Southwest Airlines Community

If you've purchased nonrefundable tickets, be aware that each passenger will have travel funds, good for one year from the date you made the purchase -- unless you applied previous travel funds or vouchers, in which case the new funds will take on the expiration date of the funds applied.   Southwest may make refund exceptions in special circumstances. It's a longshot, but you can try reaching out to the refund department:   For all other refund requests, including refund exceptions for nonrefundable travel: You can write our Refunds Department: Southwest Airlines Refunds Department P.O. Box 36649 Dallas, Texas 75235-1649 ... View more

Travel Funds are visible in your Rapid Rewards account online if you've used your RR number when booking the flights. For a LUV Voucher, you'll need the 16 digit number and security code. If you call, a phone rep may be able to find your voucher info for you, depending on how/why the voucher was issued.     ... View more

@seanmundell wrote:   It is misleading. At the top of my Air Reservation Details it says:   A negative COVID-19 PCR test is required prior to travel to avoid mandatory quarantine    Has a big exclamation point!!!       Can you post a screenshot? It's possible that older information in the system hasn't been updated, as things have been changing frequently.   I'd also recommend sending a screenshot to Southwest directly, so that they can address any issue.   Contact Southwest Customer Service  ... View more

@PilotX wrote: Are we sure reservations booked with points also qualify?   The email I received says "including award travel!", but the fine print is says, "Companion Pass®, charter flights, reward and group travel, and Southwest Vacations® packages do not qualify as one-way or round trip revenue or award flights for this promotion."   Does anyone know what "award" and "reward" travel are?   Thanks! 😀     Southwest has never been known for having clear disclosure language.   I believe "reward" travel covers things like flight certificates won from charity auctions, etc. while "award" travel is flights booked with points. (Which, yes, is dumb since the loyalty program is named "Rapid Rewards.")   I would say that the specific mention of "award travel" (flights booked with points) in the main copy (not the terms and conditions) would mean that points flights count. ... View more

@bjbbiker wrote: my mom is raking my 9 yr old son.    Ok, understood. In that case, I'd recommend following what Hawaii says, not Southwest.   Here's some additional information. ... View more

Also, you don't need a test if you're fully vaccinated.     ... View more

As long as it's a separate carry-on, in it's own case and not part of any other bag, your CPAP doesn't count towards any carry-on limit, as it's a medically necessary device. On Southwest you're allowed 2 carry-ons (one under the seat in front of you, one above) plus your CPAP.   Be aware that you may be asked by TSA to remove the CPAP from it's case to be screened separately.   Here's a great reference.         ... View more

No data available to suggest a link between India’s reduction of COVID-19 cases and the use of ivermectin     ... View more

@Sham wrote: I know your information is well-intended so for that, I thank you. I would have to disagree with your concern that other patrons will probably never take the time to make their feelings known; many feel very strongly about this particular topic.    Despite how one feels about the various vaccines available,  we should and always have had the ability to make our own choices concerning our medical care. Unfortunately, a mandate removes that choice.  SW has set themselves apart with providing customers choices and I am happy to know they are also providing their employees that same service.  Like customers, if employees agree with your concern and believe their fellow co-workers should be MADE to do engage in medical care they do not agree with vs having choices, then they have other choices to make out their employment.     I still see SW as a unique, industry leader in the airline industry and most certainly do not see them jeopardizing the safety of their customers and employees, rather, not dictating their medical care.  You are correct, most vaccines have and DO save lives however, this one is quite different, hence the some individual hesitation.  Having choices to be vaccinated have always existed so I encourage you to dig a little deeper about this particular shot, perhaps it may offer a better understanding about why people choose to forego vaccinations.     To be frank, many people "feel strongly" about this particular topic because they've been manipulated with misinformation by those who seek to sow division for political gain.   People are choosing to forego vaccinations because they're choosing to believe non-factual info. Statements to the effect that, "most vaccines have and DO save lives however, this one is quite different" sadly demonstrate the prevalence of disinformation.   Current covid vaccines have proven to be very safe, and remarkably effective at reducing severe illness, hospitalization and death. Because the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines use a newer technology that's not immediately easy for the layman to understand, they've been vilified by certain people. It's easy to fear what you don't understand. (And certain politicians and commentators have for years promoted a distrust of science.) But mRNA distribution has been studied for decades. To date over 387 million covid vaccines have been administered in the US, and over 6 billion worldwide, with very low incidences of adverse effects.   If one is (unduly) concerned about mRNA vaccines, they can opt for the Johnson & Johnson one -- it uses the disabled adenovirus technology we've been using for major vaccines essentially since vaccines were first invented.   Here's a thought -- ask yourself why antivaxxers lump all covid vaccines together and claim they present the same risks, when in reality they use varying, different technologies?   Currently, the US is averaging over 1,900 covid deaths per day, and nearly all (~96%) are unvaccinated. In many states, hospitals and ICUs are overwhelmed, and some have taken to rationing care. The lack of available hospital beds is now affecting the care non-covid patients receive. Choosing to remains unvaccinated no longer hurts just yourself.   Since the pandemic began, 1 in 500 Americans has died from covid.   I encourage you to dig a little deeper about covid vaccination options, perhaps it may offer a better understanding of their overall safety, and the actual risks involved in foregoing this very important vaccination.     No evidence of COVID-19 vaccines causing deaths   The powerful technology behind the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines   Johnson & Johnson vaccine: How is it different?   US COVID-19 deaths are topping 1,900 a day   1 in 500 Americans Have Died of COVID-19   How Polio Campaign Beat Vaccine Hesitancy ... View more

