SWA senior fares and cancellation rules

[Joe]

My wife hit the senior mark and I will in 8 months, so I have been checking senior fares on SWA and never found a difference, sometimes even higher. While on the phone today with SWA about something else, I mentioned this.

I was told the big difference is that senior fares are fully refundable for cash, (Credit card refund) not credits for future flights. Of course, any flight booked with points and cancelled, the points go back in the account.

 

[tfcoach72]

Great info here, Joe. I have noticed SR usually higher fare out of ATL, but money back, not credit, might be something to consider. Could possibly cancel SR fare and rebook cheaper WGA fare. Hum!!!!

 

[runningonthehub]

I have looked into senior fares at SW and I really do not see the appeal. Yes, they are fully refundable, but they are also no cheaper than "get away" fares.
I would have thought senior fares would have had a bit of a discount, but there is none that I have seen. Fully refundable does not mean much to me, I have never had to worry about that.

 

[nostresshere]

Same here - not cheaper. Did not know about the refundable part. Might be a good deal for certain people for that option.

 

[DaiLun]

My wife hit the senior mark and I will in 8 months, so I have been checking senior fares on SWA and never found a difference, sometimes even higher. While on the phone today with SWA about something else, I mentioned this.

I was told the big difference is that senior fares are fully refundable for cash, (Credit card refund) not credits for future flights. Of course, any flight booked with points and cancelled, the points go back in the account.

That's because there IS NO fare difference.

From the Southwest Airlines website regarding Senior fares:

"Travelers 65 years of age or over may get details on fares, limitations, and any restrictions regarding reservations on Southwest.com from a Southwest Airlines Customer Representative or a travel agent. Fares are subject to change until tickets are purchased, but Senior Fares are fully refundable. Please see details below for tips on how to make your travel experience on Southwest Airlines even easier."

It appears that "fully refundable" is the only advantage.

 

[Joe]

But, it would have advantages to book senior if your plans weren't set in stone or could change and you don't want to deal with tracking those mileage credits. I wasn't advocating it, just posting as a FYI because i wondered why I never saw a price difference.

 

[tfcoach72]

But, it would have advantages to book senior if your plans weren't set in stone or could change and you don't want to deal with tracking those mileage credits. I wasn't advocating it, just posting as a FYI because i wondered why I never saw a price difference.

I'm with Joe here. I'm about to lose @$50 credit if I don't travel by May. With SR, that wouldn't be an issue. Thus I'm gonna keep SR in mind.

 

[win4me]

Thanks Joe! Great info (even though I am much too young to take advantage). This might come in handy at some point.

 

[Chuck2009x]

Fully refundable is nothing to sneeze at vs. having an expiration date on Travel Funds.

 

[NandJfrmNJ]

You learn something new every day. Thanks for the heads-up.

 

[dmr]

Although I'm in denial of it, I'm creeping up on their threshold for senior fares, so I've been kinda watching them.

The ONLY time I've found that the senior fares save money is when the "Wanna Get Away" fares for any flight are sold out.

 

[Geogran]

Good info to know @Joe, especially for Seniors who don't fly as frequently to be able to use credits on changed flights within the required time - fully refundable makes sense.

I can't recall a time where I've seen Senior fares that were less than or compared favorably to 'Wanna Get Away' fares but I agree with @dmr who makes a good point when Wanna Get Away fares are sold out, Senior fares could be a good option.

 

[chef]

I like the idea of monies returned instead of flt credit, especially since SWA went away from allowing one's credit to be used for other people. I've been forced to burn some of mine over the years, though I didn't expect to.

 

[Chuck2009x]

I like the idea of monies returned instead of flt credit, especially since SWA went away from allowing one's credit to be used for other people. I've been forced to burn some of mine over the years, though I didn't expect to.

One tip about this - if you have travel funds that are going to expire unused, and you have a flight booked within the expiration date of the funds, there are cases where it will benefit you to rebook that flight at a higher price.

If you think you probably got the best possible price for the flight you booked, rebooking it at a higher price to use up your travel funds will result in you earning more points for the flight. If your travel funds expire unused, you don't get any points for them.