Is It Free to Fly Southwest With a Baby
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- The Consummate Guide for Families Flying Southwest Airlines
- Southwest Isn't Just in the Southwest
- Depression Fares and No Change Fees
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Southwest Cancellations and Delays+ −
- Southwest Operations
- Contract of Wagon for Southwest Airlines
- No Class...No First Class, That Is
- Southwest Fare Categories Cleaved Down
- No Assigned Seating - What's Up With That?
- Southwest is a Kid-Friendly Airline
- So…how do I become on the plane get-go?
- Southwest's EarlyBird Check-In
- Saving Seats - Is that OK?
- No Checked Luggage Fees
- In Flight Services
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Southwest Rapid Rewards Program+ −
- Acquire More than About The Rapid Rewards Programme
- Southwest and Disney Partner to Celebrate Walt Disney World's 50th Ceremony
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So…what do I Non like nigh Flying Southwest Airlines?+ −
- Limited food service
- Booking really far in advance isn't possible
- Direct flights aren't ever nonstop flights
Most (if not all) U.S. air carriers are taking every opportunity they can to charge passengers for extras: bags, food, the ability to choose your seat. Southwest Airlines is refreshingly dissimilar. Between the no modify or baggage fees, open up seating, and family boarding, they're more than just a way to get cheap flights…they're a really nifty airline. Get gear up to accept notes, because we're breaking downwards the differences with a complete guide of everything you demand to know near flying Southwest Airlines.
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The Consummate Guide for Families Flying Southwest Airlines
Start things offset: I LOVE Southwest Airlines. The merely fourth dimension I don't fly Southwest is when I accept to go somewhere they don't fly. Fortunately, they wing to a lot of places, so I don't accept to "cheat" on them very ofttimes. There are a lot of other airlines I like and appreciate. Ilove flying Southwest Airlines. You'll have to decide for yourself if you love them equally much as I practise.
I'm breaking down admittedly everything I've learned and what you could want to know about Southwest Airlines in this guide. There are a few things that brand them dissimilar than other domestic U.South. carriers, then read on for the full scoop.
Southwest Isn't Just in the Southwest
What started off as a regional airline has expanded in a big style over the years. Southwest flies all over the Southwest (every bit you'd look). They likewise fly upwards and down the e coast, Midwest and southeast The states. Southwest doesn't fly to Montana, Wyoming, Northward Dakota and Due south Dakota. It has more express service in the Pacific Northwest and some of the Northern states. All in all, there aren't a ton of places you can't go to on Southwest Airlines inside the continental U.Southward.
Internationally, Southwest flies to multiple places in Mexico and the Caribbean, and they've recently added Hawaii equally a stop.
You cannot buy tickets on Expedia, Travelocity, or any tertiary-party travel site. You lot tin can only buy seats on a Southwest Airlines flight through their website or app.
Low Fares and No Change Fees
Southwest Airlines is a low fare airline but not a budget, bare bones carrier like Spirit or Frontier. When we travel every bit a family, we always consider how much fourth dimension nosotros have and whether information technology's cheaper to fly or drive. The larger your family, the more expensive it is to fly together. Southwest fares are some of the lowest out in that location (although not e'er…practice a cost comparison before y'all volume).
One of my favorite things about Southwest (aside from the fact that they're a low-cost airline) is that they don't charge a modify fee. If your plans change and you accept to modify your flight, no biggie. They charge just the deviation. Delta recently charged me almost $200 per ticket to alter a flight in addition to the divergence in fare. That was a whole lot of ouch.
Obviously, it's all-time to be very sure of your plans earlier you drib money on airline tickets, only things happen. I honey the flexibility (and kindness to my bag) that Southwest offers. Southwest has three unlike fare categories (more than on that in a minute) and ii of them are fully refundable. Even their upkeep category allows changes without charging y'all a fee.
In improver to no alter fees, Southwest volition too give yous credit if the cost of your booked flight drops. Even so, you have to monitor fare drops on your own and make them enlightened of the alter. Fifty-fifty though I'yard enlightened of this perk, I've yet to take advantage of it. I'm very "fire and forget" with travel, and I usually motility on to thinking almost/worrying about something else. But, if you lot're actress thrifty, check the price of your flights a couple of times between booking and travel to see if there have been changes. If you run across the fare has dropped, you'll have to contact Southwest and inquire how to claim your credit. They will not contact yous.
