07-31-2018
10:27 AM
07-31-2018
10:27 AM
@Jeff1844 wrote: I fly LAX to OAK at least once a week on the first flight of the day. This morning it was canceled again, for the fifth time this year. According to customer service, it was due to storms in Oakland. I have some real issues with how this situation was handled. First, the weather excuse is not the truth, and only makes a crappy situation worse. I suspect that the flight was fairly empty, and someone made an economic decision to scrap the flight. Bad enough call, but then I was not automatically booked on the next flight, and when I rebooked myself my boarding number went from a18 to c3. So now I'm already rejuggling my meetings and have to spend even more time waiting for my bag at baggage claim. Calling customer care is useless, and there is no email address in the "contact us" page, so I'll make my unhappiness public. What's going on Southwest - I've been a loyal customer for years but am feeling extremely un"luv"ed at the moment... This is a tough one - I also don't expect that they would be canceling a flight early in the morning, especially if that plane would be planning to be somewhere else later in the day. At the same time, there must be some good statistics on when not to fly to Oakland in the morning, and perhaps this route is prone to cancelation. Do you know if the plane is a "shuttle" that goes back and forth from LAX to OAK and back? I think that Southwest would have to plan ahead for this route to be subject to fog if that was actually the reason and if it occurs often. Otherwise I'd have to take it at face value that there were storms in the area or between the cities that prevented a safe route. I'd recommend to try and leave some time to talk to the staff at the LAX airport to get a better feel for this route if you are taking it once a week and having trouble.
... View more
@bec102896 wrote: Sorry your bags were damaged and you didn't notice until after the 4 hour rule had passed I believe that rule is in place to prevent the oh the airline broke my bag when really it could have happened after you got home (not saying you would do that but some would) i am sure if you could report a day or 2 later you would have people that would do that to try and get a free bag. I would recommend contacting customer relations though so they can document the complaint by reaching out to Southwest in a DM on Twitter or by calling customer relations at 855-234-4654 they may not be able to replace the bags since time has passed but they can at least pass on the feedback for training Purposes Hope this helps Blake You can definitely still let them know. Although the obligation to do anything may have passed, they may offer something for your inconvenience, especially if there were a lot of similar complaints at the same time - at a minimum they will know to rectify the situation with the staff, repair a defective machine, or take some other action.
... View more
@Hharpole wrote: I booked tickets for myself and a friend to go on a trip, my friend can no longer go, so she is not reimbursing me for her ticket. I booked a “Wanna Get Away” Fare; so of course the funds are credited as residual travel funds; which is fine- EXCEPT that (as I was told by customer service) there is no way for the funds to be transferred into my name- despite the face that I am the one who booked the reservation AND paid for it (using my Southwest Card). My friend is not going on this trip, and also does not typically fly southwest so now I am out $230 which I would gladly use on another flight but cannot due to this policy. I understand it’s my own fault for booking the cheapest fare- however I feel this policy should be amended so that the person who actually PAID for the flight receives the residual funds, not the person who cancelled their ticket. If your friend was going to pay you back and said to book on their behalf, but then cancelled that's their agreement with you, not Southwest's which is clear as to the terms for Wanna Get Away fares. Also if your friend were to use the funds before they expire, they obviously should pay you back for them. (They should pay you back for them anyway if they said they would originally, but I guess that has already been discussed.) Your other option is to wait out the fund expiration, and call to have it reinstated as a voucher for a fee which is currently $100, but would be worth it to get $130 value back - the voucher can be used by anyone, if you fly Southwest more frequently then it could be used.
... View more
07-30-2018
02:48 PM
07-30-2018
02:48 PM
@w84wind wrote: I use my companion pass to book my daughter along with my reservation. Flights booked using the companion pass do not show on her account, so she cannot check-in or get a boarding pass on the app. I have tried re-adding her RR# and looked for other potential issues - but none were found... Does it show on your own reservation page: https://www.southwest.com/myaccount/trips/upcoming Where it shows your confirmation number, it should also be showing the companion confirmation number underneath.
