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Taking An Earlier Flight

leahsunshine327
Explorer C

We have our airfare purchased that involved doctors appointments, so we purchased a later flight versus earlier "just in case" we run into problems.  OAK - BNA.  But there is an earlier flight available.  If we find out the day of that we can leave on the earlier flight, what is your policy regarding that?  Does it have to be purchased regardless?  Or can we just arrive at the airport early and see if seats (2) become available?

6 REPLIES 6

Re: Taking An Earlier Flight

franktravel
Aviator B
Solution

Free same-day standby will be provided for A-List and A-List Preferred Members traveling prior to the original scheduled departure, between the same city pairs, on the original date of travel, where a seat is available. On flights that do not meet these qualifications, A-List and A-List Preferred Members will receive priority standby and will be required to pay the difference in fare if a seat becomes available. A-List Preferred Members will be prioritized ahead of A-List Members. If an A-List or A-List Preferred Member is traveling on a multiple-Passenger reservation, free same-day standby and priority standby will not be provided for non-A-List or non-A-List Preferred Members in the same reservation. For A-List and A-List Preferred Members who have also qualified for a Companion Pass, A-List and A-List Preferred benefits are not available to the Companion unless the Companion is also an A-List and A-List Preferred Member. A-List and A-List Preferred Members can still make confirmed same-day changes for another flight to their destination, if seats are available, and will only pay the difference in fare.

 

If you are not A list or A list preferred you only have two options.

 

If you go on the early flight and there are seats you are going to have to pay the differance in fare from what you paid for the later flight.   If you fly often you may want to purchase the early flights anyway to get a better price than what they would be the day of the flight.   You will end up with credits when you cancel the flight you don't take. 

Re: Taking An Earlier Flight

leahsunshine327
Explorer C

Thank you for the information.  As this travel is required for medical services and already way above budget as the result of a doctor's cancellation, which caused us to cancel and re-book at higher fares, looks like we'll be taking the late flight and then driving the 3 hours home.  <sigh>

Thank you.

Re: Taking An Earlier Flight

LindseyD
Retired Community Manager

Hi @leahsunshine327,

 

Thanks for posting in the Southwest Community - welcome. I'm sorry to hear about the reasons for your travel - please know the Southwest Family is sending you well wishes. We strive to offer Customer-friendly policies, so while there is an applicable difference in fare should you decide to change flights, you won't be looking at any change fees. 

 

Wishing you the best and hoping to see you onboard again soon,

Re: Taking An Earlier Flight

jmfergus1
Explorer C

Dear Southwest,

 

Just as a "flow up" to the management team...Southwest would be the undisputed "friendly airline" if instead of flying empty seats, they let people that need to change their flights change either for free or a nominal fee. Doesn't seem logical to fly an empty seat if people can't afford the current fare difference (typically many time$$$ more the day before or day of).  Also, to give Southwest an advantage over the "competition" - may want to consider giving people who take your credit card "A-list" standing upon card approval. 

Re: Taking An Earlier Flight

miketh
Explorer C

In the "old" days when WN was a low cost airline they didn't encourage empty flites to take off if later flite passengers were there to fill up more seats.

   Altho we don't fly with WN as often any more, I showed up early enuf to take an earlier flite recently.  It would have cost $$ more.  As it turned out my flite was overbooked!   (I didn't pay the extra $$ and did get on myscheduled flite.

Re: Taking An Earlier Flight

chgoflyer
Aviator A

@franktravel wrote:
 If you fly often you may want to purchase the early flights anyway to get a better price than what they would be the day of the flight.   You will end up with credits when you cancel the flight you don't take.

Be aware that this advice is no longer valid on Southwest. The new booking system automatically cancels any "duplicate" bookings (same day, same city pairs or co-terminals).