Southwest Cancellations and Delays
We cover a full range of delay questions on this post merely information technology is important to know that Southwest operates differently than some other airlines in the example of cancellations and delays.
Southwest Operations
Southwest operates point to betoken and not as a hub and spoke airline. This means that instead of flights originating and starting from hubs (like Delta's Atlanta and American'south Dallas) flights connect different destination points. This means that when something goes wrong, it trickles.
Contract of Carriage for Southwest Airlines
Every airline has a contract of carriage that explains what will happen if a flying is delayed or cancelled. Many budget carriers simply offering to rebook or refund you. Some airlines have alliances and offer interline tickets where they carry other lines passengers. These airlines may rebook you on a unlike airline if there is a counterfoil. Southwest does not practise this.
What both of these items mean is that when something goes wrong on Southwest it can go wrong for a few days. While it doesn't happen often, it does happen. Knowing what you're like-minded to when buying a ticket helps to prepare for these situations. We recommend leaving buffer days in your plans. If you need to be at work at 7am on the second, don't book a 7pm flight back on the 1st. This is a good practice for any airline.
No Class…No Kickoff Class, That Is
There is no showtime class or business organization class on Southwest Airlines flights. All seats are the same from the front to the rear of the cabin. At that place is no curtain dividing first/business class passengers from the peasants in economic system. No first class bathrooms, first class lounge. There's no special drink or meal service. Anybody gets the aforementioned amount of legroom. You get the idea.
If you're used to that little bit of extra luxury on flights, you won't have that on Southwest. I do love the extra roomy seats in business grade, especially on overseas flights. The pre-takeoff drink in a real drinking glass is ever kind of fun. Only unless you're a dice-difficult luxury traveler who would be deeply disappointed without the outset class experience, the lack of a premium cabin on Southwest Airlines is a not-event.
Southwest does, still, offer Business Select. This isn't a separate motel merely is a separate (more expensive) ticket category. Business select is fully refundable. It gets you lot guaranteed early boarding, and a gratuitous premium drink. You besides get more Rapid Rewards miles when you lot purchase a Business Select ticket. Business Select ticket holders are in the aforementioned cabin every bit everyone else. Aside from early boarding and non paying for your in-flight alcohol, in that location'due south no departure in seating or service. Prices vary widely based on flight.
Southwest Fare Categories Broken Downwardly
Southwest has three fare categories – Concern Select (every bit detailed above), Anytime, and Wanna Get Away. When you search for flights on their Southwest.com you'll see the iii difference rates.
The difference between Anytime and Business organisation Select is usually negligible. The Wanna Become Away tickets are by far the cheapest. However, yous're not likely to get this lower fare when y'all're booking at the terminal minute.
For case, booking a nonstop flight from San Antonio to Phoenix a calendar month out, Wanna Get Away fare is $142 and Business organization Select is $526. Huge difference, right? Someday fare is $504 and so you tin can see what I mean past negligible departure betwixt Business concern Select and Anytime. Obviously the $142 is the cost I desire to pay.
If I wait at that same flight ane week out, Wanna Get Abroad is unavailable. The other two fares remain the same. The Business Select at $526 is the best bargain since you lot get an upgraded boarding position and a free premium drinkable, plus more than Rapid Rewards points.
The moral of the story is to purchase your tickets as early every bit yous can when traveling on Southwest. I know final minute travel opportunities can ascend. Sometimes, waiting until the last minute tin can get yous some deals. That rule of thumb usually doesn't apply to flying Southwest. If you are flexible with your dates or are in the very early on stages of trip planning, you can check out the Southwest Depression Fare Agenda. This lets y'all see the cheapest days in the month are to wing.
No Assigned Seating – What's Up With That?
