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Southwest backtracks, issues refunds for EarlyBird check-in fees
Jason Stauffer
Contributor
April 04, 2020
•
3 min read
Southwest backtracks, issues refunds for EarlyBird check-in fees
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Southwest is a favorite of travelers who are tired of being inundated with fees. It has a history of zigging when every other airline is zagging and has maintained a policy of two free checked bags per passenger and no cancellation/change fees. Meanwhile, other airlines are charging over $30 each way to check a bag on domestic flights and have change fees that can top $200 per ticket.
Even in the middle of this global pandemic Southwest continues to go a step further and not charge for price increases on flight changes.
However, the two biggest gripes with Southwest has been its unforgiving points expiration policy, which was changed last year (they no longer expire) and its cattle call boarding process. If you don't have Southwest elite status, you do have the option of jumping to the front of the line by paying for EarlyBird Check-In, which costs $15-$25 per passenger each way. EarlyBird Check-In fees are non-refundable unless Southwest cancels the flight. This became an issue this past month as passengers began canceling flights en masse and were stuck eating upwards of $50 in fees per round-trip ticket.
Related reading: Is Southwest EarlyBird Check-In worth it?
Now, as reported by USA Today, Southwest has changed course and is issuing travel vouchers for EarlyBird fees paid on customer-canceled travel from March 1 to May 31, 2020. These vouchers are valid for one year and can be applied to future flights, but not EarlyBird Check-In fees. If you qualify you can receive one voucher per reservation. So groups traveling together under a single reservation will be issued one voucher for the total cost of the EarlyBird fees, not one voucher per person.
If you need to cancel a flight scheduled to depart by May 31 or have already canceled a past flight you can call Southwest (800-435-9792) or email to request an EarlyBird refund.
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This is obviously a positive move, but it's always preferable to a get full refund over a travel credit. Although Southwest has extended the expiration date of travel funds set to expire by May 31, 2020, that policy won't impact these refunds. Also, many airlines have been more generous by issuing full refunds that cover extra costs, like seat selection fees.
If you have any travel credits with other airlines that are expiring soon take a look at our guide to airline credit expiration policies, which we've updated with current information. And if you need to reach out to a travel provider to request a refund or adjust your plans, follow these strategies to help make the call a bit smoother for everyone.
One travel returns to normal (whatever normal will look like), we'll still be here to help you find the great deals and make the most of your credit card rewards. So sign-up for our daily email newsletter to stay in the loop.
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- 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.
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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- 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.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $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.