Southwest Airlines Community

I am making an assumption here based on my past travels, but I would assume that when you check your bags, they will be checked directly to Punta Cana; check with the agent when you check your bag. On the way back may be different.  It is common to have to claim bags and go through customs when you come off your flight that gets you back in the US and then re-check for your connecting flight back to Atlanta.     As far as food and drinks, you can bring things on board regardless of the destination.  Keep in mind that you will not be able to bring liquids (beyond small toiletries) through security.   Hope that helps! ... View more

Cue the “Southwest First Class” jokes...   Yup...all about exit access!   It’s always nice to sit in that mega extra legroom seat, but you lose out on convenient tray table access since it is in the armrest.  ... View more

Yes. From the Android app, you can have it texted to you, emailed to you, or saved to a Google Pay wallet! ... View more

I have once needed to travel to Syracuse for work. In that case, I flew another airline (and had a terrible experience).   I would recommend checking out Rochester or (as has been mentioned) Albany.    Maybe one day, SW will get us to Syracuse! 🙂 ... View more

I fully agree! It isn’t easy, and I wish it were!   BUT - if this is what SW has to do to keep no change fees, I’m happy to do the work to keep track of my emails! Anytime I cancel or change to a cheaper flight, I IMMEDIATELY make a note in my phone with the conf #, amount, and exp date. That way I always have it in one place! I also save every cancellation or change email to keep track of funds in a special folder.    Maybe one day we will have what you’re asking for! Until then... ... View more

@erinlangs,   Boarding position with SW is always a gamble. Im A-List Preferred (SW’s highest status), and I’ve been well into the A30s. The lineup starts at A16 with A List Preferreds then A Listers The Early Birds. It is relatively normal for EB to fall into the B boarding group. SW does not guarantee a certain position even with EB, and without EB, your boarding position would have been even worse!   With that said, I definitely understand your frustration. I get frustrated when I get anything over about A25 — first world probs, I know. And before I had A List Preferred, I crossed my fingers every time with EB!l to be close to the A30 range. These days, there are so many A Listers that that is less common.    Also, I had to remind myself that the flight may already have people in it who are staying on the plane to connect. With that said, I do find it unusual that there were no windows or aisles. Usually you don’t get to only middles as it gets close to the C group. Did you check toward the back? Sometimes, folks place things in the seats, but if you simply ask, they will let you know they aren’t really saving it and will let you sit down. The large group definitely makes the situation more complex!   If you would like to provide thoughts about your experience directly to SW, I would reach out to them via Twitter or contact their customer relations.    Hopefully in your next flight, you will have a better EB experience! ... View more

The Atlanta operation has indeed ramped up, and that section of Concourse C has been getting spruced up. Nashville just launhed service to ATL, and I’m connecting through there next week. I will be excited to see the renovations.    Also, I’m happy for Delta to have growing competition in ATL! ... View more

@Rlohmeyer77, that makes me hurt for you! I value my points, and that is a lot to lose!!   According to SW’s policy on their website: “Points will remain active as long as you have at least one qualifying earning activity every 24 months. Qualifying earning activity includes 1) completed revenue travel on flights flown through Southwest Airlines® and posted to the Member’s account prior to the expiration date; 2) points earned by transacting with any current Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards® partner (including transfers from applicable Rapid Rewards partners and completed Southwest Vacations® hotel stays) and posted to the Member’s account prior to the expiration date; 3) points earned using Rapid Rewards® Credit Cards and through points transferred from Diners Club® and posted to the Member’s account prior to the expiration date and 4) points purchased for personal account use through Southwest.com and posted to the Member’s account prior to the expiration date.”   Have you had no “qualifying earning activity” over the last 24 months?? If you have, I wonder if there was a mistake or even fraud?   I recommend reaching out to SW either on Twitter or through customer relations. I haven’t experienced losing points before, but it would never hurt to ask what can be done.    Good luck! ... View more

@alee11   Unfortuately, I can't answer your question specifically.  SW is currently only taking bookings through early Marth 2019.  With that said, I would expect over the next month to see it pushed out again. ... View more

@Jayandruk   It sounds like you already have a Chase RR personal card.  If that is the case, I recommend getting the Chase RR business card!  There are a couple of reasons:   The expenses you mention are indeed business-related, and this would give you a separate card designated for business expenses. If you already hold a personal card, getting the business card is the only way you will receive the sign up bonus (assuming you don't already have the business card). These points are valuable, especially for Companion Pass qualification. Check here to get more info about the business card.   ... View more

