Tag: Southwest

5 Reasons Why Southwest Florida Should Be Your Next Sunny Getaway
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As we are now in the dead of winter, sunny destinations become all the more appealing. A huge benefit for American travelers this time of year is a passport isn’t needed for some of the top vacation spots.

Florida is always a popular getaway, given its easy access, gorgeous beaches, and spectacular year-round weather.

Mega-popular cities like Miami and Orlando often overshadow some incredible places worthy of a winter vacation.

Along the western coast, Southwest Florida is in the midst of making a name for itself with top-rated beaches, underrated towns, and brand-new luxury resorts.

Here are 5 reasons why Southwest Florida should be your next sunny getaway:

Siesta Key

Picturesque beaches wrap around the entire oddly shaped state of Florida, but Siesta Key may be the best of all, depending on who you ask.

This tranquil beach is the ideal place to relax and recharge. Perhaps taking a siesta in the sun just as the name implies.

Once you finish your snooze, the beach also goes against its name with nonstop ways to fill your day, such as jet ski rentals, bike tours and a sunset booze cruise.

Named the second best beach in all of America by TripAdvisor, this sunny paradise has soft, powdery sand and majestic blue waters to enjoy.

Not only is there a picture-perfect beach, but the island is fun to explore with shops and cheap happy hours, especially with the free trolley provided.

The brand-new Sunseeker Resort

Ever heard of Punta Gorda? Perhaps not, yet a highly anticipated resort just opened their doors to showcase this lesser-known Florida town.

Set along the scenic Charlotte Harbor, this resort is not your typical waterfront destination. On the contrary, this place oozes luxury with nearly 200 suites, a world-class spa, over 20 dining options and a pair of expansive glistening pools on site.

Sunseeker is the type of place where you won’t need to leave the hotel grounds as everything is already laid out for you to enjoy a sunny escape.

@laurielivinlife Sunseeker Resorts is now open in #charlotteharborflorida 🎉🌴🌊 One of the best staycations I have had!❤️ #puntagorda #portcharlottefl #floridavacation #floridaresort #floridahotel #visitflorida #hotelsandresorts ♬ Everywhere (2017 Remaster) – Fleetwood Mac

Food and drink options are seemingly endless, including a sprawling 25,000-foot food hall and delightful shops and restaurants along the harbor perfect for sunsets.

Guests also have exclusive access to the renowned Aileron Golf Club, an 18-hole golf course. Backed by Allegiant Air, this monumental resort is hoping to add the allure of Southwest Florida.

Cheap Flights

Speaking of Allegiant, this region is a huge hub for the low-cost airline. Offering nonstop flights across the country to Punta Gorda, it only makes sense to open a luxe resort here, right?

Whether you’re looking to escape the cold from Maryland, Wisconsin, Ohio, and many other cold-weather cities and states right now, it’s easy to escape the cold on the cheap.

Allegiant isn’t the only budget airline flying into Southwest Florida, however.

These are all the low-cost U.S. airlines in the region:
- Breeze – Sarasota, Fort Myers
- Avelo – Sarasota, Fort Myers
- Frontier – Sarasota, Fort Myers
- Sun Country – Sarasota, Fort Myers, Punta Gorda
- Spirit – Fort Myers
- Allegiant – Sarasota, Punta Gorda
Many major airlines fly into the region as well, but these are typically the best bang for your travel buck. Who wants to splurge all their spending money on airfare anyway?

Underrated Pristine Beaches

While Siesta Key is an awesome place to visit, there are plenty of stunning lesser-known beaches in the vicinity that are well worth a beach day, too.

Southwest of Cape Coral is a set of island beaches packed with white sand and blue waters – Sanibel and Captiva.

Going further south to Naples is Residents Beach, where recent beachgoers raving it’s “heaven on Earth”.

The caveat is that membership is required, but booking a Marco Island Airbnb is a proven loophole to gain access.

Sunny State Parks

Looking at a map of Southwest Florida, you may be surprised the first thing you notice isn’t the vast blue ocean but all the green surrounding the main cities.

This region is home to sunny State Parks – another great way to spend time outdoors for a change of scenery.

See wildlife and historical sites up close and personal in top-rated State Parks, such as:
- Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park
- Gasparilla Island State Park
- Koreshan State Park
- Collier-Seminole State Park
- Myakka River State Park
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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January 30, 2024
Southwest Eliminates Flight Credit Expirations: What Travelers Need To Know
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Passengers who fly Southwest Airlines are in for much more freedom when their trip doesn’t work out as planned. Travelers who need to change or cancel their plans with Southwest have not had to pay any fees to do so for some time. Even travelers who book a non-refundable fare can cancel; they will simply receive a flight credit rather than a refund. The only downside to this was that the flight credit expired after one year, until now. Southwest announced on Thursday that there would no longer be an expiration date for customer’s flight credits, effective immediately.

