However, TheMiddleSeat guy is right. There are a myriad of scenarios in play given the lack of information and clarity by the poster. Companion keeps getting mentioned. By companion does the poster mean a person flying with them, or their companion traveling on a companion pass. HUGE difference. And is either of the travelers A-List or A-List Preferred, again HUGE difference if not.
Companion (but not on a Companion Pass):
- Non-A-List: Purchasing separate two tickets (different confirmation numbers) has no bearing on seating. Check-in time is what determines seating order. If one traveler checks in 24 hours in advance and gets, say A43, the other person doesn't automatically get A44. They need to check-in separately, and if that doesn't happen until arriving at the airport they may get C9. Now, I'm not sure how this works under one confirmation number, as I've never booked that way, someone else may be able to clarify this. Though, the poster doesn't clarify if this was one or two confirmation numbers.
- A-List (and preferred): The A-List traveler is automatically assigned a boarding position 36 hours in advance. However, the person traveling on a different confirmation number must check-in separately 24 hours in advance and will be somewhat further lower in the boarding order (because all the A-List, say 20 or 30 travelers) have already been assigned higher positions. Again, I'm not sure how this works under one confirmation number.
Booked on a Companion Pass:
- A-List, but Business Select ticket (I'm only specifying this as I can't see someone getting a Companion Pass without also being at least A-List): The A-List traveler is automatically assigned a boarding position 36 hours in advance, and the traveler on a Companion Pass is assigned consecutive seats.
- A-List on a Business Select ticket: The A-List traveler is automatically assigned an A1 to A15 boarding position 36 hours in advance. However, and this is important, the Companion Pass traveler must check-in separately or purchase upgraded seating. My personal opinion is that this is a glitch, as the Companion Pass traveler should automatically be assigned a boarding position 36 hours in advance to at least be reasonably close to the Business Select boarding position. If I'm traveling Business Select (which I always do if I'm buying a ticket), then I also purchase Early-Bird for my companion to eliminate this issue.
I hope this helps clarify things. As a side note, sure, you can fly one of the other Majors for more (perhaps much more) money than SWA and get assigned seats together at ticket purchase. That's what's great about free enterprise!
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As a side note, there is no reason the mandatory retirement age couldn't be extended to 67, which would relieve some of the pilot shortage issues. Sure, there would have to be some guidelines, like the pilot over 65 and under 67 would have to act in the capacity of co-pilot (right seat), though their responsibilities could include both PF and PM. And the captain would have to be at a younger age, say under 50. Both pilots are already required to pass an FAA Class I physical (which ensures that the over-65 pilots are still healthy). The transportation secretary's blanket refusal to consider this shows a lack of understanding of the aviation industry. I'm a Gulfstream ATP myself and I know many Airline Pilots between 65 and 67 who are in excellent health condition and would gladly continue flying under these conditions.
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Agreed, definitely request it. My holiday flights were cancelled, and somehow during the process (because of steps I took) my companion's EBC was lost. I requested reimbursement, again, even though it was my fault for rebooking a flight myself instead of coordinating with a Southwest agent, and Southwest reimbursed the roundtrip EBC cost of $50.00.
Thank you Southwest for the reimbursement, even though it wasn't your fault.
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Can't agree more. What a horrible abuse of the justice system. Just look at the Equifax class action lawsuit - people are getting like $6.00 for having there personal information completely compromised - now that's something egregious; but who's getting the money? Lawyers, like $7MM worth. What a joke.
Travel is an elective activity, no one is telling you that you have to travel and if you do which mode of transportation is appropriate. You can drive most places (obviously not Hawaii), take a train, boat, horseback, walk, etc. Obviously all of these modes have risks and benefits. You don't have to choose Southwest, there are other majors or you could go NetJets. No one's telling you that you must use Southwest. People choose it because it's inexpensive (most times, though not all), convenient, safe (they have an excellent safety record), and typically free from hassles. Are they perfect? No, no airline is.
However, Southwest is already doing the right thing, as they always do. They're reimbursing for cancelled travel, not charging extra for rescheduled flights (even though the new flights may be more expensive), as well as other expenses that they're not even obligated to pay for. They even just credited me $50 for Early Bird fees I lost because of my own fault! And they've extended the A-List / CP renewal until 1/31/23. Flights in January will count both to renewing status for 2023 and will count towards points for 2024 renewal. They even just gave me 50,000 points, totally unexpectedly. And I have to believe they'll keep doing continuous improvement as they have always done, including placing more emphasis of older systems (just like all airlines have done).
