There must be another explanation, if there had been a takeover of the phone number I think we would have heard about it in the news or many more posts on here. The scenario you are describing sounds fraudulent though, I'm glad you were able to resolve things with your bank and I hope it wasn't too painful with all the cancelations.
... View more
To clarify, go to "my account" and look for the "promotions" section to sign up for this any any other promotions that may be available. Good to check in there periodically.
... View more
10-11-2020
11:46 AM
10-11-2020
11:46 AM
@DancingDavidE wrote: @Kh71 wrote: Hi, Thank you, but my children have not flown before (well, they have with me when they were little but can't remember), and are very anxious about the whole situation. My ex husband hasn't even talked to them about it, or me for that matter. He just decides things and informs others of his decision. So unfortunately I have no say in this... at this point I was almost hoping that his idea isn't doable or legal, because I know he doesn't care about the children's concerns, just his wants. But if they have to fly by themselves, I at least want them safe and comforted if something comes up. Have them familiarize themselves with the Houston layout and identify where the same flights on previous days tend to dock at which gates. HOU is a dense airport and very easy to navigate with only a few irregularities: A new international concourse was recently opened and getting to it would require a walk through a connector section of airport. Otherwise the Southwest gates are all on the main concourse. The gate numbering seems to imply that there were some expansion plans or a previous facility that was demolished, going from 20 to 51 out of order, and then 1-4 are in the new concourse. https://www.ifly.com/william-p-hobby-airport/HOU-Central-Concourse There's a huge connecting flight volume so the concourse can be very busy at peak hours. I haven't been through it this year though. I'd send the kids with food if you can, but there are good quick options there. This last suggestion may not be for everyone, but let’s say the RT flight from your location to HOU is cheap right now - book yourself to go to HOU, get them on their correct flight, and then go back to your origin as a day trip. Lunch at Pappadeaux for yourself.
... View more
10-07-2020
10:57 AM
10-07-2020
10:57 AM
@TheMiddleSeat wrote: Sorry the situation didn't work out quite like you desired. I'm interested in hearing the background story that led to you buying a ticket for a hooker. I was going to say "you lost me in the middle there" - but if I'm understanding the post the person you bought the ticket for may or may not have their own Rapid Reward account and the flight is currently canceled and sitting as travel funds. As the other posters mentioned if the flight falls into the correct window of time then there is a possibility to convert the travel funds to points (In their name) and then use the points to book for yourself. This would be easier if the person didn't have their own RR account and this was all controlled by yourself. Don't transfer the points to your own account - that incurs a transfer penalty - just book yourself from the points directly. So action step 1 - verify that the travel funds are still there (the person could have used them at any time since they are in their name and tied to their ID and birthday, even without a Rapid Rewards account) and what the expiration date is and come back and we may be able to provide more specific advice.
... View more
Southwest may allow you to convert expired travel funds to LUV voucher for a fee, per voucher (last reported at $100). If would help you to get the travel funds combined into a single travel fund if you can find a flight that is a matching value. Sorry that you may not have known you weren't going to fly these funds yet when you could have made a booking earlier this year and then canceled it and received an extended expiration date for your funds.
... View more
10-04-2020
11:28 PM
10-04-2020
11:28 PM
@dfwskier wrote: @cpolson wrote: I I know COVID is always the blame when there is no explanation but don't offer flights you don't intend to keep. It feels like a bait and switch right now Sorry you are running tinto problems. Lots of people are due to SOuthwest making significant changes in it's flight schedule. No airline offers flights that it does not intend to fly -- when the flights are scheduled the airline fully expects to fly them.. Conditions change and airlines cancel flights and rebook people. Airlines don't like doing so because, like you, the process irritates the hell out of passengers. Airlines don't intentionally irritate their customers. Suggestions 1) See if travel on other days would work. 2) See if travel to a different place (airport) would be better. 3) Cancel - save the points for future use, and book on another airline. If the flights are still cheaper, cancel and save your points and re-book on the suggested flights (or equivalent) for less points. Next time split up the flights into one-way tickets so that you can use up points, and then pay cash for the remainder of the tickets instead of buying points.
... View more
10-04-2020
11:26 PM
10-04-2020
11:26 PM
@chgoflyer wrote: @Zbowers24 wrote: Hello, I am trying to book a reservation, I am flying with my 4 month old infant and due to COVID 19 he doesn’t have a birth certificate yet, city hall is closed and are only doing mail in applications for birth certificates. According to the TSA traveling website it says that I can use his immunization records for proof of age? Is this true with SOUTHWEST airlines? I have his immunization records, Medical card, and SSN. please help I need to book my flight Southwest requires a birth certificate for any child under age 2 if they're flying as a "lap child" (you're not purchasing them a seat). (When they're obviously well under age 2 you may not have to show anything. If you do, the immunization records may suffice.) Lots of info here: Baby on Board We have used immunization records before to justify a lap child. Anyway - you can book the flight now, you only need the records when you show up to fly.