... View more
@bhangad wrote: Thanks @rtbarron for the proper reply. really appreciated. I'll put @rtbarron down for solution to the original poster's question - but I'm still not sure of the new question about changes to tickets with the new flight between 36-25 hours prior. As far as I've ever heard, the EBCI and A-list position assignments aren't "re-run" after the 36 hour time and would have to check-in manually. I don't know the technical obstacles that would keep them from re-running, obviously anyone with that EBCI would be at the end of the EBCI line with the others having already been checked in at 36 hours prior, but that would still be better than nothing. At 25 hours prior you would also be behind connecting passengers who may have a 1-6 hour head start on you from checking in at their origination flight. Having made a few last-minute changes before I believe I lost the A-list check-in, but now I don't remember if those were 25 hours prior changes, or less than 24 hour changes when I did that. I wouldn't have had EBCI either way.
... View more
@rich1954 wrote: I have companion pass but not enough points to book my flight. If someone else books a flight for me with their points can I still add companion? Yes, the booking doesn't make a distinction between you booking with your own points, or someone else booking on your behalf with their points. Ironically, the companion can use their points to book you, then you book the companion if that's where you are heading with this one. But it wouldn't matter who used the points in the first place, once you have your ticket from cash (and equivalents) or points, you can use compantion functionality. We've determined that a companion can't book their own companion though, the companion ticket would be non-revenue and ineligible to have its own companion ticket.
... View more
07-30-2018
12:22 PM
07-30-2018
12:22 PM
@drober01 wrote: It is incredibly frustrating to pay for wifi/internet connection that is incredibly slow. I was excited about having 3 hours on my flight to get work done, but it is impossible due to the almost lack of internet speed. I find that the older planes have better WiFi, but the new 800's and MAX8's internet needs to be fixed. Southwest should offer their Wifi/internet service for free because it is almost fraudulent to charge for a service that does not work or just don't offer it at all. I fly a lot and will use other carriers since others actually work. They do offer the TV for free - were you browsing in general, or trying to use a VPN? Feedback on this community is "do not buy" if your work requires a VPN. For email and general web browsing it may be slow, but usable. I personally download key files to thumbdrive as I know the connection won't be strong enough to get on my VPN network. I'm curious if anyone has figured out where to sit for the best reception, i.e. if the antenna is in the front is the service stronger there, or are there access points throughout the cabin?
... View more
I'm sorry to hear of your bad experience, Southwest staff have generally been very helpful for us traveling with our 2 year old over the years. The FA must have had some bad experience recently with the aisles to make an issue of it, especially when you acknowledged the first request and then got back in the bin when no one was waiting. I'm sure it was something like that and not trying to start something to get you kicked off, she must have just been really concerned about the aisles that day. Hopefully the return trip was quiet like most of your other experience on Southwest.
... View more
07-30-2018
10:05 AM
07-30-2018
10:05 AM
@chgoflyer wrote: It's pretty doubtful that the first 12 peoole to board would all want the exit row. I actually find that oftentimes seats in the exit row (when not being saved) are still open well into the B group, sometimes even later. Many people (for reasons that escape me) prefer the bulkhead row. So ultimately, I don't think your suggestion would help. Instead, I wish Southwest would actually affect a seat-saving policy: Passengers can save any adjacent seat only, and no seat saving in the bulkhead or exit row. This would limit saved seats to 2 at most, and keep the prime seats open. I think this is a compromise most people would be fine with. Sadly, I doubt it will ever happen. This sounds pretty good to me! And i agree - after all of the complaining about people taking the exit rows, more often than not the middle seats in the exit rows go empty if the flight isn't full - based on my informal survey, a middle seat exit row spot is less desirable than an aisle or window in other rows. A lot of the early boarders on my flights go for seats towards the front, presumably for an easy escape when deboarding or access to lavatory during the flight.
