09-19-2018
12:40 PM
09-19-2018
12:40 PM
I'm speculating, but there was a huge outrage nationally against overselling airplanes a few years back. At that time Southwest agreed they wouldn't intentionally oversell flights (plane change, weather, etc. may still cause this to happen occasionally). I'm sure that as a result of that change in practice there will now be more likely to have a few unoccupied seats each flight, and costs paid by everyone who does fly would need to cover the empties compared to before. Southwest also has people looking to standby that are frequent flyers, so having some spots to keep those people happy is a good thing, and they wouldn't want to give away an empty seat for cheap if it may be worth more, or if demand for that seat may show up in the form of a Business Select passenger. Actually I hadn't put a correlation together yet but the end of overselling seems to coincide at least partially with the increased benefits of same-day standby to A-listers...hmm...
... View more
09-19-2018
12:30 PM
09-19-2018
12:30 PM
@bgubs14 wrote: Haha yes! A lot of Airlines now have their signature snacks from Delta’s Biscoff boi cookies 🍪 to the Stroopwafel United takeover! I like the pretzel but also hope southwest will get a new signature snack ! For now I’m enjoying the pretzels and belvita crackers ! I'm gluten-sensitive unfortunately, so I really miss the peanuts. Hopefully a hypo-allergenic nut option, or corn-based. On the longer flights I look forward to the fritos, but generally plan to bring something onboard myself.
... View more
09-18-2018
08:58 AM
09-18-2018
08:58 AM
Sadly they can’t 😞 The RR# is what they need to companion.
... View more
[Edited to add:] The following is my opinion. I do not know if official Southwest policy allows their FAs to accept tips, although I've been told that they are supposed to decline them, unless pressed by the passenger. Policy aside, IMHO it's still inappropriate to tip an FA with cash. Curbside check-in and wheelchair attendants: Yes. (These are not actually Southwest employees, and they depend on tips for their income.) Flight attendants or anyone else in official Southwest uniform: No. FAs are onboard primarily for your safety, and as trained professionals it's not appropriate to tip them. You can, however, give them small gifts such as DancingDavidE mentioned -- I've found that many seem to really enjoy receiving chocolate. 😉 Lastly, it's always appropriate to let Southwest know when an employee has given you particularly great service.
... View more
@CareforNOLA wrote: @Craftychick, I hope your knitting project is one loooong scarf, because it is much harder to bite through yarn than thread, and I have seen TSA confiscate cuticle scissors and even smaller folding scissors. I wonder if you knit something a couple of rows wide but the length of the plane’s interior? I would say that is a tall order but it is actually a long order. That's actual size for a Doctor Who scarf!
... View more
09-17-2018
12:18 AM
09-17-2018
12:18 AM
Unfortunately, all points purchase/transfer transactions are non-refundable and non-reversible. (Southwest uses a 3rd party to provide the service -- points.com -- and these are their terms.) This seems obvious, but perhaps it's a good idea to remember that, generally, commercial solicitations you receive are sent with the sole purpose of generating profit for the sender. 😉
... View more
09-14-2018
01:10 PM
@DancingDavidE wrote: @eavesjr wrote: I know this is very basic, humor me. I just hit A-List for the first time. On my next reservation, I do not have to purchase early bird and my boarding pass will likely be high A with NO ACTION ON MY PART? I don't have to check in manually (on the phone app) and I shouldn't buy early bird...Correct? If you have any reservations made from before and the price is the same or less, you could rebook them to get A-list on your ticket, access to fly-by lane (if you don't already have PreCheck). Otherwise you can keep those tickets as booked but still board at A61, your same-day standby rights would still apply, etc. Actually, just contact Southwest and they'll add your new status to your existing reservations. 😉
... View more
09-14-2018
11:21 AM
09-14-2018
11:21 AM
