Southwest Airlines Community

@SoCalFlyer97 wrote: @abuchert wrote: Thank you. She doesn't think she has a rapid rewards account. My mistake for not signing her up but I will call after the 21st.  You should also be getting the promotional follow up email about booking a hotel today (if it didn't come yesterday). Confirmation # should be in the subject line. If you don't get the email by end-of-day today, then it's possible the airline has an incorrect email for the booking. I would call them tomorrow if that's the case. And don't just browse emails from Southwest there may be too many depending what you've signed up for, cross-promotions with Chase, etc.    Look specifically for these strings in the search feature of the most likely email accounts:   "you're going to" City Name "what you'll need for your" City Name trip Both of these emails that you received should include the confirmation number.       ... View more

@aelizabethmlr wrote: Hi, I have a handful of drink coupons that are going to expire. I have a 6a flight coming up and don't plan on drinking, BUT can I just cash in my coupons and take the alcohol bottles with me for my vacation?   No, they must give you the bottles opened without the cap. (Sometimes they do, but that’s rare and not according to policy.) However you probably can still use a “lightly expired” coupon in a later flight. Save them until you get a FA that will take them,    ... View more

@lisamc69 wrote: Do they actually measure the bags? I will be a little over size but not weight   I've never seen it happen, but I suppose they could. I think it would be an option if someone brought some obviously gigantic bag. Probably not for anything sold commercially as a domestic carry on, it's close enough.       ... View more

@bluemr2 wrote: @dfwskier wrote: "Say someone standbys at midnight, for a full late-morning flight.  Sometime that morning, a seat becomes available.  Will that seat be available for SDC for elites or WGA+ fares prior to the standby clearing?"   Standbys are assigned at the airport - roughy at flight time - not before then. If someone signs up for standby, and a seat become available, then anyone eligible for same day change may snag it before the standby passenger ever gets a shot at it.   That's my hope as an A-Lister.  But, there's DPs that people are being cleared well before the flight time.  In fact, on SWA Twitter (or X), they said that standbys can be cleared anytime before the flight. I checked on X as well - they said the standby option can be done on the app for moving forwards, but must be in person for moving later.    I didn't hear back yet about when they think the clearing takes place. My suspicion is that the list can be cleared continually as long as there are some number of seats available - just me making up a number but say as long as there are ten open seats clear the standby requests instantly. Then at some point start keeping a list to award by priority if it seems there could be more requests than seats.     ... View more

@dfwskier wrote: If you are A-List and can do a no cost same day change (confirmed), why would you even consider  going standby and running the risk of not getting a seat? So I wanted to do this on Tuesday traveling with my wife, but apparently the roll out was Wednesday so they wanted $421 for her ticket to be changed.   I took my A-list same day change, and we flew separately.          ... View more

@lisamc69 wrote: I purchased this suitcase for checked luggage will it be considered oversized and will I be charged extra for it?  Samsonite Omni PC Hard side luggage with spinner wheels - large  28 inch.  here are the dimensions:  Packing dimensions: 28.5 X 20.5 X 13.5, overall dimensions: 30.5 X 21.5 X 13.5, weight: 10.5 pounds thank you for your help in advance!  Is it this one? Samsonite Omni PC Spinner Set   The packing dimensions are 62.5" so it sounds like it is over by a half-inch.    I think you'll be fine - they advertise right on the listing that the linear size is 65 inches so it is definitely over the specs except clicking the info button it says that includes the wheels, which Southwest excludes from the 62" limit. The inside dimensions are 62.5" so that's right at the limit.   Will it be challenged? I doubt anyone would bring out a tape measure to verify it being that close.      ... View more