Flexibility Is King

For Southwest, flexibility for their customers has always been a priority. For years the company has set itself apart by allowing customers to check two bags with no additional fees and allowing passengers to change or cancel their flight up to ten minutes before departure. “Flight credits don’t expire aligns with the boldness of a philosophy to give our Customers definitive simplicity and ease in travel, just like Bags fly free, just like No change fees, just like Points don’t expire—they’re a first-in-our-industry combination of differentiators that only Southwest offers,” said Southwest CEO Bob Jordan in a press release.

Flight Credits Don’t Expire

The new ‘flight credits don’t expire’ policy was implemented as soon as it was announced. Any flight credits that were not already expired by July 28^th, 2022, will be included in the new policy. The airline is going to work on its technology systems later this year in order to remove expiration dates from flight credits completely. Until then, customers will see an expiration date of December 31^st, 2040, on their flight credits.

Why The Change?

Southwest has been working on overhauling the passenger experience since its announcement in May that it would be spending two billion dollars on a transformation plan. In May, the airline promised to deliver on several fronts, including:
- Adding fast Wi-Fi to every plane
- Adding charging capabilities to every seat
- Making overhead bins larger
- Introduce their new Wanna Get Away Plus fare category
- Enhance onboard entertainment
- Add new self-service options for customers to use
According to Senior Vice President Ryan Green, the airline never intended to stop there. The company says they are constantly looking for ways to improve on items customers care about most. The flexibility to cancel up to ten minutes before a flight and receive a credit that will never expire is undoubtedly high on the list for most travelers. Life happens, and sometimes things don’t go according to plan. Being able to cancel a trip without worrying about monetary loss or expiring credits is a huge stress reliever for many.

Nearly 50% of travelers said that flexible cancellation and rebooking policies were a significant factor in their travel plans for 2022, and Southwest seems to have heard them loud and clear. Southwest is now the only major airline in the United States that offers flight credits with no expiration date. If Covid has proven anything, it’s that travelers should always be prepared for plans to change. This newest policy update from Southwest ensures that travelers will have no problems changing plans for any reason.

What It Means For Travelers

To sum it up in one word, flexibility. Southwest was already one of the most flexible airlines in the U.S. to fly when it came to rebooking or canceling, and now they might be the most flexible. Airbnb host canceled on you at the last minute? Now you can cancel your flight without ever losing your credit. Another benefit to credits that never expire is that travelers looking for the best deal can now virtually guarantee they will get it. Notice that the fare went down in price substantially for an upcoming trip? Now you can cancel your flight, rebook at the lower rate, and save your credit indefinitely for a future trip.

Southwest has certainly been listening to customers, and its latest move to get rid of flight credit expirations is just one example of how it aims to continue adding flexibility and simplicity to its business model. Travelers can rest assured knowing their bookings with Southwest offer the best flexibility of any major U.S. airline.

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July 30, 2022
Southwest Launches 4 New Nonstop Flight Routes
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Southwest Airlines announced four new domestic routes on Thursday. Starting in November, the carrier will offer new routes connecting cities in Colorado, California, and Tennessee. The new routes are open for booking through January 4, 2023.

The carrier also expanded all its flight schedules until that date. Unlike other airlines, Southwest usually allows passengers to book their itineraries only a few months in advance, and the previous date limit was November 5, so it’s great news for those who want to plan other holidays —like Christmas or New Year’s Eve— with more anticipation.

Adam Decaire, Vice President of Network Planning, Southwest Airlines, said: “Summer is heating up early this year and our Network Planning Teams are focused on holiday travel options for Southwest Customers ready to plan family gatherings and winter getaways.”

According to the statement, the carrier is working hard to satisfy their customer’s needs and provide more alternatives for every traveler. Decaire also added: “We have returning seasonal fan favorites and brand new time-saving nonstop service, as we continue the work to restore more flying across our network on business and leisure routes.”

Southwest Airlines has already pleased customers with great offers for summer travel —like a 3-day sale to save 40% on qualifying base fares and a flash sale for top destinations starting at $45. Those interested in traveling low-cost should stay tuned and take advantage of the current promos and new itineraries.

