Southwest Airlines Community

@StAugustine that makes sense as you are transferring points from Chase to Southwest. Thanks for confirming it's all much simpler when you have Southwest points to work with. It appears the OP is using UR points and booking via the Chase portal as the redemption rate is better when compared to transferring since they have the CSR (small difference between the 2 cards - 1.25 cpp for CSP, 1.5 cpp for CSR). On Southwest's side that appears as a cash booking instead of a points booking. I haven't been able to find any reports of what happens if you want to reprice/change a flight booked through the Chase portal.   Who wants to be the guinea pig?   --TheMiddleSeat ... View more

@ruolanjin receipts for past trips are available in your account on southwest.com. You'll need to use the website, not the app. Log into your account then go to Trips and scroll down to past flights. There is a link to view receipt for each past flight. You can also look up a past reservation using the confirmation number if you do not have a Rapid Rewards account.   --TheMiddleSeat ... View more

@floridaguy wrote: EarlyBird Check-In is an option giving you the convenience of automatic check-in before our traditional 24-hour check-in. As an EarlyBird Check-In Customer, you’ll have the benefit of an earlier boarding position, a better opportunity to select your preferred available seat, and earlier access to overhead bin storage for your carryon luggage.   Notice that it says that you will have (you'll have), not might, a greater probability, likely chance or somewhat of a chance.  The wording assures the user that their boarding position will be better and thus, the complaints that we see.   No need to change any wording when what it says now is what it does.  Let's put it another way... if you check-in 24 hours prior to departure, do not have status, and do not purchase EarlyBird you will receive a worse boarding position than someone with EarlyBird.   The problem is people make assumptions about what "better" is.  Better does not specify a specific boarding position, only that you will have a lower boarding position than anyone without status who did not purchase EarlyBird.  Better does not mean first in line.  Better does not mean A, or even B.  Better might only be 1 position ahead of someone, but that is better.  People need to stop making assumptions that "earlier " or "better" is any specific spot.   --TheMiddleSeat ... View more

@floridaguy wrote: I believe that the point made by many in this forum is that the EBCI did not serve a purpose.  The fact that they come to the airport and present bags essentially checks them in anyway.  So, to provide an "early" version, with an associated fee, there is a reasonable expectation that for that fee, there is associated value.   EarlyBird checks you in and provide a boarding position better than someone without status would get without EarlyBird (except for vacated boarding positions that may become available).  Better does not mean any specific spot.  Any belief that EarlyBird did not provide a "good enough" spot (aka "value") is arbitrary and not part of what EarlyBird is actually promoted as nor provides.  If people are determining the value of something based on what it does not actually do, such as receiving an A boarding position, then that is not a reasonable expectation and they are mistaken.   One can determine they would prefer to save the money and check-in manually or just show up to the airport, but they should know their position will be worse than what someone with EarlyBird receives.  Yes, each person can determine if that worse position is worth the amount saved not buying EBCI, but there is no point at which Southwest can or should say "no more spots available" as no particular boarding position is guaranteed.   --TheMiddleSeat ... View more

@TobyLibby wrote: The only logical reason to purchase EB seating is to avoid a poor boarding position.  EarlyBird is great when you cannot or don't want to check-in 24 hours prior to departure, NOT to obtain a some magically great boarding position.  On vacation when someone may not have connectivity, or when someone is in a meeting or otherwise unavailable, or for early morning flights and someone does not want to wake up early the day before, EarlyBird is a great option.  It should not be seen as way to get the best seat.   There is no "sold out" for EarlyBird as everyone who has a ticket for a flight can check-in.  EBCI does not say it provides a particular boarding position and thus there is no point when what it provides is unavailable.   This false belief that EarlyBird provides some specific boarding position and should not be offered once those spots (whatever they are) are gone needs to stop.  It is not sold by Southwest this way, people have just decided EarlyBird guarantees something it doesn't.  it does provide a boarding position better than someone without status would get without EarlyBird (except for vacated boarding positions that may become available).  Better does not mean any specific spot.     --TheMiddleSeat ... View more

@markgnosal it's great you had such a good experience. As this is a customer to customer forum I suggest that you contact Southwest directly so they might be able to recognize the staff. Use the contact us link at the bottom of this page and send a message. I would also suggest you remove your personal information from this post.    --TheMiddleSeat ... View more

