Southwest, the easiest airline to use (Southwest Airlines)

Member Name: xcorlett

Product:	Southwest Airlines
Date:	08/02/09 (25 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: extreme flexibility

Disadvantages: They don't fly internationally!

Southwest Airlines are by far the best airline out there. Their ideas need to be picked up by the other major airlines if they want to stay in business. This is a list of why "flying southwest" is best:

1) Cheap
Most flights I've flown have ranged in price from $59 to $149 each way. The prices are stable and you can relatively sure of what to expect. Short hops can be very cheap.

2) Flexible
This is the MAJOR benefit of flying southwest. If I change my mind on a flight, I can cancel it (even on the cheapest non-refundable fares) and be issued a credit for the full amount I paid. This is held in reserve and can be used against any flight in the future. No questions asked! For example, a few weeks ago I was due to fly from Tucson, AZ to San Francisco, CA. I had booked a few days before and my flight was scheduled to depart early, around 9am. That meant getting up very early. I woke at 7am and realised I could do with some more sleep. I logged onto the internet, checked for the next flight - 11am, canceled my original one and used the credit to purchase the new one. No fees incurred, no increase in price. Amazing! This is an incredibly flexible system and one that I have found to be particularly useful.

3) Rapid Reward Credits
With each one-way journey, you get a "Rapid Reward Credit". With a return flight, you get two. Get 16 credits and you get a free return flight to ANYWHERE in the USA. That's buy eight return flights, get one free. Even if you only do small hops, say from Tucson to Phoenix, a 30 minute flight, they will give you a return to, say, Florida. And if you sign up for their credit card, they'll give you a free flight too plus a credit for every $1000 you spend.

4) Good planes
Many of the European budget airlines cram people in, give you no legroom and attempt to sell you things like lottery tickets, watches & just about anything else they have lying around. Southwest doesn't do this, the legroom is ample and the seats are cozy. They dim the lights in the evening and serve free soft drinks, peanuts and pretzels.

I'm getting close to a free return flight - the problem for me is, where do I go?

Summary: A model for others to follow