@dfwskier wrote: @Nitro wrote: SWA really needs an A-list lounge. Many of their terminals are turning into overcrowded choas. Las Vegas and Denver are great examples. This is what they need to add to the perks packaged. With the Companion Pass getting further and further away...airlines with lounge offerings are beginning to look more attractive. Are the other airlnes' lounges more important than no fees to change or cancel a flight, or bags fly free>? As a low cost airline, SW tries to keep costs low. Lounges cost money. Would you trade higher ticket prices for lounges? For me, and maybe for many, the only significant benefit of those you list is no change fees. Bags fly free on any carrier if you get their credit card, and many business travelers utilize only carry-ons anyway. And sadly Southwest fares are no longer automatically lower than other carriers. Often they're only competitive, and in some cases it's possible to fly business class (with all the associated perks) on another carrier for less than a BS fare on Southwest. In general, AT and BS fares are much higher than refundable fares on other carriers. WGA may be cheaper, but many businesses require their employees to purchase fully refundable fares. For me, no change fees is the most significant advantage Southwest has over other carriers, and it's what keeps me choosing them whenever possible. The benefits of the Rapid Rewards program are close second. All that said, it is very unlikely Southwest will ever have their own airport lounges. It's possible they could partner with lounge providers, but even that I very much doubt will ever happen.
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01-17-2019
04:40 PM
01-17-2019
04:40 PM
Unbeknownst to me, my Global Entry card had recently expired and therefore I did not receive Precheck on a 2 out of 4 flights last week. I had pretty much forgotten what a major-league difference, and pain in the neck, going through the standard TSA line is like. I am more appreciative of Precheck than ever. I applied for renewal and thankfully one of my credit cards is covering the $100 fee. It took about 4 business days and I was back in TSA Precheck action! I’ve now got a calendar reminder set for 4 years and 10 months from now, so I renew it ahead of time in 2023.
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07-26-2018
03:54 PM
I wish SWA would ratchet up A-List members boarding position automatically. I discovered once I book a flight my boarding position is locked in depending on how many others before me booked the same flight (for example I just got and A-35 boarding position on a flight I booked over a month ago) but if someone cancels or changes their reservation (like A-12 for example) and someone else books that same flight the day someone cancelled they are assigned the open A-12 boarding position instead of bumping up the next A-List person in line and so-on. A friend booked the same flight as me the day before and he got A-24 bording position, way ahead of me and I've had my booking for a month. That would be more fair for us that book in advance over those that book later.
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A couple years ago we flew with thirteen month old twins as lap babies. We gate checked a double stroller (City Mini) and two car seats with bases (in nylon bags) in addition to all our checked bags, with no problems. The twins had been great travelers the couple times we flew when they were infants, and we didn't want to pay for two extra round trip tickets unnecessarily, since we already had to pay full price for them on the cruise we were taking. Just a word of warning based on that experience: Ours was not an especially long flight (Baltimore to Ft. Lauderdale), but felt endless as we struggled to keep them quiet and keep them from encroaching on anyone else's space, while One week vacation with two babiesthey clamored to see more of their surroundings and fellow passengers. We took snacks, books, toys, movies, but nothing enticed them to be still for long. By the time we arrived, we were all four worn out and unhappy. Fortunately, the return flight was not full, so we were allowed to bring the car seats on. In the familiar restraints, the kiddos settled right down and slept all the way. We didn't fly with them again until they were two and had to have their own tickets; now they always have car seats and are great travelers (with Leap Pads and snacks). I strongly recommend asking when you arrive at the airport how full the flight is, and keeping the car seats with you if there is a chance you can take them on the plane. Good luck!
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09-25-2016
09:37 PM
7 Loves
Moderator, saving seats on an airline that doesn't reserve seats, is a chronic problem that is wantonly ignored by SWA, based on reading this forum and from my own experiences. "Any open and available seat" may be interpreted differently based on need. We all know the perspective of the "saver" who seeks preferential treatment that the airlines supports by not taking a stand but what about the rest of us that know how to follow the rules? Do you think we always get the best seats, whether it's in the front for quicker deplaning, or the exit row for added leg space? Do you think we always get to sit together as a family? NO! Do you want me and everyone else to play by our own rules or your rules? No policy is no answer. By not taking a position you are advocating vigilante justice and it will eventually result in violence, placing you in a liable position. If a seat doesn't contain a body, it's open and available, PERIOD. If they won't step out, I've been forced to step over them. What's next? Will they use force? Will I have to defend myself with equal force? Look, it's very simple. If a family wants to sit together, no exceptions, they have two choices. Either buy an early boarding priviledge for a few dollars more or they can fly on another airline that assigns guaranteed seats. Your part? 1) Post a policy on your website, pushing for the early boarding privilege; 2) Include a summation of the policy, i.e., NO SEATS MAY BE SAVED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE, on the confirmation Email when the purchase is made; and 3) Include the statement via public address when you invite lines to form for boarding. You have to expect them to conform to principles for the good of everyone or be willing to cut them loose as a selfish customer who shouldn't belong to the SWA family. There's no half way about it. Your failure to act will lead to consequences for everyone involved, including yourself. It's merely a matter of time.
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08-27-2016
09:04 PM
08-27-2016
09:04 PM
I missed booking my companion once because the phone lines were jammed and I couldn't risk it online since the flight was almost full
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08-27-2016
05:36 PM
2 Loves
Moedio, I had that issue when i first got pre. I did precisely what Lindsay described and I've had it every time. When it doubt, call SW Customer Service and they'll take good care of you.
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