[jpf756]

Signs of the times
In SWA's endless pursuit to discover new markets and exploit them for profit, they have chose to hone in on single parents--the most vulnerable people who want to see their children but must pay a premium to do so.

Specifically, it started with the introduction of a $25 ($50 round-trip) fee per flight, then upped it to a $50 ($100 round-trip) fee per flight. Now if the flight does not occur, the parent is subject to a loss up to $100 as these "fees" are non refundable.

OK -- I can kind of understand the rationale for non-refundable fees if you miss or flat out cancel the travel plans -- but here is the real kicker!! If you need to change the flight to an earlier departure, for whatever reason, SWA will gladly refund the ticket amount of the fare and apply it as a credit to the new fare. However, they will keep your original $50 fee and charge you another $50 unaccompanied minor fee (so a total of $150 round-trip).

SWA: Why don't you just rob your customers when they board the plane? Maybe hold children for ransom? That's another market you could exploit. Where is the LUV when it comes to children? In this situation travel is still occurring but at a different time now. I would love to hear the company's position on this type of consumer theft.

[jimworcs]

There is no rational explanation for this fee to be "non-refundable". The airline has incurred no costs and no loss is accrued. To not make this transferable is just gouging. Sadly, your only choice to to change airlines.. and the horror is that the others charge higher fees and these too are non-refundable. Yet another case for regulation.

[Gromit801]

Same company that loves to crow about bags fly for free, when in fact they raised the prices across the board on their fares to hide bag fees, in effect, charging you for bags even if you're not checking any.

[The_Judge]

People complain about keeping the fares low and then feeing people to death now they complain that the fares are raised to hide the fees. Make up your mind people, how do you want it?????

[jimworcs]

Judge,
Gromit has a grudge against Southwest airlines and is irrational in his dislike for them.

It is hard to imagine why someone with a grudge against a particular airline is allowed to post on here...

[Gromit801]

I dislike the hypocrisy of SWA, and how they have pretty much ruined the airline industry. And Jim, speaking of hypocrisy, for one who has an irrational hate of all commercial airlines, don't call the kettle black.

[The_Judge]

I believe Jim was playing a little bit.

[jimworcs]

Gromit... irony my friend, irony...