Southwest Airlines Community

I also don't have the 'Avatars' section, and indeed get the same error message when I try to elevate an already-uploaded photo to it. ... View more

@YeahNoMaybe wrote: Just a few days ago on an Orlando-Houston flight....  I was in the A group.... I boarded to find one of the pre-boarders has managed to find enough hats, food bags, jackets, etc. to save EIGHT additional seats for his party boarding later... NINE seats total (including his)... an entire row and a half saved...  NINE SEATS... I wanted to look at him and say, "You, SIR, are the exact reason Southwest is going to begin assigning seats." Unbelievable. It is an inconsistency if the preboarders only get one helper, but then can save this many seats it would be easier just to let everyone board with the preboarder.    So no they aren't supposed to do it that way.     ... View more

@Justcurious1 wrote: Learning opportunity for me about this works.  Earlier this week in a smaller airport with no self help kiosks ( you had to wait to get to the counter and then do the kiosk with the agent to print the baggage tags). It was 4 am and about 3 or 4 agents were doing 2 kiosks at a time.  Where the regular line and priority check in line ended were right next to each other.  There was a customer in the regular line who was letting every single priority person go to the kiosk before her at least 8 passengers if not more. By the time the priority line cleared the regular line had gotten so large it was exceeding its the ropes. I was of the thought priority line would work like it would it did in Disney - where priority goes every other person, to keep both lines moving.  However this pattern continued since it was the one set. I feel the agents could have maybe directed it a bit better by shouting which line they were calling from. Rather than, “next in line”, calling “next in priority” or “next in regular”.  I guess my question comes down to, was this the typical way this goes? If yes, I will know for next time!  The way it worked is the typical or expectation - priority line walks up, priority line is next.   However usually there are more than one agent working the counters.    Not having seen it in action the passenger was doing it "correctly" but usually it would be directed by the agent.     ... View more

The referenced link was from 2018. Not surprising that a six year old link isnt functioning. ... View more

@DHardie wrote: The boarding position is not guaranteed next to yours. I've been waiting on this for the last 36 hours with my latest companion pass. I had early bird check-in and the SW terms per the representative said I didn't have to buy the early bird check-in for my companion that it would automatically apply to my companion and it didn't. So since my companion is my 11 year old daughter, I have wasted my $25 for my early bird check-in and will have to board later with her in the boarding group SW assigned to her. I bought her the early bird check-in for the return flight now that I know. It should have worked the way you described it - run through the situation with the gate agents and hopefully they can let you board together at the earlier spot.  it should work either way for her or you to have it and the companion or companion pass holder get pulled along in the assignment.   Was everything booked more than 36 hours prior to the flight?     ... View more

Yes. You can book your flights now and then once the pass becomes active, add your friend as a companion. You'll have to add him using your Southwest account. He can't do it ... View more

@teffe wrote: I am under the impression that if you are A List Preferred, you, as well as everyone on your reservation, can board after A Group. Here’s why I ask: I travel a lot for business and during the summer months I bring my family since my wife works remotely and my two daughters are out of school. I purchase a ticket through my business account and add my wife on the companion pass. I then use points for my daughters. Though when I check in for flights I get three different confirmation numbers, one for me, one for my wife and one for my two daughters. Even though I have three different confirmation numbers, they all get linked to the same reservation. My wife and I always get boarding passes somewhere between A16-A20, but my daughter end up in late B or C group. What are my boarding options here? I get conflicting guidance from every gate agent I talk to. Boarding after the A-Group is family boarding, which would apply if one of your kids is 7 or under.    Otherwise the boarding positions are working as advertised, your companion gets checked in sequentially with your ALP status but the kids on the points tickets have to check in manually.   Here's how we did it just recently: I have Alist and companion pass. I bought tickets with cash for me and my wife. My wife has promotional companion pass so each kid is a companion of one of us.   When we got the boarding passes I was A-17, my daughter companion was A-18, my wife was A-19 booked on the same reservation, and kiddo #2 was A-20 being linked to my wife's check-in.   It won't work if you make a separate booking with points though, it's a different confirmation number. I'm not sure what you are referring to when you said it was "the same reservation" in that description.             ... View more

I just received 12 of them in the mail today;  I have never seen them before and had to come here to see what it was all about.  Looking forward to giving some out, there have been some well deserved people in the past that would have been nice to give to. ... View more

I definitely would have said something to the FA. You shouldn't have to suffer because a passenger fails to notify the airline that they are too large to fit in one seat. Yes, if there were seats available you could have just moved, but I would go to the FA first so that they could properly and politely inform the passenger about their Customer of Size policy. That way the passenger knows what to do for their future flights in order to avoid inconveniencing other passengers, and additionally help them avoid potential embarrassment about the situation on their future flights.  ... View more

If it is a popular route or time of year (like Christmas or Hawaii) then I would not risk it and would add the companion.   ... View more

