10-08-2021
10:03 PM
@gsking wrote: That is a very cheap fare. I say jump on it. You'll get a rebate if it goes down. I'd have E buy the extra points on sale and book their own ticket. Transfer isn't worth the cost. From my calculation shown in my original post (or maybe my 1st reply), it seems like there is an actual savings with the international flights (but not domestic) if I use purchased points at the 65-75% discount. This is why I don't understand why the experts say don't buy. Now I'm confused. I thought @dfwskier was saying it cost more to purchase vs transfer. Can you give me an example? I'm stuck on stupid right now. 🤔 This is what isn't clear to me. The cost of taxes will be high, particularly on the return. They are paid in cash. But fortunately, all points and cash paid for taxes are refunded in kind if anything is canceled. No risk. Yes. Departure flight taxes are $49 but returning flight taxes are $98. This is why I have difficulty calculating what is the better option. It sounds like just paying cash. But this isn't the best route either because as I noted, neither Person A-E are frequent flyers. Next trip will probably be domestic in FY24 and beyond. No car rentals or hotel stays within the next 2 years. 😎
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10-08-2021
09:51 PM
@dfwskier wrote: @strgth wrote: QUESTIONS 1. When is the best time to purchase airfare for international travel? 6, 3, 2 months prior? There is no stock answer to that question. My only advice would be to NOT buy when the schedule opens new dates. That's typically when fares are highest. Example: Dallas/ Chicago lowest fare when February opened was $116. Today it is $64. I did see that in other posts. Admittedly they jumped on the bandwagon when the schedule first opened last December. Then we watched the fare drop, then drop again. That is why some are stuck with travel funds. I'll forewarn them to wait. Thank you! 2. Should Person E purchase 2000 points to top off so that they can purchase their departure fare using their existing points OR Should Person E transfer 2000 points to Person A? Which option avoids the highest cost per transaction? What’s the calculation? Is this a one way transaction. If so, how are you getting back? Purchasing the departure and return leg separately. Focusing on using up everyone's points on the departure first. I would do nothing now. You're traveling 9 months from now. Take the time to earn a few points on your own (the other person could do the same). Lots of rent car companies give 600/1200/2400 points for a car rental. With hotels it's pretty easy to score 1000 points or more. These are young adults who don't travel much, if at all, let alone book a car or hotel stay. Person A was able to accumulate points via RR Shopping. Buying 2000 points will cost 3 cents a point. Transferring 2000 points will cost 1 cent per point. So transferring points is the better route if one of the persons is short but if combined with another person, they'll have enough points. Got it! 3. When points are used to purchase a fare, how are points refunded when cancel a: 1)WGA, Anytime, or BS fares? How are the taxes and fees refunded when cancel? Refunded points go back to the person that provided them - unlike money fares which go to the ticket holder.
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10-08-2021
09:44 PM
@elijahbrantley wrote: I don't think buying points is ever a good deal UNLESS you need just a couple thousand to get you enough to purchase a fare. So here is the question: which is cheaper? Buy some points to top off what you need to book the trip on points (cost for those points) OR the cost of booking one way on points and then paying for the return leg in cash? With SW it is easy to book the outgoing and incoming lets separately, and there is no difference in the cost if you do that. Simply, is it cheaper to buy the extra points or book part of your trip in cash. Every situation is different, but I think that's the key question to help you decide. Good luck! Right now Person A is concentrating on purchasing the departing leg with points. Persons A-E will each purchase their own returning leg with cash.
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10-08-2021
05:26 PM
Thank you everyone for the insight. So here is one scenario (NOTE: no one in the scenario is interested in accumulating points.; if anything, they're trying to use them up): SCENARIO 1: 1. 5 ppl (Persons A-E) traveling internationally (Caribbean) in Summer 2022 2. The lowest departure fare at this time is 6059 points 3. Person A has enough points to cover departure fare for Persons A-D but is 2,000 points short to cover departure fare for Person E 4. Person E is 1840 points short from purchasing their own departure fare 5. All 5 people are NOT frequent travelers including Person A with the most points QUESTIONS 1. When is the best time to purchase airfare for international travel? 6, 3, 2 months prior? 2. Should Person E purchase 2000 points to top off so that they can purchase their departure fare using their existing points OR Should Person E transfer 2000 points to Person A? Which option avoids the highest cost per transaction? What’s the calculation? 3. When points are used to purchase a fare, how are points refunded when cancel a: 1)WGA, Anytime, or BS fares? How are the taxes and fees refunded when cancel?
