I saw this link on my receipt this morning and shrugged it off. On the way down I have no problem checking in at 24 hours. It's when I'm off in the parks at that time I have to schedule time to go to customer service and hope the lines aren't too long. I typically end up in B this way which works out fine for us - but one of these days I won't be so lucky.
So they're not telling us that we'll be the first checked in at the 24 hour mark. Just that they'll do it for us. Hmmmm....
Another thought... I assume if we pay to be checked in and then rebook the flight we get credit or a refund for this service and then have to rebook the check-in.
Over time it might just be worth it to upgrade my phone though.
Nope, it is non refundable. If you change your flight it's gone, NOW, I dont know if it would affect a change in rate ie: modifying a non ding rate. But it says that it wont be refunded if you change (ie: a different conf # I would guess)
Agreed. Jet Blue is looking better and better with every change SWA makes. The only reason I keep flying SWA is flying Jetblue means going out of Boston. I prefer TF Green.
I'm not really familiar with any other real 'changes' SWA has made recently?
Ah, but what is interesting is that there isn't much in the way of outrage/backlash---even by the Southwest No Fee Faithful.
So, either Southwest has so much brand loyalty that it doesn't matter, or people have been expecting something like this all along.
Well, the tickets are going to cost me the same. I still have all the perks as before, no baggage fees etc. I just wont have as good of a boarding#. Now, I ALWAYS made sure to get checked in at 24 hours. I've never not had an A pass. I may not like it so much when I get a B or C and have to split up.. But as it stands, this fee doesnt 'cost' me anything.
I feel that I have been pretty loyal to SWA but this move has left a lot of questions and an unexplanable bad taste in my mouth. I think it's interesting to read some of the posts on Flyertalk because they are bringing up some very good points.
I don't know how this is going to work or be effectively enforced. They can't seem to enforce boarding order as it is and this just adds to that. Are they going to limit the number of these Early Birds; and if not, are you going to get your money back once you find you're in the "C" group because all of the other families leaving Orlando decided to pay for the early check-in? As I previously stated, will they make sure that one person doesn't pay for early check in then get on the plane and save seats for the rest of their party?
This will not be the end of the 'optional fees' from SWA. Don't forget that they're rolling out the Wi-Fi and that will not be free. I understand SWA is a business but I don't want to see them nickle and diming me because as we've been seeing with other airlines--it's a slippery slope.
I can't wait to hear some first-hand reports over the next several months!
I've flown 7 or 8 trips in with SWA since Dec 07 and I've NEVER had any boarding issues. Someone may be lined up 2 or 3 numbers off, but have never had a ton of people pre-boarding with someone or anything else that I thought was unfair. As far as the 'saving seats' they can try, but I dont know how far it will get them. And as far as wifi, again, it doesnt change my fees to get from point A to point B, it is an extra that I can purchase if I want. Checked bag fees 'cost' me more, sure you can try to use carry ons, but I'm sure that's a low percentage of people overall that screw up the whole carry on thing.
I dont really like probably not having an A pass anymore becuase I bet LOTS of people will take advantage of it. I would guess that 25-30% of each flight will be using it fairly soon, and I bet that will rise as time goes on. Again, I think it's a great way to get some extra cash, and still not change your rates or your luggage policy.
After I try it a time or 2 I'll have to decide if I'll pay the extra, will just do 24 hr checkin or will fly a different airline..