Possibility of switching to earlier flight if checking in early?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Location: KSNA/KLAX
Programs: IML GOLD, Bonvoy LTPE, WOH Globalist, AAEXPLT
Posts: 645
Possibility of switching to earlier flight if checking in early?
Hi, quick question in regards to SWA's flexibility on their same-day flight change policy. I've booked a 4:45pm connecting domestic flight on Southwest to coincide with a 1:30pm international arrival at LAX.
Suppose that the flight lands early AND passage thru LAX Customs is smooth (which never happens), I can probably be at the Southwest check-in counter in time for the 3:45pm flight.
My question is that given the above, would they be able to grant request to be on the earlier flight without charging a change penalty?
On some airlines, the check-in agents will automatically put you on the earliest flight without you even asking... such as PVG/HKG where there is a flight every 30-45 min. Operationally, this will free up room on later flights which, theoretically, can increase revenue by having more "walk in" tickets sold.
Thanks
Suppose that the flight lands early AND passage thru LAX Customs is smooth (which never happens), I can probably be at the Southwest check-in counter in time for the 3:45pm flight.
My question is that given the above, would they be able to grant request to be on the earlier flight without charging a change penalty?
On some airlines, the check-in agents will automatically put you on the earliest flight without you even asking... such as PVG/HKG where there is a flight every 30-45 min. Operationally, this will free up room on later flights which, theoretically, can increase revenue by having more "walk in" tickets sold.
Thanks
#2
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: MCO
Programs: Southwest Rapid Rewards
Posts: 791
Southwest will never charge you a change penalty. They *will*, however, charge you the difference in flight fares. And by the time your day of travel has arrived, the only fare available on the flight you want to switch to is the more expensive "Anytime" fare. So if you've booked your original flight on a Wanna Get Away fare, you will have a very large fare difference to pay. If you booked your original on Anytime or Business Select, the flight difference will likely be small, and may even be negative.
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,399
Hi, quick question in regards to SWA's flexibility on their same-day flight change policy. I've booked a 4:45pm connecting domestic flight on Southwest to coincide with a 1:30pm international arrival at LAX.
Suppose that the flight lands early AND passage thru LAX Customs is smooth (which never happens), I can probably be at the Southwest check-in counter in time for the 3:45pm flight.
My question is that given the above, would they be able to grant request to be on the earlier flight without charging a change penalty?
On some airlines, the check-in agents will automatically put you on the earliest flight without you even asking... such as PVG/HKG where there is a flight every 30-45 min. Operationally, this will free up room on later flights which, theoretically, can increase revenue by having more "walk in" tickets sold.
Thanks
Suppose that the flight lands early AND passage thru LAX Customs is smooth (which never happens), I can probably be at the Southwest check-in counter in time for the 3:45pm flight.
My question is that given the above, would they be able to grant request to be on the earlier flight without charging a change penalty?
On some airlines, the check-in agents will automatically put you on the earliest flight without you even asking... such as PVG/HKG where there is a flight every 30-45 min. Operationally, this will free up room on later flights which, theoretically, can increase revenue by having more "walk in" tickets sold.
Thanks
Unless you are on a full fare ticket, you will have to pay the difference. While souithwest doesn't charge you the change fee, the legacy carriers charge, if you want to fly on an earlier flight the same day, unless you are on a full fare with WN, the legacy would be cheaper in those cases. A lecagy doesn't charge you if you are an elite flyer, and if you aren't it is usually just $25 to $50, on WN upgrading to a full fare is usually a lot more than $50. You also will probably end up in the back of the plane in a middle seat if the flight is pretty full and if you are carrying on you might be stuck having to gate check your bag.
Providing your 4:45 flight is on time, I would just stick with that flight. If you get to the gate and the 3:45 is on time and the 4:45 is realy delayed, you might be able to get put on the 3:45 for free.
#4
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: AA EXP, DL-Plat, WN-CP | Hotels: Choice-Gld, IHG-Plt, Rad-Gld, HH-Dia, Hyatt-Glob, Marriott-LtPlt
Posts: 2,889
I have no status on Southwest and was able to take advantage of this situation last month (my later flight was delayed only slightly) without paying a fare difference. But, you may not be able to do this if you have checked luggage.