Near major carriers charge a premium cost if you want to pick your seat. Your bones, bare bones price will get you lot an assigned seat at the gate, which ordinarily ways the middle seat that wasn't picked past those paying premium prices. This doesn't work for families traveling with kids, particularly when the kids aren't onetime enough to sit separately from their family unit members. If you're flying Delta or American, you lot're practically forced to purchase a more expensive ticket and so you tin can select your seats and sit as a family unit. My kids are nine and they could probably survive a flight with me in another role of the cabin, only information technology definitely isn't ideal for me orany adult that isn't me who gets stuck next to them.
When you are flight Southwest Airlines, yous won't take assigned seating. Passengers lath in boarding groups (A, B, and C) and each passenger within the boarding group is assigned a number. If you lot're number 1 in boarding group A, you're the starting time ane on the plane and yous get your pick of seating. If you're number 35 in boarding grouping B, yous'll have less options, and, if you lot're traveling as a family unit, finding seats together (and getting the coveted overhead bin space for your larger carry-on) is trickier.
Southwest is a Kid-Friendly Airline
Flying with babies and young children is stressful. Families with kids 6 and nether are immune to lath between the A and B groups. You shouldn't take trouble getting seats together, although they may be towards the rear of the cabin. Unless we're making a tight connection and need to sprint off the plane, nosotros don't listen sitting toward the rear of the cabin. Like about families who travel together, where we sit isn't as important as sitting together. Exist aware that two adults can board with each kid 6 and nether. If the adult and the child BOTH have an A boarding laissez passer they can board with the A grouping.
If you lot're flying Southwest Airlines with kids under two, you need to take the child'southward birth certificate with you. If you're traveling with an infant under 14 days, you must have a medical release. Kids under ii are free if they don't occupy a seat. More virtually Southwest Airlines' babe policy here.
So…how do I get on the plane start?
If you don't accept younger kids and want to be amongst the get-go to lath (AKA get your get-go pick of seating and be assured to go along your family or group together) you have options. The starting time is to do online check in at exactly the 24-hour marking. This ways yous take to be on your estimator with your finger poised over the bank check-in pick at exactly 24-hours earlier your flight departs. Not 23 hours and 45 minutes. It has to exist 24-hours on. the. dot. I'm not kidding. You snooze you lose. And by lose, I mean you're in high B or C boarding groups.
We usually take early on morning flights, and so setting the alarm and logging in to your Southwest account at exactly 24-hours isn't the most fun way to start the 24-hour interval. But nosotros've usually managed to become in the A group – typically towards the terminate of the A group – by checking in online at the 24-hour mark. However, I accept checked in at exactly the 24 hour marker and gotten low B group. People don't mess effectually with their Southwest Airlines cheque in.
Southwest's EarlyBird Cheque-In
Another option is to pay to play. When you are flying Southwest Airlines, you lot tin purchase early on bird check in when you purchase your ticket. The Southwest Airlines website volition enquire you if you desire it before you check out. Y'all can besides add it to a previously purchased ticket. EarlyBird Check-In will automatically check yous in 36 hours before your flying (12 hours before everyone else can bank check in).
Early bird check in will run you lot between $15 and $25* per passenger per flying, depending on route and availability. I recently purchased a flight from San Antonio to Los Angeles (non stop) and the early bird bank check in was $25 each style. That added $50 to the cost of my trip. only information technology saves me remembering to check in at the 24-hour mark. I still need to remember to print my boarding laissez passer or have information technology sent to my phone – but information technology gets me in the A boarding group and on the plane offset. Be enlightened that A group is non guaranteed with EarlyBird Check-In, but it'southward more likely. Your mileage may vary.
If you don't buy early on bird cheque in, you'll usually exist offered an opportunity to upgrade your boarding position at the gate…for a cost. The fee for this varies, but it is always more expensive than buying the early bird check in. I did this one time and it jumped me into to the first 15 to go on the airplane. A solo traveler, I had non bought early on bird bank check in and I'd forgotten to cheque in until it was well-nigh time to go to the airport. I was at the finish of the C boarding group on a total flight to Las Vegas – AKA middle seat somewhere in the rear. In this circumstance, it made sense for me and I don't regret it,but if you want to assure yourself of a slap-up boarding position, the other options I mentioned are better.
