Southwest Rapid Rewards - Can I "buy up" to an Anytime Fare?

My company requires us to purchase THE lowest fare available when we travel - that sounds reasonable. But on a common route of travel (PDX - OAK) the price difference between WGA and Anytime is only $5.00 on a ticket usually pricing out at about $250 (depending on how close you are to departure). Given the tiny difference in price vs. the difference in RR points, I'd like to "buy up" to Anytime with my own money. Can that be done? I know I can "buy up" to a BS ticket but that may not make sense if the cost is considerably higher. Thanks for your thoughts - why would WN have such a small differential in the ticket price?

Yes, you can.

As long as it won't interfere with how your company expenses it, yes.

You can pay the excess for Anytime or BS and simply not claim it as an expense. Then everyone should be happy. I have done this.

To do it, use the Change Itinerary feature from Travel Tools. Select the very same flight and pick the fare you want. Supply your credit card (or TTFs) for the additional fare and you're good to go!

You can pay the excess for Anytime or BS and simply not claim it as an expense. Then everyone should be happy. I have done this.

To do it, use the Change Itinerary feature from Travel Tools. Select the very same flight and pick the fare you want. Supply your credit card (or TTFs) for the additional fare and you're good to go!

But only the fare difference is refundable, correct? Ie, the original funds used for the WGA fare would be TTF?

Correct.

Depending on several factors (the size of the company, the reasonableness versus by-the-book nature of the expense report folks, credit cards used, etc.), consider either purchasing the WGA for documentation purposes, immediately cancel for refund and purchase the Anytime fare; or only purchase the Anytime fare, but print out the WGA pricing page and submit that along with the invoice to show the adjustment for personal portion. Of course you could point out to the company the advantages of fully refundable fares and encourage them to issue a guideline regarding how much extra they are willing to pay for that advantage. That will vary with several factors, such as how often each person travels, how likely changes and cancellations are, etc.

Thanks, ftnoob. I assume the reverse is true. Ie, if you buy an AT fare and downgrade to WGA, the $$$ difference would be refundable?

Certainly.

If you book WGA and then upgrade to AT or BS, the underlying WGA money will remain unrefundable. Only the incremental between WGA and AT/BS will be refundable. I recommend you book WGA, print the receipt and then cancel within 24 hours. Then rebook as an AT/BS so all of the funds are fully refundable.

If you are booking AT for the added points, you might as well book BS. I believe it is only $15 more PDX-OAK for an AT to BS upgrade.