I hope these class-action vulture lawyers spend millions of dollars and then get laughed out of court. They're the only ones that benefit if they prevail. The other supposedly injured parties, will get pittens if anything. But sadly, it will cost Southwest millions to defend if it moves forward, money that could be better spent on the improvements already mentioned.
BTW, was I impacted? Absolutely. Our dream vacation we'd been planning to Marco Island for a year was cancelled, and I had to unwind all the reservations (hotel, restaurants, everglades tours, shelling, sunset cruise, etc.). But it wasn't the end of the world, slightly disappointing, but we stayed home and planned many other fun things. And we've rebooked the MI trip for later this year, it's all good!
I love Southwest because they provide an excellent service, they are reliable most of the time - of the hundreds and hundreds of flights I've taken over the years, mostly all on time, I've only been cancelled twice. Most importantly, they're one of if not the safest airlines for the routes I travel. That's an excellent record.
Sorry to see this happening. Just like Equifax, what a complete, utter, total waste.
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01-06-2023
08:04 AM
01-06-2023
08:04 AM
There was a communication that said anyone who had their A-List / CP status extended to 1/31/2023 will be able to use the status until then, earn points to renew status to 12/31/23, and points earned in January 2023 will also count towards qualifying for 2024 status.
Hope that helps.
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When it comes to service you can have it good, fast, or inexpensive. You tell me two, and I'll tell you the third:
- You want it good and fast? It won't be inexpensive
- You want it fast and inexpensive? It may not be good
You get the idea.
For me, Southwest is almost always good, fast, and inexpensive. Are they perfect? No, then again none of them are - I know, I've been a highest-tier member on all of the major airline programs at one point or another, and flown with them all over the world.
Thank you Southwest for your dedication to service and always striving for safety first and continuous improvement; I'm going to love the USB ports being installed this year. Oh, and by the way, a big thank you for the totally unexpected 50,000 points you gave me for my two canceled holiday flights; that wasn't necessary, but I really appreciate it!
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Air travel has risks, any airline can and has had an occasional meltdown, pick your poison or pick your pleasure. I was impacted, and made adjustments, no worries. If it was life or death I would have booked another carrier, chartered part 135, or flown my own plane. It wasn't, thankfully. Still, Southwest came through rebooking my flights at no charge, extending my companion pass so that I could renew it with points in January, and unexpectedly gave me 50,000 points for my canceled flights. Southwest is not perfect, none of them are, but they're one of the safest airlines, they meet my use case, and they take care of their customers under adversity. I thank Southwest for that and will continue to support them, including two new trips I just booked. Anyone truly not happy with Southwest can book an alternative; but me, I'm staying with them.
PS - I'm neither a shill nor Southwest employee, just a regular customer who's flown millions of miles across the globe with all carriers and by myself.
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Well said, and exactly my attitude during the disruption. Was it a bit of a disappointment? Yes, but not the end of the world and we planned alternate activities at home instead of in FL. It was all good.
In return, Southwest rescheduled my travel to January with no change fees, extended my companion pass (which should have expired because I didn't get that last end-of-year flight in) so that my companion could fly with me, and they gave me 50,000 points (already deposited in my account). Totally unexpected, what's not to like?
Thanks again Southwest, I appreciate everything you do to make things right under difficult circumstances.
-Will (where there's a will there's away)
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My email had two separate redemption codes in one email for my two flights that were canceled. I logged in after a brief wait (and a couple glitches on my end) and applied the two codes for 50,000 points total. It took about two more hours for the points to be shown in my account. Overall, a pretty easy process and totally unexpected benefit.
Thank you again Southwest, I appreciate you doing everything you can under extremely difficult circumstances. And despite the troubles I'll continue to be a loyal customer because I know you're always trying to do the right thing with the situation at hand while prioritizing safety over schedule.
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01-03-2023
04:13 PM
01-03-2023
04:13 PM
Third time was a charm. And again, it might have been an issue on my end.
So all's good, and again Thank you to Southwest.
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01-03-2023
03:50 PM
01-03-2023
03:50 PM
Yes, I saw that too and agree. A bit disappointing that it doesn't seem to be working (for me at least, could be on my end), but you're right there's no rush so if I can't get it done today I'll just wait until the weekend.
