Southwest losing the "Friendly" part

Over the last 5 years, I always keep checking my fare with southwest. If the fares went down, I re-did my ticket and received a credit for the difference good for 1 year. Each time I received credits I would use them to purchase my son's tickets when he would come home from the Marines.

This year my friend and I are going in Sept, the fares went down and between her ticket and mine I have $157 credit. However, southwest will no longer let you apply credits unless the passenger name matches the one you received a credit on. Since I paid for both of our ticket, technically I only have 1/2 the credit.

According Stan from southwest, it wasn't them it was the IRS is prohibitting them from allowing this transfer of funds.

Considering my last trip to vegas, I met one of those wonderful supervisors from midway (the one that was on their short lived show). I found it funny she had bording number 16 (not business select) when those who paid for early check in got 17 on. Her new line was oh, early check in doesn't automatically check you in, you get to check in 36 hrs a head of time (another line of bull).

Oh well, for me. Being a loyal customer is no longer a requirement for southwest!

Can your friend use the credit to buy one way for your son. You pay for the return with your credit. I agree with feelings about southwest.

Unfortunately the name on the ticket has to match the ticket with the credit

Yes, things have changed with SWA. However, you have to look at the alternative when compared to the legacy carriers. In their case, ticket reissue fees are anywhere between $75-150 depending on the carrier.

Using your example, it wouldn't have been worthwhile to reissue the ticket as the savings looks like it would be just slightly less than $80/ticket.

In your case, you have the $80 to use for future travel and if your friend does fly on SWA within a year of the ticketing date, she too has $80.

Once again, I realize that this isn't as good as it used to be but it's certainly better than any other alternative that I know.

People sometimes just assume SWA represents the best deal but this isn't always the case. If you can find a better alternative that works for your schedule for less money, you should consider booking it.

Dan

Danfed sums it well as usual. I have often found fares lower on Continental but there is that pesky $150 change fee. You have to really be committed to those flights or prepared to get bent over by the change fee. Susan is right. It isn't as good as before but not having to pay a change fee is nice.

I do find SW to be the best option for me. I have changed my tickets a few times this because of a better price. And it would not have been worth it if there was a big change few. I have not needed the credit to be used for some one else so not a deal for me. So I will continue to use them and a nice drive to MDW.

Terry

Not so nice now that the Central ramps on I55 are being torn up. Of course when you get to the airport by 5am, traffic shouldn't be an issue.

I have been a long time Southwest customer but lately the fares have been about 50% higher and I have more time than money so I have used other airlines the past two trips.
Sad because if they were even close to the same pricing I would choose southwest. I think the new frequent flyer program is also not nearly as good as the old one for regular customers.
It seems to be geared to those paying highest rates.

Well I will miss all that Bob I come from the far south side right up cicero. And with a 6:25 flight even earlier than that. Good to see will keep my construction brothers working.

Terry

Correct. And the ones who pay the highest rates are the corporations who book refundable tickets for their employees, who couldn't care less what the rate is because the company is paying it. We who pay our own way are screwed.

Grrrr.