Southwest Airlines is known for one of the best flight services in terms of quality and convenience of the passengers. This is the reason why so many travelers regularly upgrade in Southwest to enjoy a preferred treatment. So, if you are considering one, you have to be aware of Southwest Upgrade Policy to make a successful upgrade.
This article elaborately discusses Southwest Upgrade Policy, how to upgrade your Southwest Flight, the Southwest Upgrade Fee, and much more.
Types of Classes & Upgrades In Southwest
Before you upgrade, you should be aware of the various available classes. Southwest uniquely terms its cabin classes as:
- Wanna Get Away
- Wanna Get Away Plus
- Anytime
- Business Select
Apparently, unlike other airlines, the airline does not offer a genuine business or first-class ticket. All the seats on the airline are pretty much the same regarding the airfares you paid. But, yes, you will be able to enjoy a range of benefits when you apply for one.
Further, you should be aware that the airline does not assign seats but will assign a boarding position (A, B, or C) and a number (1 through 60) at the check-in counter. So, your seating position will be determined by how quickly you board the plane and choose the seat.
Consequently, given the demand, the airline has also kept the option to upgrade your boarding position (read below) for your convenience.
How Much Is The Southwest Upgrade Fee?
The exact fare to upgrade will depend upon various factors. The price will be shown before you complete the upgrade process. For instance, if you have paid for "Wanna Get Away," which is the most affordable ticket, you can upgrade to Business Select, but you will pay much higher fees. Check with an airline representative to learn about the exact airfares for upgrading.
How To Upgrade Your Southwest Flight
Now, let's discuss how to actually upgrade your Southwest Flights. The steps are laid out below.
- From the Website
- Visit the official website of Southwest.
- Then, head to the "Seat Upgrade" page.
- Here, you enter the details of the flight, including first & last name, flight confirmation number, etc.
- Further, follow the steps shown, and you will be able to upgrade.
- After the upgrading process is complete, you will receive the confirmation by mail.
So, that is how you make the upgrade on Southwest Airlines. If you have any further queries, you can always get in touch with an airline representative for clarification.
Alternatives to Southwest Flight Upgrade
The airline provides two other upgrade options: Early bird & Upgraded boarding. They are discussed as follows.
Southwest Upgrade To Early bird
Up to 36 hours prior to the travel departure, you can purchase EarlyBird Check-in for your flight reservation. The airfare, in that case, is between $15 and $25 per passenger - the price varies for each flight.
The benefit of buying EarlyBird Check-in is that the airline will check you in for your flight automatically before the airline's traditional 24-hour check-in mark. Further, you will get a better boarding position (it may not guarantee an "A" spot at boarding). The main benefit is that you don't have to worry about rushing to the airport to get a better spot because that is already taken care of.
Note that EarlyBird Check-in is an included perk for passengers purchasing Anytime fares or Business Select. You may avail of this if you have booked with 'Wanna Get Away' and 'Wanna Get Away Plus' fares.
Southwest Upgrade Boarding
This is the other option you get when you are booking flights on Southwest. With this, you can ensure a guaranteed boarding position. The process is simple. You can either do this upgraded boarding either online or through the official app within 24 hours before the time of departure. You can also do this at the departure gate or the ticket counter on the date of your flight.
The "Upgraded Boarding" option will cost you somewhere between $30 to $50 per segment, which depends upon the flight you are taking. However, with this, you can get on the plane and be comfortable on the seats sooner, which is very convenient.
Note: Upgraded boarding is an option that is available on a first-come, first-served basis. However, if you are willing to pay extra, you will be one of the first to board from the A1 to A15 boarding position.
Conclusion
Thus, you are provided with all the information you need to make a successful upgrade on Southwest Flights. Depending upon your fare class, you can upgrade either from the website or the app beforehand. You can also do an early bird or upgraded boarding upgrade before or on the flight date. Thus, a more comfortable and enjoyable journey awaits you now on Southwest Airlines.
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