... View more
@TheMiddleSeat wrote: @DancingDavidE I can't wait until I can be on a flight with you I'll be sure to bring a nice piping hot bowl of clam chowder and a side of freshly microwaved salmon. Just wait until I open that Tupperware container! I hate morning flights, not just because I'm not a morning person, but because the smell of coffee or anything resembling an Egg McMuffin on a plane makes me want to empty my stomach. Bleh! --TheMiddleSeat Maybe DEN-MDW-BWI? I'll bring the coffee.
... View more
@traciewest wrote: How do I add insurance to my flight tickets in case something happens and I am not able to use them? Cliff notes version: Without change fees, Southwest is a leader in flexible airline ticket purchases as long as you would be flying them again in the near future. I don't believe Southwest sells insurance in-house, other than: Wanna Get Away fares can be cancelled and you would be issued Travel Funds to be used on a future flight within one year of the original purchase date. Anytime and Business Select fares are refundable - if it is highly likely to have a cancelation, and you don't want travel funds from a WGA fare, then you can buy the refundable fares. Warning: don't change these tickets which makes them non-refundable, always cancel and re-book. You'd have to go outside of Southwest to get travel insurance for rental car, hotel, etc. If you use Costco rental cars the cancelation is very generous as long as you would be able to cancel prior to your scheduled pickup...kind of like Southwest's 10 minute prior to depature cancelation policy.
... View more
07-27-2018
01:52 PM
07-27-2018
01:52 PM
@dfwskier wrote: I am NOT completely confident of what I am about to say, but I seem to recall a day in the past where my flight was cancelled and I was able to just log in to my account, go to reservation in my account, and then pick "change flight." You might want to try that. I'm not sure what enables that option, but I recall doing this once before as well. I don't see any "global" reaccomodation link on the website yet as they sometimes have during major snowstorms or hurricanes. While you are on hold, maybe try Twitter as well. Don't send any personal information until they ask for a direct message.
... View more
@mckim921208 wrote: I changed my first name and last name. Is it replaceable? In addition to the other responses, make sure that your ID when you fly will also match the new name on the ticket. It comes up a lot with married/maiden names that someone has changed their last name, but their ID may still be the prior name at the time of the flight.
... View more
@rtbarron wrote: @DaijP wrote: should I call back and ask someone else You can try but it may not make a difference. The exception that I noted in my first reply was a Customer who cancelled his reservation in error. If the cancellation was a mistake on your part, explain that to the representative who answers the phone. If you cancelled the reservation and then changed your mind a few hours later, you will probably have to pay the fare difference to rebook your reservation. For example, one of the cases where it was re-instated was where someone had three similar reservations and canceled the wrong one. We don't need to know the details, it isn't up to us. but let the customer service rep know what happened and maybe they can restore it.
... View more
The travel funds are not transferable, but just as you bought a ticket for someone else that they now "own" they could return the favor. If that person doesn't plan to fly Southwest for the next year they may not be interested though, it depends on the travel funds having value to them.
... View more
07-26-2018
10:41 AM
07-26-2018
10:41 AM
@miranda1 wrote: Thank you so much Lindsey!! Having the letter may ease your mind, and I've heard of other travelers bringing copies of birth certificates, but according to the guidelines you won't need those things.
... View more
07-26-2018
10:39 AM
07-26-2018
10:39 AM
@dfwskier wrote: @lyndapage wrote: Southwest knows virtually NOTHING about how to do this and refers you back to the Rio. of course there is no way to call the box office at the Rio. You need to remember that Southwest had nothing to do with this ad , except accepting it for insertion in the Southwest magazine. Southwest did not devise the ad content. Southwest did not compose the ad. Southwest did not come up with the discount code, Southwest did not come up with the apparently ineffective way to use the discount code. Southwest was paid by Rio for publishing the ad in the magazine. That's it. I'm just trying to insure that your indignation is focused on the proper target: The Rio. Even the publishing of Spirit is somewhat separate from the airline portion of the business. Anyway - I hope you got the tickets. Keep trying the Rio, they can either make this work from this code, or they will have other ways to help especially if you are staying there too or if you are members of their rewards club.
