Southwest Airlines Community

@menapaulson wrote: There is a $50,000,000,000 bail out in the bill to bail out the airlines Not yet there isn't. No bill has been passed. If an airline runs out of cash, it will go belly up   Both American and United went into bankruptcy as a result of the last downturn in 2008. Both emerged much smaller, laying off tens of thousands of employees.   edit add:   Let's pretend that you are an airline CEO. you have to make a choice.  Your options are   1) pay out lots of refunds. Use up your cash reserve, and stand a real chance of driving the company into bankruptcy.   2) Pay out no refunds. Hack off lots of customers, but conserve cash and maximize the chance that bankruptcy won't happen.   What option do you choose?   This a very real question that airline execs are struggling with ... View more

Please read first post in this thread:    https://www.southwestaircommunity.com/t5/Reservations/No-Airline-is-refunding-all-non-refundable-fares-WHY/m-p/104389#M641 ... View more

@menapaulson wrote: I think It was the want to get away. But I specifically asked if it was refundable and was told it was. Who the hell knew there would be a global pandemic. I strongly object to the non-refundable policy even though I was told it was! I am a senior citizen with mobility issues. I might fly again, but I do not want an expiration date on it! The Federal Govt. will bail out the airlines. What about the little people like me? Be fair Southwest.   In view of a situation that the world could never have imagined a month ago, your refund policy should change.    I am personally helping in my community thru all of these changes and doing what I can to obey the CDC stay at home order. I would think a BIG corporation like Southwest Airlines COULD ADJUST!       You were likely given (or heard) incorrect info when you booked. Southwest Wanna Get Away fares aren't refundable, but they are reusable. 100% of your fare can be used towards another flight, without change, cancellation or rebooking fees. This is different from ever other air carrier, so it's emphasized frequently.   Depending on when you made the purchase, it's also possible that you booked a Senior fare. Those fares, which are now no longer available since Dec. 11, 2019, are fully refundable. Although, if they're telling you now that it's non-refundable, it's probably a WGA fare. You can check your original confirmation email and it will show the particular fare type.   Southwest is currently working through the process of extending the expiration dates of travel funds for those affected, to June 30, 2021. This should include yours, although the expiration date shown online won;t reflect that yet.   It's very unlikely, given the anticipated huge financial loss air carriers in general and Southwest in the specific will experience, that refunds will be offered on non-refundable fares. For what it's worth, however, you can definitely let Southwest know your thoughts. The forum here is mostly customer-to-customer, so you'll want to contact them directly through any of the ways shown at the Contact Us link below. My recommendation would be a letter sent via snail mail. ... View more

https://www.southwestaircommunity.com/t5/Reservations/No-Airline-is-refunding-all-non-refundable-fares-WHY/m-p/104081#M578 ... View more