scdreamer

We are planning a road trip through the gulf coast, Georgia, and on up the Blue Ridge Parkway to Washington DC in mid September. Planning to fly into New Orleans at the beginning of the trip and fly home from DC (we live in California).

So far I have booked our flight home from DC on Oct. 6. Non refundable fare on Delta.

I am hesitant to book the September flight to New Orleans, as we are considering that it is hurricane season along our planned route, and would be inclined to switch the trip up to begin in Boston and head down to DC if the weather looks bad.

Here's my question - there are some great fares on Southwest right now. If I were to go ahead and book a one-way from SFO - MSY, and then decide a week or so before the flight date to change to somewhere in the northeast, does southwest credit the earlier fare and then just charge the difference - no expensive change fees?

MmePerdu

Southwest's policy on changes has always been to convert the funds from a cancelled non-refundable flight into a credit to be applied to another flight within a year. Non-refundable is still that, but you don't lose the money unless you fail to use the credit in the following year. I've found it very useful in the past and one of the reasons I've used them whenever possible.

https://www.southwest.com/html/why-f...FOOTER-FLY-WHY

janisj

>>Southwest "no-change-fee" - really?

scdreamer

Thanks, Fodorites! It seemed as if there must be a catch - it's just so ... reasonable.

Booked the flights to New Orleans today - let's hope for no hurricanes in September!

HappyTrvlr

We have changed our Sputhwest flights multiple times and this is a major reason we fly with them. Plus no small commuter jets, all 737s.

MmePerdu

And a free checked luggage allowance!

BigRuss

The only catch is what the fare difference will be.

MmePerdu

The upside is freedom to use the credit to go anywhere, anytime, within the year. Fare difference is logical, not "a catch".

emalloy

If you change a flight and the fare has gone up for that flight, you will have to pay the fare difference. If it has gone down you get the credit.

DebbieDoesDulles

It's not necessarily going to be "reasonable" to change a ticket a week before travel. The fare may have gone up from $79 to $299 at that point. You'll be safe as long as the current New Orleans fare war is still going strong come October.

P_M

DebbieDoesDulles, your screen name is a hoot!!

fmpden

Little mis-information. Only the WannaGetAway fare is a credit. All of the other fare levels are refundable. Also all of SW fares are one way fares. There is no break or cheaper fare if you book a round trip ticket. It is a very clean air fare model. When you change a ticket you are getting a refund for that ticket (no penalties) and you buy a new ticket. Since the cheaper fares are limited in number you probably will have to buy a higher priced fare the closer you get to departure. But there are no games with the fare pricing. It is exactly the same from day one till the day you fly - exception being the occasional sale or promotion.

traveler24

I have flown with Southwest for 10 years--all over USA...
Advantages:
will not loose money as long as you book another trip within one year..
no charge for 2 bags..
further you book ahead --better the fares.
Really good promotional deals...rental car specials
Some flights have free WiFi
Disadvantages:
NO food--only peanuts and soft drinks- one class of ticket include "booze" coupon
NO assigned seats..can purchase " early bird" seating for $12.50 which only lets you get in to line to "board first." LINE ...
Obviously no First Class seats..
I also use their credit card now serviced by Chase..new clients get a healthy amount of points to start out.
I fly from Sacramento to Seattle 2-3 times a year--at least one of them is paid for by points accumulated on SWA credit card.
I just wish there was a little more leg room but I guess most airlines are the same.

DebitNM

" early bird" seating for $12.50 "


Early Bird changed to $15 in March. And with so many people buy this, it won't necessarily get you all that much ahead on the line. I checked in for a flight yesterday, I got A44with no EB, the woman behind me got A45 and had paid for EB. My husband, checking in at virtually the same time, got B4. I may have gotten lucky and got a spot exactly as someone cancelled, but who knows.

janisj

>> I got A44with no EB, the woman behind me got A45 and had paid for EB.

DebitNM

Actually, "EarlyBird Check-In Customers will have their boarding positions reserved beginning 36 hours prior to their flight's scheduled departure time. Boarding Passes can be accessed beginning 24 hours prior to the flight's scheduled local departure time."

I was told [or heard] that if someone who has already checked in and then cancels, their boarding spot opens and goes to whomever checks next; that would make sense for what happened.

janisj

Ooh -- you should have played the Lottery yesterday