Comments on: Why Southwest Should Consider a Change Fee

By: Thomas Edward Parody

Thomas Edward Parody — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 22:58:28 +0000

David, I don’t think that the ads are outrageously misleading. Rather, many folks don’t realize that “walk-up” fares tend to be much higher than “advance purchase” fares. Southwest has been doing what they are doing for quite some time now.

By: David SF eastbay

David SF eastbay — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 17:44:27 +0000

Kelly it wasn’t a change fee just the difference between what you paid and the walk up fare for the flight you wanted. That is why their ads are so misleading. They want the public to think all airlines make you pay the fare difference as they say, but the other guys are also making you pay a change fee. All that is not true since with other airlines if the fare you purchase still qualifies for the new flight you could pay a change fee of $75 or $150 or nothing at all if you purchased a no penalty fare. You could even get a refund if the new flight is less depending on your original ticket fare rule.

Most WN passengers think that $39 fare they purchase 6 months in advance may only have a $20 fare difference since WN has done a good job of brain washing the public into thinking they have only those low type fares. I wonder how many people are surprised when they find out the new flight fare difference is hundreds of dollars as you found out.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 15:02:29 +0000

SW just lost a customer here. I arrived early on a stopover and tried to get on a flight that left well before my next one. I was told that I’d have to pay $250 to do so, and yet the gate rep insisted this wasn’t a “change fee.” I called customer service to no avail. Sad that the ads are so misleading. As a frequent business traveller, I’ll no longer use Southwest. Hope this comment helps others stay away as well.

By: mccuney

mccuney — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 03:43:48 +0000

You all got it right. SWA not only doesn’t charege a change fee, but it will loet you change the flights online and keep your confirmation number. That’s fantastic. Yeah there may be difference in the price of the new ticket, but that’s my problem for my decision making (done in haste or done in procrastination). Other companies don’t care, and they will tell that if there was an illness or emergency you need to check with your doctor or relatives. It is not there problem! Yet SWA, took care of my problems no matter what they were. Frequent flyer since 1979.

By: Scott

Scott — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 06:53:07 +0000

I personally love SWA for their policies, and out of principle and loyalty will always fly them if I can. I am leaving for Europe tomorrow and have been enduring a nightmare just dealing with scummy Continental/United. $100 for 3 extra inches of leg room? Sickening. $150 to change a flight? (These airlines have no idea if a personal problem occurs, nor do they care). Southwest always gets it right. They are dependable andaffordable, but most importantly don’t treat their customers like commodoties. I personally love flexibility with travel dates so it is ideal. I hope they never change and that gradually over time they win over more and more fliers who revolt against all these horrible pathetic airlines. If only Southwest flew overseas, I would be set!

By: Southwest Restricts Unused Tickets, I’d Rather See a Change Fee - >> The Cranky Flier

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 10:46:53 +0000

[...] said it before and I’ll say it again. I think Southwest should have a change fee. Just put a reasonable $25 fee on there and the airline can start raking in the dough. It can also [...]

By: CF

CF — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 21:15:01 +0000

Tone it down, Josh. No need for name-calling. You could just as easily have explained your position without it.

By: Josh

Josh — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 18:14:49 +0000

Deborah is an idiot. NO ITS YOU WHO IS MISSING THE POINT.

Airlines charge the difference in fare PLUS a fee, moron.

And to the OP who suggested SWA charging a change fee, DIAF. Why the hell would you want to be charged more money?

By: Ryan

Ryan — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 23:35:38 +0000

This is absurd. First off, other airline charge you the difference PLUS a $150 change fee. I once changed flights on SW and the new ticket was actually cheaper. They gave me back the difference (as a credit, but still awesome!)
So they don’t charge fees and will give you money back if your new ticket is cheaper and take money if it’s more. Very fair.

That said, $25 wouldn’t bother me much, especially if it was for changing late. (like within 24 hrs.)

By: Wonko Beeblebrox

Wonko Beeblebrox — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 01:26:43 +0000

BTW- you could also simply have purchased a new one way ticket back on another airline and then reused the value of your original return ticket on some later flight (a “cheap” one…).

There’s no change fee on Southwest…