12-29-2023
11:40 PM
12-29-2023
11:40 PM
@Ms_Lis wrote:
Also, which is better under the circumstances:
Business Select with A1-A15 priority boarding, or
Anytime fares with EarlyBird check-in?
Back to your original question I think the usefulness of these are different.
For the little extra money to go from Anytime to BS I would say always go BS to get the 12x points and earlier position. It is leaps and bounds better when comparing the two refundable options.
Other than the possibility of through passengers previously discussed, preboarders who usually take the front few rows, you'll be one of the first ones on so very good chances for something towards the front or exit row. Note that I often see through passengers just stay where they are and not take the exit rows FWIW.
Anytime with EBCI is getting you after all of the A-list so you might still be good for an aisle or a window but there will probably be 30 or so people before you and sometimes more.
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12-29-2023
09:30 PM
12-29-2023
09:30 PM
@Ms_Lis wrote:
I've been flying Southwest for a while, so I'm familiar with the procedures.
I'm just wondering how much benefit there is when there are through passengers already aboard.
There are plenty of times when a flight is offered as a through passenger route but in practice there aren't very many. For instance a flight number starts on the east coast, goes through Midway, and then to Orlando - not too many people actually use the through passenger option on that one, they get better connections through BWI, ATL, BNA, etc.
You can consider if your flight is in a straight line of a continuing flight or right angle maybe there will be more, if its a route where there is a massive double-back then probably fewer.
But there isn't any way to know ahead of time unfortunately.
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12-29-2023
09:27 PM
12-29-2023
09:27 PM
@calcifer wrote:
Hello, I have searched this forum with no clear answer. When purchasing the $8 wifi, can I please switch devices and use one at a time, as other airlines have standard. Thank you
I don't think is an available option right now.
I would sent it in as a suggestion using the Contact Southwest Customer Service methods, I'll do the same.
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@pthompsen81 wrote:
Is this a suitable pet carrier to bring onto the plane? We fly out tomorrow and want to make sure since it does say on label its airline friendly
If it goes under the seat in front of you it should be good, I can't eyeball the dimensions but you can check it against this posted policy info:
https://www.southwest.com/pets/#:~:text=Acceptable%20Pet%20Carriers%3A,as%20pet%20carriers%20are%20acceptable.
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12-28-2023
11:04 PM
12-28-2023
11:04 PM
Very low - don't check anything you can't live without or valuable as there is some slight risk.
Priceless item times 0.005 still equals priceless.
Here's an infographic from a CNET article that you might enjoy on the topic. You can see there is a range from 1 to 6 per 1,000 so the rate of mishandling is less than half a percent for Southwest.
https://www.cnet.com/culture/airline-most-likely-to-lose-your-luggage/
If you can, I'd suggest to put an airtag in the bag as a fall back measure in case it does go missing - which still you are likely to get it back even if it is delayed - but then on the rare occasion it goes missing and can't be found you may be able to provide some direction.
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Send a kudos by social media or using the Contact Southwest Customer Service and you can lodge an official "thank you" to Joy.
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12-28-2023
10:56 PM
12-28-2023
10:56 PM
@kdenflyer wrote:
I get the same error in a private incognito window.
Also, I still get emails for the discussion boards I subscribed to, so the account is still active in a sense. I just cannot login to it.
I will need the help of a moderator if I am to recover my account.
Tagging @CarlyeThornton can you help?
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12-28-2023
10:54 PM
12-28-2023
10:54 PM
@makenkizo wrote:
@DancingDavidE Thank you for reassuring me and giving me data regarding flight safety. I've heard of it before but probably the influence of these movies are much greater 😄 I also heard accidents usually happens right after take off or during landing, these are the moments where I pray dearly for safety 🙂
Turbulence is also another thing that scares me but I've seen a pilot explaining that it is almost impossible to crash during turbulence but planes shaking like crazy will definitely scare anyone I believe 😄
Feel free to go for a "Hail Mary" at that time if it is your religion or any other prayer if it reassures you.
If you wear your seatbelt when seated then you are in great shape for surprise turbulence. It's easier to avoid in the USA domestic flights since there are so many planes flying around and each one lets the others know if it gets bumpy, whether to go higher or lower, etc. International (over the sea) can be a little more surprising since there isn't as much opportunity for warning. The biggest danger is to the Flight Attendants who will be walking in the cabin and not wearing seatbelts.
