Free changes for MAX8 flights
#31
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,286
This, like the 30-day instead of 14-day period for changes I mentioned, are most likely either glitches, system limitations or just bad programming. But in any case, I'd take advantage of it quickly.
NOTE: I've edited this back (from nsx's change to "October 2") to my original statement that the official end date is September 2. This is the date announced today by Southwest as the end of the period for which they are pulling MAX aircraft out of the schedule:
With the timing of the MAX’s return-to-service still uncertain, we are again revising our plans to remove the MAX from our schedule through Sept. 2.
Last edited by ursine1; Jun 13, 2019 at 11:10 pm Reason: typo
#32
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,587
I'm not at all worried about the repaired MAX8. I made a special effort to find MAX8 flights and book them today, figuring either the flight will be more empty or I will get a free change.
#34
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,638
The thought just occurred to me that refaring will not be as easy as selecting to "change" a reservation. The refaring process for flights under the "free change" umbrella will need to be changed to searching for a new booking, and then compare that fare to the existing reservation.
Last edited by mke9499; Jun 14, 2019 at 5:32 am
#35
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: SFO
Programs: BA Avios, UA MP, AA, Choice, Club Carlson
Posts: 1,094
Refunded
Transaction all online - no calling in.
I did it from the mobile app instead of the web - for some reason I find it a little more user friendly and I think there is a precedent that sometimes one thing or another can only be accomplished thru one medium or another: Firefox vs Chrome, Droid v iOs v web - it's def not a universal WN experience across all platforms.
Maybe that could have been it?
Just wanted to give you a data point.
#36
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SNA
Programs: Bonvoy LTTE/AMB, AmEx Plat, National EE, WN A-List, CLEAR+, Covid-19
Posts: 4,956
#38
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,587
I haven't seen lower prices on MAX8 than -800, but I have seen that the lowest price tends to be on a 175-seater more frequently than the fraction of 175-seaters in the fleet. A lower fare is required to sell 175 seats than 143.
#39
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,286
Yesterday I received a flight change notice for a flight in August, Southwest had pushed departure back 45 minutes. When I booked, I chose this flight (800) because it was the cheapest of the day. The flight immediately before mine was scheduled to be on a MAX and now doesn't exist, presumably Southwest moved those pax into my flight (possibly among others as well). Now my flight is the most expensive of the day.
(And now I've changed to a flight with more convenient timing, for free.)
The lowest fare on any particular day is the flight with the most available unsold seats. That is likely an 800 (or MAX), but if there's a 700 with more availability it may be cheaper.
#40
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SNA
Programs: Bonvoy LTTE/AMB, AmEx Plat, National EE, WN A-List, CLEAR+, Covid-19
Posts: 4,956
Same. I didn't even figure this was a MAX-8 related change because I'd bought these tickets as part of the fare sale last week and had figured by then WN had taken all MAX-8s off the schedule by now. Huh.
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Denver, CO, USA
Programs: Sometimes known as [ARG:6 UNDEFINED]
Posts: 26,628
I'm curious: The MAX8's are not in "dry" storage in most cases right now. They're parked in all sorts of places, including Everett, WA at the airport there.
How long until there are worries about seals and other bits beginning to fail?
How long until there are worries about seals and other bits beginning to fail?
#44
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 1,855
But they usually charge the fare difference. This is the third(?) time this year where they have allowed people to book one flight and then change their flight, route, date, even coterminal, and not pay the fare difference.
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Nashville -Past DL Plat, FO, WN-CP, various hotel programs
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Posts: 11,066
I surely do not KNOW - but I would assume they do some sort of maint - open and close doors. Maybe even fire up the engines?