Southwest Airlines Community

I was able to import to calendar from the email confirmation, but had the same error from the Southwest.com website that the others are having. ... View more

With the policy that isn't a policy in effect, I would translate "open seating" means "not assigned" which is the distinction to most other airlines.   One counterpoint to the no policy approach, I have had the flight attendants once in a while block people from saving seats in exit rows specifically, but no comment in other areas.             ... View more

You can try this:   https://www.southwest.com/account/recovery?clk=GSUBNAV-RR-LOOKUP#needUsername     Otherwise you'll need to call customer service, this message board doesn't have access to your Southwest account, it's meant for user-to-user tips.   https://www.southwest.com/contact-us/contact-us.html?clk=GFOOTER-CUSTOMER-CONTACT-US       ... View more

I agree that the emails are an unfortunate error, but the bigger issue seems to be that you seemed to be on track to earn the awards but then it didn't convert in the end, we'd probably need more detail to help on that front in terms of what you had planned to do and what actually happened.   I'm not sure what the issue was, although it seems like a common one is spending on the Rapid Rewards Visa which is accrued at the statement closing, not as spending takes place. Hopefully that wasn't what got you. ... View more

Although not advertised, if you go to Magical Express and let them know you are there they may be able to pull your extra luggage even without the yellow tags.   The scenario you describe makes sense, Southwest will only care about what you check at the departure airport, and Disney will only care about luggage that shows up with yellow tags (or names that they are looking for).   You can "gate check" luggage on the Magical Express too if needed, the downside is that you would need to leave it with the concierge at the destination resort instead of having it appear in your room automagically. This works great if you need some items before heading to the parks even if you don't have a room assignment yet. ... View more

Passport, and depending on several factors it may benefit you to have Global Entry.   I like flying Porter to Canada if you'll be in the east of the country. Take Southwest to get to MDW or one of the other Porter airports. (Chicago MDW, Pittsburgh, Boston, among others.) ... View more

I think it might be a mixup in the lingo, I've never heard of family boarding to be affected by ticket type.   It is affected by age of the child, and potentially number of adults traveling with the children.   Companion boarding along with the primary ticket holder likely to be A-list does cause friction when the companion has a later boarding position, particularly if the child companion was old enough not to qualify for family boarding as an altnerative.  ... View more

This forum site is meant to be user-to-user questions and answers. The message board staff jump in from time to time and monitor things, but they may not be in position to say one way or the other. You can ping the board managers directly though, @LindseyD any thoughts on next steps for this one? It isn't a specific customer service question, i.e. this isn't a question that you would call the 800 number and ask...   My own thoughts, one issue might be the perception. When in uniform, everyone at the gate will understand what is happening. When the policy was originally developed maybe it was more common for servicemembers to be in uniform even when traveling commercial - with changing trends maybe the policy is outdated regarding uniforms. ... View more

Hopefully you were able to get the "boarding position only" upgrade at the gate for cash.   I don't think it makes sense to use points for Business Select - one of the real benefits of BS fares is the extra point earning potenital, which you would be doing the opposite by purchasing with points.   If the boarding position was critical for someone, then it would be best to go for early bird for a small price upgrade instead of multiples on the cost of the ticket.     ... View more

There is also an issue at times with purchasing multipel tickets at once, if there are only two seats left at the designated fare but you purchase four, then it kicks up to the next bracket.   Right or wrong in that approach, it would be helpful if there was some feedback when that happens to allow you to automatically buy two and two, instead of all four at the higher rate, or if you prefer to go back and buy each one separately.   ... View more

Earlier is better for Southwest.   If the trip did become lower priced after you purchased it, you can change your ticket to the lower fare although the extra money will be held in a voucher for Wanna Get Away fares.           ... View more

Breast milk will be allowed through after testing, allow extra time for the testing. I don't believe that size of the container is important although I've never seen anyone go through with gallon-sized jars. Bottle-sized are definitely okay, after testing.   Conventional milk or formula isn't allowed through, that formula should be left in powder form and hydrated after you are through security. ... View more

The allowable range of capacity under this particular regulation is from 100 Wh to 160 Wh, so you should be fine. It's an FAA rule.   https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ash/ash_programs/hazmat/passenger_info/media/Airline_passengers_and_batteries.pdf     ... View more

