"Customer of Size?"
June 27, 2014 5:21 PM Subscribe
Have you taken advantage of Southwest Airlines Customer of Size policy? Does it work like I think that it works?
If I'm reading the policy right, it looks like a "customer of size" gets two seats for the price of one. Even if the flight is overbooked, you get to keep the second seat *and* get a refund for it afterwards. Is that really how it works? And you get to pre-board? There must be a catch somewhere.
If I'm reading the policy right, it looks like a "customer of size" gets two seats for the price of one. Even if the flight is overbooked, you get to keep the second seat *and* get a refund for it afterwards. Is that really how it works? And you get to pre-board? There must be a catch somewhere.
/Why would someone do #1 if #2 makes it easier?
It would enable you to sit in the part of the plane you want to, on a nearly full flight the empty seats would probably be in an undesirable location such as beside the lavatory.
posted by Harpocrates at 6:13 PM on June 27, 2014
It would enable you to sit in the part of the plane you want to, on a nearly full flight the empty seats would probably be in an undesirable location such as beside the lavatory.
posted by Harpocrates at 6:13 PM on June 27, 2014
So it seems as if customers of size have 2 options:
1. Pay for 2 seats, get refund for second seat afterwards, IF you request it. I can't see them making this easy.
Or
2. Book like normal people, and then get the seat free at customer service.
Why would someone do #1 if #2 makes it easier?
To guarantee that you get the 2nd seat ahead of time in the event that the plane is overbooked.
And to ensure that you don't have to discuss the situation with a customer service agent face-to-face with everyone else in line staring at potential "Customer of Size."
OP, though I don't have experience with this, after reading through the policy and the FAQ, it does appear that you've interpreted the policy correctly.
posted by Sal and Richard at 6:19 PM on June 27, 2014 [1 favorite]
1. Pay for 2 seats, get refund for second seat afterwards, IF you request it. I can't see them making this easy.
Or
2. Book like normal people, and then get the seat free at customer service.
Why would someone do #1 if #2 makes it easier?
To guarantee that you get the 2nd seat ahead of time in the event that the plane is overbooked.
And to ensure that you don't have to discuss the situation with a customer service agent face-to-face with everyone else in line staring at potential "Customer of Size."
OP, though I don't have experience with this, after reading through the policy and the FAQ, it does appear that you've interpreted the policy correctly.
posted by Sal and Richard at 6:19 PM on June 27, 2014 [1 favorite]
Why would someone do #1 if #2 makes it easier?
There doesn't need to be a clear reason why a customer who has perfect awareness of all options would choose one of them. Customers often don't know about all the options. Not everyone is going to read that specific webpage, and even some people who do read it won't do a perfect job of understanding and remembering it. Customers don't do things perfectly — if you want to get your customers to do something, it can often make sense to give them a couple different ways to do the same thing.
posted by John Cohen at 6:45 PM on June 27, 2014 [1 favorite]
There doesn't need to be a clear reason why a customer who has perfect awareness of all options would choose one of them. Customers often don't know about all the options. Not everyone is going to read that specific webpage, and even some people who do read it won't do a perfect job of understanding and remembering it. Customers don't do things perfectly — if you want to get your customers to do something, it can often make sense to give them a couple different ways to do the same thing.
posted by John Cohen at 6:45 PM on June 27, 2014 [1 favorite]
From the Southwest Airlines FAQ:
Why would a Customer of size purchase a second seat knowing they can get a complimentary second seat at the airport?
Having a second seat purchased in advance allows us to account for the inventory need and greatly helps reduce the likelihood of an oversale situation (having more confirmed Customers waiting to board than seats on the aircraft). Also, there are a number of Customers who do not want to be approached at the airport or have a conversation with an Agent about their seating needs. These Customers of size prefer to know they have the number of seats they require, and we wanted to give them that choice. We will also refund all extra seat purchases, even if the flight oversells.
posted by DanSachs at 7:12 PM on June 27, 2014 [4 favorites]
Why would a Customer of size purchase a second seat knowing they can get a complimentary second seat at the airport?
Having a second seat purchased in advance allows us to account for the inventory need and greatly helps reduce the likelihood of an oversale situation (having more confirmed Customers waiting to board than seats on the aircraft). Also, there are a number of Customers who do not want to be approached at the airport or have a conversation with an Agent about their seating needs. These Customers of size prefer to know they have the number of seats they require, and we wanted to give them that choice. We will also refund all extra seat purchases, even if the flight oversells.
posted by DanSachs at 7:12 PM on June 27, 2014 [4 favorites]
I have used this policy on Southwest although it was some time ago. Option 1 is when you know you need the extra seat. You have it pre-purchased, you are getting on the plane early and there was a card you put in your "extra" seat as reserved so that no one takes it. After the flight you can call them for the refund. I have had no issues on getting a refund. The upside was there was no consultation at the gate needed. I did not have to worry about a line of other folks taking care of their business at the gate. So for me it was worth it to make my travel more hassle free.
Option 2 would makes sense to me if you are not sure about your size relative to the airline seat. Or if going through the line at the counter or gate works for you. It does seem to have the advantage of not tying up those funds until the refund is processed. My refund happened after my trip when I called them.
posted by bhdad at 10:37 AM on June 28, 2014
Option 2 would makes sense to me if you are not sure about your size relative to the airline seat. Or if going through the line at the counter or gate works for you. It does seem to have the advantage of not tying up those funds until the refund is processed. My refund happened after my trip when I called them.
posted by bhdad at 10:37 AM on June 28, 2014
Southwest has provided me, without fail, fantastic customer service. For example, on a recent trip back from Uruguay, I had a 12+ hour layover in Miami. I asked Southwest if it was at all possible to not wait 12+ hours, and half an hour later I was boarding a flight, with no change ticket fees, piece of cake.
I fly a lot, and I fly Southwest whenever I can, because for years they have always provided exceptional customer service. I'm sure the same would hold true for customers of size.
posted by special agent conrad uno at 12:44 PM on June 28, 2014
I fly a lot, and I fly Southwest whenever I can, because for years they have always provided exceptional customer service. I'm sure the same would hold true for customers of size.
posted by special agent conrad uno at 12:44 PM on June 28, 2014
This thread is closed to new comments.
The fact that they charge you for it up front probably has more to do with avoiding normal-sized people taking advantage of this liberal policy just to make sure they don't have a neighbor (even though they say it helps them with the logistics and you with embarrassment, which are also both true). I wouldn't be surprised if they did some computer magic at the counter (hence the requirement to visit there when you board) to mark the ticket as 'yes, this really is someone who needs the seat, not someone who is gaming the system' and thus eligible for refund.
Having said that, I have not flown since the beginnings of this type of policy. While at that point I was able to get the armrest down, my neighbor did cheerfully offer up this gem: "So, you must be one of those people they're going to start making buy two seats, huh?" Asshole.
Enjoy your trip.
posted by SquidLips at 5:35 PM on June 27, 2014 [3 favorites]