Southwest Airlines Fares

When using the Internet to check airfares for your next travel destination, do not forget to log onto www.Southwest.com to consider Southwest Airlines fares as an option.

Southwest Airlines fares are not included in typical travel comparison sites, such as Hotwire.com, Expedia.com or Travelocity.com, and therefore, a better deal may be available from this so-called "discount" airline.

Although Southwest Airlines operates differently than many of the traditional airlines, I have found Southwest to be refreshing in its approach to travelling and extremely focused on customer service.

Southwest is rapidly expanding its service territory, and adding more major airports to its growing list of destinations, especially along the East Coast. Although Southwest offers stopovers instead of layovers, Southwest offers more direct flights at lower prices. As a frequent traveller, I have found Southwest Airlines fares to be comparable to many destinations, and in some cases, the best price.

In addition to the lower fares Southwest is known for, the airline is gaining popularity for its policy not to charge baggage fees. Traditional carriers are charging fees, ranging from $15 to $25 per checked bag, and this can easily add $80 or more to the cost of a single round-trip ticket. For a family of four, the additional baggage fees can easily pay for the cost of a single round-trip ticket.

If Southwest Airlines fares are slightly higher than a traditional airline, be sure to add in these hidden fees from the competing airlines, and the Southwest Airlines fares may be comparable or less expensive.

In fact, some Southwest Airlines fares are less expensive because they are booked online, and there can be a variety of price options depending on the time and date of flight chosen.

I also like Southwest Airlines fares because its online reservation site breaks down all of the costs associated with a particular flight. It is easy to purchase one-way tickets or tickets with multiple destinations. This is especially helpful to the business traveller who may be visiting several different cities within one business trip.

The airline is also known for its open seating policy. If willing to arrive at the airport a few minutes earlier or able to check in online 24 hours before the scheduled flight, there is a good possibility of getting desired seating. This can be a tremendous advantage if travelling with larger parties where security a large block of seating may be difficult.

If a frequent traveller, take advantage of Southwest's Rapid Rewards program where free trips can be earned much more quickly than with traditional airlines. Eight round-trip tickets, or 16 one-way tickets, entitles a Rapid Rewards participant to a free round-trip ticket. My family has used the Rapid Rewards program to fly for free across the United States. Black-out dates do apply, as with most major airlines.

When making travel arrangements, be sure to compare Southwest Airlines fares to find the best online deal. When compared with most other major airlines, Southwest Airlines fares are among the best prices and the first choice for flying in our family.