@nikijbrock4 I'm glad your points posted. I wasn't implying anything about your interactions, but rather countering the other, non-productive suggestion posted here that filing a dispute was the way to handle this. Enjoy your Companion Pass!    --TheMiddleSeat ... View more

Points posted this morning. Sometimes a little patience is required, not disputes.    --TheMiddleSeat ... View more

Interesting... I don't normally check as I have minimal spend on my Southwest card, but I too had a April 5 statement date and points have not posted yet. Perhaps there is a bit of a delay happening, but I suspect you won't get any actual info from Chase or Southwest. The folks that answer the phones just don't get this information. Fingers crossed for you that the points post soon.   --TheMiddleSeat ... View more

@SWAscams wrote: However, assuming automatic check-in at 36 hours, it would be impossible for someone with no preference (i.e. EB, biz, or A list, etc.) to receive a boarding before the EB.  Not impossible and really not that uncommon. A-List traveler checks-in, gets A boarding position assigned, cancels reservation, that position is now available for the next passenger who is manually checking in. This happens rather frequently when an A-List passenger has a companion who nowadays receives sequential boarding with the A-List flyer. They've added the companion to the flight just in case their companion decides to fly, 24 hours prior to departure they decide to cancel the companion's sequential boarding position. That boarding position becomes available to the next person manually checking in.   --TheMiddleSeat ... View more

@JusticeWiley wrote: I've heard that you can carry CBD vapes on a plane nowadays. Vaping devices and e-cigarettes should only be placed in carryon baggage, not checked. As CBD remains illegal on the federal level whether or not it can pass through TSA screening depends on the amount of THC in oil. You can find TSA's policy here: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/medical-marijuana   --TheMiddleSeat     ... View more

@EUGBUR wrote: @AshleyMainz I can provide screenshots of @floridaguy comments that have been deleted. He has been harassing many people on these boards and has broken at least 3 community guidelines in this post alone. Adding in @cheyenneallgood Thank you @EUGBUR   --TheMiddleSeat ... View more

@floridaguy wrote: Southwest's policy on family boarding was copied/pasted to the response.   Your answer provided no value and did not address the OP's questions. At least were smart enough to delete your original, hurtful response. I'd love to send it to a moderator.    --TheMiddleSeat ... View more

@floridaguy maybe just stay out of the conversation if you can't be nice and offer value. Is that too much to ask?   --TheMiddleSeat ... View more

@EUGBUR wrote: Thank you for deleting your first cruel, thoughtless, and incorrect comment but my question wasn't about the policy. Best of luck finding happiness in life so you don't harass concerned mothers on an airline message board. @floridaguy making friends everyday   --TheMiddleSeat ... View more

Thankfully with Southwest the value of your tickets doesn't just vanish if you cancel so the issue is where does the value go. From Southwest's perspective they received cash from Chase. If you were to cancel that ticket the cash refund would go from Southwest to Chase. What I think is happening is Chase is saying you won't get your UR points back, perhaps there's no method for them to pass the refund from Southwest back to you? Seems odd, but that's what it sounds like. When you are dealing directly with Southwest and canceling an Anytime fare you do have the option to get a cash refund OR have the value held as travel funds. It seems that you should be able to at least reprice the fare and have the "refund" held as travel credits that you can use with Southwest later. It doesn't get your UR points back, but does still save you money on this flight.  This would all be much easier if were able to interact directly with Southwest. Do you have the Southwest confirmation number? If so, I would try making the change yourself on southwest.com and if/when you get to the refund option you want to make sure the refund is held as travel credit, not returned to the purchaser (Chase).   Since you have a CSR you are getting better value by purchasing through Chase, but to eliminate the hassles it might be better to transfer to Southwest and take the small hit to value. That would enable you to make these changes directly with Southwest and not worry about what rules Chase has.    --TheMiddleSeat ... View more