@bluemr2 wrote: Thanks for the reply. I'm an A-Lister so I understand SDC.   Standby is now offered in the app or via the website, see below.  So, there is value in trying to catch an earlier or later flight.   Has SWA provided information how standbys will be cleared?  Is there priority? Or timeframe when standbys are cleared?  Say someone standbys at midnight, for a full late-morning flight.  Sometime that morning, a seat becomes available.  Will that seat be available for SDC for elites or WGA+ fares prior to the standby clearing?   One of the other messaging pieces that I saw said that standby would be available at the airport. Not sure if they are meaning you can use your app, but still have to be at the airport or if you can request it while still offsite.    I'm not sure about the clearing process yet either - for instance if you standby on a later flight but don't get it, won't you have already missed your original flight?   Also kind of a rare scenario to be at the airport for your original flight and then request a later one. I have wished for this occasionally but generally if I'm there, then why not keep the earlier flight?     ... View more

@mikokudo wrote: Hello - I am trying to book hotels using my RR points. And it's been very challenging because when enter a city, it seems the website freezes, or sometimes it does not load a correct city and I get an error message saying "please enter valid city." I contacted SW customer service and they said IT was working on it, but it was a  week ago and I still have the same issue. Is anybody experiencing the same issue? I haven't used this feature - the best value for points is probably on flights and I can use them all in that manner - but my only suggestion would be to put in a nearby city and see if it works and then go through the options until you get to the range for the desired city.     ... View more

@bluemr2 wrote: With the new same day standby free for everyone, I'm confused about the same day change vs standby.   If I arrive at the airport and there's seats available on an earlier flight (same destination), is that a same day change (fare difference applies except for AL and AL+)? Or is that same day standby and free?   Traditionally, standby means flight is full and after all passengers have boarded, and if I seat becomes available due to a no-show, then the standby clears.   Is there any difference in the same scenario on the app at midnight day of flight? Your example if you have a WGA fare would be standby, find out sometime between that moment and the flight time when the list is cleared if you made it, no fare difference. If not approved you keep your original flight.   Your example if you have A-list or WGA+ or higher fare class would be same day change and confirmed immediately, no fare difference, and you could do it "on the way" to the airport by phone or app, or in person.   Same day change allows the A-list and WGA+ and higher fares to confirm a change to a new flight, forwards or backwards of the original flight. As soon as it is requested, if it is available the confirmation will be made. This is offered at the airport or on the app or by calling.   Standby is not necessarily confirmed immediately, but if seats are available you would be "cleared" at some point in time to make the change, if there are limited seats available the airline might choose to build up a list of people who want to standby as the priority order applies, however if there seems to be ample extra seats you could be confirmed well before the flight.  Standby is offered at the airport only, so there's kind of a limited value to standby for a later flight but I guess it is possible - the vast majority of cases are going to be people getting to the airport early and looking to move up their flight.   No fare difference will apply for either program once they are going.   Currently as of this past weekend (found out the hard way @ MCO) the ticket agent was not willing to offer a standby without a fare difference for my wife.     ... View more

@CupCrusher40 wrote: Ovens installed? No problem if not just wondering Do you fly Southwest often? I know you've posted here a fair amount.   You might have noticed there's no food service on-board other than the snacks.   Here are the current selections: https://www.southwest.com/help/on-the-plane/food-and-drinks   I hope this helps.         ... View more

@Catpfish wrote: Thanks for all of the replies, and I don't mind the second annual fee.  However, I don't think I phrased my question very well before.  I know that I would need two separate accounts with Chase and that they won't link them.    My actual question is will Southwest allow you to link the two separate Chase accounts under my Rapid Rewards number.  It really doesn't make it worthwhile if I have to have separate Rapid Rewards accounts to match up with the two separate Chase accounts. Yes, I'm sure that works to have separate Chase accounts link to one RR. (Or three if you get a business card as well.)               ... View more

@dfwskier wrote: This topic has come up before:   https://community.southwest.com/t5/Travel-Policies/Teenager-TSA-Pre-Check/m-p/160081   I don't think it was resolved there   They key points are   1) TSA Pre must be on the teen's boarding pass    2) The question is "Is SW's computer system smart enough to put it there?" I believe the discussion over there on point #2 was "no"       ... View more