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@makenkizo wrote:
@SoCalFlyer97
Furthermore, I'm afraid of flying, maybe because of watching too many documentaries or movies 😄
Movies yes, documentaries maybe if you are watching ones about accidents but you'll find when normalized by passenger mile that commercial air travel is extremely safe.
There were some major improvements industry-wide after the DC-10 crash at O'Hare in 1979 and I personally would fly for any trip that I was going to drive more than 4.5 hours (and that I didn't need my car at the destination).
If you look at the Bureau of Transportation Statistics you will not want to travel any significant distance on motorcycles, by far the most likely per passenger mile to have an accident.
@makenkizo wrote:
@SoCalFlyer97 I always prefer to cross by land if the time difference and convenience isn't that big from flying. 😄
As far as this part goes, it might be economical but there would also be some ease of travel if you are starting at a Southwest airport and ending at a Southwest airport (Cancun, Cabo, PVR, Cozumel) then personally I'd stick with Southwest all the way.
Or for a recent trip to MEX I used one of the other guys which I could get direct from Chicago.
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12-28-2023
10:24 AM
12-28-2023
10:24 AM
@Kgmflyer5884 wrote:
@DancingDavidE Thanks very much for listing some of the ways a RT might not be as good as 2 OW flights. I didn’t know you couldn’t cancel a return online if you’ve already completed the outbound!
I don't know if this is absolute, it doesn't sound right now that we're discussing it further...I'm second guessing if I had some other simultaneous issue that caused it not to be available online?
Who changes their flights all the time... @bec102896 does this work for you?
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@Kgmflyer5884 wrote:
Would you share the other reasons why you recommend booking one-way vs RT? Easier to change one leg or are there other advantages?
As @dfwskier points out you don't get penalized on tier qualifying for missing your return flight - right now you would be at risk if you no-showed your return then you wouldn't get that credit for the earlier flight either. Making them separate you don't impact the other one if something goofy happens.
Then the same thing also for the travel credit - if you no-showed an earlier leg the whole trip gets canceled without travel credit, besides forfeiting the points from the earlier segments.
There are also some times when you want to cancel the second flight instead of change it but you can't do it online if you already flew the first leg, you'll have to call.
If you have companion pass you may also want to bring the companion on only one leg of a trip and they are either meeting you there or staying longer - whatever the case is you have to call to do it and then the companion gets unliked from your A-list. If you want to self-service this option and keep the companion linked for A-list companion benefit, book one-ways.
Then statistically speaking if a majority of people fly round trips and the current A-list hurdle is 25 flights then all of those people who only fly round trips are going to miss out on A-list on flight #26 because they haven't completed their itinerary. (This will be minimized next year with the hurdle being 20 flights.)
Sometimes you want to use points but not for the whole trip - book one ways and you can mix points and cash. I guess that will be an option in 2024 also.
Unless you have a promo code I haven't ever noticed on Southwest getting a discount for RT pricing - this doesn't apply to the legacy airlines, they may have cheaper RT or minimum stay that you don't get booking one-ways.
Last one for now is when people are booking a large reservation for multiple people and they are using travel credit you can run out of payment methods. But if you book one-ways the limit of three methods is now six methods. (Actually five - you'll end up using cash either way to top off most of the time for both one-ways.)
TL;DR - you'll often end up in a scenario where you can't self-service changes to a trip that's already in progress or lose flexibility with companions, payment methods, and changing to a multi-city trip. Also earning status mid-trip.
Downsides - there are some things to consider - you have to remember more confirmation numbers, and might have to explain yourself during irregular operations if weather affects your earlier flight and it won't be linked to your later flight that you now can't make. Potentially you could have "the red bar" allowing rescheduling of one of your legs and the other leg is outside of the accommodation period.
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@Kgmflyer5884 wrote:
I’m just a little shy of making A List Preferreed for the first time. I flew 12/22, but my points haven’t posted. I called and was told it takes 72 hrs for points to post and the return flight has to be complete before points for both legs are posted. Is this right? IF I canceled my return, I’d surely still get my points for the outbound. When I called, it didn’t go to the special line for A List and the person who I talked with wasn’t especially helpful. They also said if my points don’t post before the end of the year, they wouldn’t get me to A List Preferred even though they were earned in 2023. Does what this rep told me sound right?
