More Boarding Changes at Southwest
Nov 7th, 2007, 05:34 PM
#1
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More Boarding Changes at Southwest
<i>A new Business Select fare, which costs $10 to $30 more per flight than current top fares, is now available. Business Select travelers will get to board first, will receive extra Rapid Rewards credit and get a free cocktail.</i>
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/trave....html#comments
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/trave....html#comments
Nov 7th, 2007, 07:38 PM
#3
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Here is more info from southwest.com:
http://www.southwest.com/fares/pop_fareCompare.html
You have to remember that this offer is ONLY good if you purchase the most expensive, non restrictive fare.
http://www.southwest.com/fares/pop_fareCompare.html
You have to remember that this offer is ONLY good if you purchase the most expensive, non restrictive fare.
Nov 8th, 2007, 06:53 AM
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Saw both of those myself when I went to the website myself.
But as I said, no sign of it even when I tried to book on Tuesday or Wednesday. Therefore, still wanted more information, including start-date.
But as I said, no sign of it even when I tried to book on Tuesday or Wednesday. Therefore, still wanted more information, including start-date.
Nov 8th, 2007, 07:53 PM
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Flying to LA tomorrow. Checked in exactly 24 hours before flight. Got boarding passes A-22 and A-23. I wonder if this new policy will make it worse to get one of the higher numbers. I fly Southwest a lot in California, but not sure if I will have 16 round trips per year.
Nov 9th, 2007, 12:47 PM
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I imagine that switching to other airlines will depend, in part, how you use Southwest. In California, we use it mostly to fly up and down the state, sometimes business, sometimes pleasure. They have the best fares. And I for one, will not be unhappy with the new number system, because it has irritated me no end to get to the airport early with my "A" number, take a seat and then watch latecomers come up and basically squat on the ground, ahead of the row of seats, to get on the plane first. I would not mind if parents with young children were boarded first, but the last time I saw that, a group of 8-10 adults boarded with the one child - that was a pretty sight.
Nov 9th, 2007, 01:12 PM
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Everything Southwest has done lately is to get more high-paying business travelers to fly them, often. That's why they change the boarding format, why they add the "A-list" program, why they change the names of their fares to "Business" and "Business Select" instead of "Refundable Anytime".
On many routes, they have pretty good competition. For example, for Houston - Dallas. If I want to fly one-way <b>tonite</b>, "Business" fare is $126; BS fare is $141.
But for the frequent business traveler who has elite status with Continental, one can buy a "Y" fare and get guaranteed first class for $180 and earn 150% EQM and double EQM. Not a bad deal for $39 more. [Cheapest coach is $130.]
On many routes, they have pretty good competition. For example, for Houston - Dallas. If I want to fly one-way <b>tonite</b>, "Business" fare is $126; BS fare is $141.
But for the frequent business traveler who has elite status with Continental, one can buy a "Y" fare and get guaranteed first class for $180 and earn 150% EQM and double EQM. Not a bad deal for $39 more. [Cheapest coach is $130.]
Nov 9th, 2007, 02:24 PM
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I looked at Southwest this evening to book a flight from the east coast to the west coast in April. Fares are MUCH higher...even if you don't choose BS!!! I don't like their changes. We've thought of Southwest as our "airline of choice" up to now, but I will look elsewhere from now on.
Nov 9th, 2007, 03:30 PM
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What's happened with SW is that they had a huge reserve of fuel paid with futures when it was a lot cheaper -- and now they're running out. So it isn't just getting higher-paying passengers, it's that they can no longer charge lower fares because they are no longer getting a bargain for fuel.
Timing is everything.
Timing is everything.