Hello SouthWeset,   I recently redeemed my Rapid Rewards points for a Spotify gift card, intending to give it to my college daughter. However, we discovered that the card is restrictive and can only be used for Spotify's Premium service. We initially thought it could be used for any Spotify purchase, but it turns out to be a promotion for their Premium service. Had I known this, I wouldn't have redeemed my points for it. I've emailed Southwest about this issue but haven't received a response yet. I'm sharing this to warn others about this limitation so they don't fall into the same trap. If you do get this card, make sure you're interested in Spotify Premium specifically, as it can't be used for anything else on Spotify.   Best of Luck!! ... View more

@mattreily wrote: Totally forgot the AFB, how could I? My apologies!    Which is a no brainer, friend's and family of soldiers probably feel even further away than they need to be, because of this lack of service into ABI. Are there gates available? It would be on the small side for a Southwest airport.   It looks like it is about 5x too small as of now based on flight volume: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_airports_in_Texas   300,000 to 400,000 per year is typical for the smaller volume airports needed to support the 737's coming through.     ... View more

@preeve55 wrote: Last night at 8pm my sister noticed I had used her maiden name when booking her flight (she’s been married 51 years🤪). Her flight was the next morning at 8am so, to say the least, we were panicking! I found the customer service phone number pretty quick and “Francisco” took my call. He was kind and most helpful. He even checked with another colleague to ensure he was giving me the most accurate resolution. When we arrived at the airport this morning “Liz” was at the counter and quickly changed her name (after we supplied the documentation Francisco told us we’d need). The entire experience could have gone so much worse, Southwest Airlines staff made it seem like it was nothing. Thank you so much for your help Francisco & Liz!! PS  I told them they deserved a bonus for this:) Without sharing all of the details you can send out a message on Facebook or twitter to thank Francisco and Liz so that they are recognized by their leadership, or use the Contact Southwest Customer Service options.    Don't post any personally identifying information unless you are invited to a direct message to share specific details. (Usually someone will follow up to get your confirmation number privately to confirm your itinerary that day.) ... View more

We had a similar situation when going to Arizona. We had a layover at BWI, suddenly we're stopping in PSP (palm springs). We didn't recall seeing that in our initial boarding.    It was only when I looked closer there was small print of a stop in PSP then right to Phoenix.    So it may have been there but just not noticed. Just my thoughts. Still I'm sorry this happened to you.  ... View more

Both UA and AA tell me how many life time miles I have on them. Havenl't checked my DL account since I've not flown DL since it pulled it;s Dallas hub decades ago. I do check my Skymiles account every once in a while.  Knowing a SW lifetime number would be nice. - but even that would since RR came about. I had lots of flights before then.   Then there all those "deceased"   airlines that I;ve flown; Braniff, Eastern Ozark, Western Pacific, Midway, ATA , Canadian  - I'm sure there are a few that I've forgotten.   Plus a few on Spirit and Frontier and Lufthansa. ... View more

@DancingDavidE wrote: @fgerm1 wrote:   I don't get the impression that there's enough ALP vs A-List members jumping in at that time to make the distinction.    I agree. I do it fairly frequently and there has never been a large que of AL or ALP to board at A61.It wihkd not make much of a dfference. ... View more

@SoCalFlyer97 wrote: Hello!   Nice suggestion to ensure those with special needs diets are accommodated, especially aboard longer flights, except I would have the gluten-free snack option be a complimentary substitute to the pretzels or Remy Grahams. Feel free to let SW know directly in an email or DM via Twitter/X so that your suggestion will reach the proper staff as this forum is customer-to-customer and may not reach the proper staff personnel: https://support.southwest.com/helpcenter/s/email-us   For now, I would continue to pack and bring your own food if you have special dietary needs. SW currently offers premium drinks and I would support SW offering gluten-free snack substitutes and premium protein-based food for sale too. My solution is that if the Remy grahams are available i eat them and just hope it doesn't kick in until we land.   I'm kind of joking, but I know many people feel the effects more seriously than I do and I do hope there can be a return of a gf selection, but unfortunately other than peanuts.   I would definitely plan to grab a bag of something at the airport or bring from home if this is needed.         ... View more

@MKE-ATL wrote: The methodology is a big concern. Preferring assigned seating doesn't necessarily equate to choosing other airlines over SW. One can prefer assigned seating and still be loyal to SW, just as a person who prefers assigned seating may still never choose SW even with assigned seating. The real methodology should address the elasticity of that preference as well. People who prefer open seating are a niche market which SW has a stronghold on, while people who prefer paying for assigned seats have many choices. Is the elasticity of your market that likes the seating policy weaker than the demand that assigned seating can bring. Given that many of SW's most loyal customers are potentially loyal because of the seating policy, does it risk sending them to the competition without wooing enough of the people from the competition.   Also, given that AA had similar financial results, is a knee-jrk reaction the best long term choice given the historical success of SW's Financials. If the industry as a whole is in a similar slump, is SW risking long term financials by trying to fix the short term.   Exactly this as well - was Southwest "not doing it right" when they were cleaning up against the field with their 2019 margins? A lot has taken place since then and maybe the old way of doing things can bounce back or be adjusted work better instead of completely changing everything.   There aren't planes and pilots available to poach a bunch of passengers away from the other guys right now anyway, assuming that the flow of passengers will be a net favorable gain for Southwest.    I hope it works out but I'm nervous.   ... View more