... View more
@Kh71 wrote: Hi, Thank you, but my children have not flown before (well, they have with me when they were little but can't remember), and are very anxious about the whole situation. My ex husband hasn't even talked to them about it, or me for that matter. He just decides things and informs others of his decision. So unfortunately I have no say in this... at this point I was almost hoping that his idea isn't doable or legal, because I know he doesn't care about the children's concerns, just his wants. But if they have to fly by themselves, I at least want them safe and comforted if something comes up. Have them familiarize themselves with the Houston layout and identify where the same flights on previous days tend to dock at which gates. HOU is a dense airport and very easy to navigate with only a few irregularities: A new international concourse was recently opened and getting to it would require a walk through a connector section of airport. Otherwise the Southwest gates are all on the main concourse. The gate numbering seems to imply that there were some expansion plans or a previous facility that was demolished, going from 20 to 51 out of order, and then 1-4 are in the new concourse. https://www.ifly.com/william-p-hobby-airport/HOU-Central-Concourse There's a huge connecting flight volume so the concourse can be very busy at peak hours. I haven't been through it this year though. I'd send the kids with food if you can, but there are good quick options there.
... View more
@Hinterlands18 wrote: We had a direct flight get changed with a layover in Midway in mid-November. The two options that we have are 40 or 60 minute layovers-- or take a very long layover with two little kids. The 40 minute one is a much better time, but we are worried about how tight that turnaround is. Has anybody experienced tight layovers in Midway and have any recommendations? Thanks! MDW is my home airport so I haven't ever had to make a connection there. I do fly with family a lot including two young kiddos - if you are depending on Family Boarding to get your crew on the aircraft then I'd lean towards the longer layover in order to allow for some extra wiggle room that you don't miss family boarding. Will you make your flight either way? A: yes if everything is on time. Even the A4A to end of B concourse can be done before the doors close in your scenario. But allowing for some delay in deplaning it's conceivable that you would miss family boarding time or make it but be stressed about it.
... View more
@Maryshumaker wrote: I’m not sure if that is the actual reason they cancelled the flight but the person I spoke with at Southwest who identified themselves as Tiffany put me on hold for 10 minutes and let me know that the hold was because she was waiting for their help desk to answer. Then she said that there weren’t enough passengers for the flight from JAX to ATL. So I’m not sure if you’re saying that what I am saying is BS but I believe they record all calls so they would have a record of the conversation. You heard what you heard - it would be pretty surprising to find out that was really the reason though, Southwest wouldn't disrupt the flight schedule like that based on one leg of a plane's daily itinerary being light. The rep might have mixed up the messages that load factors are too low in general and some change to the schedule resulted, or maybe the plane was needed elsewhere on an urgent basis. They haven't been shy about changing the network schedule and would generally do this days or weeks in advance for anything predictable like light traffic from JAX to ATL. But most importantly I hope you found an alternative route from JAX to get to your destination and sorry to hear about a 4 a.m. change to the schedule which is very late in the process to let you know. I'm sure they also didn't know ahead of time, they aren't saving that cancelation in case a whole bunch of people book the day before.
... View more
09-28-2020
09:49 AM
09-28-2020
09:49 AM
@chgoflyer wrote: For me, the takeaway from this, and other recently published similar studies, is that mask compliance is key. I applaud Southwest for having strict mask policies, and I'm hopeful that enforcement can become more consistent, for the protection of everyone. It's just the statistics - the masks make a smaller radius around someone who may not even know they are emitting virus.* An empty middle seat is larger than that radius. The purpose of the masks are to stop a direct stream from someone else's breath, cough, sneeze, etc. The premise of masks stopping the spread in general is more or less independent of the mask being a filter. As far as a mask protecting you - like being in the swimming pool, now you need a real filter - get one that does if this is your goal. There are higher quality / performance options. Our medical establishment wearing their PPE is an example of that. I know they were scarce at the start of the pandemic but there seems to be availability now. *This is informal - but with State of Illinois running around 3% positivity for all testing which includes people coming in for testing because they have symptoms, compared to the U of I testing of everyone in the student body which returned about 6% of students positive. The 3% figure includes some people that are asymptomatic, testing the whole student body found quite a few more asymptomatic people. Someone must be reviewing this already but the first glance findings show perhaps 3x as many asymptomatic. That's why we can't get a handle on the spread as a society.
... View more
@gsking wrote: My companion will have her own ticket for two months. Some lucky couple will now get to travel for free. Probably the kids. I signed up my daughter since I'll already have regular companion pass.