I agree, at that timing it is a little surprising to get such a high C position unless it was a nearly full flight to a popular vacation destination. My recent experience on a flight from Cancun indicated a very large percentage of the flight purchased EBCI and did so long before the flight as it was nearly sold out months before departure. Additionally, there are many more people being assigned to A-List positions with the sequential boarding benefit that is in place now. Basically, double the number of people are assigned A-List positions now which are all in front of EBCI passengers. That certainly has a huge impact and will almost always prevent any non-A-List passengers from getting A boarding positions unless the flight is rather empty. High B and low C will be the new norm for EBCI and high C for manual check-in.    You didn't make any changes or re-price the tickets within that 7 weeks? That would also drop you to the back of the EarlyBird check-in queue.   --TheMiddleSeat ... View more

@mikearmand how far in advance did you purchase EBCI?   --TheMiddleSeat ... View more

Reminder, the primary benefit of EarlyBird Check-In is automatic check-in so you don't have to worry about doing it. There is guarantee of any specific boarding position. To guarantee improved boarding position, the upgraded boarding option which can be purchased within 24 hours of departure is the best option.   --TheMiddleSeat ... View more

If you haven't already, you'll want to file a lost item report. Be sure to include as much identifying information as possible and hopefully you have your name and contact information in the bag. You can file a report here: https://www.southwest.com/help/day-of-travel/lost-and-found The process can take several weeks so be patient, but you may want to start replacing items if you need them immediately. Good luck!    --TheMiddleSeat ... View more

For people who do not abuse the preboard option I do recommend checking in normally as you would 24 hours prior to departure, then if you do not like the assigned boarding position, purchase the upgraded boarding. This is a better way to guarantee a good boarding position when compared to EarlyBird which is not primarily intended to improve boarding positions. This method also allows you to evaluate your free option and decide if you want to purchase an upgrade. The cost difference between EarlyBird and upgraded boarding is minimal on non-stop flights.   --TheMiddleSeat ... View more

Upgraded boarding to the A1-15 positions is charged per flight segment and can only be purchased within 24 hours of departure. It sounds like you purchased that for your outbound flight and expected it to cover the outbound and return flights. That is not correct.  On a flight with a connection you also need to be aware the upgraded boarding is charged per flight segment so a trip with one layover will be two upgraded boarding purchases.    --TheMiddleSeat ... View more

@floridaguy wrote: What the OP describes could easily be reported as an assault. Still not FAA or DOT    --TheMiddleSeat ... View more

Previously discussed here: https://community.southwest.com/t5/Rapid-Rewards/Rewards-for-Opinions-Program-a-Huge-Waste-of-Time/m-p/80380#M3780   and here: https://community.southwest.com/t5/Rapid-Rewards/rewards-for-opinions/m-p/149023#M9608   and in other threads.   --TheMiddleSeat ... View more

@SW9 are you talking about a new credit card sign up bonus?  If so, make sure you have spent the required amount before the deadline.  There is usually a sign up bonus tracker in the Chase app that shows your spend and deadline.  If that's all good, has a statement closed since you met the required spend?  You may need to wait for a second statement to close, but usually any sign up bonus points show up shortly after the closing date of the statement on which you met the requirement.  You will also want to confirm Chase has your correct Rapid Rewards account number.  Have you seen any points from Chase show up in your RR account?  If not, then Chase may have the wrong RR account number.  You are correct that all questions regarding any of these items would need to be directed to Chase.   --TheMiddleSeat ... View more

For something unique like that I would suggest you contact TSA. There are various contact methods listed at this site: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all   --TheMiddleSeat ... View more

@floridaguy wrote:   If it was included, I want a credit for the implied value.     Congrats @floridaguy, this is one of your more ridiculous statements.  Despite not actually succeeding, I appreciate the effort you made to try and make your statement slightly relevant to the conversation   --TheMiddleSeat ... View more

@floridaguy wrote: Request a full refund.  I do and I do. @floridaguy This entire thread is about the FREE wifi benefit for A-List Preferred, thus requesting a refund is irrelevant. Please try to follow along and provide comments that are useful.    --TheMiddleSeat   ... View more

@dfwskier wrote: Just book two one ways (cost is the same as a round trip), and you can do what you want to do. This.   But, if the prices of the flights have gone up since you originally booked so you don't want to rebook them, you may be able to call Southwest and have them split the reservation into two separate reservations, then you can add EarlyBird on the return flight without touching the first flight.   --TheMiddleSeat ... View more