You’ll get the credit for the flight retroactively when you complete the return flight, even if it is 2024. As long as your outbound gets you the 100 points you’ll be good.
I recommend booking one-way flights for this and many other reasons, you’ll technically only be A-List when you make the return flight in 2024 and then it will kick in.
If for some reason that return flight never takes place then unfortunately you’ll be stuck in A-limbo. (Not really since you have A-List in the meantime, it’s not so bad compared to someone who was in the same spot trying for A-List.)
If you can cancel and rebook the return that would be fine, plus then you’ll get ALP for the return instead of waiting one more flight.
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@kdenflyer wrote:
Yes, I have definitely thought about it. I went back and looked at the community guidelines but saw no reason why I would have been banned, especially without notice. So if that is the case, I'm sure it was an accident.
You are on the same server that you are using to post now and the same result across browsers or devices?
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12-26-2023
04:41 PM
12-26-2023
04:41 PM
@CupCrusher40 wrote:
MDW gets lake fog, kord rarely
That's correct, for fog it would rarely be an issue at ORD so if the OP is looking at the airlines flying there and comparing to MDW it wouldn't be the same at all.
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12-26-2023
04:38 PM
12-26-2023
04:38 PM
@OwenAsher wrote:
Hello Southwest enthusiasts!
I hope this message finds you well. As a passionate traveler and Southwest Airlines fan, I find myself in need of some guidance. I'm planning an upcoming trip and would love to tap into the wealth of knowledge within the Southwest community.
My question is regarding the best practices for maximizing the benefits of Southwest's Rapid Rewards program. Are there any seasoned travelers out there who have discovered unique tips or tricks to earn more points, or perhaps optimize their redemptions for the best value?
Your insights and experiences are invaluable, and I'm eager to hear from fellow Southwest aficionados. Feel free to share your wisdom and help a fellow traveler plan the perfect Southwest adventure.
Thank you in advance for your contributions, and happy travels to you all!
Can you describe the upcoming trip a little more? That would help with any ticket booking, cars, hotels advice.
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12-26-2023
04:34 PM
12-26-2023
04:34 PM
@CupCrusher40 wrote:
for software needs 8 hour gap
No, you can book tighter at least with Southwest.
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@ZevSupport wrote:
Definitely agree here
If we go enjoy the lounge in D gates at LAS and then all of a sudden see the delayed flight is suddenly on time it's a bit of mad dash through the people movers!
One time they boarded our flight early, we got there right about 30 minutes prior and the gate was empty, the last people were just getting on and at first I assumed it was the flight before ours But it turns out they were avoiding some weather and left early. I'm sure we were about to hear our names on the intercom when we realized we should board right away. Did not get to sit next to each other.
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12-25-2023
06:50 PM
12-25-2023
06:50 PM
@Sgray1206 wrote:
Southwest canceled 180 flights at Chicago Midway today due to weather, they said. All other airlines combined canceled 6 flights. There were no weather issues for all the other airlines as these numbers prove. Southwest again proves that they are incompetent and unreliable. I‘be been a faithful customer for 30 plus years but no more!
Delta has two gates, Volaris one gate, Porter one gate, I think Frontier got in there somewhere...Southwest has 30+ gates.
Delta and Porter also have smaller aircraft - not that the 737 is big but they need all the visibility and available runway.
However the airport as a whole had a ground stop for some time, so all airlines were in fact affected. It was very foggy, I'm not surprised.
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12-23-2023
10:08 PM
12-23-2023
10:08 PM
@LaurieAnne wrote:
The 1st return flight has 1hr 45 min layover so maybe I'll put us in middle for that one. But the 3 hr layover should be easy.
What airport? 1:45 is ample for any and you should feel comfortable with the back row. I agree with @bec102896 if your connection was 45 minutes I’d avoid the back but otherwise it will be great to keep your group’s corner together.
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@pedro12345 wrote:
My girlfriend and I’s flight has been delayed more than two hours at this point. It’s the holiday season so we kind of understand. But for the past two hours our flight time and boarding time has not updated on our app, so we’ve been stuck waiting at the gate rather than being able to be at an airport lounge or bar. It’s really aggravating how southwest cant give a proper update. Be better
It did just occur to me - if you are still there waiting (hope not) you can try Flight Aware or FlightRadar24 or other apps to see if they have any idea, and then also a good check is if the plane is there or not. If the plane and crew are there and ready you need to stay close.