@dclowd9901 wrote: This may not be the right board for this question, but hopefully it's not too far off. I read a post recently about why Southwest does not do ticketing far in advance. This is not about that. I am in a certain circumstance that requires me to travel on a very fixed schedule between two specific locations. I was wondering if Southwest had a program that allowed me to buy all of my tickets for the year in advance at a discounted rate for those dates with only the ability to purchase tickets for, say, "morning" and "evening", since I know scheduling changes as the flights approach. At this point, it's just annoying that I have to keep coming back month after month to buy the next roundtrip flights. And I'm sure Southwest would benefit from having an assured traveler. There's no "flexible" ticket option that I'm aware of, however a couple of suggestions might help - although it sounds like you are a frequent flyer already, but maybe not on Southwest (yet)? Southwest's tickets are firm, but the policies allow flexibility in many ways: You can buy tickets ahead of time, up through the currently released schedule. If you generally know your time there are even options setup to "buy ticket again" for the same route and time only changing the dates. Buy one-way tickets for ease of tracking and changing your tickets in case you change/cancel very often, sometimes mix airlines inbound/outbound, etc. If your usual flight time was 10 a.m. but sometimes you fly at 7 a.m. there is same-day standby for A-list if you fly Southwest for a while and earn that status. (Let us know if you have other times to suggest for the example.) Since there aren't any change fees, go ahead and book away and then change times as you know them paying only the increase in current airfare, or in some cases receiving a credit. Always use your oldest travel funds first for rebooking. Since you are booking so far out you'll have a shorter window to use travel credits than some others since the expiration is one year from the date of booking. Let us know if I've misunderstood your situation, or if you'd like to look at any specifics of your common route. @dclowd9901 wrote: I am in a certain circumstance that requires me to travel on a very fixed schedule between two specific locations. I was wondering if Southwest had a program that allowed me to buy all of my tickets for the year in advance at a discounted rate for those dates with only the ability to purchase tickets for, say, "morning" and "evening", since I know scheduling changes as the flights approach. Specifically for this point - book your best guess now if there is any consistency to your schedule, and change it later for no change fees. The total cost would be the same as if you waited to book it anyway, and if you don't change then you'll have locked it in way early. The only downside is that travel funds expire one year from date of purchase, so if you did end up with credits from canceling or rebooking at lower fares you'd have a limited time to use it if you booked as far in advance as you could.
... View more
This is from the thread a month ago? WHEW! Way to go Southwest.
... View more
Thank you all for the responses! Southwest should allow point allocation if the flyer is the owner of the points regardless of which account is being used to purchase the tickets. I have decided to transfer the 2k to my account for $20 and get 2 round trip tickets which will cost me $30.
... View more
@Toi652001 wrote: I was recently on Southwest flight 4713 San Diego to Oakland when the flight attendant questioned my friend about a drink he had in his hand but did not question any of the other customers about their drinks. It was apparent my friend was racially profiled because he was black and no white customers with drinks were stopped and questioned. Is it a Southwest policy to question customers regarding their drinks when they are boarding? It would be if the staff thought it was an adult beverage, as it isn't allowed to bring an alcoholic drink from the terminal onto the aircraft. I have seen Southwest question people (of all types) about this before. Passengers have brought these types of beverages onto the aircraft as well, sometimes the type of cup might be more or less obvious, or open to question, or if the passenger was calling attention to themselves it might be more likely to be asked about. One funnier one that I saw was a group of retired folks that brought them onto the aircraft and didn't realize it wasn't allowed and maybe weren't questioned about it due to their age. I mentioned to them that they might have gotten away with one and they were a little bit surprised. (But didn't voluntarily relinquish either.) Anyway, I hope that the situation might be explained by type of cup that was being used which may have stood out, or some other factor. If not, then you probably would need to call customer service about it as this is a customer-to-customer community and we wouldn't be able to remedy a profiling situation or provide any perspective directly from Southwest.
... View more
09-12-2018
04:05 PM
09-12-2018
04:05 PM
@PM2036 wrote: I figured it would be a little more expensive during Spring Break, but not that much more. I will keep my fingeers crossed and be on the lookout. Thanks for your input. 🙂 If other airlines are offering lower fares, then there is a better chance that Southwest will eventually match. If the others are all at the higher rate now, then the other factor that is part of supply and demand is competition won't help you until one or more carriers realizes that supply > demand and adjust.