Southwest Airlines announced four new domestic routes on Thursday. Starting in November, the carrier will offer new routes connecting cities in Colorado, California, and Tennessee. The new routes are open for booking through January 4, 2023.

In just a few months Southwest will start offering new nonstop routes that will benefit travelers, from those who want to visit the coast and spend some time in San Diego during cold winter to those who want to take advantage of the snow and go skiing in Steamboat Springs.

These are the new itineraries:
- From San Jose (California) to Palm Springs: beginning on November 6, the carrier will serve daily flights except on Saturdays. One-way tickets start at $79.
- From Nashville to Long Beach (Calif): Southwest will offer daily services beginning on November 6. One-way fares start at $195.
- From Nashville to Steamboat Springs (Hayden, Colorado): This route will only operate on Saturdays, beginning on Dec. 17. One-way tickets start at $148.
- From Colorado Springs to San Diego: This route will operate “on select peak travel days” from late November through January. One-way fares start at $115.
The new routes are exciting for third parties as well. Robert Garcia, Long Beach Mayor, shared his excitement about the new route including Long Beach, and said: “As passenger traffic at Long Beach Airport continues to climb back toward pre-pandemic numbers, it’s great to see Southwest connecting more travelers and destinations to our award-winning airport.”

Travelers can book and see more details about the itineraries available on Southwest’s official website. Those interested in taking advantage of the special prices should bear in mind that low fares are limited and time-sensitive.

Southwest Airlines announced four new domestic routes on Thursday. Starting in November, the carrier will offer new routes connecting cities in Colorado, California, and Tennessee. The new routes are open for booking through January 4, 2023.

The carrier has been offering great deals to travelers this 2022 and during the past few days also special promotions for its anniversary. Considering that flight prices have been increasing in the past few weeks, Southwest is making travel more affordable during peak season.

Southwest Airlines has also been making improvements in promotions, fares, and services. A few months ago, the carrier made a major fare change and added a new category, the Wanna Get Away Plus, giving travelers more benefits like same-day changes, more frequent flyer miles, and the possibility to bring two bags in the cabin for free.

The carrier is also developing its 5-year plan to enhance customer experience and will be offering better wifi, more comfortable seats, useful USB chargers, larger bins for carry-on bags on the planes, and more options for beverages and snacks. So travelers taking the new routes in California, Tennessee, and Colorado, might be able to experience cabin, seat, and services improvements

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June 18, 2022
Southwest Airlines Announced New Changes And Service Improvements

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The carrier will upgrade its wifi service, add more USB chargers, increase carry-on space, and provide more options for passengers

The American airline Southwest announced several new changes and service improvements on Wednesday in a press release. The carrier will develop a 5-year plan to optimize customer experience and will invest over two billion dollars to reach all goals.

Southwest Airlines—based in Texas— has recently been awarded the 2022 J.D. Power Award for “Highest Customer Satisfaction” in North America among economy carriers, but its commitment to offer a better service does not rest, according to its most recent statement.

The company published its main changes and goals to modernize customer experience and promised to enhance wifi connectivity onboard, install better technology for power outlets, offer more space for carry-on items, include more entertainment options, enable new self-service features, and will launch a new fare category, the Wanna Get Away Plus.

Bob Jordan, Chief Executive Officer, said: “You can never stop working to get better, and as our beloved Founder Herb famously said, ‘If you rest on your laurels, you’ll get a thorn in your butt!’ We have a long and proud history of offering Legendary Customer Service and warm Hospitality, and we have bold plans and significant investments to modernize and enhance the Southwest Experience.”

The CEO also added: “As we continue to welcome back loyal Customers and win new ones, these initiatives, combined with the best People in the industry, support our Purpose of connecting People to what’s most important in their lives through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel.”

The low-cost carrier has been expanding its network during the past few weeks, offering routes in the United States and abroad, and now they will also focus on new service improvements.

More About The New Changes

Southwest Airlines stated that they want to offer their clients a better service and that they also listen to complaints and suggestions. Jordan said: “We listen to our customers, and their insights help us deliver on and exceed their expectations.” These are the main new changes and updates:

Better Wifi

The low-cost carrier understands that connectivity has become more important for its customers, and will be upgrading its wifi equipment on their current fleet with provider Anuvu and implementing hardware with 10 times better bandwidth and speed.

This service is already being tested on some routes, and the carrier also announced a collaboration with Viasat, an industry-leading satellite connectivity provider, for higher quality internet and live television.