... View more
@canoegirl wrote: Thank you Ashley, That definitely helps! Can you tell I'm anxious to get A-list? I have definitely seen the little needle moving, and the # of points indicated, but trying to plan ahead to be sure I meet the points, I have been unsure whether, for example, the double points promotion I've gotten on the last couple of flights were all added to that number, or just the regular points to the A-list and the doubled amount toward rewards flights. Did you make it? The other rule of thumb you could (have) used is whatever you spend on WGA fares is 6x points. So if you will be qualifying on points and you need 6,000 more points points, you would be spending $1,000 on flights the rest of the year - then you can gauge for your regular route what the typical cost is and how many more flights that would be. If any of your flights are last minute and the costs are high, go for the Business Select if it is a small incremental upcharge to get the 12x points - what might have been four flights to spend $1,000 would now be only $500 on one/two flights with Business Select. If you aren't/didn't/won't qualify on points basis but need a couple of flights, you could make a day-trip to a nearby location. For instance MDW-MSP is an easy trip, the light rail will let you take a trip downtown or MOA, and head back the same day to get two legs in if you were that close based on number of flights.
... View more
@franktravel wrote: Check your emails. I have received many "Refer a friend to Rapid Rewards" and receive points over the last few years. I have also received many emails to refer friends to "Chase Rapid Rewards" Just to clarify...you'd have to use these links, a regular "word of mouth" referral wouldn't be tracked in that way. There may also be a general link to forward to friends/family, but if it isn't part of a promotion then also no bonus, but hopefully some goodwill from your friends/family if they enjoyed flying Southwest...have them buy you a beverage the next time you fly!
... View more
@yorkieciara wrote: I have a reservation next week made by a third party for me, in my name, and I have the reservation number. However, it was not made online. I need to know how I can check in in advance since it is not an online reservation. It was made by a casino. When I called they told me I could check in online, but the message I get when I enter the reservation number is that it is one made other than online. I have always used EB boarding, but that cannot be added to this ticket according to what I was told on the phone today. Thanks. You won't be able to check in until the 24-hour mark, regarless of the booking method, the same as your other Southwest flights previously. Accessing the reservation to change it may be a different issue, I'm not familiar with what restrictions might be in place in terms of how the casino booked the ticket for you. Don't post any personal information, but can you reprint the error message by copy and paste so we can see the whole thing?
... View more
07-25-2018
11:39 AM
07-25-2018
11:39 AM
@chgoflyer wrote: Tickets are non-transferrable. Assuming you bought a Wanna Get Away fare, they're non-refundable as well. But Southwest will allow the original passenger to use the funds towards another flight with no additional change fee (just a fare difference, if applicable) for one full year from the date you made the original purchase. Perhaps you could have the friend who is unable to go pay for the ticket for the new passenger? If you want a workaround @Deion this is probably one of the best ways. As long as the person no longer flying will take a trip before the expiration, this would be fair.
... View more
07-25-2018
10:45 AM
07-25-2018
10:45 AM
@Ontheroad247 wrote: Most recently, I was on a Southwest flight where the teenager behind me (boarding position ~A15) decided that she was going to save 4 entire rows in the front of the plane for her teammates. I could see the frustration as the girl told passenger after passenger that she had reserved those seats, just like she were on a school bus. By the time the whole team was seated we were all wishing that we were sitting in the back of the plane - at least it was quiet back there! I know these encounters are few and far between, but it's frustrating to encounter such blatant disregard for other travelers. Oh boy! That's a tough one, obviously a teenager on a sports team may not have the experience as to what they are doing, or awareness of the needs of others. When Southwest is invovled in similar travels in the past on my flights, I have seen the FA and gate agents work to get them to take a block towards the back to alleviate the saving of seats, but still get them together. That was probably a missed opportunity on your flight!
... View more
07-25-2018
10:44 AM
07-25-2018
10:44 AM
If this comes up often, then you may want to re-nominate so that each of you can fly, and each have a companion (two free tickets) instead of being limited to one companion ticket, if you travel with the same group very often. Otherwise, you can try to add one and see what happens if the functionality is there. This would be unfortunate if it wasn't allowed, and Southwest only found out close to the date of travel then the "companion of the companion" would be out of a ticket, and either not travel or have to buy a last minute fare. If you try it today, way before travel though, then you can see if it allows you to go all of the way through booking or not. The quotation from the terms sounds like it is not allowed though.
