Boston Canada Travel

Southwest Airlines

These days, when airlines are charging you for everything from blankets to peanuts, and change fares are the norm, not the exception, I have to stop and say hats off to Southwest Air.

I was unexpectedly called to go to Denver, Colorado because my dad is undergoing open-heart surgery. Thank God for Southwest Air, because they don’t charge outrageous rates for last-minute bookings!

I inadvertently booked my flight a day later than I wanted, but didn’t realize it until I got to the airport. If I waited, I would miss seeing my dad before his life-altering surgery. So I asked the ticket agent, Camille, what my options were. I told her why I was flying, so she immediately set to work to waive the $193 change fee, which I was planning on paying!

I was comparing my experience with American Airlines in January, who double-booked me, charged $250/ticket for a change fee, and didn’t refund the double booking until 10 days later, after countless bounced checks and a MAJOR headache.

This time, however, Camille at first tried to find me another flight through Baltimore, but no luck. She finally found me a direct flight the same day, and waived the rebooking fee, in a gesture of what I will call GREAT WILL.

PS–I was very impressed with their very easy boarding routine–type in your confirmation number and VOILA, instant check-in. You don’t even need to print out the 3-page confirmation–just save the confirmation number on your iPhone. Don’t forget your ID, though!

So next time I have to fly domestically, it’s hands down Southwest Airlines!