Southwest Airlines Community

@gsking wrote: Here you go...   https://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-shows/565831-fauci-amount-of-virus-in-breakthrough-delta-cases-almost-identical   So yeah,  you get the vaccine,  you can still get a breakthrough case,  and still transmit the virus.    Note that your link has words like "mounting' and "suggests".  So that's not proof by any stretch.   You best be careful when you use words like "completely wrong" and laugh before you understand the extent of your hyperbole.   Oops... not so complete,  is it?    Do we agree vaccination is preferred?   Yes.    Except I'm not the one seeking perfection.   It's these fearmongers DEMANDING 100% vaccination of employees or else they'll die in the sky.      I'm just saying it's not my call to force someone else to get vaccinated... and there's nothing particularly unique about flight crew that demands they be singled out for forced vaccination.   They've managed so far.   To claim it's impacting "passenger safety" is a stretch not supported by the facts.    I get that your personal opinion is to error far on the side of caution.   You'll wear a mask the rest of your life,  probably.   But there's many of us not so worried.   I've had Covid.   Why should I be forced to get vaccinated to work on a plane? Just because "every bit helps"?  Then I suggest we reduce the speed limit back to 55 mph... because the same logic applies.   Maybe 45mph whilst we're at it.    Did you read the link I posted?   Those with breakthrough cases can transmit the virus, even when asymptomatic (as I mentioned earlier). That said, vaccines reduce transmission in the aggregate, as vaccination decreases your chance of getting the virus. The more vaccinated, the better.    Vaccination lowers community transmission. This isn't even in question.   Not fear mongering. Not seeking 100%. Not demanding anything.         ... View more

@gsking wrote: Your concern is unwarranted.    Masking on airplanes has been proven effective.    Vaccination has NOT been proven effective at reducing transmission.    Therefore,  requiring masked flight attendants to be vaccinated,  especially when surrounded by many more passengers of unknown vaccination status makes absolutely no sense.    Unless of course you're driven by illogical levels of fear not supported by statistics.   Which,  if so,  you shouldn't be flying... and this doesn't apply to you.        Um... what? LOL.   Vaccination doesn't reduce transmission?! Seriously? I mean, that's so completely wrong as to be laughable. Did you actually mean to type something different?   Mounting evidence suggests COVID vaccines do reduce transmission.   Masking on planes was studied prior to the development of the much more highly contagious delta variant, making the results of that study significantly less valid.   Greater vaccination rates help everyone. Mandates increase vaccination rates.   Stop making perfect the enemy of good.     ... View more

@jksobonya wrote: @jcdalglish wrote: What possible reason could Southwest Airlines have for NOT requiring their employees to be vaccinated? Do they have a death wish?  lol ... what a comment.   If you're vaccinated and wearing a mask, what are you afraid of?   I don't need Southwest to mandate vaccines in order to fly with them. I've been flying for Southwest for well over a decade - heck, I flew at the "height" of the pandemic in August, October, and December 2020, when the very idea of a vaccine wasn't taken very seriously. (Remember, many thought it would take "years" to develop one.)  By the way, I've never gotten COVID to this day, and I've flown many other times - just flew last weekend, in fact.    Is this really something that people care a lot about? Are people that afraid to be around someone who hasn't gotten a shot? I'm not. Never have been. Someone's medical history and how they chose to take care of themselves (or not take care of themselves) is none of my business. I can only take care of me, myself and I.    It's pretty remarkable how much our thinking has changed in less than 2 years.    --Jessica   I'll speak for myself.   I'm avoiding exposure risk from the unvaccinated (masking up as best I can, not traveling to places with high infection/low vaccination rates, avoiding crowds indoors, reducing air travel in general) for multiple reasons.   Breakthrough infections with delta do happen, and I do not want to get covid. While I understand that since I'm vaccinated the current risk is low, and I'd likely tolerate the disease relatively well (compared to the unvaccinated) I still want to avoid the downtime involved, and the possibility of having lingering symptoms. I have a friend who contracted covid pre-vaccine, suffered a relatively minor course of infection (was not hospitalized) and who still has neurological symptoms to this day. (Doctors are calling this "long covid," and currently don't really know how to handle it.)   I also don't want to chance spreading covid. Current studies suggest that those with delta -- even the vaccinated -- can carry a high viral load and spread the virus even when asymptomatic. Primarily to protect my brother-in-law, who is undergoing chemo and is currently imuno compromised, but also to protect the general public. I see it as being a responsible adult who understands the social contract. If everyone did, rather than only caring about "me, myself and I," I suspect we wouldn't be in this place to begin with.   I have a friend in Florida who was just told their hip replacement surgery is indefinitely postponed due to the hospital being overwhelmed with covid patients. Their ICU is full, so they're converting other floors of the hospital into covid wards.   As covid continues to spread it will continue to mutate. It's possible that we'll see a variant that's resistant to current vaccines. That's why it's vitally important that we use all the tools we have available to reduce the spread, and quickly. Vaccination is the absolute best tool we have. The more people that are vaccinated, the better. So I support any company who requires their employees be vaccinated (with medical exceptions of course).   It is remarkable how our thinking has changed. I shudder to think about what would have happened if the methods used today to widely spread disinformation were available back when the polio vaccine was released.   Vaccine mandates are not new. They've been around in the US for a very long time. All states in the US currently mandate vaccines for schoolchildren against diphtheria, measles, mumps, pertussis, poliomyelitis, rubella, tetanus, meningitis, chickenpox, and whooping cough. Some states include additional vaccines/diseases. Yet somehow, now, a vaccine against a global pandemic that has killed at least 4,333,848 people (635,153 in the US alone) has been turned into a political issue and is being treated like it's a bad thing.   I'd say it's baffling, but it's increasingly obvious that this is perpetuated by those who benefit off of manipulating the ignorant for political and monetary gain.           ... View more

