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

[SouthFayetteFan]

For those who always ask "when" Southwest flights will be available:

• The release times that I've tracked recently have been 6:55am; 8:10am; and today was approx. 7:35am eastern. I think a range of 7am - 8:30am continues to be a reasonable expectation...but Southwest can do whatever they want.
• There were some reports of people unable to book via mobile first when they first released this morning while others were fine booking on the desktop site. (I also noticed the ability to search were different on the two versions initially)
• The next release is: On June 28, 2018 we will open our schedule for sale through March 6, 2019. That could change and you can track it here

 

[Kelly25]

I used points but cash wouldn't have been bad either. 108 each way out of philly for dec. still way cheaper than the other airlines right now. 215 round trip.

 

[4luv2cdisney]

We've paid less than 7000 points R/T for flights before (lowest was 5000). Now my lowest 1 way was over 7000. I knew it would be more for Dec and not flying out mid-week. However.....eek! I'm guessing prices will come down at least once, its just the fact that now I have to add "check flight prices" to my daily "to do" list that sucks.

 

[princesspiglet]

Booked Thanksgiving week and it is very expensive. BWI-MCO 11/16-11/26. The flight down leaves at 9:35pm and was $164 pp. The flights back are ridiculous- starting at $250 pp!! I think I will hold off on the return a little.

 

[4luv2cdisney]

Booked Thanksgiving week and it is very expensive. BWI-MCO 11/16-11/26. The flight down leaves at 9:35pm and was $164 pp. The flights back are ridiculous- starting at $250 pp!! I think I will hold off on the return a little.

This is why I'm worried about the flights I just booked for December. Next year we will need Thanksgiving flights and I know they will be ridiculous. Need to conserve points!

 

[IluvMGM]

The flight I booked this morning just went up $45, so glad I was able to get it cheaper.

 

[ktate82]

Is Skycap available at that time? IDK about security though. I can't imagine the SWA counter or security would open at 5am if there is a flight at 5am. Last year when you went was 6am the earliest flight SWA operated that day or your airport for that matter since you spoke about security?

It was one of the first flights out that day, but they had several leaving within 20 minutes after 6. I wouldn't imagine they would open at 5, but wondered if they would wait and open at 4. We just didn't want to get there at 3 and be waiting.

If you have not done so, I suggest sending a tweet. They are usually very responsive.
https://twitter.com/SouthwestAir/with_replies

Southwest's website states that they open at IND 90 minutes before the first scheduled departure.

We don't tweet, but 90 minutes sounds like that may be the good spot to try for.

From my experiences when looking I could never find that answer at the airport I wanted to fly out of. I think it depends on the airport and the airline. I got an email to arrive 3 hours early for my international flight...and I did at 3 AM and the desk didn't even open till 4. There was a huge line by the time they opened because so many people arrived when told to.

That's what happened to us last year. We got there at 4, there was a long line, and they opened at 5. Thanks for all the replies.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

For those that may find this useful:

Historical Southwest Release Dates for the past year:

• May 18th - travel through January 7th, 2017
  
• June 22nd - travel through March 7th, 2017
• July 27th - travel through April 6th, 2017
• Aug 28th - travel through June 1st, 2017
• Nov 2nd - travel through August 6th, 2017
• Feb 15th - travel through October 1st, 2017
• March 8th - travel through November 3rd, 2017
• May 31st - travel through January 6th, 2018
• NEXT RELEASE: June 28th travel through March 6th, 2018

 

[scrappinginontario]

Historically November flight prices seem to be some of the highest all year.

 

[princesspiglet]

Historically November flight prices seem to be some of the highest all year.

Yes, and they keep going up!!! I was going to book our return on Nov 26 this morning, but the lowest was $210 pp, so I decided to wait it out. I just checked (3 hours later) and the cheapest flight is now $344 pp. A jump of $134 pp in 3 freaking hours!!!!

 

[Shanti]

Got reasonable prices for flights for our New Year's cruise.