I'm just happy they're extending the A-List / Companion Pass 2023 renewal date out to 1/31/23 so that my Holiday canceled / reschedule to MLK weekend Business Select travel will enable me to renew. Here's what I saw:
"Additionally, we are identifying Members whose disrupted travel would have qualified them for A-List, or A-List Preferred, and/or Companion Pass in 2023, and will provide further communication soon…”
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01-03-2023
03:46 PM
01-03-2023
03:46 PM
I did see this which is a little more helpful: Additionally, we are identifying Members whose disrupted travel would have qualified them for A-List, or A-List Preferred, and/or Companion Pass in 2023, and will provide further communication soon…”
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01-03-2023
03:37 PM
01-03-2023
03:37 PM
Has anyone else received the Bob Jordan message with the 25,000 Goodwill Points offer? Multiple claims can be made for the points (I received 2 claims based on 2 of my flights being canceled). Wasn't expecting anything, so this is a nice gesture, and much appreciated.
However, unfortunately, I'm on my third attempt to access the site. There is a CloudFlare web-based waiting queue. The first time it was an 11 minute wait. Got down to 1 minute and was redirected but that site just timed out after 3 or 4 more minutes. Second try was 26 minutes in queue. Same thing, got down to 1 minute, was redirected, and timed out again. On the third try, 39 minute initial queue time, now down to 28 minutes, hoping it doesn't time out again after waiting?
Have you reached the redeem site? What were your results? How long did you have to wait? What browser were you using?
It could be on my end (I tried Chrome and Edge), but if not I'm sure they'll get this sorted out on their end.
-Will (where there's a will there's a way)
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12-30-2022
08:54 AM
12-30-2022
08:54 AM
I agree, there is an element of uncertainty, still hoping for the best.
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12-29-2022
06:39 PM
12-29-2022
06:39 PM
Mine was extended until 1/31/23. [Note I did send an email inquiring about extending the period to renew my CP and A-List status]
-Will
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12-29-2022
06:35 PM
12-29-2022
06:35 PM
Tried to upload a jpeg but apparently I don't have the permissions?
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RAPID REWARDS STATUS
A-List
Earned through 1/31/23
YOUR POINTS AVAILABLE
391,989
Way to go! You're almost there to keeping A-List for next year.
[note the earned through 1/31/23, up until today that was earned through 12/31/22 - so in other words, my RR status has been extended to 1/31/23]
Hope that helps...
-Will
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12-29-2022
03:48 PM
12-29-2022
03:48 PM
My A-List and Companion Pass have been extended to 1/31/2023. Check to see if yours has been too.
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12-29-2022
03:46 PM
12-29-2022
03:46 PM
I just noticed that my A-List and Companion Pass have been extended to 1/31/2023.
I hope that's a universal change.
Best, Will
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Just noticed on my RR account that my Companion Pass and A-List status has been extended to 1/31/2023. Thank You! I hope this is the same for everyone else.
This was important for me as I'm 3,500 points short of the 125,000 CP points needed to renew and had planned to get them with 9,000 points from Business Select flights this week. Tried twice and both times flights were canceled. Now rebooked 1/13 to 1/16.
By extending CP and AL to 1/31/2023 I'll easily renew these.
Thanks again to Southwest for making this change.
-Will (where there's a Will there's a way)
PS - I did email Southwest and requested the change; hopefully they're making it universal, but if you had flights this week that were canceled, needed the extra points to renew, and haven't had your accounts extended I recommend you email Southwest; do check first as there have been almost 400,000 email requests this week, no need to burden them unnecessarily.
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12-29-2022
03:36 PM
12-29-2022
03:36 PM
A-List and Companion Pass has been extended to 1/31/2023.
Thank you Southwest!
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12-28-2022
08:32 AM
This happened to me the first day airlines started flying again after 9/11. Got to PHL from CMH but BOS connector was canceled. Did a rental car ride share with others and drove to BOS. US Airways reimbursed me. I'm optimistic Southwest will as well. Hope it works out.
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12-27-2022
02:31 PM
12-27-2022
02:31 PM
Don't give up hope, they may extend the deadline for A-List, Preferred and Companion Pass (a couple years ago they extended the deadline to 2/28 of that year). I'm 3,500 points short of renewing my CP (had if for at least 10 years), and was going to get the points needed this week with a Business Select flight from OH-FL-OH. I've rebooked it for mid-Jan and hopefully they'll apply those points to 2022. We'll see. Regardless, Southwest is still a great airline, and we've already booked some trips in 2023!
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12-27-2022
02:19 PM
12-27-2022
02:19 PM
I'm in a similar situation, but to renew my Companion Pass. I have 121,500 points and need 3,500 more to get to the required 125,000 points. I'd booked Business Select travel from OH to FL this week which would have easily put me over the required points. That trip was canceled, but I was able to book another 2-day trip just before New Years Eve. Unfortunately, that trip was canceled too. And like, you, I was told all Southwest flights have been canceled until the 1st. That said, I was able to rebook my flights without penalty to Jan. 13th, same confirmation number. Obviously, I'm hoping Southwest will apply those rescheduled flight points to 2022 and renew my Companion Pass. I understand there are no guarantees, but at the same time these are unusual circumstances. I emailed customer service and am anxiously awaiting word to see if my request will be honored. I know they've extended the deadline in the past (a couple years ago it was extended to 2/28 of that year); so hopefully they'll make a similar accommodation this year. In the meantime, I appreciate everything Southwest is doing to get their operations fully back online, and am thankful they're prioritizing safety over schedule.