... View more
09-20-2020
10:55 PM
09-20-2020
10:55 PM
@gsking wrote: I'm in the same boat. Er...plane. I just booked a trip for four (ALP/CP-AL/points/points) to Kauai. I guess the kids will not be A-list worthy, being on their own reservation (although I did put my RR on their booking). So...I figured I'd just board with family boarding. I think we'll be fine. I didn't plan on sitting in the front anyways. All the cool kids sit in back... Family boarding is usually great. It is like "discount A-list"
... View more
09-20-2020
10:49 PM
09-20-2020
10:49 PM
@TrojanFan wrote: Can't say I follow this logic. How would you feel if you booked a ticket you thought was set to depart at 9am only to arrive at the airport and have them tell you, "Sorry, even though you booked this ticket and it departs in a Pacific Standard time zone, the 9am flight time we told you was really in Central Standard Time and departed two hours ago." Would you find that fair? Put another way, if Southwest was abundantly clear on the pages describing these policies that the deadline was 12:00pm CST it would be one thing, and I wouldn't have a leg to stand on. But they did not, they said Sept 7 was the deadline and I cancelled on Sept 7 (my Gmail cancellation email even says Sept 7 on it!). But whatever... life goes on. Just surprised in this weird situation that customer care wasn't willing to make an exception. Then again, the airline is under a lot of financial pressure, so perhaps it's not surprising they aren't spreading LUV as much as they used to. I don't think extending a travel fund is as easy as pushing a button, this sounded like a massive programming effort. to get the changes in place. It's too bad that it ended up being last minute. And you may or may not have any real impact if you end up using the travel fund anyway. You could ask for a LUV or something, that's easier for the customer service agent to give out.
... View more
09-20-2020
10:44 PM
09-20-2020
10:44 PM
@chgoflyer wrote: @dfwskier wrote: After you provide a link to a site that verifies your allegation, I might believe you. I'll be waiting. Be careful what you ask for, I wouldn't be at all surprised if it's true. Unfortunately, very large companies often donate to a variety of political causes and candidates, including some that are controversial, and occasionally, apparently, some that are just bat s&*t crazy. It's unfortunate. And mainly those that have jurisdiction over airports that they serve. I don't know who Rep Lynn is but if I had to guess she supports air travel for her local airport. I'm sure they would distance themselves if there was any concrete link. It will need to go further than a hashtag though.
... View more
09-13-2020
03:45 PM
09-13-2020
03:45 PM
@SWFlyer007 wrote: Not sure why your talk in a question? he/she "may" be allergic. If it's a "may," then it isn't an issue, the animal "may" not make you allergic. If it's, "he/she "is" allergic, then yes, that's a concern. You have good answers on here about movement, SWA attendants will do all they can to make you comfortable as possible, with your MEDs. Southwest has to be one of the best options in regard to moving your seat if someone does sit by you, or even if you are seated first and someone comes next to you there's a chance to say "do you mind moving back? Not sure about the statistics or demographics of people who do fly with pets, do they fly Southwest. I don't know if it is more or less likely to have a pet onboard a Southwest flight. I don't see it very often, but once in a while.
... View more
09-13-2020
02:30 PM
09-13-2020
02:30 PM
@SilviaC wrote: Southwest was in Possession and care of my luggage therefore they should be responsible for anything that happens to luggage checked in with them . And if that’s not the case then they should be advertising or letting people know that once you check in your bag Southwest is not responsible even though you’re flying with them. You sign off on this when you check luggage, its in the terms. The other airlines likely have something similar. They do cover a limited amount of damage, or if the luggage itself was lost but that wasn't what was described. See section 7. https://www.southwest.com/assets/pdfs/corporate-commitments/contract-of-carriage.pdf
... View more
09-11-2020
10:23 AM
09-11-2020
10:23 AM
@SilviaC wrote: I’m sure that if Southwest goes through their cameras/airport cameras they will be able to see who opened the luggage. TSA had no problem sharing what’s on the cameras on their end Maybe you can find someone moving it around, the person whether SWA, airport, or TSA will probably know where to go without a camera though. But who knows, I’m always amazed seeing the news with people doing things that they obviously had no idea about the monitors on them.
... View more
The zip ties were probably not the best idea in hindsight. Not that that the TSA locks are going to prevent the same thing, but at least your luggage wouldn't stand out. The airline is stuck as well, they don't know that the items were in there originally, or could be stolen at the hotel without you knowing by the time you got to the airport, etc. No one knows for sure if this happened in San Diego or San Jose either. (Did it come out right away at SJC?) It's a really tough system that basically requires you to ship expensive items in a way that can be tracked and insured, or to carry them on. Anyway - police report is probably the only way to go here and let them figure it out. Keep an eye on eBay or Craigslist if the items are personally identifiable in any way.
