Post all SW questions concerns, etc. here...

[DisneyRunner2009]

I got the companion pass offer. Two questions for you in the know. One, how long do you have to keep the account open? Less than one year or at least one year? Two, will they take back the 30,000 points or any portion not used, if you close the account? TIA

 

[dobball23]

As others have said, if SW cancels your flight or makes significant changes, you will be able to get a refund of the funds used for those flights. However, the credits you still have from other changes won’t be included in those refunds. Those would still expire 1 year from purchase as it stands now.

Would it be worth re-booking to a higher priced flight, using those credits, so if my flight does change I can request a refund? Right now it is likely I would just lost the credits.

 

[AlohaNow]

I got the companion pass offer. Two questions for you in the know. One, how long do you have to keep the account open? Less than one year or at least one year? Two, will they take back the 30,000 points or any portion not used, if you close the account? TIA

Great questions! When I took the CP offer in early 2019 I then closed the account just before the annual renewal, to avoid the annual fee. Our main card is a SWA in DH's name, so the extra that I opened just for CP was extraneous to us. We only opened it to get the CP for the year and it worked out very much to our advantage!
Once RR points are in your RR account, they are yours and will not be taken back.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Thank you, AlohaNow.

 

[focusondisney]

Would it be worth re-booking to a higher priced flight, using those credits, so if my flight does change I can request a refund? Right now it is likely I would just lost the credits.

Sorry, I think that’s a decision only you can make. I don’t know how much in other credits you have. Or how likely it is they will cancel or drastically change the flight schedules in the future. Personally, if I know there is only a slim chance I would use the credits, I don’t even bother changing to lower priced flights.

 

[shoreward]

The “change” banner is back for November and December flights, allowing November and December reservations to be changed to a different time or date, within a 30 day window, either way, at no additional cost. However, with flight schedules being reduced, there may be fewer alternate flights from which to choose.

 

[happ]

I got the companion pass offer. Two questions for you in the know. One, how long do you have to keep the account open? Less than one year or at least one year? Two, will they take back the 30,000 points or any portion not used, if you close the account? TIA

In the credit card churning world it is good practice to keep the card open for a year to maintain a good relationship with the bank. You can cancel when the annual fee posts to avoid paying it or ask for a retention offer. Sometimes they will give you an incentive to keep it open if you ask.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

In the credit card churning world it is good practice to keep the card open for a year to maintain a good relationship with the bank. You can cancel when the annual fee posts to avoid paying it or ask for a retention offer. Sometimes they will give you an incentive to keep it open if you ask.

Thanks for the tip.

 

[Tink3815]

Does Southwest airlines provide a passenger list to the NY health officials waiting for you when you get off the airplane at NY airports?

 

[Avery&Todd]

Does anyone know where I can find on the SW site know if they have specific mask requirements for their flights? For example, Disney does not allow gaitors and masks with valves but does SW allow those face covering on the plane?

I know they have a mask requirement so that's not the question - and I know my airport requires a mask as well but this is our first time flying since last year so I want to make sure I'm prepared!

Thanks!

 

[Avery&Todd]

I found my answer!

• Customers are required to wear a face covering over their nose and mouth at all times during their Southwest travel experience. It is highly encouraged to bring your own hand sanitizer and face covering. In accordance with the current CDC guidance, a well-secured cloth or mask that fits snugly against the face, covers an individual’s nose and mouth, and is secured under the chin will be accepted. In alignment with the intention of this policy, these are a few examples of coverings that will not be accepted: (1)Those with holes in the covering, including those with exhalation valves or those made solely of materials like mesh or lace fabrics and (2)Those that cannot be secured under the chin, including bandanas and face shields. Face shields may be worn in addition to face coverings, but not in place of face coverings. Neck gaiters (also called multi-bands) may be worn as face coverings so long as they cover the nose and mouth and are secured under the chin.

 

[Ninjagrrl]

I had some friends staying at Old Key West this morning. They waited 45 minutes for a bus to Hollywood and had to take an Uber just to make it to rope drop in time. Anyone else seen buses this bad lately?

I think maybe this is the wrong thread... This is about Southwest airlines.

 

[PCFriar80]

I had some friends staying at Old Key West this morning. They waited 45 minutes for a Southwest Flight bus to Hollywood and had to take an Uber just to make it to rope drop in time. Anyone else seen transfers buses this bad lately?

Fixed it for you!

 

[nkereina]

For those of you who have recently flown Southwest, I'm curious how they are keeping middle seats open. Are the flights truly empty enough where they can do this on every flight? DH and I are flying next week nonstop Buffalo to Orlando, which is normally a full flight.

We purchased EBCI back when the flights were booked (pre-Covid), and have made many changes with the most recent being on Monday. Because of this, it will put us at the back of the EBCI "line" for checking in (its my understanding EBCI passengers are checked in at 36 hours in the order in which EBCI is purchased, but flight changes reset that). Should we be concerned about getting two seats together in the same row if everyone is required to leave the middle seat open? Or are families permitted to sit three across if they are traveling together?

 

[Fangorn]

Families are permitted to sit 3 across when traveling together. I would not be concerned about getting seats together.

Steve

 

[Sleepyluke]

Have any of you that have flown lately done early bird? Is it worth it right now with kids? But also with the center seats open, less traffic on the plane. I don't mind checking in myself, but if it is necessary for early bird we will. Will be traveling in November.

 

[MinnieMSue]

Have any of you that have flown lately done early bird? Is it worth it right now with kids? But also with the center seats open, less traffic on the plane. I don't mind checking in myself, but if it is necessary for early bird we will. Will be traveling in November.

we flew Saturday of Labor Day and there were plenty of extra seats on a relatively full plane - we were over the wing and across the aisle in 2 rows only one person sat in the window seats. They repeatedly said to not sit next to someone and leave middle seats empty unless you were traveling with someone. We had early bird and could have sat closer to the front. I actually wanted back because I thought fewer would have sat there but the kid wanted up front.I found that out when we were past a number of empty rows lol. I would say you should not have a problem sitting with your family at all without early bird as long as you check in at 24 hr. We always do early bird though because I don’t even want to think about having to sit next to a stranger (social anxiety). My teen is my buffer in normal times when a single gets that extra seat in our row. It is worth it for peace of mind. I guess you could always have one person get early bird and sit in the aisle - I bet no one would try to take the extra seats in your row until your family came on board.

 

[shoreward]

The “change” banner reappeared today. This time, changes within a 30 day window, either way, are allowed for reservations from November through the first few days of December.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Just a question when a disabled person does preboard how many people get to board with them. Not for me- saw a probosrd at MCO and entire party of 6 traveling boarded with her.

 

[CarlyMur09]

Just a question when a disabled person does preboard how many people get to board with them. Not for me- saw a probosrd at MCO and entire party of 6 traveling boarded with her.

Should only be 1 in most cases. I preboard due to my hearing loss, and so does my brother. And in case there’s room on the flight, my father does got the extra seat so that’s another preboard right there. So while we’d look like a family of 6, we do have the 3 pre boards. Luckily we’ve never done more than 6 people. Not sure what we would do in that case.