@DancingDavidE wrote: @chgoflyer wrote: @DancingDavidE wrote: @Dchbbc wrote: Hi. I booked a flight yesterday for 3 of us for next February.  I used travel points for all three and paid with Uplift Credit for the remainder. I forgot that one of the passengers  had a $100 voucher from a trip last month that was delayed for 6 hours. Is it possible to apply this voucher to the trip I booked and paid for yesterday? Might be too late for this, but if you booked within 24 hours ago you may be able to cancel everything for a full refund, and then re-book - note the refund might not occur immediately for the cash portion.     I don't see any benefit to an under 24-hours cancellation here.   It's still a bit unclear, but they say they used an "Uplift Credit" for the non-points portion, which I believe means a Travel Fund, which would be refunded as a Travel Fund, not cash -- even if cancelled within 24 hours.   (Even if the Uplift Credit isn't a Travel Fund, but is something else, it would likely be refunded as a credit in any case.) Maybe I have the names mixed up, I thought it was the cash option for pay over time with the third-party financing group, and they want to substitute the voucher instead of pay over time.   Maybe the OP can clarify. @Dchbbc      The OP said, "I used travel points for all three and paid with Uplift Credit for the remainder."   Uplift is indeed the "pay over time third-party financing group." Since it's unlikely anyone would make a points booking and then finance the relatively small taxes and fees portion (and doubtful that Uplift would even allow this), I'm assuming by "Uplift Credit" they mean a travel fund that came from the cancellation of an itinerary originally financed through Uplift.   Agreed though that clarification from the OP is needed.         ... View more

@DancingDavidE wrote: Does it say "may be" disqualified? It seemed before that it didn't disqualify people that we heard from. Not sure what more extreme change does trigger a DQ.       It says "may." This language is added to indicate that changes to dates outside the promotional period will disqualify.   As long as you still fly within the offer's deadline, any change that preserves the original confirmation number should be ok. ... View more

@DancingDavidE wrote: @Dchbbc wrote: Hi. I booked a flight yesterday for 3 of us for next February.  I used travel points for all three and paid with Uplift Credit for the remainder. I forgot that one of the passengers  had a $100 voucher from a trip last month that was delayed for 6 hours. Is it possible to apply this voucher to the trip I booked and paid for yesterday? Might be too late for this, but if you booked within 24 hours ago you may be able to cancel everything for a full refund, and then re-book - note the refund might not occur immediately for the cash portion.     I don't see any benefit to an under 24-hours cancellation here.   It's still a bit unclear, but they say they used an "Uplift Credit" for the non-points portion, which I believe means a Travel Fund, which would be refunded as a Travel Fund, not cash -- even if cancelled within 24 hours.   (Even if the Uplift Credit isn't a Travel Fund, but is something else, it would likely be refunded as a credit in any case.) ... View more

@jksobonya wrote: @SteveD89 wrote: I love SWA as A single business traveler. It is extremely frustrating to travel with the family. For starters you were not able to add other profiles for other family members into your profile. How would "family reservations" work in theory? How does it work at other airlines?  Do they have some sort of family check-in where you check in once and you are all checked in at the same time somehow, and all your boarding passes are generated?   --Jessica   What people are requesting is a way for the Southwest system (website and app) to retain more than one person's information (name, birthdate, KTN, etc.). Then, when someone is booking a reservation for themselves, their spouse, and their multiple children, those traveler's details could be added easily, instead of needing to be entered from scratch.   My understanding is that this feature is in the works, but was delayed by shifting priorities due to the pandemic.   It's not about check-in, as what you describe is already available. All passengers on the same confirmation number are checked in at the same time. In addition, Companion Boarding ensures that a Companion is checked in as well (and receives a sequential position).  ... View more