@dfwskier wrote: You can link a personal account and a business account. I'm not sure about 2 personal accounts. I think there is an option to have two personal cards but they have to be the different types, I've forgotten the names but you an have a Plus and and a Select or whatever the names are - one of these will have an annual fee though.       ... View more

@SoCalFlyer97 wrote: @Rsteube wrote: So.  I became an RN in 2009 and got a job as a pediatric RN .  I then had to relocate for the wife/kids to another state.  I loved where I grew up and the hospital I did my training at and worked for years.     I have been traveling every week to that hospital to work my shifts then fly back home to spend time with my family. I have been doing this since 2011.  over 12 years how.  That is 52 flights a year.  Obviously I have had my A list with southwest.     Recently my hospital has been going through tough financial times.  They have forced the nurses to not come in work and we have to use PTO to cover our shifts.  I have none as I have had 2 bouts of surgeries, and 1 recently where all my PTO is gone.Recently it has become a point where we now are forced to stay home half our shifts, so I only work 3 of the 6 days im scheduled.  I used to work thursday through tuesday.  I fly in on thursday morning and start working 7pm.  then I fly home on wednesday morning.   Well I now work on friday this week , then sunday, the tuesday.  I have always purchased all my flights months in advance as my schedule has never changed.   I tried to change my flight when I got the info that Im no longer going to be working thursday . however.... it is now 261 dollars to change my flight just 1 day.    "Customer service agents" are unwilling to help me out with a no cost change in flight days.  This is an abysmal service.     12+ years of loyalty.  A list. 52 to flights purchased each year and I cant get a simple flight changed from thursday to friday this week?   I am sad beyond belief.  And anytime someone has asked me who they should fly for their vacation I have always point to southwest.   Something needs to change. Hello!   It looks like you attempted to have a CSA assist you with this to no avail. Being a Customer-to-Customer forum, I would address your complaint via email to Southwest but I'm not sure if the airline is going to be able to assist you since fare difference generally always applies to changing a flight regardless of A-List status.    Keep in mind Fridays are also typically a peak travel day for many travel corridors, especially for the vast majority of California short-haul flights. Thus, there will usually be a high fare difference between Thursdays and Fridays.   Question: Did you already change your flight for this week to Friday and pay the difference in fare? If you haven't done this yet, I would hang on to your original itinerary and try this to minimize the your cost impact:   First, even tough your employer appears to be in hardship and cutting staff hours, I would negotiate with HR on the travel reimbursement since the change was initiated by them. Very unlikely they will do this since it appears your flights are commuter but worth asking anyway.  If that doesn't work and the flight expense has to be paid by you the employee, I would still keep the travel date on Thursday and spend the night at your work city assuming the total hotel cost will be less than the $261 fare difference. Note that under A-List, you can do a Same Day Flight Change to the last flight of the day. I would also search and book a Plus Points property under Southwest Hotels or Rocketmiles as you may be able to recover some your hotel expenses with 1,000 or even 2,000 points for a decent $100-120 room after taxes and fees. I know this alternative still adds cost, but hopefully to a lesser degree! I would say to minimize out of pocket expense as well if it isn't acceptable just to fly as scheduled and spend the extra night, then use some of your points accrued from the travel to serve as the buffer for this out-of-pocket expense.    It will still be expensive, but it would be reasonable to take some of the points earned from commuting and use them during this time when your schedule is disrupted.   Agree with the others that the airline has some leeway when you are at the airport - you may even have some staff there that recognize you if you are flying that often - but you can't get that kind of personal exception on the phone or by internet. What you are asking for has to be a same-day change and then there is a lot more the staff can do for you, changing the day of travel is limited by what the computer can do.   No doubt you are in a tough situation with the changing of the schedule like that, I wish you the best with your efforts and thank you for your work.         ... View more