... View more
07-25-2018
10:41 AM
07-25-2018
10:41 AM
@dfwskier wrote: Sorry to hear about your continuing bad eperience. Been there, done that. A few years ago I was stranded in Denver as a res ult of thunderstorms rolling thru. I got rid of my rent car and went to the gate to wait for my flight. Flights were being cancelled all around me. My flight was delayed , then delayed more, then delayed even more, finally cancelled at 11:30 pm (6 hours after scheduled departure time). By then all hotels near the airport were sold out (except the $400/night one), rent cars were going for $175. I got on the phone with SW and was told the earliest flight out was 22 hours later. Then I got lucky, and someone cancelled a seat on the 5 a.m. departure while I was on the phone with SW.. The reservation agent grabbed it. I slept on the concourse floor, and started boarding at 4:30 am. Our family was flying out of Orlando that day someone's camera battery exploded in their bag and they cleared the airport. We were just arriving to MCO and didn't hear anything about it unfortunately, dropped off the rental car....and pandemonium! I had driven by the curbside checkin and there was a huge line - didn't realize that was the line for the check-in all of the way outside. We were pretty significantly delayed as well, and I had to re-rent a car which was painful - it was eerie seeing the rental car level completely empty, but we did make it back one day later. Our destination being MDW we have a few more options than Columbus I'm sure. A few lessons learned for anyone reading this thread - not helpful to the OP going to Columbus now, but in general: Call-in times will be very long during a major weather event or catastrophe at a hub airport. Try the internet first - you may have a link waiting for you or use the general re-accomodation link to try for a new flight. If that isn't satisfactory... Get in line for an agent, but get on the phone too. Whichever connects first! The search by the agent or on the phone will show tickets for the number in your group. If time is of the essence and you can split up, tell Southwest that you can split up to take individual seats. You only get one re-accomodation for free - if you take the online one, then get in line and try to change again it may not be allowed. Remember, they are probably still working to reaccomodate everyone and letting you have two chances may not be possible. If it has quieted down a bit, the ticket agent may be more helpful. During the busiest time, get your best option and get out of the way. When I was in Orlando during the bomb scare, they weren't allowing Tampa as an alternate if I remember correctly although we were willing, but ask if there are other Southwest airports within driving distance and you have a rental car. Chicago/Milwaukee. Orlando/Tampa/Jacksonville, Reagan/BWI/Dulles for instance.
... View more
07-24-2018
01:07 PM
07-24-2018
01:07 PM
@eavesjr wrote: So, I have what I'm afraid is a dumb question. I have qualified for the Companion Pass and now have a points total of approximately 150,000. My question is: Have I simply qualified for the Companion Pass program? Or... do I have to "pay" 110,000 points to add someone as my companion (reducing my points total to approximately 40,000)? Even though this is marked solved, I wanted to clarify as I think the OP had a slightly different question - earning points in terms of "tier qualifying" for CP or A-list is completely separate from redeeming points or paying them for flights and other rewards. You can redeem points as you go, that doesn't affect your tier qualifying total of points which is cumulative for the year, whether you redeemed any or not.
... View more
@Ontheroad247 wrote: Hello, Is Southwest planning on implementing child-free travel or quiet zones on domestic flights? I travel frequently for work and would be willing to pay extra for quiet zones for business travelers. This zone is only as wide as the exit rows. I think you also have a good chance towards the front, the kids won't generally have really low boarding numbers although the business traveler spouse may be saving a spot for a kid. I think its fair to ask if you suspected someone was saving a spot for a kid so that you can relocate - another business traveler would understand your needs. Avoid the back, the families definitely end up there where there are rows together at family boarding positions...other than that I think you'll have to do the best you can, and feel free to get up and move if you still can and feel the need to do so.
