Basic Fare + same day changes + A-List?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Mar 23, 2025 | 12:51 am

#16

whttiger25

Original Poster

Join Date: Jan 2012

Posts: 6

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSP_Monopoly

My crystal ball says no way in hell will they allow A listers to SDC on basic fares.

Ok so you are saying then they get rid of the SDC benefit for elites? Or they think we are dumb enough to realize it isn’t actually a benefit anymore but still say it is?

Mar 23, 2025 | 12:58 am

#17

whttiger25

Original Poster

Join Date: Jan 2012

Posts: 6

Quote:

Originally Posted by storewanderer

If you are just buying Basic fares, they don't want you as an elite... it is pretty simple.

Not unlike other airlines.

Without SDC what benefits for a list preferred are really left? Seat selection. Double points earn. Free drinks and internet.

overall pretty lightweight for top tier.

my point comes down to the fact that EVERYONE buying a non basic fare gets SDC so it’s impossible for that to be an elite benefit if it doesn’t apply to basic. It makes sense to give elites an additional benefit and SDC for basic is the only way they can do that. Unless they remove SDC from WGA+ but they have it in the updated fare charts so….

I can’t find any definitive statement On this so I guess we’ll just find out eventually

Mar 24, 2025 | 5:32 pm

#18

bgasser

Join Date: Aug 2007

Posts: 657

You are assuming SDC is sticking around. I can see the next round of Southwest announced "improvements," the airline getting rid of it and only allowing Anytime and Business Select SDC, to increase the product differentiation.

jmw, MSP_Monopoly and m907 like this.

Mar 24, 2025 | 6:13 pm

#19

nsx

Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One

Join Date: Sep 1999

Location: California

Programs: WN A-list preferred, United Club Lietime (sic) Member

Posts: 22,856

SDC was much more valuable when the flights were not 5 hours apart.

smcgrath12 and Gar1P like this.

Mar 24, 2025 | 8:18 pm

#20

MSP_Monopoly

Join Date: Aug 2007

Location: BNA and FLL

Programs: AA Platinum, DL Gold, National Executive Elite, IHG Silver, Hilton Gold, SW A List, Marriott Gold

Posts: 1,013

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsx

SDC was much more valuable when the flights were not 5 hours apart.

It’s super valuable when you can buy the 10:30pm flight for $80 and SDC to a 3pm flight that would have cost upwards of $249.

jmw and smmrfld like this.

Mar 25, 2025 | 11:17 pm

#21

storewanderer

Join Date: Mar 2011

Location: Window Seat

Programs: National Executive, HHonors Gold, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Visitor

Posts: 3,077

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSP_Monopoly

It’s super valuable when you can buy the 10:30pm flight for $80 and SDC to a 3pm flight that would have cost upwards of $249.

Again that flexibility thing.

Sometimes you don't know how long you'll be somewhere, and just book the latest flight home to give yourself as much room as possible. But if you are able to leave earlier the SDC benefit was always appreciated. We will see what happens with that.

SDC is still extremely valuable for me in many connecting scenarios. It is valuable when you are flying routes with many planes per day. Not much value on routes with only 1-2 planes a day.