Comments on: With Southwest Airlines, Changing Flights Is Easy and Free http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/with-southwest-airlines-changing-flights-is-easy-and-free.html personal finance blog with anecdotes, advice and commentary. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:01:03 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Ben Bennett http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/with-southwest-airlines-changing-flights-is-easy-and-free.html/comment-page-1#comment-330159 Ben Bennett Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:18:09 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/with-southwest-airlines-changing-flights-is-easy-and-free.html#comment-330159 I fly SWA whenever I can because they normally have better fares, they have no charge for the first bag and their customer service agents and flight attendants are friendly and courteous. Keep up the good work!! I fly SWA whenever I can because they normally have better fares, they have no charge for the first bag and their customer service agents and flight attendants are friendly and courteous. Keep up the good work!!

]]> By: frequentflyer http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/with-southwest-airlines-changing-flights-is-easy-and-free.html/comment-page-1#comment-329241 frequentflyer Fri, 16 Oct 2009 02:20:41 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/with-southwest-airlines-changing-flights-is-easy-and-free.html#comment-329241 Exactly. This happened a few weeks ago. I was booked on a one-stop flight. I asked an SWA rep about an earlier non-stop flight and was told I would have to pay the difference for an anytime fare. I declined. At the BWI stop, SWA was looking for volunteers. So, you're right: Apparently SWA's computer system does not handle these situations and they end up compensating someone for being bumped on the second leg and flying with an empty seat on the first leg. Exactly. This happened a few weeks ago. I was booked on a one-stop flight. I asked an SWA rep about an earlier non-stop flight and was
told I would have to pay the difference for an anytime fare.
I declined. At the BWI stop, SWA was looking for volunteers.
So, you’re right: Apparently SWA’s computer system does not handle
these situations and they end up compensating someone for being
bumped on the second leg and flying with an empty seat on the first leg.

]]> By: Pam http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/with-southwest-airlines-changing-flights-is-easy-and-free.html/comment-page-1#comment-328696 Pam Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:06:13 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/with-southwest-airlines-changing-flights-is-easy-and-free.html#comment-328696 Why I fly SWA: 1. They are typically cheaper than any other airline 2. They have the best safety record of any airline in the US, and only one airline in the entire world matches them. They have never lost a passenger. 3. (Newly relevant) They don't charge for bags. On a recent flight my husband and I took, we had a choice of SWA or another airline. The ticket prices were identical, but... the other airline was going to charge us $20 for the first checked bag, $30 for the second, each way. With 2 checked bags, that's $80 additional fees, on top of the airfare. We ended up with 3 checked bags, that would have cost us $120 on the 'other' airline', it cost us nothing on SWA. The boarding -- yeah, it's not too great, but I'm not flying to fly, I'm flying to get where I'm going, safely, and for as little money as I possibly can. If you want an early boarding, check in online as soon as possible, and be at the airport at least two hours ahead of time. This will help you get on the plane ahead of most others. Regarding the 'don't look em in the eye' thing, well let's face it, you're going to have someone sit next to you. Go to the bathroom before getting on the plane, take the window set, and bring an iPod. Problem solved. Why I fly SWA:

1. They are typically cheaper than any other airline
2. They have the best safety record of any airline in the US, and only one airline in the entire world matches them. They have never lost a passenger.
3. (Newly relevant) They don’t charge for bags. On a recent flight my husband and I took, we had a choice of SWA or another airline. The ticket prices were identical, but… the other airline was going to charge us $20 for the first checked bag, $30 for the second, each way. With 2 checked bags, that’s $80 additional fees, on top of the airfare. We ended up with 3 checked bags, that would have cost us $120 on the ‘other’ airline’, it cost us nothing on SWA.
The boarding — yeah, it’s not too great, but I’m not flying to fly, I’m flying to get where I’m going, safely, and for as little money as I possibly can.
If you want an early boarding, check in online as soon as possible, and be at the airport at least two hours ahead of time. This will help you get on the plane ahead of most others.
Regarding the ‘don’t look em in the eye’ thing, well let’s face it, you’re going to have someone sit next to you. Go to the bathroom before getting on the plane, take the window set, and bring an iPod. Problem solved.

]]> By: Meg Ford http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/with-southwest-airlines-changing-flights-is-easy-and-free.html/comment-page-1#comment-323226 Meg Ford Thu, 13 Aug 2009 23:46:00 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/with-southwest-airlines-changing-flights-is-easy-and-free.html#comment-323226 I even got a "credit" back from Southwest after changing flights because the new flight I was taking was cheaper. I can't think of any other airline that does that! I even got a “credit” back from Southwest after changing flights because the new flight I was taking was cheaper. I can’t think of any other airline that does that!

