Southwest Airlines - Online Booking

[tajainaz]

Discovered last night that if you book Southwest online, you can change segments online based on the current rate and availability at the time of change.

If I had changed my reservation by telephone, the entire reservation would have been considered cancelled and a new reservation. It would have cost about $100 more to change it.

By doing it online, I was able to change only the affected segment, which still qualified for online discount, and ended up with a $5 credit to be used at a later date.

Thanks to the Southwest associate who guided me through the process!

[marivigi]

wow.. thats really nice... I hate being charge 100 to do a simple change...

[dcfromva]

tajainaz,
I think the SWA on-line travel center is great. On our last trip, we canceled, changed and rebooked about 5 times (I lost track as to how many changes I made!). We finally ended up with a $50.00 credit per person and we were able to book our flight a day earlier than the first reservation.

Will you be doing the on-line check in?

-DC

[tajainaz]

Originally Posted by dcfromva

tajainaz,

I think the SWA on-line travel center is great. On our last trip, we canceled, changed and rebooked about 5 times (I lost track as to how many changes I made!). We finally ended up with a $50.00 credit per person and we were able to book our flight a day earlier than the first reservation.

Will you be doing the on-line check in?

-DC

That's the plan--at least from home! Then I'll crash for about 3 hours of sleep before the shuttle arrives around 4:15 - 4:30 a.m. to pick me up.

Probably not on the return trip, as I won't have access to a computer unless I go to a business center.

Is it worth the $10 business center fee for the return trip?

[dcfromva]

tajainaz,
I have heard of folks asking guest services at their resort and having some really nice CM's print them out.... I have also heard that they don't charge the $10.00 just to print out the boarding passes at the business center (but, I don't know if that is a hard and fast rule).

When they first started doing the on-line check in, you could wait until the morning and get your "A" boarding group passes....That does not seem to be the case anymore... I was really surprised when I did the on-line check in for our last flight at a few minutes past midnite. We were 3, 4 and 5 (We are normally 1, 2 and 3 ) When we were standing in the "A" group line, the gentleman who obtained #2 was standing right next to us. He said he was really surprised that he didn't get #1, too.
You will have to let us know which number you get when you do your on-line check in. (They take your pass, so if you want to keep a copy of your boarding pass, print two copies.)

-DC

[tajainaz]

It should be interesting, DC! The flight from Phoenix is 2 stops, so I expect to be in Group A even if I wait until morning (will do it just after midnight, though!).

The return flight from MCO is non-stop, so that one will be interesting, as I won't have access to a computer at midnight! Is there a 24-hour Kinko's nearby?

[dcfromva]

Originally Posted by tajainaz

The return flight from MCO is non-stop, so that one will be interesting, as I won't have access to a computer at midnight! Is there a 24-hour Kinko's nearby?

Yes, I believe there is...(hopefully SM or 'Tink will have directions ).
Are you staying at a Disney Hotel?

-DC

[Cindernaenae]

Amyone know if you can do online check-in if you're flying on a rapid rewards certificate?

[tajainaz]

Pop Century.

Who has directions from Pop Century to the nearest Kinko's or other facility with 24-hour computer access?

[dcfromva]

Originally Posted by Renae

Amyone know if you can do online check-in if you're flying on a rapid rewards certificate?

Renae,
If you are using a paper certificate, you can not do the on-line check in. What I did for our travel back in April was I sent my paper certificate in and they changed it into an electronic certificate and then I was able to do the on-line check in. (If you already have the electronic certificate, then you're golden. )

Here are some references for you:

Link to SWA travel center

guidlines for a paper ticket and

From SWA FAQ:

"Q: Can I convert my paper Award Ticket to a Ticketless Award?
A: Yes. If you have a paper Award Ticket and would like to convert it to a Ticketless Award, simply mail the paper Award Ticket to us with a letter requesting that we convert it to a Ticketless Award. Mail your request to Rapid Rewards; P.O. Box 36657; Dallas, TX 75235. Please allow up to 30 days from the date we receive your request for Rapid Rewards Customer Service to deposit the Ticketless Award in your account. The Ticketless Award will be valid through the expiration date that was on the original paper Award Ticket. "


-DC