@TheMiddleSeat wrote: Very few companies have taken the approach of mandating vaccines.  You are welcome to submit your comments directly to Southwest. Contact Customer Relations    --TheMiddleSeat     The number of companies mandating vaccination is increasing rapidly.   Covid vaccine mandates sweep across corporate America as delta variant spurs action ... View more

@dfwskier wrote: @chgoflyer wrote: @dfwskier wrote: @PettyIntrigues wrote: I certainly have. I’m up there, fully masked, as mandated, in a sealed tube packed in with 140 other pax and SWA staff for a number of hours every single week. They aren’t even doing regular service still! We just got COFFEE like six weeks ago.   How long are we gonna do this for? Southwest should be taking the lead on it. The science is clear, the law is clear.  The chances of getting the virus on a plane are exceedingly small.   During the height of the pandemic earlier this year the DOD did a study which revealed that flight attendants had a lower rate of infection than the general public - and flight attendants spend almost their entire work days on planes.   That study was done prior to the delta variant.     I didn't say it was done after the variant was id'ed       I didn't say you did. 😉   My point is that the study is less valid now due to the highly contagious nature of the delta variant. ... View more

@jcdalglish wrote: What possible reason could Southwest Airlines have for NOT requiring their employees to be vaccinated? Do they have a death wish? Are they trying to discourage air travel? I have a flight booked soon, and I'm very concerned that SWA is not taking every measure possible to protect their passengers.   To answer your question: The reason is political. Southwest is headquartered in Texas.     ... View more

@dfwskier wrote: @PettyIntrigues wrote: I certainly have. I’m up there, fully masked, as mandated, in a sealed tube packed in with 140 other pax and SWA staff for a number of hours every single week. They aren’t even doing regular service still! We just got COFFEE like six weeks ago.   How long are we gonna do this for? Southwest should be taking the lead on it. The science is clear, the law is clear.  The chances of getting the virus on a plane are exceedingly small.   During the height of the pandemic earlier this year the DOD did a study which revealed that flight attendants had a lower rate of infection than the general public - and flight attendants spend almost their entire work days on planes.   That study was done prior to the delta variant.     ... View more

@jksobonya wrote: Southwest has been making changes to their schedules every couple of months as far back as 2019 when the MAX 8 disruption forced schedule changes to happen, and with the ongoing pandemic, schedule changes isn't something that Southwest can just "pause" at will.   Thanks,   Jessica   That's not what the OP is suggesting.     ... View more

The question is in regards to gate checking the wagon.   Southwest's website states that the allowance is one item per child without charge in addition to the regular free baggage allowance. It's possible however that the gate agent won't care that you are transporting gear and not a child.   Perhaps someone with experience gate checking a wagon sans child could chime in?   You may also want to check with Southwest directly, although contact is somewhat problematic these days.   Contact Customer Relations    Good luck.   ... View more

As stated by others, the kiosk will suggest an "upgrade" to Business Select, and before that is completed it will show the full cost. You have to agree to that before you are charged.   Unfortunately, it sounds like your wife was confused, and made a costly mistake. But once purchased and travel is completed it's non-refundable.   In addition to better boarding position, Business Select also comes with double the points earned on a WGA fare. And these points are all CP and A-List qualifying.   Purchasing Upgraded Boarding is only available through a Southwest agent at the baggage check-in counter (limited to Full Service at some locations) or at the departure gate. It's not available for purchase via the kiosk.   It is very unlikely you will receive a refund or credit card adjustment, since the purchase details, including cost, are clearly shown on the kiosk screen. ... View more