... View more
@jkolenp wrote: Having just returned from a nightmare trip with my 84-year old mother who is wheelchair-bound because of a broken hip, I just want to know how can I get a refund of the return half of what should have been a simple trip from Chicago to DC? With Southwest, without any notice whatsoever, when we arrived at the airport two hours before boarding yesterday, we were told that our flight was cancelled and we should go home and travel some other day. Having checked Mom out of a SNF to travel, returning was not an option, so we endured connections, re-routings and further delays and ended up at BWI at 8pm, instead of DCA at 2:45. Then, this morning, again for no reason whatsoever, SW cancelled my return flight and claimed the ONLY way to get to Chicago was to take a flight through Atlanta and endure another day-long delay. I went to United, bought a full fare ticket, leaving at the same time as my cancelled flight was not allowed to leave (supposedly due to weather), and now I just want a refund of the return half of my ticket. What is wrong with this airline? If Southwest canceled the flight, and you didn't rebook, then you should be able to contact customer service to get a refund. Sorry to hear about your travels being interrupted, it sounds like weather was pretty bad on the East Coast at that time, that sounds like a rough few days.
... View more
07-24-2018
12:35 PM
07-24-2018
12:35 PM
@DaijP wrote: If I wanted to cancel my flight and unfortunately I have a non-refundable ticket, is it possible for me to get my money back and not credit. I’m not a traveler and I never traveled before this was gonna be my first time and I would really hate if it goes to credit cause I didn’t plan on traveling anywhere else. After the travel funds expire a year from the original date of purchase you may be able to pay a fee (currently $100) to have the travel credit exchanged for a voucher. If your credit was more than $100, then once you had the voucher anyone could use it in case you have a family member or friend that flies more frequently. Make sure of what the expiration would be for the voucher that someone you know would be able to use it before paying any additional money. Keep an eye on the sales, maybe you'll see a fun opportunity pop up to use all or most of your travel fund credit that you weren't expecting. Depending where you are it could maybe even be used for a day trip to somewhere like Minneapolis where you can take the light rail into town or Mall of America...sight see, and head back to the airport same day. Chicago is obviously a good one in that regard. A few other cities are also setup well to see a few sights and get back to the airport easily.
... View more
07-24-2018
12:31 PM
07-24-2018
12:31 PM
@DaijP wrote: I purchased a ticket for Thursday but I wanted to see if there was anyway I could change it to Friday without paying extra. This works sometimes, the supply and demand (and competition) for connecting pairs of cities are all different. I one time changed a flight from MDW to LAS on the same day - and got a travel credit back. But this won't typically be the case, most routes will tend to increase as time for the flight gets closer, especially if you are within a week of travel.
... View more
07-24-2018
12:27 PM
07-24-2018
12:27 PM
@dfwskier wrote: Lots of people try to change their flights for various reasons. Some are legitimate. Some are excuses. If your friend had realized the error immeditely after buying the tickets, the claim would have had greater credibility. I've done that -- Realizing I'd made a mistake minutes after hitting the "buy ticket." button. In those cases the airline has been pretty acomodating. Waiting a significant amount of time since the intial purchase just looks more suspcious. All I can suggest is to try customer relations again. You might get the same response as the first time, or maybe a different one. My guess is that you'll get the same response. You won't know unless you try. Good luck. That's probably the best suggestion to reach out by customer relations or twitter, but if the family member has already paid for the change then I think it would be difficult to reverse it. It's complicated since there is a 24-hour window to refund any mistakes if it was realized right away, and going back now it would be difficult to know the price for the new flights compared to the price of the booked flights on the incorrect day - they may have been the same, the other flight may have already been more expensive, maybe cheaper, hard to say now. Hundreds or thousands of people change their tickets on short notice every day, so although it is a traumatic event for your family member this is normal business for Southwest (and the other airlines). At least there isn't a change fee, so I hope that everyone had a successful travel and good luck if he chooses to reach out to Southwest for a follow up. I wouldn't be too optimistic, but if you don't ask the chances are zero.
... View more
Loves Given To