... View more
09-12-2018
03:10 PM
09-12-2018
03:10 PM
Hi @Klarima14,
The Southwest Community is a Customer-to-Customer discussion forum. This sounds like a situation that would be better addressed by one of our Customer Service Representatives, which you can reach on Twitter (@SouthwestAir) or on the phone at 1-855-234-4654.
... View more
09-12-2018
03:03 PM
@MAA802,
We'd love to hear more about that! Would you be interested in writing a blog post that we can share about your great adventures with the CP?
... View more
09-12-2018
02:20 PM
09-12-2018
02:20 PM
@dfwskier wrote: @ One thing in your favor for the wait time will be that since you are on Hong Kong time, you can call during your daylight hours and find a time that shouldn't be as busy in the mainland USA. If you are A-list then use that number which also has shorter wait times. But even the general number should be relatively slow at 8 a.m. CDT which would be in your afternoon time, or call them during your morning which would be overnight hours CDT. A word of caution about making a call. A Hurricane is scheduled to hit the east cost of the US within a day. Thus lots of people will be calling to reschedule flights. A call at ANY time of the next few days is likely to have a long wait time. You might want to wait til next week. Concur with that @suzanne1009 - if you can wait until next week I wouldn't call now.
... View more
09-12-2018
12:02 PM
09-12-2018
12:02 PM
Here's more to read about the topic: https://www.tsa.gov/blog/2013/04/09/tsa-travel-tips-tuesday-can-you-fly-without-id https://www.outsideonline.com/1962111/can-i-still-fly-without-photo-id https://www.corporatetravelsafety.com/safety-tips/can-you-fly-without-a-drivers-license-or-identification-card-if-they-were-lost-or-stolen/ I have no idea what percentage of people that arrive at security without ID are rejected. I've tried to find something about this and failed. That being said, I'm sure the percentage is not zero.
... View more
09-11-2018
05:07 PM
09-11-2018
05:07 PM
@apcrkelly wrote: What time does curbside checkin open at Ontario Airport in California? Did you have a particular time in mind that would work for you? It should be available 90 minutes before your flight. Check this tomorrow morning to see when the first flights depart: https://www.flyontario.com/flights/departures Looks like at least a 6:15 to DEN on weekdays, 6:00 a.m. to SJC. So I would expect curbside in the 4:30 a.m. time frame, maybe a little later if the flights are later on other days than what I checked.
... View more
09-11-2018
12:05 PM
Thanks for the screenshot. I will have a conversation with my team!
... View more
As someone who infrequently opens credit card accounts, I wasn't aware of the latest trend of just printing the numbers on the back. It is a pretty nifty feature. You had mentioned that some of your non-Chase cards already do this yet ironically your new Freedom card came with embossed numbers. My previous Chase cards (until today) had the "old school" embossed numbers so my Priority card is throwing me for a loop. But, I'm good with it and eager to take the new card out for a spin now.
... View more
09-10-2018
01:41 PM
09-10-2018
01:41 PM
@TheMiddleSeat wrote: Additionally, if instead of canceling their flight, the companion pass holder just didn't show up and the companion boarded the flight, the companion would be removed from the flight. --TheMiddleSeat This must be the main scenario that Southwest is considering when they say the CP ticket passenger cannot fly without the CP holder, otherwise most situations that I can think of would presumably not scan correctly at the gate where the ticket was changed or cancelled...the CP ticket holder wouldn't have a chance to board except in this instance.
