Cancelling a flight for refund...be patient

[rennigade]

We had some flights booked for later this year. Turns out we needed to cancel our trip/flights. It was booked with points but even cancelling would have cost us $175 for 2 people...each way...so around $350 total (which we would have eaten but didnt have to.)

I received an email two days ago stating that our flight times have changed. In this case it was more than 2.5 hours. That got me thinking...what happens when they change your flight?? According to AA's policy...if they change your flight time by anything over 61 minutes...you are entitled to cancel your flight for no penalty. Called them up...they cancelled no questions asked. Had my points back within 24 hours.

We were really lucky although if you're like us and book flights 10 months out...your flight time changes a few times.

Either way...keep this in mind if you ever find yourself needing to cancel a flight. Be patient and hope your flight time changes...or pay up and buy a refundable ticket.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Once I had to reschedule a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu roundtrip on Hawaiian Air. The change fee was $150 extra each way for a total of $300 for the roundtrip just in change fees alone. That was a hefty change fee.

[msomnipotent]

My parents had to change their flights to avoid a blizzard. They were able to leave a day earlier without penalty. If you need to change because of weather, call ASAP because the other flights fill up fast.

[TexasHusker]

Southwest Airlines is starting to grow on me, now that I've figured out their peculiarities.

I was planning to travel in late August but the plans changed and I had to move it two weeks out. Made the change on SWA in about 3 minutes with no fees or upcharges.

Refreshing.

I am beginning to see that while they may at least initially appear more expensive than the other airlines, when you add in all of the benefits including free baggage and schedule flexibility, SW offers a good value.

[QuarterMillionMan]

I couldn’t have said it better myself Texas. Ditto! Southwest is great in those aspects.

[Like2Plan]

Texas,
If you have status on another airline, Southwest will status match you and give you A-List status which saves you a boarding number at T-36 ahead of early bird and everyone else checking in at T-24 (or less). Note: You still have to check in — so it isn’t exactly automatic check in—but the computer saves you a number)
The best boarding number you can get using A list is A16 (A1-15 are reserved for business select).
I checked in yesterday for a flight today— I got A20 because I am A list.
If we had to change flights for some reason, I could board after A60. (Still lots of good seats available at that point. )

[TexasHusker]

Texas,
If you have status on another airline, Southwest will status match you and give you A-List status which saves you a boarding number at T-36 ahead of early bird and everyone else checking in at T-24 (or less). Note: You still have to check in — so it isn’t exactly automatic check in—but the computer saves you a number)
The best boarding number you can get using A list is A16 (A1-15 are reserved for business select).
I checked in yesterday for a flight today— I got A20 because I am A list.
If we had to change flights for some reason, I could board after A60. (Still lots of good seats available at that point. )

Good to know! I’m starting to appreciate their business model.