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10-07-2021
08:44 AM
@elijahbrantley wrote: I don't think buying points is ever a good deal UNLESS you need just a couple thousand to get you enough to purchase a fare. So here is the question: which is cheaper? Buy some points to top off what you need to book the trip on points (cost for those points) OR the cost of booking one way on points and then paying for the return leg in cash? With SW it is easy to book the outgoing and incoming lets separately, and there is no difference in the cost if you do that. Simply, is it cheaper to buy the extra points or book part of your trip in cash. Every situation is different, but I think that's the key question to help you decide. Good luck! Elijah, thank you. I sent you a DM with another question. For this one, what if it costs $247 for 14,850 pts but a one leg fare (international) is $284 (14,359 pts)? Isn't that a good trade off?
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10-07-2021
07:41 AM
I just received an email to buy points at a 65-75% discount. Is this a good deal or not? I know I've read a few Community subject matter experts (SMEs) posts stating to only purchase points when you need a few but the timing was when it was only a 40% discount. I need some for a trip next year.
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10-01-2021
10:04 PM
10-01-2021
10:04 PM
The Costco gift card has no expiration but once you use it for air fare, then the travel funds policy kicks in and the funds expire?
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10-01-2021
08:17 PM
10-01-2021
08:17 PM
The SW Community has so ingrained in my brain that purchasing points isn't worth it that I'm now questioning if a 10% discount is a good deal. Can a gift card be used to pay for taxes and fees if using points for the flight? If cancel a flight, does the refund go back to the gift card or as travel funds?
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@jksobonya wrote: Check your e-mail - when Southwest changes a flight you are notified via e-mail and if you are not happy with the change you can modify it yourself to *any other flight* **for free**. You can also log into Southwest.com or the app, view your flight, and you should see a notification that "Your flight has been modified" with instructions on how to change it. You have to make a change within 72 hours of being notified. --Jessica @jksobonya time limit for modifying seems to vary. In the email I received from SW for a flight change it stated "If your new itinerary won't work, you can change your flight date and/or time by up to 14 days from your original travel date at no additional cost."
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07-22-2021
01:47 PM
1 Love
@Kkuratko wrote: Very disappointed in the SWA app. Unless you are connected to wi-fi, the app simply does not function. This is very troublesome for most frequent travelers - this is an area in which SWA should reach out to United, Delta or American for training and adaptation. (All 3 of those airlines apps were connecting flawlessly without wi-fi, but not SWA). I would give the SWA app an ‘F’ for usability. Please consult the other airlines for help on this poor performance. If you're using an Apple device, go into Settings. Scroll down and select Southwest. Make sure Cellular Data is turned on.
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07-19-2021
04:35 PM
@dfwskier wrote: Points are always allocated based on what you actually pay and class of service - Wanna Get Away vs Anytime vs Business select. A no cost change to a higher costing seat does not affect your eligible RR points So if I'm understanding you correctly, even if I make my one no-cost change to the same higher fare flight SW changed me to, I will not earn the higher points. I will only earn the points based on the original fare paid (which was much lower).
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07-19-2021
11:30 AM
SW changed the time of flight to a later time on the same day. I'm fine with the time change since I was notified in advance. I noticed that the new flight is higher in fare and higher estimated points received once travel is completed ($227 for estimated 2753 points). The estimated points on my confirmation reflects the lower fare I paid ($179 for estimated 1503 points.) Since I am given the option of one change, should I "change" to the same flight with the higher fare so that I can get more points once I complete travel?
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07-19-2021
11:11 AM
07-19-2021
11:11 AM
Purchase Business Select or Anytime fares (refundable fares). Do not purchase Wanna Get Away fare (non-refundable). If you do cancel MAKE SURE you request funds back to the original form of payment OTHERWISE, your mom will get travel funds and you will never see your refund.
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The easiest way is for you to purchase the ticket(s) for the other person using your points. You can also transfer points to someone but not the best option (due to fees you pay to do so).