 

[McKelly]

Yes, and they keep going up!!! I was going to book our return on Nov 26 this morning, but the lowest was $210 pp, so I decided to wait it out. I just checked (3 hours later) and the cheapest flight is now $344 pp. A jump of $134 pp in 3 freaking hours!!!!

I booked Xmas flights - I paid 400/pp, which honestly, was less than I thought I would be paying. The same flight I booked is now up to 620/pp. I will keep watching for it to go down too, or at least get an earlier flight, but I am not going to hold my breath!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Historically November flight prices seem to be some of the highest all year.

Yes, and they keep going up!!! I was going to book our return on Nov 26 this morning, but the lowest was $210 pp, so I decided to wait it out. I just checked (3 hours later) and the cheapest flight is now $344 pp. A jump of $134 pp in 3 freaking hours!!!!

I booked Xmas flights - I paid 400/pp, which honestly, was less than I thought I would be paying. The same flight I booked is now up to 620/pp. I will keep watching for it to go down too, or at least get an earlier flight, but I am not going to hold my breath!

Sorry to those of you who have not had favorable pricing conditions on today's release. This is where those that are able to book using SW points have such a big advantage because you can book immediately with no risks...If it goes down, rebook and you don't have to be deal with the travel credit. If you aren't sure of your dates, book what you think is best for now and hope it works. I'm not saying this to "throw salt in a wound" but IF you're able to accrue SW points (be it through business travel, the CCs, whatever) you have a definitive booking advantage in situations like this.

 

[G719]

Can I check anywhere to make sure I put the correct birthday for each passenger? I'm being paranoid that I messed something up.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Can I check anywhere to make sure I put the correct birthday for each passenger? I'm being paranoid that I messed something up.

It likely doesn't matter and it won't appear on your boarding pass

 

[shoreward]

Can I check anywhere to make sure I put the correct birthday for each passenger? I'm being paranoid that I messed something up.

I would call Southwest (not today - they are super busy) and make sure the birth dates are correct. If the pax are of the age where legal I.D.s must be presented to TSA, it's better to be safe than sorry. A phone call to confirm should be easy enough to do; just have all info at-hand, when you call Southwest.

 

[G719]

It likely doesn't matter and it won't appear on your boarding pass

Ok. Thanks! Now to book magical express and that is giving me trouble online now.

 

[scrappinginontario]

If you are using this online form to submit Magical Express requests, you will receive an error when you hit the final acceptance that all information provided is correct.

Even though you get the error, if you receive a confirmation email from DME then your information was recorded with DME and you do not need to contact them again. Seems to be a glitch in their system.

I just contacted Disney to advise them of the website error.

 

[eeyoreland]

I’m so frustrated with my family! We have three sets of family members “probably” traveling to visit another family member in Florida for Christmas. I kept telling everyone, I WANT DECISIONS by May 31 so we can book immediately. Well one family member (my son-in-law) can’t make up his mind in regards to when he’ll celebrate Christmas with his family so here we sit with no decision. I found great flights at good times for about $300 round trip. I’m afraid to even look at how much they may have gone up by now. When did booking SW flights become like booking FastPasses or making Rope Drop??? This is nuts!

 

[scrappinginontario]

I’m so frustrated with my family! We have three sets of family members “probably” traveling to visit another family member in Florida for Christmas. I kept telling everyone, I WANT DECISIONS by May 31 so we can book immediately. Well one family member (my son-in-law) can’t make up his mind in regards to when he’ll celebrate Christmas with his family so here we sit with no decision. I found great flights at good times for about $300 round trip. I’m afraid to even look at how much they may have gone up by now. When did booking SW flights become like booking FastPasses or making Rope Drop??? This is nuts!

Will you be going whether or not your SIL goes? If so I'd book what you can now as prices will only continue to go up. They may drop again later but they may not.

At least if you book what you can now you will only need to pay the higher fare for one person and not the entire group.

I have a SIL whom I love dearly but she is terrible at making decisions. I used to invite her to do things but then we all lost out waiting for her to decide. Sadly now she's the one who loses out as I just don't invite her to many things any more so that we don't all have to wait for her to decide one way or the other.