... View more
09-10-2018
09:11 AM
09-10-2018
09:11 AM
@rosdur55 wrote: I am using a companion pass for the first time and also have the mobile app on my iPhone. I successfully checked in for both my wife and me (separately checking in as instructed) on my laptop and printed boarding passes. When I checked my mobile app after, the only boarding pass I see is for me. Is there a way to view my wife's boarding pass, who is traveling on the companion pass, in the mobile app? Before I checked in, we were both listed as traveling in the My Trips section. After check-in, it just lists me. Besides the fact that you might be separated in line, it is normal for your wife to login under her own RR account to access her boarding pass, check in herself, etc - the only thing she won't do on her own is pay for the ticket To enable that make sure you include her RR number when you book the companion ticket. It can be added in the profile, or call and add it to any existing reservations if necessary. Same for KTN / PreCheck if applicable.
... View more
09-10-2018
09:07 AM
09-10-2018
09:07 AM
@Susayalevy wrote: Can I travel from the Jamaica to the U.S. alone I am 17 years old? I'm not sure about other airlines, but Southwest's website says 18 and older to fly solo. https://www.southwest.com/html/air/intl/international-travel-documents.html
... View more
@TLWork42 wrote: Can I gate check two car seats and a double stroller if I’m traveling with a toddler and an infant? Or do I have to check one item at the ticket counter? My toddlers car seat is 19” wide and is approved for aircrafts. Will it fit in the aircraft seat? If the car seat was approved by the FAA then that's usually the biggest hurdle, but I see that Southwest advertises 17.8" widest width and yours is a little over that, so there could be a chance that it won't fit, or won't fit with an adult sitting next to the seat. https://www.southwest.com/html/travel-experience/in-the-air.html#our_airplanes Each child can have a stroller and a car seat. Method of checking the items at gate, counter, or curbside doesn't matter. https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/baggage/carryon-bags-pol.html Customers traveling with children will be allowed to check one stroller and one Child Restraint System (CRS) or car seat per child without charge. This is in addition to the regular free baggage allowance. The stroller and CRS or car seat allowance applies to any type of stroller (umbrella, full size, jogging stroller, etc.) and CRS or car seat. The Customer may check the stroller and CRS or car seat at the curb, ticket counter, or gate. Southwest Airlines will not assume liability for damage to strollers, CRS’s or car seats. An optional Southwest-branded reusable car seat/stroller bag is available for purchase at any Southwest Airlines ticket counter for a $17 onetime fee. Bag dimensions are 42”X20.5X12.5”. You could also combine two items into one travel bag - either BYO or purchase a blue bag from Southwest ($17) - which would help both in bringing everything down the jetway as well as reduce total number of checked items.
... View more
Note that while you can check in without an ID, you are always asked to show your government-issued ID when checking a bag. I am not sure the implication of not having that. I would reach out to the Twitter team at @southwestair. I bet they could get you a quick answer on how you could get the bag checked without an ID. They might accept the copy!
... View more
@DancingDavidE wrote: @chgoflyer wrote: If this was indeed a maintenance delay (as opposed to weather) then you should receive compensation. Often, Southwest's proactive customer support will email with a voucher for the inconvenience. If you don;t hear from them soon, reach out to Customer Relations -- I recommend via Twitter direct message for the quickest response. FYI: FAs will often comp drinks on a delayed flight, but that seems to be tightening of late. I've never heard of comped wifi, especially in an IROPS situation. Due to bandwidth issues, the more people that are using the wifi the worse the service is, so the last thing they would want to do is let everyone on board have free access. My recent flights that were delayed the FA didn't seem to come back for payments. I'm always prepared to pay or provide a ticket, but appreciate when they seem to have an unwritten rule not to do that. Anyway, for the OP: you should ask for something if you would like to receive any compensation. In this case most people going to that airport that were local or who would have parked cars there wouldn't have been impacted too badly, but for your son it was a bid deal and it would be fair for you to call and voice your feelings, or as mentioned reach out by Twitter. Also they probably did comp drinks onboard for many people, but this may not have included your son if he's underage. If you opt for social media I'd suggest a softer approach along the lines of "Can someone reach out to me about flight delay due to maintenance?" About two weeks ago, my LAS-MDW was delayed over an hour. I ordered a drink and had a coupon ready to hand over, expecting it to be declined, but the FA did collect it (and, with scanner in hand, seemed to be charging others). Last night, my MSY-MDW flight was delayed about 35 minutes. The two people next to me ordered drinks, and when the FA didn't ask for payment I assumed they were comping them due to the delay. (I ordered a non-alcoholic drink -- I didn't really need another one after a weekend in NOLA.) 😉 Near the end of the flight, however, the FA came back through with the scanner and collected payment from them (and others). I overheard the person behind me say that they thought the drinks were free, but the FA's reply was to just laugh. It certainly seems like I'm seeing less comped drinks lately, but YMMV.
