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Video SRQ: How Does Southwest Airlines Deal With Fare Changes

March 31, 2013
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2 min read
Screen shot 2013-03-29 at 7.29.08 PM
Video SRQ: How Does Southwest Airlines Deal With Fare Changes
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This week on Twitter, TPG follower Laura wanted to know how Southwest Airlines deals with fare changes:

"@thepointsguy do you know how SWA does fare changes? Say my flight drops in price and I want to rebook?"

Southwest makes it very easy to change your ticket, without having to pay extra fees. All you have to do is call up Southwest customer service at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA and explain to the representative that the price of your flight dropped, and ask to be rebooked at the price of the new flight, and you'll automatically get a voucher for future travel. You will not get a refund on your credit card, but it is better than nothing. Southwest doesn't charge any fees to do this, and in that regards are very friendly about it.

Now with the other major airlines like American, Delta and United, generally there is a $150 change fee for a domestic trip and a $250 change fee for an international itinerary. So unless your price drops by that much, it's not worth it to reprice at the lower level. But, if for some reason you purchase a ticket at an unusually high price, keep checking and if for some reason a ticket on your itinerary does drop by more than those thresholds, you can call. They will charge the change fee, but you will then get a voucher good for future travel on the airline.

Screen shot 2013-03-29 at 7.29.01 PM

This is generally the rule with hotels as well. With refundable hotel rates, often you have up until the day before you arrive to cancel. So once you make a hotel reservation, keep checking because if you see a lower price, you can cancel your original reservation and rebook at the lower price.

The same goes for car rentals. That's why websites like Autoslash, although it's no longer supported by some of the major car rental companies, will continuously check to see if the price has dropped for you.

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With airlines though, there's no tool that I'm aware of that will automatically tell you if the price drops on the same exact flights, but if anyone has tools they use to save money on flights after they book, please feel free to share.

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.