@dfwskier wrote: https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/611X25MgTaL._SX522_PIbundle-192,TopRight,0,0_AA522SH20_.jpg First confirmed sighting today! ... View more

@denno wrote: I looked in the "Press Release" section of the SWA website, but haven't found one covering this new (8/10?) release about free same day standby.  Can someone point out the location of the press release? There's some messaging out there, I don't see it in the press release section of the website though, but here is a post from a Southwest staff person: Southwest Airlines Launches Same-Day Standby for W... - The Southwest Airlines Community     ... View more

@Andysouthwest wrote: Already ready have companion pass but thanks.  You can still use your current companion pass on BS flights, the only trick is that the companion won't get sequential boarding position.   The 12x points is the best way to make a big leap in point earning.   Also look at RocketMiles if you have any hotel stays coming up later this year.     ... View more

@Alohaxchinley wrote: I’ll be traveling with 2 small children, am I able to check-in one car seat at Baggage check-in and then Gate check a double stroller along with another car seat? Yes! The terms are that you get two items of baby gear per kiddo, it doesn't matter which are gate checked and which are curbside, or ticket counter.   The only issue I ran into on this front was when we used a resort check-in one time at Disney they marked us down with having used all our allowances and then when I wanted to check another item at the airport they thought we had used up all of our allowance.     ... View more

@Southie wrote: Is it possible to receive a flight credit in lieu of a refund?  I booked an anytime ticket and it is not cheaper but instead of receiving a refund to my credit card, is it possible to receive a flight credit instead? When you go to cancel the ticket you should get a choice for refund or travel credit.   I'm not sure what scenario would make the travel credit better but that wasn't your question.     ... View more

@parpitt1 wrote: Where are the Southwest Lounges? Now we're talking!   Please get one at MDW.     ... View more

@StAugustine wrote: On a delayed flight last year into BWI there were six passengers who had tight connections to other flights. The FA made an announcement asking everyone to be patient and stay seated so they could exit first. Everyone complied and the six were off the plane within a couple of minutes of reaching the gate. No big deal. Glad to hear that it can work!  ... View more

@Tambaongoc wrote: Hello, I have bought tickets for a SW flight that is supposed to depart at 6:15PM. Now I want to standby  on an earlier flight (6:45AM). I would appreciate your input to the following questions: 1. Will I need to pay for changing to an earlier flight? 2. How do I find out whether I qualify for free same day standby? 3. Should I still check in for my flight at 6:15PM the day before and get to airport early to go on standby?   Thank you. Given today’s news:   Potentially no - not sure when the roll-out takes place for the new policy or when your flight is happening.  Will depend on roll-out of the new policy and date of your flight. Yes - under all circumstances get checked in and then after that would be when you can discuss a change whether under the new policy or as part of a more general ask at the airport. There is some leeway at the airport to grant you a new flight that may not be able to be confirmed online or by phone under the previous policy, so get your check-in completed first as usual and go from there.   ... View more

@AmyMarie12 wrote: I absolutely concur.   I’m on a flight right now, on the front bulkhead row. I was also told to put my fanny pack up, which contained multiple important medical items, including my Levadopa which I take for Parkinson’s.   The last thing any disabled person wants to do is have to call flight attendants for assistants; at least speaking for myself, I want to draw as little attention to myself as possible, especially since standing and balance are so challenging for me.   Including fanny packs under this regulation makes absolutely no sense.  And in response to the previous person: I’m gonna be in major trouble if we crash, I survive, and I don’t have these items. This IS for my own safety.  I think you have to take it up with the FAA though but I think we fellow passengers see your point.         ... View more

@mnapo2023 wrote: I sent in a Lost and Found Report a few days ago, in which I mentioned I had an airtag inside that told me exactly where it was, yet today I received an update saying they haven't located my purse despite me telling them where it was. I don't understand. I've tried calling the airport where it ended up, the Baggage Claims Services that I see it's in, and I get nothing even when I tell them I see where it is.   If you know anyone from that city have them go in person if that is feasible.             ... View more