Depending which airport you are at maybe you can venture a little further if there’s no plane or crew.
Also it changes depending on your tolerance to board later in the process if you find out boarding started and you are a ways away.
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12-23-2023
10:01 PM
12-23-2023
10:01 PM
@pedro12345 wrote:
My girlfriend and I’s flight has been delayed more than two hours at this point. Its the holiday season so we kind of understand. But for the past two hours our flight time and boarding time has not updated on our app, so we’ve been stuck waiting at the gate rather than being able to be at an airport lounge or bar. Its really aggravating how southwest cant give a proper update. Be better
Hopefully you aren’t flying through Midway, it’s very foggy here and the plan may not be known very well.
I sympathize, it would be more comfortable in a lounge for sure but it’s too risky if they might suddenly start boarding.
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12-23-2023
09:58 PM
12-23-2023
09:58 PM
@dfwskier wrote:
Oh, the airline won't pull a random person off the plane. it will ask for volunters.
Those were the good old days when Southwest still made the occasional overbooking and I’d always check in at the counter first to get on the volunteer list* if there was going to be one.
*not for a daily international flight of course
Anyway Al it is difficult to know much about any video online without knowing the passenger or being there in person to witness the events.
Usually a customer of size would reserve in advance, and on the same day only if space was available so to answer your question no it wouldn’t be any significant risk of flying due to this particular issue.
For any reason where it was necessary to bump someone off the flight Southwest would look for volunteers first (for a reward) and then next an involuntary bump which could be the last person to check in or other factor. This usually happens before boarding! It would be even more atypical to pull someone off the plane so I suspect there was something else going on besides a Customer of Size situation.
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@mangud wrote:
Thank you. I will try one of the options. I will read through the terms.
Is there a way to buy Southwest points that will earn companion pass qualifying points immediately without waiting until the credit card points are posted ?
Buying RR points won't count:
The other types of activity that count right away are:
Flights you usually get it same day - this is the best and fastest way.
Hotels and rental cars count when the stay is completed or the rental takes place - even if the posting of them is later, it is retroactive.
Read the EOY link above and there are other things that are retroactive but won't post immediately.
You would be in effect "buying" the points with the flight, hotel, or car rental since it is a trip you wouldn't otherwise be making. We call it a "points run" when you are doing it just to achieve the status that you are close to.
Southwest has occasionally offered a special offer to buy points towards tier qualifying or companion pass at the end of the year, keep an eye out if you get a targeted offer.
After all it only benefits both parties if you make it - you get the companion pass, Southwest gets you locked in to take advantage of CP.
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@mangud wrote:
I just realized that I can earn Companion Pass if I can earn 3200 points.
I am new to companion pass and not aware of the details.
Please suggest some specific ideas.
Thank you and appreciate your guidance.
Here is the manual of what will count and what won't:
https://www.southwest.com/html/rapidrewards/eoy-tier-communication.html
If that's TL;DR - you can fly and get the points instantly, for a WGA fare at 6x points you need to do a points run that costs $534. At 12x points you can fly a Business Select flight for $267 although often the fares are higher - see what's available from your local airport. My suggestion is to find the closest rounded up BS fare and then you can use points to come back if you want to save some out of pocket cash - book one-ways so you can pay cash for the BS fare and use points for a WGA coming back.
Next best options in my opinion are hotel stays, you can look on Rapid Rewards or third-party sites like Rocketmiles and do a local staycation if you can find one that's enough points. You do actually have to go and check in, although they won't care if you actually stay the night. Make sure bonus points would work timing-wise.
All of these options are going to run you $250 to $600 - if you fly very often and can use Companion Pass you should recoup that sort of extra cost needed to get there.
Rental cars could work but I'm skeptical of getting enough points, and not clear if bonus points would work timing-wise.
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12-22-2023
09:39 AM
12-22-2023
09:39 AM
@efeuer777 wrote:
No pre-board but it will allow you an extra piece of carry-on luggage if needed. We travel with my husband’s CPAP all the time. There are a lot of travelers who carry one so be sure and tag yours so you pick up the right one when leaving the plane.