... View more
09-04-2018
07:32 PM
09-04-2018
07:32 PM
@Loloval wrote: Southwest would not let me nurse my daughter while taking off and landing. I had purchased a seat for her for the duration of flight specifically to allow her to rest on my lap so I could nurse her while allowing her legs to be comfortably spread across her seat. It all began when the inflight attendant who was checking for seats asked if she was a “lap baby”. The gate agent told me since I had purchased a seat for her she was not considered a lap baby. My reply was no, she has her own seat and that age was under 2. She said regardless of age she needs to be strapped in the seat on takeoff and landing. At the time of our flight, our daughter was 19 months. I read online on southwests site, under traveling with infant... that if she was under 2 that I could hold her, although it was not recommended. I had flown with her in the past on southwest prior to this trip and was able to nurse during takeoff and landing which I choose to do because of ear popping. The attendants said because she has her own seat she needs to sit in it. I again stated she was under 2 and I nurse her to help upon takeoff and she said that’s when they need to be seat belted in. Our flight was also even delayed into late evening hours where she was needing a nursing and was extremely fussy by the time we boarded and when I did seatbelt her in, she started to get really upset, so I did what she was expecting me too, nurse her but by leaning in while I maintained seatbelted as well, and the heavy buckle was weighting her down and hurting her tummy, and it also left me more exposed then I was comfortable with because I was practically holding myself up so she could reach. I even overheard a women behind me also, who was irrate since we were leaving late, that the babies on board better not keep her up during the flight. Unfortunately my child was a touch louder because of the uncomfortability of the nursing position which added to my anxiety that if I said anything further to the flight attendant that I may be at risk of seen as causing a scene. I also had the birth certificate in my carryon in case it was needed to clarify age, but I was never asked to show it because the flight attendant was adamit about stating that even though she was under 2, age still needed to be strapped in. I had no car seat either? Even though i recalled what I read I did not have it printed out and I could not pull it up on my phone due to cellphone plane mode. What do I do on our next flight which is coming up in 1 month? I want to nurse my child so she doesn’t have to deal with the ear popping? I paid for the seat for comfort too so my husband and I wouldn’t have to gamble for the extra space if the flight was full. I tried to see if there was a place I could email on southwest’s site but all I found was phone numbers and this discussion board. So I hope someone can assist. There needs to be consistency on the flights with the information about nursing on takeoff and landing. I can see if she was older than 2, but she was under 2 at the tine. I'm so sorry to hear about this experience. We have a two-year old also who was a lap child for a while, and then had to transition to ticketed passenger. We also had been informed one flight when she was nervous about take-off that because she had a ticket, she must be in the seat. Having a ticket supercedes being able to be a lap baby. I do think this is an FAA regulation and not Southwest's own requirement, unfortunately it is a confusion situation due to the ticket being optional. But once you buy the ticket, the seat is supposed to be occupied. You may want to look into a CARES harness, you can find a posting or two about that on this community. Otherwise to nurse, I think you'll have to wait until take-off to change positions so that you aren't having your ticketed child on your lap while on the taxiway or runway.
... View more
The Priority card offers 4 free Upgraded Boardings annually, not upgrades to Business Select. You'll need to check at the gate on the day of travel, and if available pay the $30/$40/$50 fee using the Priority card. The charge will be refunded as a statement credit.
... View more
08-31-2018
08:48 PM
Thank you so much, this was very helpful and thank you so much for that link! Now i can see everything 🙂
... View more