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Southwest / AirTran 2013 Fee Changes

Discussion in 'Getting There & Getting Around' started by Chuck2009x, Dec 14, 2012.

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  1. Chuck2009x

    Chuck2009x VIP Whale

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    Introduced at an investor conference today, press release presumably with more details tomorrow.

    Southwest
    • Early Bird - goes from $10 to $12.50
    • Third Bag fee - goes up, unspecified amount
    • Overweight bag fee goes from $50 to $100
    • No show fee - if you have a reservation, don't show and don't cancel, you'll get dinged an unspecified amount before they deposit the rest as reusable travel funds.
    • Any unassigned A1 to A15 boarding spots will be sold at the gate for an unspecified amount

    AirTran
    • First bag fee goes from $20 to $25, second bag fee goes from $25 to $35
     
  2. blackjacknut

    blackjacknut VIP Whale

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    Won't be long and SWA will start charging 1st and 2nd baggage fees..
     
  3. Chuck2009x

    Chuck2009x VIP Whale

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    It'll be interesting to see what they charge for the unused A1 - A15 slots. There's usually several unused slots on the flights I take.

    If you add up the legitimate early boarders and the fake early boarders and then throw in 15 more on top of that, Early Bird might not be worth it anymore. On the other hand, getting an A1 - A5 might be worth $20.
     
  4. leo21

    leo21 VIP Whale

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    I noticed signs pushing business select fares at the gate on my flight out of Midway but didn't notice them on the return out of McCarren. Since it's not like you are getting a premium seat, I don't know if this will be an effective push, especially with the blue boards. There were more than 10 wheelchairs on my flight out and nearly that many back in. For an early bird, it didn't make a difference because A1-A15 weren't sold so it was a nearly no loss in position. But I can't imagine paying even more to be in the first fifteen and not being first on the plane. I would assume that you would get a drink but they would need to add another perk to make it work or handle the wheelchairs differently.
     
  5. Big Tip

    Big Tip VIP Whale

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    Here's the solution for those spots:
    [​IMG]

    :evillaugh
     
  6. Patripman

    Patripman High-Roller

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    Of all the flights I have taken on SW I have yet to see anyone lined up between A-1 and A-15. I saw a flight from Pittsburgh going to Tampa this past April and there must of been 50 wheelchairs lined down the concourse (I wonder what the people who paid the $20 EB thought).
    But to be honest I am confused why care about the lack of people lining up between A-1 through A-15. In my opinion this will only force more people to not pay the additional EB fee if they know they dont stand a chance for a decent A boarding position.

    p
     
  7. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    * overweight bags - Makes good sense.

    * 3rd bag - makes good sense

    * Charge for no shows - that should have taken place a long time. Inconsiderate idiots cost them money, which then costs you and I money.
     
  8. Username

    Username VIP Whale

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    This remind's me of our flight from Vegas back home last April....4-5 wheel chair folks in line and behind them was a man about 30-35 years old....after the SWA employee had already wheel down 2 chairs, she came back up and asked that man why he was in line with the wheel chair folks...he said he had a note from his doctor...she said, "I no nurse" get in line with everyone else.....I almost fell of my non wheel chair when I heard him say that....:goofy:
     
  9. Vegasbabie

    Vegasbabie Tourist

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    I understand that people have preferences where they sit and all but it's nuts. Everyone on the plane will get where they are going regardless of where they are sitting. SW has created this unnecessary demand to be the first to board with marketing the early bird check in. Is it REALLY that important to be one of the first on? If you are that worried, fly an airline with assigned seating.
     
  10. hammie

    hammie VIP Whale

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    Web travelling solo, not so much on a full flight. But when with a spouse, companion, family, I want to sit together.
     
  11. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    I have a question about no shows. Does this mean previously if you had a flight booked on SWA and didn't show up, they would credit your fare back to your account? W/O penalties, or charges?
     
  12. leo21

    leo21 VIP Whale

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    They are going to assess a penalty for not showing up, then credit back the difference. All they want is for people to contact them in advance if they know they aren't going to make a flight. I think that's reasonable considering no change fees and all that.

    As for what is the big deal: I generally do EB because I am not in a position to check in 24 hours in advance. I don't have to have a specific seat but I prefer a window in the front and I don't like waiting to get on the plane. A window towards the front and boarding first requires a heck of a lot more than paying $10-12.50 each way on airlines with assigned seating and then you have to deal with their baggage fees to boot. It's really easy to suggest people switch to so called full service airlines but with their fees, even if SW was more expensive to start, the full service airlines end up being way too expensive for anyone who isn't a carry on customer willing to sit in the middle and not need a snack.

    I am not hating on the people on the wheelchairs. But to destinations like Vegas or Tampa, the current boarding process diminishes the value of the upgrades they are selling and they need to make appropriate adjustments.
     
  13. tominiowa

    tominiowa High-Roller

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    I have never done the EB before but did buy it for an upcoming trip as my elderly dad will be flying and it is a must that he gets
    an isle seat, plus I want to sit somewhere around him. Heck it is no more than Allegiant charges for assigned seats.
     
  14. numeno

    numeno VIP Whale

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    You didn't get a refund(unless you actually paid the refundable fare maybe). I never had it happen, but I've been assuming it would simply be a credit like when canceling my flight ahead of time. You get a credit that is good for 1 year from date of purchase(not date of flight).
     
  15. Chuck2009x

    Chuck2009x VIP Whale

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    Yes. If you no-showed, you got credited travel funds for the whole amount.
     
  16. gerry53

    gerry53 VIP Whale

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    wow that blows my mind that they would credit a dime for someone who doesn`t have the courtesy to call or go online and cancel??


    I would assume that causes the airline to overbook more and then if everyone shows up people get bumped.
     
  17. blackjacknut

    blackjacknut VIP Whale

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    Yeap, I agree and this is why I give my business to other airlines...I like to know what I'm paying for ahead of time.
     
  18. chrisn42

    chrisn42 Tourist

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    Yea, this blows my mind too. I once had to book an earlier flight with Delta because something came up and I needed to leave sooner. Needless to say when I called they wouldn't do anything for me. The price of the new flight was cheaper then their cancellation fee ($250). They said my options were to pay the cancellation fee, then get the new ticket or to just buy the other ticket and no show for my other flight. I chose the no show option as the cancellation fee was way higher then the price of the second ticket. I don't see how that personally makes sense to Delta, but whatever.

    I agree with everyone saying if you want an assigned seat fly another airline, and I usually do because of that. Like others have said, I like knowing what I'm paying for. But I do believe that once the Southwest and Airtran merger is finally complete, and the Airtran name gone, that Southwest will also start having assigned seats. You can't fly internationally with a choose your own seat policy. International airlines have to have assigned seating.
     
  19. Username

    Username VIP Whale

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    There are MANY in wheel chairs on the way to Vegas....But I never see any in wheel chairs while on the strip, in the casinos or in the restaurants....:ssst:
     
  20. sammasseur

    sammasseur VIP Whale

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    There early bird option is nice if you are already in Vegas and don't feel like fiddling with your smartphone at the 24-hr mark, or you've at a show, etc. But the initial check-in before leaving home is actually kind of fun.
     
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