Unfortunately, you can't apply a voucher retroactively. Also, vouchers are only valid on the airfare portion of a flight booking -- not any taxes or fees -- so you wouldn't be able to use a voucher to pay the fees on a points booking.   I wasn't aware that you could use Uplift to pay the taxes and fees on a points booking. Are you sure that this is what you did? It seems odd to finance the (usually) relatively small taxes and fees portion.   Perhaps you meant that you used a Southwest Travel Fund, from a previously cancelled flight that was originally paid for using Uplift? If so, you may have some options.   If the fare hasn't increased, you could cancel and then rebook. You'll receive a travel fund in the name of all three passengers, and the points used will be returned to your RR account. You'll need to then rebook one person separately, using cash instead of points, so that you can now apply the voucher. Note that vouchers don't cover taxes or fees, so you'll need to apply the new travel fund to cover the balance. Then book the other two passengers using points and the travel fund's remaining portion.   This is a bit complicated, so it may be best to just save the voucher for another trip. Note that a voucher can be used by anyone, not just the named passenger.     ... View more

When you use the "Change Flight" function on a round-trip, you'll need to select both the outbound and return flight to change, otherwise the destination will be grayed out.     @dfwskier wrote: Remember that changing a trip will require you to pay exactly the same fare regardless of whether you change an existing trip or book a new one.   Given   that, pick the easiest way to proceed.   I'm not sure what you're trying to say.   If you change to a more expensive flight, the system will show you the additional $ or points needed. If the flight is less expensive, the system will show you the credit you'll receive. ... View more

The current fixed value for RR points is 83/$1, or $0.012. So you're still paying more for the points than their actual value. I'd recommend this option only if you're reaching your Chase card anniversary year and have not yet used your $75 credit. ... View more

Sorry Antivaxxer. ... View more

My understanding is that the ability to save family profiles is coming. It was already in the works, but priorities shifted considerably due to the pandemic.   Also: Maybe you're not aware, but anyone on the same reservation as an A-Lister will be assigned boarding positions in sequence with the A-Lister. Full details here. ... View more

Generally, as long as you still fly within the offer's deadline, any change that preserves the original confirmation number should be ok. ... View more

That tracks. Often proactive < requested. ... View more

@gsking wrote: If they changed your flight,  you should have 72 hours to change the flight with no added charge.    I'm guessing you missed that window?    If you are unable to make the change online, you can always call -- regardless of the 3-day window.   Also, in my experience the window for online changes is often larger than 72 hours, sometimes up to a week. But this varies widely, seemingly for no apparent reason. ... View more

Are you booking flights for the same passengers as on the travel fund? Make sure the names are entered exactly as on the original flight.   If it's still not working online, you may need to call. ... View more

@Hoosier1 wrote: So, the answer is in. I got, as the ticket holder, a LUV voucher for $100. My companion got a LUV voucher for $150. Go figure that one! If two different agents handled the vouchers separately they may have assessed the situation differently.   Were either proactively sent by Southwest? Or did you have to request an accommodation?   In my experience, often proactive < requested.     ... View more

@TheMiddleSeat wrote: The OP asked about Safe Travels ¯\_(ツ)_/¯   --TheMiddleSeat   LOL. Did you read the entire post? It's really clear what they are asking.   Helpful > Pedantic.   ¯\_(ツ)_/¯   But fair enough, I did edit my reply to clarify confusion began in the original post. 😉 ... View more

@TheMiddleSeat wrote: The process is handled online now and is not location dependent, you get a QR code instead of a wristband. More information can be found here: https://www.southwest.com/coronavirus/hawaii/   --TheMiddleSeat   I think there's some confusion here regarding the Hawaii Safe Travels program and Hawaii Pre-Clear.   Safe Travels is the state program where you upload your test or vax information and when approved receive a barcode.   Pre-Clear is the state and airline partnership program where you show that barcode at your departure airport and receive a wristband, eliminating the need to wait in line at your destination.   Background: Hawaiian airports were overwhelmed with arriving passengers and asked the airlines to help ease that burden. Carriers didn't reduce flights but they did stagger them more (slightly) and they partnered with Hawaii to take over some of the state screening function.   [edited to clarify confusion was also in original post] ... View more

@TheMiddleSeat wrote: I didn't say non-revenue for that specific reason. If an individual is spending something, whether it be points or cash, then I think they have a valid claim to compensation. In my post I said "should not" which just implies that's my opinion of the situation. I also totally know that Southwest will compensate a companion if they were to ask for it, I just don't agree that it's right.   --TheMiddleSeat       I understand it was your opinion. I'm expressing mine, which is in disagreement, just as yours was to the earlier posts. 😉   Consider this:   Compensation is a customer accommodation given to offset inconvenience. It's not based on the fare paid. You'll receive the same voucher whether you've paid $49 or $449. And the Companion is just as inconvenienced as the CP holder.   If you've received vouchers and used them to fully pay for your flight, and that flight is delayed/cancelled, should you then not receive compensation, since the flight was "free?" Are you not inconvenienced?   Ultimately, saying that Companions aren't due compensation because the fare was "free" is like saying that Companions aren't due the same level of service as the Companion Holder.  And, in my opinion, that's not right.     ... View more