We are large fans of early on bird bank check in, especially when nosotros're traveling with our kids. While it wouldn't be the worst thing in the earth to carve up up for a iii-hour flight, it'southward not ideal for us and function of the fun of traveling as a family for us is being together and experiencing all of that travel together. If you are traveling with teens or think it's no big bargain to sit next to someone besides your spouse or partner on the plane, it might not exist worth the spend for y'all.
*Southwest Airlines' website lists this price range. However, in contempo experience (booking about viii Southwest flights over the past 12 months) I have never seen EarlyBird check-in offered for less than $25. I fly out of San Antonio and have taken flights to Orlando, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Phoenix, and then the cities I'm traveling to and from (patently popular destinations) may have something to do with paying the higher end of their pricing.
Saving Seats – Is that OK?
There is no official policy on saving seats on a Southwest flying. Are you in a lower boarding position than whomever you're traveling with? You have the option to board together at the higher boarding position. The gate agent won't allow someone who is in boarding group B board with someone who is in boarding group A.
I have seen a lot of saving seats on Southwest flights. For any reason, people traveling together aren't in the same boarding group. The person with the best boarding position saves the seats. I think this practice lacks bones courtesy. This is essentially taking something for free that other passengers are paying for. That said, Southwest's policy is non to intervene.
I have seen big family groups who are in later boarding position enquire the flight attendants to help move passengers effectually so parents tin can sit with their kids. This receives mixed reactions from passengers who are asked to move seats to adapt families. My approximate is that these families are unfamiliar with Southwest'southward seating/boarding policies and didn't realize the consequences of boarding in a later boarding group with a family unit…so don't let that exist yous.
No Checked Baggage Fees
With most airlines charging fees for checked bags present, the fact that Southwest doesn't is a major selling point. Airlines are charging $20-$40 to check a bag, so if you're a family of four who wants to cheque at least ane purse each, it drives the cost of your travel up. If you're not light packers, information technology tin can get expensive.
Southwest offers each passenger upwards to two gratuitous checked bags of up to 50 pounds each. I personally endeavour to do carry-on only as much as possible, but my husband and I practice not agree on this and he prefers to bank check his bag. When we are traveling together, I usually go ahead and check my bag since I'm going to be at the baggage merits anyhow. Since it's free, he doesn't similar the hassle of schlepping his suitcase through the motel.
Southwest allows one conduct-on and i personal detail in the motel. I usually take my small rollerboard suitcase and a haversack. If I'grand carrying a bag, information technology gets stuffed in my backpack when I'grand boarding considering the one carry-on and ane personal item rule is enforced by the Southwest flight attendants.
In Flight Services
I hear a lot of people rave virtually how great the in flight services are with Southwest. I've never had a negative experience with any Southwest personnel when flying Southwest Airlines and you'll sometimes find flight crew that sings or tells jokes every bit part of the boarding process or safety announcements, although we all know that on board safety isn't a joke and no i on Southwest tries to make information technology and so.
Nosotros flew on my son'southward birthday last year and the flight attendant had the unabridged cabin sing happy birthday to him AND allowed him to help pass out snacks. I've never had that level of service on any other carrier. This right here is part of what keeps me loyal.
In addition to a small corporeality of snack items and the standard drinkable options you're used to on flights (sodas, juices, coffee, tea, alcohol for an actress charge), Southwest also offers in flight entertainment options. You can watch movies and alive Tv set for gratis on the Southwest app (download it before you travel). Want Wifi? It's $eight per day. I've used the WiFi to piece of work in flight and information technology's fast and reliable.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Program
I know a lot of travelers who are a whiz with loyalty programs and smart employ of points. While I'thousand getting better at maximizing those memberships, using miles and points has never been intuitive for me. Southwest'south plan is easy to sympathise and use. They too send potable coupons occasionally with your Rapid Rewards Statement, and who doesn't like that?
Call up before when I mentioned Southwest's iii fare categories? Y'all'll accrue dissimilar levels of Rapid Rewards miles for each category. You get 12 times your fare in miles with a Business Select ticket. Yous go 6 times your fare if yous buy Wanna Get Away (the lowest fare category). If you purchase the higher fare, yous'll go rewarded in miles. Make certain you sign upwardly for Rapid Rewards. My hubby, my kids and I all accept Rapid Rewards accounts that let us store our personal information and really streamlines the booking process for u.s.. Y'all can transfer Rapid Rewards miles between accounts but we've so far not done that.
