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Southwest experts - changing reservation/fees and other ?s
So we fly across country to see DHs family 2 to 3 times per year. Up until last year, I'd book whatever flight was cheapest. I got pretty good at finding the deals. Recently, SW added non-stop service to DHs hometown, so we signed up for the card since we knew we'd be flying them much more often with that service. Anyway, we've flown SW before, but I'm not as familiar with them as some other airlines yet.
First question. I've been looking at fares for July. I'm hoping to get tickets in the $250 range (which I've seen/booked before on SW) but with gas prices rising I'm getting nervous. Last week the fare was around $315 and this week they went up to $400 RT. My question is about the change fee. So let's say I book at $400 and the price drops down to $315 again. If I understand their policy correctly, no change fees apply. What about the difference in price? Do I get a credit/voucher (couldn't find any detail on this on their site)? If so, what would stop people from just booking their preferred dates and then changing whenever the price drops? Do people that fly SW frequently do this?
Second question. The airlines we've flown with most in the past usually drop their prices 2 or 3 times/year on our specific route. I've been known to book tickets 6 to 9 months in advance to take advantage of the deals. Any sense on SW fare changing trends?
Re: Southwest experts - changing reservation/fees and other ?s
1. If you book at $400 and it drops to $315, you just change your reservation and you'll get an $85 credit towards a future flight. Just save the confirmation number. I do this all of the time.
I book a flight just to make sure I get it at a good price and then wait and see if the flight goes down. Right now I have around $50 in credits to use towards another flight.
They did change the rule a year or so ago because you used to be able to use a credit under your name to book a flight under another name. Now the names have to match on the credit and the new flight.
Oh and keep in mind, the credits are only good for a year.
2. SW tends to have lots of sales. Spring sales, Fall sales, weekend sales, etc. They tend to be closer to the time you fly though, so you can't plan for them. There is no rhyme or reason for them. I normally just book it at a decent price and then change it or cancel it if I find another better price else where.
What if you book with points? Do they just refund your points?
That's really good to know. I've never run into this before, but now I know that if I do!
Thanks.