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Location: KSNA/KLAX
Programs: IML GOLD, Bonvoy LTPE, WOH Globalist, AAEXPLT
Posts: 645
Hmmm... Yeah, the difference in fare is still an out of pocket expense. I know that SWA's pricing model is mostly based on how soon you book the flight. I'll go ahead and book the 4:45pm flight; and if I happen to get to SWA's terminal early, I'll try my chances to get switched over without any charge
Southwest will never charge you a change penalty. They *will*, however, charge you the difference in flight fares. And by the time your day of travel has arrived, the only fare available on the flight you want to switch to is the more expensive "Anytime" fare. So if you've booked your original flight on a Wanna Get Away fare, you will have a very large fare difference to pay. If you booked your original on Anytime or Business Select, the flight difference will likely be small, and may even be negative.
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,399
I'm not sure I would be comfortable with only 3 hours and 15 minutes anyway, especially if you are checking bags. If your flight is even an hour late, that would only leave you 2 hours and 15 minutes. You have to deplane, clear customs at LAX and then wait on and take the shuttle (IIRC they run every 10 or 15 minutes and WN is out of terminal 1 which is the opposite side of the itnernational terminal and depending on the direct the shuttle runs could be a decent ride so I would allow at least a hour between waiting and the ride time on the shuttle) to the the terminal 1, if you are checking a bag you will have to wait in that line and then reclear security for you Southwest flight. I would have no porblem at all with a three hour and fifteen minute, or even two hour and fifteen minute conneciton at LAX if I was on the same airline and knew I would be reaccomodated for free on the next flight if my international flight in was late. Seeing you are flying in on another airline, if your inbound is late and you miss your WN flight, I am not sure if they will put you on the next flight for free or try to force you to pay the price difference to a full fare seeing that your late inbound is no fault of theirs and they don't interline with other airlines.
#7
Join Date: May 2006
Location: TUS/PDX
Programs: WN CP/A-List, AS MVPG75K
Posts: 5,798
You have to deplane, clear customs at LAX and then wait on and take the shuttle (IIRC they run every 10 or 15 minutes and WN is out of terminal 1 which is the opposite side of the itnernational terminal and depending on the direct the shuttle runs could be a decent ride
OP: T1 security can be a total mess at times, so make sure you budget that time in. Do you have Global Entry?
#8
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Back to Florida...... bye London
Programs: Hilton, AA,, Delta
Posts: 5,149
Hmmm... Yeah, the difference in fare is still an out of pocket expense. I know that SWA's pricing model is mostly based on how soon you book the flight. I'll go ahead and book the 4:45pm flight; and if I happen to get to SWA's terminal early, I'll try my chances to get switched over without any charge
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,399
Don't use the shuttle. It's a 5-10 minute walk from TBIT to T1. I prefer walking upstairs, but downstairs can get you there as well. The shuttles have to go past T7 before looping back. That can take a long time.
OP: T1 security can be a total mess at times, so make sure you budget that time in. Do you have Global Entry?
OP: T1 security can be a total mess at times, so make sure you budget that time in. Do you have Global Entry?
#10
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: ORD, MDW or MKE
Programs: American and Southwest. Hilton and Marriott hotels primarily.
Posts: 6,459
The second exception is if your original flight is delayed. Actually, your first exception will not apply.
#11
Join Date: May 2006
Location: TUS/PDX
Programs: WN CP/A-List, AS MVPG75K
Posts: 5,798
You can always cut through the garage, too.
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,399
Thanks. I am flying in on WN in a couple weeks and my friend arrives a couple hours after me and I wanted to go to the DL terminal and use the skyclub to shower and relax while I wait on him. The terminal map on the LAX site isn't really the clear on distance, etc between terminals.
#13
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,689
If your flight is delayed for any amount of time (even 10 minutes) you can switch without penalty. This is the reason you were not charged the difference between the two flights.
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Location: KSNA/KLAX
Programs: IML GOLD, Bonvoy LTPE, WOH Globalist, AAEXPLT
Posts: 645
Don't use the shuttle. It's a 5-10 minute walk from TBIT to T1. I prefer walking upstairs, but downstairs can get you there as well. The shuttles have to go past T7 before looping back. That can take a long time.
OP: T1 security can be a total mess at times, so make sure you budget that time in. Do you have Global Entry?
OP: T1 security can be a total mess at times, so make sure you budget that time in. Do you have Global Entry?
#15
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SJC
Programs: AA PLT, WN A-List, National Executive Emerald
Posts: 49
I'll definitely check this one out. The funny thing is I fly in/out of LAX at least 10 times a year and I never really looked to see how far apart the terminals are, LOL. Even funnier, I seen Global Entry signs but I never really know what it is for, looks to be an express lane?
Yes, a $100 express lane.
http://www.globalentry.gov/howtoapply.html
I try to limit my international entries into LAX. It has taken me as long as 3 hours to get through and get my luggage. And, once I got my luggage, there was another huge line just to get out.