Southwest is for the huddled masses and if you want to get to RNO from LAS, and back, it's WN, and nothing else unless you want to fly to SFO (UA) or SLC (DL). I have never had them allow me to jump on an earlier flight without added $$$. Last Oct. state high school soccer finals in Carson City and we finished up early. Approached the podium for a flight leaving 2 hours earlier - Question to me, "Did you guys win the state championship or what?" "Nope, came in second!" Aw, that's so sad, here's your new b/p's. Better luck next year!"

Moral of the story --- IT ALL DEPENDS UPON WHAT STORY YOU GIVE EM, and the mood of the agent, be it UA, WN, or even Abbazabba Airlines!

Btw, I knew the rules when I bought my tickets and the agent helped us out, but just because my kid wasn't puking at the counter, or my mom wanted us home for dinner two hours earlier, didn't really effect the outcome of my request.