A huge percentage of Alaskans live in the Anchorage area, so the small amount of traffic coming from small towns can be left to Alaska.  Alaska's main hub is Seattle anyway.  Lots of cruises also end near Anchorage.   Anchorage to Denver, Las Vegas, Dallas, Houston, Chicago and Baltimore would make great redeye candidates.   Several years ago I took a redeye from Anchorage to Minneapolis and it worked out great.  The downside to serving Anchorage is the extreme seasonality,  but Southwest still serves Fort Myers despite it's extreme seasonality. Run flights to Anchorage in the summer and more flights to RSW in the winter. ... View more

LGA to STL right now, we’re diverted to kansas city due to bad weather, they are letting off people with connected flights to customer service but i’m just sitting in the plane ... View more

Unfortunately, two months ago departing LAS I spoke to the gate agents and explained I need a front row seat. I recently had surgery and am in a full locked leg brace which I have no movement at my knee. I also use a mobility scooter. When it was time to board, 8 wheelchair users stood up from their wheelchairs and rushed down the jet way, while I was stuck behind them. The agent announced “ those in wheelchairs who can get themselves down the jet way, go ahead” . Unfortunately that put me in a position not having a front row seat and I safely boarding with my leg. So in a”perfect”world the disabled are often ignored. By the way the majority of these original 8 wheelchair users did not wait for a wheelchair to deplane. We all know that’s another topic. ... View more

There is a pretty significant weight difference between a 737-700 and a Max 8 - about a 60,000 pound difference.   The other thing to remember is to attain sufficient lift for takeoff requires a higher speed in hot air than air that is not so hot -- ie use more runway. It also brings into play another factor: plane tires are speed rated - meaning do not intentionally go faster than. The temps in Las Vegas may be pushing that limit - thus find some way to lighten the plane and lower the speed required to lift off.. ... View more

You usually only get the 10K companion boost once per calendar year even with multiple cards (this is different from the card renewal bonus which can be received across multiple cards)   To my knowledge they would not issue the 10K head start a second time... but anything is possible! ... View more

@Madisongaget wrote: Hi!  I was wondering if I needed any special documentation or need to consider anything when flying with my 10 year old sibling without either of our parents. I’m married and have a new last name and just wanted to be ahead of any issues that may arise. We will be on the same confirmation number and flying domestic.   thank you!  As long as your name and ID are matching the ticket you should be good.   The other bad advice about ID earlier that had appeared but thankfully moderators caught it - a minor isn't required to have an ID. If she does have something then great, but it isn't required by TSA or Southwest.     ... View more

@sunilpenna10 wrote: Hi   I am planning to book a ticket with 40 min layover in Denver and no plane change. Since I am travelling with 16 months old, I would like to get out of plane and get back in after changing diapers and get some muscle relaxation for infant. I will be travelling with my family of 4. Is this allowed? Double check ahead of time which lavatory has the changing table and ask the FA for a garbage back and you can wrap up the dirties inside a tied-off bag instead of putting it in the general trash.   If the flights are all on time and it is really 40 minutes you can think of this as 10 minutes deplaning, 10 minutes cleaning and paperwork, counting, and transition, and then 20 minutes of boarding and then leaving probably 10 minutes late.   So you don't get the full 40 minutes, you'd realistically be looking at ten minutes to be back and in line to board, with the A group already boarding by then.   Especially if the other two family members are also kids I'd suggest not getting off even if it was offered.   However, stay aware and if the flight arrives on time but gets delayed for departure then I'd ask.         ... View more

Non stop flight not flights in general.  Thanks ... View more

I also used to check this on the dashboard quite often and now cannot find it. It would tell me how many I have remaining AND when it was going to reset... which is exactly the information I need right now and cannot find. ... View more

@dfwskier wrote: One cannot use points from two different RR acounts to buy  tickets on one reservation.   But here's an idea   You buy you and your wife a one way flight with your points to your destination  .and.   then your wife buys both of you a one way return flight home with her points.  Great suggestion for @Ampflyer3195 this should buy the tickets on the same reservation numbers, and use points out of both accounts.   It isn't necessary to use points on yourself only - you can buy anyone a ticket with the points so there isn't a need to transfer them or make extra transactions.     ... View more

Thank you, I called them and when the agent looked it up the wording was musical instruments, gifts, wedding dresses, etc. It does need to be cleared at the airport, but it's nothing hazardous or dangerous so it should be fine.  Thanks for the reply.  ... View more

@Mariov129 wrote: Youngest is 8 so we can’t do family boarding. This is two adults and three kids?   You can ask the gate agent that you don't meet family boarding criteria but would appreciate some assistance.   2/2/1 may be likely if one of the older kids is okay on their own. And it may work out - head to the back and see what you can get, sometimes people may move a little if you ask nicely, request some help from the flight attendant.    Window seats will start to be taken though even in the back so you may see some 2/2/1 options in adjacent rows or across the aisle from each other.     ... View more