]]> By: BJ http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/with-southwest-airlines-changing-flights-is-easy-and-free.html/comment-page-1#comment-282137 BJ Sun, 14 Sep 2008 19:53:45 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/with-southwest-airlines-changing-flights-is-easy-and-free.html#comment-282137 those of you complaining about southwest's boarding techniques are whiners. The flight is not the main event for you, I hope. The worst part about southwest and every other airline out there is that there is no equal opportunity for wheelchair users to board the plane. If you are paralyzed, you cannot walk, but you have to risk your health transferring into a tiny, dolly-like contraption and being wheeled into the plane like cargo. Its atrocious. Wheelchair users can get on most buses, trains, and other transportation methods. But airlines apparently do not have to follow any ADA guidelines. I think you folks complaining about the little irritations of flying should be a little more thankful for your ability to hop on and off a plane with ease and save the moaning for something that is actually really a problem. those of you complaining about southwest’s boarding techniques are whiners. The flight is not the main event for you, I hope. The worst part about southwest and every other airline out there is that there is no equal opportunity for wheelchair users to board the plane. If you are paralyzed, you cannot walk, but you have to risk your health transferring into a tiny, dolly-like contraption and being wheeled into the plane like cargo. Its atrocious. Wheelchair users can get on most buses, trains, and other transportation methods. But airlines apparently do not have to follow any ADA guidelines.
I think you folks complaining about the little irritations of flying should be a little more thankful for your ability to hop on and off a plane with ease and save the moaning for something that is actually really a problem.

]]> By: Harry http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/with-southwest-airlines-changing-flights-is-easy-and-free.html/comment-page-1#comment-29484 Harry Tue, 03 Oct 2006 08:14:31 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/with-southwest-airlines-changing-flights-is-easy-and-free.html#comment-29484 The free switching policy also creates opportunities for rebooking at a lower fare if there is a fare sale after you booked the original flight. You get to keep the difference as credit and you can use the credit on another flight in 12 months. The free switching policy also creates opportunities for rebooking at a lower fare if there is a fare sale after you booked the original flight. You get to keep the difference as credit and you can use the credit on another flight in 12 months.

]]> By: Matt http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/with-southwest-airlines-changing-flights-is-easy-and-free.html/comment-page-1#comment-29274 Matt Mon, 02 Oct 2006 09:04:51 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/with-southwest-airlines-changing-flights-is-easy-and-free.html#comment-29274 The one thing I don't like about Southwest is a fairly recent change. It used to be that online checkin for flights started at one minute past midnight, regardless of the flight time. This meant that I could just check in from work, reliably get an "A" group assignment, and then not worry about anything else. But now, with the checkin being a rolling 24-hour period, I have to make sure I'm awake at the same hour as my flight the day before it...and since Southwest flights tend to be in the daytime, this is a significant hassle for me. But there's also now at least one company that promises to do your online check-in for you, and guarantees a spot in the "A" group. I'll probably use them the next time I fly. The one thing I don’t like about Southwest is a fairly recent change. It used to be that online checkin for flights started at one minute past midnight, regardless of the flight time. This meant that I could just check in from work, reliably get an “A” group assignment, and then not worry about anything else. But now, with the checkin being a rolling 24-hour period, I have to make sure I’m awake at the same hour as my flight the day before it…and since Southwest flights tend to be in the daytime, this is a significant hassle for me.

But there’s also now at least one company that promises to do your online check-in for you, and guarantees a spot in the “A” group. I’ll probably use them the next time I fly.

]]> By: jim http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/with-southwest-airlines-changing-flights-is-easy-and-free.html/comment-page-1#comment-28642 jim Fri, 29 Sep 2006 19:36:39 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/with-southwest-airlines-changing-flights-is-easy-and-free.html#comment-28642 Chuck, You can easily avoid all that by paying more for a ticket on with another airline. :) CK - I do agree that policy is stupid because while it prevents someone from gaming the system, it also leaves empty seats on a plane when they can be filled. Letting someone game the system and getting a cheaper flight is better than compensating someone when their flight is overbooked. Chuck, You can easily avoid all that by paying more for a ticket on with another airline. :)

CK – I do agree that policy is stupid because while it prevents someone from gaming the system, it also leaves empty seats on a plane when they can be filled. Letting someone game the system and getting a cheaper flight is better than compensating someone when their flight is overbooked.

]]> By: Chuck http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/with-southwest-airlines-changing-flights-is-easy-and-free.html/comment-page-1#comment-28639 Chuck Fri, 29 Sep 2006 19:10:33 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/with-southwest-airlines-changing-flights-is-easy-and-free.html#comment-28639 The only thing I sometimes hate about Southwest is having to remember to check in online 24 hours before the flight so I don't get the dreaded "C" boarding pass. Then also having to play the "don't make eye contact with people so they won't ask to sit next to you" game as well once you are aboard. The only thing I sometimes hate about Southwest is having to remember to check in online 24 hours before the flight so I don’t get the dreaded “C” boarding pass. Then also having to play the “don’t make eye contact with people so they won’t ask to sit next to you” game as well once you are aboard.

]]> By: CK http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/with-southwest-airlines-changing-flights-is-easy-and-free.html/comment-page-1#comment-28637 CK Fri, 29 Sep 2006 18:56:27 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/with-southwest-airlines-changing-flights-is-easy-and-free.html#comment-28637 One small problem I have with Southwest is their standby policy. Unless you have a "full fare" ticket you cannot fly standby unless you pay the difference between your fare and a full fare. So say you're booked on a flight at 1pm but there is a flight leaving at 11am with empty seats you'd like to hop on they won't let you switch unless you pay the difference. The say it's to keep people from gaming the system (buying cheaper flights then jumping on a more expensive one) but I find it mostly angers people. One small problem I have with Southwest is their standby policy. Unless you have a “full fare” ticket you cannot fly standby unless you pay the difference between your fare and a full fare. So say you’re booked on a flight at 1pm but there is a flight leaving at 11am with empty seats you’d like to hop on they won’t let you switch unless you pay the difference. The say it’s to keep people from gaming the system (buying cheaper flights then jumping on a more expensive one) but I find it mostly angers people.

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