... View more
09-09-2020
08:07 PM
09-09-2020
08:07 PM
I mean definitely keep doing the temperature checks @SWFlyer007 - it's a low overhead option to stop a few obvious cases from boarding. (Or watching a movie, or dining, etc.) But if you do see someone getting readings in the low 90's, they probably have the sensor too far from the subject's forehead. It reads a cone from the end - its a myth that the red dot coming out the end is the place that the reading comes from - actually the sensor sees an expanding cone from the end so if you were really close to the person it would be reading an area the size of a coin, but if you were two feet away it would be reading the average temperature of an area the size of a dinner plate. Anyway - tell them to get closer, they aren't doing any good by sampling the temperature of your whole head and the room behind you. Hopefully we'll keep looking at more advanced options for faster testing though. Maybe they could do the same for flu. A lot of people toss it around as the "do nothing" comparison - after seeing some of the comparisons it affects quite a few people too and I hadn't realized how many deaths, besides knocking people out of commission for days.
... View more
09-07-2020
11:56 PM
09-07-2020
11:56 PM
These get less accurate as they are further away - was the movie theater check performed from too far away?
... View more
09-07-2020
11:55 PM
09-07-2020
11:55 PM
We might need a little more background information if you are comfortable to share it. A1: I don't know for sure but I would expect there to be some fine print that says someone should not book a ticket for another person against their wishes. A2: In practice if someone ignored that fine print, I don't know what would prevent them from making the booking with a name and date of birth. If they also added Rapid Rewards info or provided you with the confirmation number then in theory you could cancel the booking, or if you called and could identify yourself as the person that was booked. Points are not for sale between individuals so the terms of Rapid Rewards wouldn't let you "pay" the other person for the points but I'm not sure about paying them back for the flight.
... View more
I'm mixed on it @SWFlyer007 - like you say the temperature scan would catch someone trying to cheat. Or maybe in some cases they might not realize they had a fever but that seems less likely. An even better option for the long-term would be fast result testing. But the HVAC on airplanes is pretty good for this purpose with lots of OA and filtration, and many separate zones throughout the cabin (air doesn't come in at the bulkhead and go all the way to the rear lavatories - there are multiple exhaust points along the way). The key measures seem to be disinfecting the lavatories and passengers being cautious there and with other touchpoints, and then the masks combined with empty middle seats. I'm in the industry, and I did a simple test myself wearing a mask and try to blow out a candle and then see how easy it is to blow it out without a mask - that's really the story to me is the airflow pattern. The mask doesn't have to be a filter for it to be effective, it just needs to cut the radius down from 6' to 2' - then the empty middle is sufficient as long as no transmission takes place from touching things. I've always been a happy Southwest customer once I discovered no change fees - empty middle seats is also very important to me right now. On the other hand if I'm traveling with family we'll block up a row of three ourselves anyway, so we'll all be somewhat protected then as well. Traveling solo for work would be less sure of that. I'm absolutely wiling to bend schedules to get on an emptier route though. Really what I'm less sure about is the airport and the traveling to and from the destination airport. Where I normally would take public transit or shared ride I might rent a car now.
... View more
09-07-2020
07:39 PM
09-07-2020
07:39 PM
I always pretend it won't be available and bring a USB drive with any key files as I never plan for VPN to work. I do like to check email and other similar browsing activity when it is available.
... View more
09-07-2020
07:37 PM
09-07-2020
07:37 PM
I agree @SWFlyer007 and I would want to get tested myself in this case. On the other hand, postings on the community wouldn't be verified and people could decide to post messages that weren't true. If there was demand for this type of posting maybe there could be a forum setup dedicated to that topic to keep things siloed for those posting or searching for info. I would hope that contact tracing would eventually advance to the point where a positive passenger could result in the other passengers being notified automatically to get tested. Or have the 3-hour tests available at airports.
... View more
09-07-2020
07:32 PM
09-07-2020
07:32 PM
Did they send new cards on subsequent years? I don't remember now if we keep getting new companion cards or not. The A-list card is useful mainly for the A-list phone number which I would save to your phone addressbook.
... View more
09-07-2020
07:31 PM
09-07-2020
07:31 PM
Good reminder I need to renew. Also I'll jump in with @bec102896 and second (third?) the suggestion by @TheMiddleSeat to use the live chat function if you are on mobile app, or send a direct message to @SouthwestAir on Twitter if you use that platform. (Don't send any personally identifying information in a public twitter message.)
... View more
09-07-2020
04:53 PM
09-07-2020
04:53 PM
If the airline can keep getting good fares, then they'll have more reason to keep the middle seats open longer. I hope so as well. I have some travel planned in October which will be under the current requirements. Otherwise I'll be very interested to find those less busy flights if possible.
... View more
Maybe try using the mobile site instead of the full website mobile.southwest.com which will reduce the bandwidth requirements in case the time-out is related to the dial up which will be difficult to address.
... View more
https://news.miami-airport.com/statement-about-southwest-airlines-launching-miami-service/ This was a surprise!
... View more