I am making an assumption here, but here is what I think...   Typically, you cannot change one of your own reservations as long as your companion is attached to that reservation too.  For that reason, I would assume that you would not be able to change your designated companion before that first trip with your daughter is completed.  You would also likely have to cancel your daughter's attachment to the second reservation before making the companion change.   Friendly reminder: you can only change your companion 3 times while you hold the companion pass! ... View more

Every time a fare sale is announced, I jump to see what is being offered. I’ve learned that while every sale is different, there are cities and destinations that SW typically offers lower fares.    In my own opinion, I think there are a couple of things that impact where/when sale fares are offered: -competition -presence in the city/airport -time of year -newness is the route -distance of the route.    Of course, the SW marketing minds are far smarter than mine. I think about it like this: SW advertises sales like every other company (especially retailers) I know. They highlight the deals and then explain in smaller print that there may be some exclusions. Sometimes you get lucky, and sometimes you don’t.    When you do book travel, however, I encourage you to recheck anything you have booked for cheaper fares. Remember that when fares go down, you can rebook your flights, and — depending on the fare type — you can either get a refund or get the travel funds for future use.  ... View more

What @dfwskier said! You earned that boarding position! ... View more

When you find out, let me know! 🙂 ... View more

@cruznr   For what it’s worth, I deal with this challenge even as a Companion Pass holder and as A List Preferred - SW’s highest elite status.    I always board with with a good position...usually A30 or less every time. With that said, my wife - who is my companion and flies for free - does not receive any preferential boarding. We have a daughter who just turned two who will also now have her own boarding position. If we all want to board together, we have two options: family boarding or with the person who has the highest boarding position.    I understand and your frustration because I’ve experienced very similar. In your case, I recommend buying EBCI for both you and your child to ensure you can board together from the Preferred/better boarding position.  ... View more

As @CareforNOLA and @TheMiddleSeat have already pointed out, we have no access to personal information. We’re here to help. I’m a big, cheesy fanboy of SW airlines for countless reasons, and long before this site existed, I was sharing my love for and knowledge of SW to everyone. As a frequent flyer whose flown them all, SW is the best choice for me and my family. Community Champion or not, I will always promote SW.   It should also be noted that this is a customer Community site. It is designed for us to help each other! My hope is that I can share the LUV and help others understand how to navigate the great benefits of SW.  ... View more

Thank you for jumping in! This real-world feedback is valuable, and  sure SW would appreciate hearing it.    I recommend providing that feedback to the Twitter team or via the Contact Us link since this is a customer community. They can direct your feedback to the correct parties.  ... View more

The terms and conditions don’t explicitly address this specific scenario:   “The Companion Pass allows the Member to designate an individual to fly with the Member (such designated individual, the “Companion”) on Southwest Airlines flights purchased by the Member and booked through Southwest Airlines during the Companion Pass validity period. A Companion's reservation is not considered a purchased flight, and therefore, another Companion Pass reservation cannot be booked from it.”   BUT I have no reason to believe that you wouldn’t be able to add your Companion to any ticket purchased with “cash” or points — but that is an assumption.    The good news is that you can always test it with virtually no commitment. Book it, and see if you have the Add Companion button. If it isn’t there — and I believe it will be — you can cancel your ticket and the points will be refunded to the original account.    Perhaps someone else here has experienced this specifically and can weigh in? ... View more

It’s unfortunate when tough circumstances make air travel frustrating. You never know how weather across the country, for example, can impact a flight in your city.    I wanted to investigate why the flight was delayed 14 hours, but it seems this flight was just 1 hr 10 mins late. Were you bumped to another flight or did you miss your original one?     ... View more

 We always carry an original copy, but every time we fly, they always remind us they will accept a copy. Several agents have said they will accept a picture.     SW’s site officially says, “A copy of the child's birth certificate is required to validate the age of all infants under two.“ ... View more

Technically the answer is yes, but likely (at this point) the answer is no.    With SW, there are no change fees, so while you don’t pay a fee to change a flight, you may have to pay the difference in the original flight you purchased and the new one.    This guide is slightly antiquated, but it walks you through the process of changing online.    You can can also call SW reservations at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (435-9792)!   Good luck! ... View more

I would pick War for the Planet of the Apes!   I also highly recommend The Greatest Showman, if you haven’t experienced it! ... View more