That just gave me the heebie-jeebies! Do not want to think about getting to the destination and opening up the package and its someone else's.
Actually put a luggage tag on everything including all carry-ons.
Although rare, we do hear on this community about people grabbing the wrong carry-on luggage once in a while. Having your contact info right on that luggage including any medical equipment would really help if there is an inadvertent mix-up.
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12-21-2023
09:41 PM
12-21-2023
09:41 PM
@Dmedrano8 wrote:
I'm going to Cuba in the spring. I'm coming from Los Angeles and am wondering what my options are from Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
Any and all suggestion appreciated
Thanks
Just doing some quick searching I don't know if this route will work great for you from any of the LA area airports. You may need to plan on an overnight either FLL, TPA, or MIA.
If you choose MIA then you'd be transferring to another carrier for the HAV leg.
Here's the interactive route map which if you go into list view and select non-stop only two choices come up TPA and FLL, so if you do fly Southwest there it would be eventually from one of those two airports.
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12-21-2023
09:32 PM
12-21-2023
09:32 PM
@dfwskier wrote:
@amandakotch wrote:
I am in the same situation!
Can you buy a ticket and then cancel the flight, which means I'd have credit on my account. Would they still give me the points? Or do you actually have to fly to earn those points?
You have to fly to get the points.
You would keep the 2x points for credit card spending on Southwest.com if you are using a Rapid Rewards Visa and canceled the flight into travel credit, but those points count towards companion pass but do not count towards tier qualification.
You don't earn the 6x to 12x points for flying until the itinerary is complete.
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12-21-2023
09:29 PM
12-21-2023
09:29 PM
@Utopia5124 wrote:
I do get pings the moment I turn on notify when found, but that's just bluetooth LE. It's in lost mode so it would ping if someone tried to use it, or charge it.
The airplane mode is a complicating factor for sure.
Did you also turn in a lost and found just in case the scenario was that you got on the plane and put in airplane mode, and then lost the case onboard?
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@SoCalFlyer97 wrote:
@aum wrote:
Hello ,
Travelling from SJC to DAL with change of planes at LAS and have never tried connecting flight before.
Gap between flights is 55 mins.
so concerned if a security check is required and if yes , is the gap time sufficient for it in holiday season ?
flights WN 2141 / WN 3197
Have checked flight status of 2141 for last one week and its mostly on time.
Cheers and happy holidays..
To access the airside connector:
From the C Gate Concourse to B Gates: Head toward Gate C25 and follow the wayfinder signs near the Jamba Juice that will lead you into B concourse via the airside connector.
I think this is the main way that it may be tricky as you come down C gates the flow of people will be out of the airside so you will be fine as long as you watch for the signs and make a left behind the security checkpoint and keep going around behind security and you'll get to the B gates no problem (or A for whatever reason).
Coming the other way it is more intuitive since everyone coming down the connector is also going to C gates, no one is coming that way to leave security so following the herd will be good from B to C.
You can also use the tram from the far C gates to the front of C gates and back track around security. Don't go down the escalator if you do that!
It isn't a guarantee of course but practice on the terminal map when you check the on-time schedule for the same flights and see how often those two are both in B or both in C.
And don't worry - if there is a delay for whatever reason there should be plenty of LAS-DAL flights as long as you aren't already on the last one of the day. (Sample shown for next Wednesday)
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12-21-2023
02:28 PM
12-21-2023
02:28 PM
@Utopia5124 wrote:
It was in front of gate c35, but I had people look and it doesn't appear to be there now. I took them out right before I got up to stand in the boarding line and when I was putting them back in my pocket it must not have made it in there, or slipped out. I lost it Friday afternoon, Dec. 15th.
Sorry to hear that. It probably got swept up the first day and was taunting you from a ghost status for a few days.
The cases are funny I'm not sure under what conditions they are updating. Seems to be less active than an airtag if someone did grab it and carry it off I'm not sure if you get a ping in the same way if they aren't connected to one of your own devices, you just get last known location (last known by you, not someone else).
In the meantime, maybe turn this on to get an alert if it happens again:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/102414
I have this turned on also in case someone grabs my carry-on by mistake (or not mistake) and my devices start moving without me.
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