If you fly Southwest often and you lot really desire to maximize your Rapid Rewards points, I recommend you check out ane of the Southwest credit cards. I currently have ii – ane personal and one for my business. The current offer (check to come across what'south bachelor on the Southwest website or in flight) is eighty,000 miles when yous sign upwards for the business organization card through Chase. It was 65,000 when I signed upwards for my business organization carte du jour and I saw the 80,000 points offer when I'd had my card for about a month. Sigh. Keep an heart out for the all-time deals.
Larn More About The Rapid Rewards Program
Earn points for travel at any fourth dimension. No coma dates and points don't expire. Learn more than here.
Southwest and Disney Partner to Gloat Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary
We know a lot of families wing Southwest when heading to visit Mickey. How cool would information technology be to fly on the special Disney/Southwest commemoration plane? Co-branded on the outside with both logos, it also features character sightings and Disney touches inside the aircraft.
Simply in that location'south more! Everyday from September 28th through November 16th, 2021 you tin enter the Southwest50 Days of Giveaways sweepstakes. A winner and up to three guests volition win a Southwest and Walt Disney Globe Resort
prize package each day. Consumers can visit Southwest.com/50days to enter each day for a take chances to win a vacation package that includes lodging, Walt Disney Earth Resort Theme Park tickets, a Disney Souvenir Card with a value of $200, and circular trip air travel to Orlando, Florida, on Southwest.
Then…what do I NOT like about Flying Southwest Airlines?
Very little, really. There'due south not much to dislike: no change fees, refundable fares, all-time prices, free checked bags. Southwest is different than other U.Due south. carriers just knowing the ins and outs in accelerate (I hope I've helped you out) usually eliminates any defoliation or negative experience with those differences.
Other than non liking the fact that they don't fly everywhere I have to wing (and they're expanding at a adept rate so I can't really be mad at them about that), there are three things I don't love about Southwest airlines:
Limited food service
Yous'll receive in-flight snacks, such as cookies or pretzels, but if you want something more substantial, you lot need to bring your own. Repast service on domestic flights is pretty much a affair of the past, merely other carriers often accept snack boxes or sandwiches available for buy in flight. Southwest does non. Actually, this is a small-scale affair merely something worth knowing nearly and planning for, especially when y'all're traveling with kids.
Booking actually far in accelerate isn't possible
You can volume your Southwest flying nearly five months in advance. You tin can't book any further out than that. I mentioned booking tickets early on Southwest for the best cost and not waiting, only they don't offer yous the option of booking actually far in advance for planned travel.
Direct flights aren't e'er nonstop flights
Southwest has a few routes where you tin can book a directly flight from one point to another merely the plane will actually stop in one or more than locations in betwixt. You won't have to deplane or change gates, simply this can add to your flight time and impact your seating. I once booked a "straight" flying from Tampa to San Antonio and it actually stopped in Houston to let passengers off and on. Passengers getting on the aeroplane in Houston didn't have their selection of seating, since the plane was more often than not full. I had boarded in Group A in Tampa, where the flight originated, so I didn't have an effect with seating, but it added some time to my journey home. Just exist aware.
Likewise, while this has non presented an outcome for me, Southwest sometimes utilizes smaller airports. For example, Southwest flights going through Dallas will get through Dallas Beloved Field Airport which is on the other side of the urban center from the main Dallas Forth Worth Airport. Flights going through Houston will go to Houston Hobby instead of Houston Intercontinental. Flights going through Chicago will get through Midway versus O'Hare, etc. If you will alter carriers – for whatever reason – double check that you are not going to be required to alter airports.
Overall, the pros profoundly outweigh the cons and I fly Southwest every bit frequently as I can. They are the overall best for saving money, they take a great on-time charge per unit, and great service.
Source: https://www.travelingmom.com/complete-guide-for-families-flying-southwest-airlines-traveling-mom/
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