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Admittedly, I'd be quick write a complaint email when I've encountered a less than desirable customer service experience. However, I have experienced 3 out of 3 positive SW customer service within the past 2 weeks. Two of those experiences was with Customer Relations and just as recent as today, the other experience with Customer Service. Calls answered/returned within 15 minutes and each issue resolved AND the rep was courteous and pleasant! The Customer Service Rep did state that I was fortunate because others had not been in the past few weeks. She also said that she thinks things are calming down now and the wait for callbacks are not as long as they have been. Just wanted to share some positive news!
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First, you're allowed 3 forms of payment but you can only use 2 of your travel funds (or a combination of points and travel funds as your 2). The 3rd payment (if needed) will need to some other form of payment such as a credit card. Secondly, to be able to use all 3 travel funds as one payment, you're best to find an airfare that equals (or close to) the amount of the combined 3 funds. Then cancel so that you now have just one travel fund to deal with. This one travel fund still takes on the earliest of all the funds. Ex., July 1, 2021. Lastly, you have to complete your travel (one way or both directions) by the travel fund expiration date. Just booking by the expiration date will not save you. If you're not able to complete your travel by then, it would be best to complete step 2 above first and then request a voucher (within 6 mos AFTER July 1, 2021). With the current fee for a voucher currently at $100, you may be issued an $80 voucher. Granted this process only gives you an additional 2 months to use the funds (Jan 1, 2022) BUT you have those 2 additional months to travel.
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06-21-2021
08:01 PM
06-21-2021
08:01 PM
Ahhh... someone after my own heart...my desktop is full of after-purchase screenshots. I need proof before receiving (or possibly not receiving) that confirmation email! I hope you get it settled.
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I had the same situation. I called Customer Relations (not the same as customer service) early in the morning (around 6am ET) and it was resolved in 10 minutes. I was able to book my travel with my travel funds. I believe the number is 855-234-4654. Try calling during early or late hours (if you can afford to do so).
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06-18-2021
08:54 AM
06-18-2021
08:54 AM
Thank you @bec102896 for the insight; however, in this reply I don't see any option for Spoiler so now I'm scratching my head trying to figure out where it is so I don't repeat that mistake. New and still getting used to this forum's UX.
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06-18-2021
08:38 AM
06-18-2021
08:38 AM
Sounds like SW didn't conduct performance and load testing before deploying their game. Still don't understand why my earlier post was tagged as "Spoiler". Hmmmpf
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06-18-2021
06:47 AM
06-18-2021
06:47 AM
Same experience for me this morning (no suitcases) and in addition, I received a message on the landing page stating that my browser wasn't supported. I tried using Chrome, Firefox, and Safari and still the same message.
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OMG Jessica! Thank you. I would have never seen the second layer under the Preferences tag. I need to work in SW Innovation department. Much user design and user interface (UI) upgrades needed for a world class user experience (UX)! Thanks again Jessica!
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06-16-2021
03:53 PM
I couldn't find the appropriate location for this discussion but I have a website User Experience (UX)-related question. I've noticed that when the number of replies to a post exceeds 1 or more "pages", then the sort order gets squirrely for me. I have to sift through each page for the most recent reply. For example, if there are 3 pages of replies, the most recent reply may actually be on page 2 vs page 3. Is there an option I'm not seeing that will allow me to sort (e.g., most recent, oldest, etc.)? Is there an option to input the page number vs navigating through each page to reach the last?
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I had same issue this morning. Last name was missing a space in RR account. I called Customer Relations and within 10 minutes, they modified the last name in RR account and I was able to apply travel funds. I called around 6:30am ET. I too was trying to book a SAVE50 flight before the promo ends tomorrow.
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Congratulations. I admire your faith and diligence.
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06-13-2021
04:48 PM
As mentioned, it is a promotion from SW. I received it via email back in March. The button to register is a link in my account. There was an older post where a few said they also received the promotion.
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06-13-2021
03:07 PM
1 Love
I received a promotion a couple of months ago to register as an A-lister, which expires the end of this month (Jun). I have not registered because I would not have an opportunity to use it by end of June. My question for the "seasoned" SW frequent flyers, stock holders, and Community posters...what has been your experience...is it common for promotions to be extended if register? If I register, will I no longer qualify for potential future promotions?
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