check a stroller and they'll tag it for you. It can then be left plane side when you board. Family boarding is between the A and B boarding groups or if you all have A boarding passes you can board in the A group as assigned. Have a great trip!  ... View more

I know the perfect person... @franktravel. I believe this one is right up your alley.    ... View more

Thanks for the clarification, @chgoflyer. Yes, there are restrictions, but none of them have to do with children or age. Also @knightchow, if you've got any other little ones, bear in mind that children under the age of 2 are allowed to travel free as lap children.    ... View more

Depending on the time of day (traffic) and your adventure level you can always research a local place to eat and Uber for a sample of a local delicacy.  ... View more

Dang it, moot, mute... You win that one. It's too early and I shouldn't be posting before I've had my caffeine.  ... View more

Thanks ... View more

As long as you earn the required number of points within the calendar year you will achieve status.  You can use points throughout the year and that does not set you back in regards to achieving status.  Keep in mind though, you do not earn points for flights purchased with points. ... View more

You generally can get a one-time six month extension of an expired voucher but that is an exception that can be taken away at anytime, keep that in mind. ... View more

You didn't explain how, why, or when you paid the $200.  ... View more