I like the new Southwest, for far. Using the Southwest Priority Visa card, I've been able to book the basic rate and pick a Preferred seat at no extra charge. Then I check the app 48 hours before the flight and upgrade to extra legroom seats at no charge. On the four flights we've taken this year, we've upgraded to extra legroom each time; we'll see how the next six flights we have scheduled work out.
The card also gets you one free checked bag per person, so I think the annual fee is a good value.
My biggest complaint with Southwest is that the flight credits expire six months after the date you originally booked the flight. I had a $100 flight credit and could not use it for any of my upcoming flights because it would be expired. I was telling a co-worker about it, and she told me a way to turn it into credits that never expire, and it worked!
You buy a Southwest gift card, then book the cheapest flight you can find, choose the Choice Preferred fare, and pay with your flight credit and gift card. Once the flight is confirmed, cancel it, and you get a flight credit that never expires for the full value of the gift card amount used and flight credit.
I booked a one-way to Lubbock, TX, canceled it, and then used the full credit to book Vegas flights in October!
