Comments on: Reader mail: Can I switch a connecting flight for a nonstop? http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/09/14/reader-mail-can-i-switch-a-connecting-flight-for-a-nonstop/ Living the first class life -- at coach prices Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:05:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=163 By: Better Living Through Miles http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/09/14/reader-mail-can-i-switch-a-connecting-flight-for-a-nonstop/#comment-190 Better Living Through Miles Fri, 15 Sep 2006 05:38:00 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/09/14/reader-mail-can-i-switch-a-connecting-flight-for-a-nonstop/#comment-190 Gary -- You're right on the money regarding how Southwest does changes to your itinerary. There's no $100 change fee, but there's no procedure for simply getting onboard the next flight for free, either. When I said that Southwest doesn't do standby, I meant that the process is different from the other airlines. With Southwest, you don't sweat it out at the gate to see if you can get on the flight. It's always a confirmed transaction, which most often involves payment. I'm not knocking it, it's just different. Gary — You’re right on the money regarding how Southwest does changes to your itinerary. There’s no $100 change fee, but there’s no procedure for simply getting onboard the next flight for free, either. When I said that Southwest doesn’t do standby, I meant that the process is different from the other airlines. With Southwest, you don’t sweat it out at the gate to see if you can get on the flight. It’s always a confirmed transaction, which most often involves payment. I’m not knocking it, it’s just different.

]]> By: Gary http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/09/14/reader-mail-can-i-switch-a-connecting-flight-for-a-nonstop/#comment-189 Gary Fri, 15 Sep 2006 01:40:00 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/09/14/reader-mail-can-i-switch-a-connecting-flight-for-a-nonstop/#comment-189 Not sure what you mean about Southwest not doing standby. I've switched Southwest flights numerous times (for example when a business meeting ended earlier than expected), either by walking up to the gate of an earlier flight or by calling on my way to the airport and switching flights. The nice thing about Southwest is not paying a $100 change fee. As you note, you do pay the fare differential if you call and change flights; but if you have a fully refundable ticket, the cost differential is normally zero or a very slight amount (plus or minus). Not sure what you mean about Southwest not doing standby. I’ve switched Southwest flights numerous times (for example when a business meeting ended earlier than expected), either by walking up to the gate of an earlier flight or by calling on my way to the airport and switching flights.

The nice thing about Southwest is not paying a $100 change fee. As you note, you do pay the fare differential if you call and change flights; but if you have a fully refundable ticket, the cost differential is normally zero or a very slight amount (plus or minus).

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