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12-27-2022
02:08 PM
12-27-2022
02:08 PM
Just seconding the advise to check the Southwest mobile app. It gave me heads up the day before Christmas that our flights were canceled. I also receive texts advising of cancelations. Make sure they're configured in your profile and associated with your itinerary. Hope that helps.
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Well said.
Is it frustrating or perhaps disappointing to have your vacation travel canceled? Of course, my family's trip to FL was canceled, but it's not the end of the world. I appreciate that Southwest prioritizes safety over schedule. And I certainly would not take my frustration out on the pilots, FA's, gate agents, customer service reps, or anyone else.
Can Southwest improve operations, undoubtedly; they've always had a continuous improvement model, I'm sure they'll learn from this event and make things better in the future.
In the meantime, thank you Southwest for being the best airline possible, and I hope operations return to normal as quickly as possible.
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I've read many of the posts here on the Southwest forum and appreciate everyone's travel frustration. My family's flights, too, were canceled, rebooked, and canceled again. A trip from OH to Marco Island a year in the planning; though it was a leisure, vacation, trip, not a family emergency. Are we disappointed, of course; but it's not the end-of-the-world. We're all together, at home, making alternate plans for dinners, shows and other gathering activities here in OH. I'm glad that Southwest is prioritizing safety over schedule. Southwest is one of the safest airlines in the world; that means a lot to me and my family. With the downtime at home I've taken the opportunity to book 3 other trips on Southwest throughout 2023 (2 in Winter and 1 over the Summer). Might these trips have a cancellation? Sure, that's not unique to Southwest. Yes, it's true, this storm impacted Southwest more than other airlines; but that's because of Southwest's point-to-point route map versus the other airline's hub-and-spoke models. I hope everyone can get to where they need to be or be understanding of the monumental challenge Southwest faces getting their system back to full capacity. I also hope that people are not taking their frustrations out on the Southwest agents doing their best to make sure everyone is taken care of in some way. I have thanked each agent I've spoken with and told them I appreciate the difficult job they're doing. Just as I thank Southwest for being the best airline in the industry. PS - I'm not a Southwest employee; rather, just a regular Southwest traveler for business and occasional pleasure.
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Southwest, nor any other airline, is liable in a force majeure, act of God, weather situation. It appears that this storm impacted Southwest more because of their point-to-point model versus the other major's hub-and-spoke. Can Southwest make improvements? Undoubtedly. Does the USDoT need to be involved? Absolutely not, complete waste of time an taxpayer dollars. Perhaps Southwest should do a better job of advising customers of their P2P model and the impacts severe weather can have so that they can choose other airline options; though I suspect many travelers wouldn't consider that. From my perspective, I appreciate that Southwest is prioritizing safety over schedule. And while I'm disappointed my 6-day family FL trip to Marco Island was canceled (twice) I'm relieved to know my family is safe, we're together (albeit at home in Ohio), and we've planned other activities to fill in as best as possible. I feel sorry for the Southwest customer service agents handling what are undoubtedly difficult calls. I've spoken with the agents a number of times myself and have thanked them for doing everything they can to get the system going again. The travelers I'm truly sympathetic with are the ones traveling for medical emergencies; thoughts and prayers are with them to get to their destinations and receive the medical attention they need. Honestly, I'd gladly give up my leisure travel seat (if I had one) so that someone in real need could get to their destination. My apologies for the long text, just hoping people can put things in perspective. Everyone has a choice in air travel (thank God we live in the United State with US Air Carriers). While it's apparent many, many people are truly angry with Southwest, my personal opinion is that they're not an AWFUL Airline.
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If you were told that Southwest is / was providing meals, transportation, hotels, etc. because of the weather you should be suspect of that. Airlines (all of them) are not required to provide anything in the case of weather (Force Majure), only if the delay / cancellation is due to an airline maintenance issue (the airline's liability). It seems unfair, and I was impacted too with my entire Florida Holiday trip canceled; but I appreciate that Southwest is prioritizing safety over schedule. And I believe they're doing everything within their power to recover from this situation and return operations to full capacity. Likewise, I hope things work out for you too.
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