Useful USB-Chargers

The carrier will install USB-A and USB-C power ports on every seat, without compromising legroom. Tony Roach, Southwest’s Vice President of Customer Experience and Customer Relations, said: “The ability to keep your devices charged while you are connected inflight is a request that we’ve heard consistently in ongoing conversations with our customers.”

Wanna Get Away Plus

This new fare will become available later this month and will bring more flexibility: the ability to transfer travel funds and make same-day seat changes on an available flight between the same origin and destination.

Larger bins

Southwest adjusting space to make more room for carry-on bags and give passengers the option to bring two free carry-on bags —size and weight limitations apply. Next year, travelers will find larger overhead bins for their personal items.

Additional Refreshments

Along with a large beverage selection, the airline will include additional seasonal options like a bloody mary mix during summer, and will also include other alcohol options like hard seltzer and rosé in September.

Lap-child features

Another feature will allow customers to add lap-child travelers when booking online. Currently, the airline also changed its self-service kiosks to allow travelers with lap children to check in.

Travelers interested in learning more about Southwest’s new updates and getting more details about the new features can visit the company’s official website and the news page.

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May 13, 2022
Southwest Airlines Launches New Fare Class With Various Benefits For Travelers
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Southwest Airlines will add a fourth category fare to attract more business travelers and revenue this year.

The new fare will cost slightly more than Southwest Airlines’ cheapest tickets but below the airline’s top two fare categories. Southwest Airlines hopes the fare will offer more flexibility to travelers.

The airline will call the new fare category “Wanna Get Away Plus.” It will sit above the “Wanna Get Away” fares, and it will go on sale in the second quarter.

It’s Southwest’s first major fare change in 15 years.

The Details Of The New Fare Class

The “Wanna Get Away Plus” fares will allow travelers to make same-day changes to their tickets without paying the difference in fares that the lowest tier demands. Customers who select the new fare class—or classes above the fare class—will earn 33% more frequent flyer miles than the lowest tier.

Passengers can transfer flight credits to another RapidRewards member, a new feature for the airline.

Passengers also have the option to check two bags for free.

The new fare class is the latest effort by the airline to boost revenue after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. The airline hopes it will help to bring back pre-pandemic passenger levels to Southwest Airlines.

Southwest Airlines hinted at the fresh changes before Christmas, but they didn’t give any details. The new fare class is among various moves—including a brand new credit card deal with Chase Bank—that the Texas-based airline hopes will boost revenue by over $1 billion to $1.5 billion next year.

However, executives refused to comment on how much more “Wanna Get Away Plus” seats will cost compared to their cheaper alternative. But they said it would vary by flight.

In recent years, various airlines—such as Delta, JetBlue, and United Airlines—have rolled out no-frills basic economy tickets. These tickets don’t include perks that were once free, such as advanced seat selection.

The Current State Of U.S. Airlines

Air travel demand—especially for domestic travel in the United States—and growing fuel prices from the increasing energy crisis have already pushed up fares. Unfortunately, airfares in the Department of Labor’s inflation index rose 12.7% last month from a year ago. However, the overall consumer price index rose 7.9%.

In February, bookings by both number and value on U.S. airline websites surpassed pre-pandemic levels for the first time. As a result, many of the cheap flight deals during the COVID-19 pandemic are over.

The Current Travel Rules In the U.S. Airlines

Although U.S air travel is coming back to pre-pandemic levels, airlines haven’t removed all COVID-19 restrictions. There’s still a mask mandate on all U.S. airlines until at least April 18, 2022.

However, in a letter sent to U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday, leaders of various major U.S. airlines demanded the government end the mask mandate along with the testing requirement for all incoming travelers to take a COVID-19 test within 24 hours of departure.

Various major airline heads signed the letter, including:
- Ed Bastian: Delta Airlines CEO
- Scott Kirby: United Airlines CEO
- Gary Kelly: Southwest Airlines executive chairman
- Robin Hayes: JetBlue Airways CEO
- Ben Minicucci: Alaska Airlines CEO
- Peter Ingram: Hawaiian Airlines CEO
- Robin Hayes: JetBlue Airways CEO
The airlines wrote: “At the outset, we voluntarily implemented policies and procedures — mandating face coverings; requiring passenger health acknowledgments and contact tracing information; and enhancing cleaning protocols – to form a multi-layered approach to mitigate risk and prioritize the wellbeing of passengers and employees,”

“However, much has changed since these measures were imposed and they no longer make sense in the current public health context.”

The airlines hope the U.S. will end the mask mandate in April and U.S. air travel will return to full normality.

Read More:

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
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March 26, 2022