@Socalflyer wrote: First time flying Southwest.  How can we utilize the efficiency of the onboarding process towards the exit process?   Some seem to lack the etiquette or don't know it. Thus, you have folks in the back aggressively trying to get out first.  If they had to catch a transfer, I get it. Couldn't they inform the flight attendants for support for this situations, then have people exit in the order they boarded?  if the people in the back asked the FA to make an announcement they might offer to help get those people out early, I've seen this happen before but not recently so I'm not sure of current policy.   I think most people that have flown Southwest before will wait, it may mainly be people that don't fly often, probably not regulars on any airline or they would be familiar with the process.   People get very anxious as well, as others mentioned you might be saving ten to fifteen minutes at the most, probably less - most connections they'll be fine unless the original flight was delayed.         ... View more

@Butterflybdl wrote: I would like to say a big thanks to Lee Andra who was working customer service in Montego Bay, Jamaica on Sunday, July 30, 2023. She was simply amazing. I wanted to get in an earlier flight to Baltimore so as to avoid missing a connecting flight and she patiently facilitated the whole process. Even though I was initially denied the flight change by someone else, she was able to convince the other person to agree to the change since I would likely have missed my connecting flight with the initial booking. A big thank you to her for getting me home early! You can send an official thank you to recognize Lee's efforts using Contact Southwest Customer Service since this is a customer to customer forum.     ... View more

@jksobonya wrote: The perfect song already exists!   🎶 Come fly with me, let's fly, let's fly away If you can use some exotic booze There's a bar in far Bombay Come on, fly with me, we'll float down in the blue 🎶   🎶 Fly with me, float down to Peru In llama land there's a one man band And he'll toot his flute for you Fly with me, we'll take off in the blue 🎶   --Come Fly With Me by Frank Sinatra *Peru, IL - use Chicago Midway or O'hare as destination.     ... View more

@20087319206 wrote:  I signed up for A-List promotional status through my company at the beginning of March as a promotion that was going on.  In order to extend that A-List status for 12 months I needed to book and complete two roundtrip flights during a certain time period which I did.  To date I haven't had my A-List status extended.  I have called into Customer Service multiple times, either they don't know what I'm talking about, I have been disconnected, I have been told I did everything to qualify but it takes at least 8 weeks for your account to be updated (it has been way more than 8 weeks), the last time I called in they told me I didn't meet the qualifications.  I have all the documentation proving that I did but Customer Service can't transfer me to the department that I need to speak with to share the documentation with them.  They have tried to conference us together on the phone but it hasn't worked either I can't hear them or they can't hear me.  I have spent hours upon hours on this and I need to speak to someone who is familiar with the program that can help me. We'll need to know some more about the time periods, if you made changes to any of the flights after the period to purchase the flights, if you registered and then booked, etc.   Also there was a different promotion that went on good for August 15th through September 30th that we don't have it showing in the account yet, since it isn't active until 8/15 - are you supposed to be in your active period already?     ... View more

@FACIII2023 wrote: Thanks David,I really enjoyed my Memorial Day trip the last week of May and the first week of June. Downtown is probably my favorite area that I have seen so far. We went to a street concert on June 11th but spent more time walking around downtown than we did listening and watching. I will do a follow-up post on Sunday evening or sometime Monday to let the Southwest community know how my flights went,etc  Great, love to see a nice trip report!   There was a place where we had Belgian-style mussels in the downtown that was really nice if you like that.     ... View more

@floridaguy wrote: I'm praying that Knoxville TN is NOT one of the locations being added.  I like things the way that they are.   Knoxville is so 1984 anyway. This is only announcing changes to schedule at existing airports, no expansion of service currently.   @ZevSupport I don't think Newark is coming back anytime soon, sorry to say!       ... View more