Southwest does have a cargo division: https://www.southwest.com/html/air/business-groups/cargo.html?clk=GFOOTER-BOTTOM-CARGO   I would doubt that this works out to be the best way to transport a couch from ABQ to GRR though. Probably one of the van lines will be more economical. Or sell it in ABQ and buy a new one in GRR.   Maybe Allied Van Lines or one of the others.   David ... View more

You can check it, two free checked bags with Southwest!   Unless I'm missing something, the "carry on" tag just means that you could carry it on if you wanted to, but it should also be fine for checking.   I'm not sure about the cruise part - does the cruise line pick up your checked bags automatically at the destination airport? (Like Disney's Magical Express?) Otherwise I'm not sure that you will avoid carrying it around when you leave the airport. Hopefully the ship has a bellman to hold luggage if needed. ... View more

Regarding the gate check, it can be done either way to have the item for use at the layover, or retrieve it in the jetbridge at the destination airport, just let them know and they may ask your preference.   Assuming that you don't need the booster seat in the airport, obviously you'd opt to pick it up at the destination and not the layover.   Regarding curbside or at the counter, we have been happy checking our pack and play at curbside, but we do use the blue Southwest bags avilable for purchase to protect the items from scuffing.   The exception is the stroller which we use in the airport. It can be gate checked either to the connecting airport or to the final airport, your choice. For the stroller we're usually wanting to have it on the layover, so we retrieve it and re-check it at the new gate.   I'm not sure about the booster seat. If it is precious, then I'd say gate check over curbside or ticket counter. If it is a pain to carry through the airport, then check it regularly and retrieve at baggage claim. ... View more

Do you have the confirmation from the flight, or was that only sent to the former employee?   You should be able to cancel with the six-digit confirmation code and first and last name.   However generally the credit would be good for a year to the same person, so you will probably need to call customer service and explain the whole scenario to adjust the credit for use by someone else.   I'd have your billing card handy to refer to as well, in addition to the confirmation. ... View more

For an item left on a plane, you should use this form: https://live.nettracer.aero/southwest-paxview/lostandfound/bagunchecked.do   If you may have left it in the concourse somewhere, then reach out to Midway lost and found but it sounds like you are sure it was on the plane. ... View more

My guess would be that something autofilled in the webpage when ordering if there isn't a record of it in your Rapid Rewards profile.   Was it someone that you had previously sent an itinerary to before?   Other than that I think you might need to call customer service to find out where the addresses came from so that you can find out if it was during ordering, or from somewhere in your profile. ... View more

As someone affected by this, I see it both ways.   Information as provided by @chgoflyer says that companions don't get same day standby.  As @franktravel points out, the situation - if seats are available - would be equivalent to canceling your companion's ticket and then rebooking companion with the new ticket. I haven't used this benefit yet - if you do it will the original flyer be re-ticketed right away? Or does the standby only clear during boarding, that would be a hiccup for rebooking a companion according to the process.   If there were seats available I don't see why they would not want to accomodate the flyer and their companion.       ... View more

I see this often referred to as "nesting" which Southwest hasn't objected to in the past - they don't price their fares the way other airlines do, so there isn't generally a benefit to booking round trip instead of two one-ways, or including minimum stays which nesting could be used to avoid on other airlines.   I agree with the suggestion for one-way flights for maximum flexibility, and which would show a clear path from A-B-C-B-A. instead of the two RT flights showing you going A-B-A and B-C-B during the same time.   Particularly since Southwest doesn't price separate one-way trips differently than round-trip flights for the same city pairs, at least that I have seen.   David       ... View more

Hey @TheMiddleSeat - I have had a couple of anxious moments trying to add a companion on a sold out flight over the two or three days leading up to the flight.   So far I was always able to catch a spot, but it was nervewracking! Including one time the morning of the flight.   At least one day when it doesn't work and I end up paying for it, I'll know how much money I have saved up until that point! But I definitely recommend to avoid being that position if you can help it,.   David   ... View more

That might work, or call with your billing information. ... View more

I'm curious to hear the rest of the story on this one. ... View more

Hopefully this worked out for you. Probably too late now, but it would be helpful to know what item (at least general), where lost, which airport, etc. ... View more

I've been on a few trips recently where the MDW lines were shorter with fly-by (or even the general lines) but I would still go to PreCheck due to keeping my shoes on, laptop in bag, etc.   Somewhat more experienced travelers in line in front of me (not universal unfortunately).   So I think they were "right" to point out PreCheck for you, but should have let you go to whichever line you wanted. Maybe you don't mind taking your shoes off, go for it. ... View more