@dfwskier wrote: @gsking wrote: I'm pretty sure they are treated as individual payments.  Confusingly,  they are tracked by the same 5 digit record locator,  plus a 4 digit suffix.     Base on what I've heard from others in the community, I believe hat you are correct.   This is also how TTFs are handled when there are multiple passengers on a single booking. ... View more

FYI: It's been widely reported that Twitter and Facebook DM replies from Southwest are taking much longer than "usual" these days. For many it's taking a week or so to get a real response (there are auto-replies sent initially), and for some, they've not received any reply at all, even to follow-up messages.   The chat function, when available, seems to be the best route at the moment. ... View more

@CupCrusher40 wrote: Self service is always better with confirmation number on the webiste   Not when it doesn't work. ... View more

@Chaz65 wrote: Can I add a second card on my rapid rewards credit card account? To be clear not a second user but myself. The reason I am asking is that I would like to segregate my personal vs business expenses/spend by using one card for business and the other for personal.    You'd need to open up a 2nd account with Chase, specifically for business. Be aware that Chase is currently very strict with their requirements. ... View more

@Zena95 wrote: Good night. I just want to confirm with you please. I have received a email from a John logan that say he is the online hiring chief operating officer of Southwest Airlines. I have to pay for a data reader and tracker for a customer service representative position to work from home. Is it a scam or what I'm not sure   It's a scam.     ... View more

Yeah... something isn't adding up here.   A-Listers are checked in automatically and receive boarding positions beginning with A-16. And A-List Preferred members are assigned positions ahead of regular A-Listers.   If you're not getting an A boarding position (likely A-16 thru A-35ish) there's something wrong.     ... View more

@jksobonya wrote: I was in Vegas July 7-10, just as the "surge" was starting. It was fine. No problems, no illness, and I was vaccinated. If you're vaccinated, you'll be fine. (Even if you're not vaccinated, chances are you'll probably *still* be fine since COVID is a mild virus for nearly everyone who gets it. Don't let the "variant" talk scare you.)   --Jessica   This is hugely irresponsible advice.   Hospitalizations in Nevada are up +29% (14 day change) and deaths are up 161%. New cases (which precede deaths) are up +38%. Las Vegas is, in fact, a hotspot. And Delta is not something to take lightly.   If you're not vaccinated, get vaccinated.   Tracking Coronavirus in Nevada: Latest Map and Case Count     ... View more

@BellaSicilian wrote: I booked my trip on 7/31/21, it was in my account and NOW IT IS GONE!!!!   Southwest get your tech guys on this!     Southwest contact me DIRECTLY - I have been on HOLD for 60 minutes and we can't EMAIL you anymore???     Paid for trip coming up and now it's GONE!!!!!!   Everyone keep checking your app, it's messed up with new bugs.    Data point: All my upcoming trips show correctly online and in the app. ... View more

If the "compromising of your data" is a concern, there are multiple alternate contact options available: You can contact Southwest via phone, or website form, or written letter.   Problem solved.   https://www.southwest.com/html/contact-us/ ... View more

@jksobonya wrote: @chgoflyer wrote:   Again, as I've noted before, redemption is not "paused."   It's absolutely available, but only for those with a Rapid Rewards Visa card by Chase.   Hope this clears up the confusion.     (You are correct that this wasn't always the case. About a year after launching More Rewards as a cardmember benefit, Southwest opened up redemptions to all RR members. Then, just after the beginning of the pandemic, Southwest removed that ability and reverted to cardmember only access again.) So does the second link I posted take you to a page that shows something other than the COVID message I posted above? Because that's all I see when I click "Explore Rewards" from the first link. If you can actually redeem points, they need to update that landing page with a much better message.    --Jessica   Again, as we discussed previously in this thread...   If you have a Rapid Rewards Visa card by Chase, when you visit that page (after logging into the Southwest website) you don't see that message, you see the full site with all the redemption options.   You're not seeing it because you (apparently) do not have that card.   The message applies to you. Not to those with the card.   Hope this clears up the confusion.     [edited to add]   If you're not logged in to your account on the Southwest website and you navigate to the More Rewards page you'll either be asked to log in or be shown the full site. In order to actually redeem your points for anything you will have to log in (obviously) and if you don't have a RR credit card it will not alow you to make redemptions. ... View more

@jksobonya wrote: It seems counterintuative to use Southwest points for other airlines, but More Rewards has a line that says you could redeem points on "international flights on global carriers" - however, the ability to redeem points is currently paused.   https://www.southwest.com/rapidrewards/redeem-more-rewards   Clicking "Explore Rewards" takes you to this page:   https://www.1.awardhq.com/24468SWANCMSWARRNCM    Which displays the message: "Due to circumstances resulting from COVID-19, we have temporarily paused the ability to redeem points in More Rewards. We are sorry for the inconvenience and hope to resume normal operations soon. Thank you for your patience and grace during this time."   Not sure when you will be able to redeem points again - but you also need a SW credit card to redeem points, apparently. (I feel like this wasn't always the case.)     --Jessica   Again, as I've noted before, redemption is not "paused."   It's absolutely available, but only for those with a Rapid Rewards Visa card by Chase.   Hope this clears up the confusion.     (You are correct that this wasn't always the case. About a year after launching More Rewards as a cardmember benefit, Southwest opened up redemptions to all RR members. Then, just after the beginning of the pandemic, Southwest removed that ability and reverted to cardmember only access again.) ... View more

@strgth wrote: @jksobonya wrote: Check your e-mail - when Southwest changes a flight you are notified via e-mail and if you are not happy with the change you can modify it yourself to *any other flight* **for free**.   You can also log into Southwest.com or the app, view your flight, and you should see a notification that "Your flight has been modified" with instructions on how to change it.    You have to make a change within 72 hours of being notified.   --Jessica @jksobonyatime limit for modifying seems to vary. In the email I received from SW for a flight change it stated "If your new itinerary won't work, you can change your flight date and/or time by up to 14 days from your original travel date at no additional cost."   This is referring to the timeframe for the scheduled departure of the new flight, not the time in which you have to make the change.   Generally, you have ~3 days from email notification in which to make the change yourself online (although lately that seems to be variable, up to one week). After that, you can still receive a free change, but it will require calling in. ... View more

@SMINTZ wrote: I would like to add, I purchased early bird due to the fact that I am 6'6" and with a cracked knee cap, if I have to fit into a sardine can seat, it will be extremely painful By getting a low boarding #, I would be able to get bulk head The false advertising by SWA does not mention that one has to be an ultra preferred flyer  to be entitled. I wasted 50.00 Secondly, I called and after being on hold for over an hour, I was unlucky enough to connect to a jaquine(?or something like that)  she was extremely rude.       You're a bit unclear on what exactly happened, perhaps because you have some misunderstandings, I suspect, about how Southwest's boarding system works. But, if you purchased EarlyBird Check-In and were not checked & assigned a boarding position at t-36 then you will receive a full refund of the EBCI fee.   You now have multiple options available:   -- Talk to the representative at the gate and ask to Pre-Board. Your knee injury should allow that.   -- Alternately, you can purchase Upgraded Boarding at the gate, which will give you an A1-15 position.   Hope this helps. ... View more

@m_stith wrote: Thanks for your reply.  I don't have much experience flying SWA.   The reason I'm asking has to do with the 24 or 36 hour early check-in to get boarding assignments.  In my mind, it seems the Sacramento passengers who have the 6-ish departure time (thru to Kona) would get a boarding advantage over LAX passengers who have a 10-ish departure time even on that 2nd leg of that Kona flight out of LAX??     Do boarding assignments carry thru on connecting flights?   I hope this clears up my question.   Without EarlyBird Check-In: When you check in at t-24 for your first flight on an itinerary that includes a connection, you'll be assigned boarding positions for each leg, respectively. This does mean that you'll be able to check in, and receive a boarding position, before those who are flying non-stop from your connection point.   When you purchase EarlyBird Check-In, your boarding positions for each leg are assigned at t-36 for each departure. There's no "benefit" since the EBCI positions for each flight are all prioritized (based on purchase date) and assigned at the same time, separately, for each flight.   Hope this helps.     ... View more

@jksobonya wrote: @chgoflyer wrote: Again, More Rewards is currently limited to only those with a Southwest Rapid Rewards Visa card by Chase. Yes, but that's a very poorly worded message that explains nothing about needing a credit card to access More Rewards at all. In fact, it blames COVID-19 and says reward redemption is suspended until further notice ... which apparently isn't true lol   The messaging should be changed to say that you need a SW RR credit card to access the portal.    --Jessica   That is stated on the Southwest website, directly to the left of the Explore Rewards button you referenced earlier.     FYI: Southwest stopped redemptions in the first few months of the pandemic. This was a reaction to the prospect of having to pay More Rewards for a huge number of points when members flocked to the site to use their points on things like gift cards, since travel for most essentially stopped. By limiting it to Chase customers, now Chase pays More Rewards for those points. ... View more