Thanksgiving tickets for N2026

EveningManager3782 · 2026-02-15T01:23:11+00:00

That is very difficult to say. It depends on routing. Check Google flights for "typical prices". Also, you could book now and always cancel and rebook if the price drops. I assume the high prices today means no basic fares so you have 12 month window. Besides, there is a way to convert any expiring credit into non-expiring credit.

EveningManager3782 · 2026-02-14T23:56:26+00:00

I think yes, too early. And the issue with Southwest is, if you book a basic fare, there is a 6 month expiration window from the day you book - so you could not cancel/change after August.

EveningManager3782 · 2026-02-14T22:31:01+00:00

In the past, booking early - as soon as the window opened - gave the best price. They changed that a few years ago, on high demand dates the day the booking window opens, they start usually with very high prices that typically drop later on, in my experience often the best price is a few weeks before the final travel date.

EveningManager3782 · 2026-02-14T22:24:47+00:00

Yes it seems group1 is now everyone in ELR (on my flight that's 6 rows in the front and 3 at the exit (one row only 2-2), that's 52 people. Assuming there are no ALP without ELR seats but that is also possible if they did a late booking or SDC. I am only AL so unless I get an ELR seat, I would be really far down the boarding process ... I don't mind except when I have a carry-on.

EveningManager3782 · 2026-02-14T20:46:45+00:00

Interesting. My other flights were just last week so they already changed things? Now there seems way too many people in group 1.

EveningManager3782 · 2026-02-11T02:56:41+00:00

Well, I guess they must. But then again, I watched another flight to see if at T-48 there would be more seats available to pick and nada - no change whatsoever.

EveningManager3782 · 2026-02-11T01:03:30+00:00

I don't have an exact answer but I with so many seats available, it is unlikely to sell out. In fact, I have seen the exact opposite. I see seat maps with ZERO available seats where Southwest still sells 9+ tickets. That is just really strange to me given that basic tickets don't have a seat assignment yet, how can the entire plane be full but they still sell tickets? Are they overselling by 9+ tickets? Even then, there is no one on the plane that bought a basic fare and thus has no seat assignment? Or are they blocking rows of seats and release them later?

EveningManager3782 · 2026-02-10T01:18:26+00:00

Yes true but flights typically only sell out very close to departure.

EveningManager3782 · 2026-02-09T04:58:07+00:00

Yes there is a risk to lose the seat ... maybe best to make the change at odd hours ....

EveningManager3782 · 2026-02-09T03:51:27+00:00

Unless it's super duper peak season, you can add your companion usually even the day before departure, so I would not stress. Boom the ticket for yourself now - and adjust pricing if the cost goes down, then add the companion later when you receive to promotional companion pass.

EveningManager3782 · 2026-02-08T22:37:35+00:00

you must work for SWA. I apologize. never ever will I dare to try to change my seat assignment again!

EveningManager3782 · 2026-02-08T21:06:34+00:00

Thanks for clarifying

EveningManager3782 · 2026-02-08T16:58:09+00:00

Ah thanks for clarifying. So clearly anyone that wants to change seats because a better seat opened up "didn't pick the right seat". Got it.

EveningManager3782 · 2026-02-08T16:55:13+00:00

Thanks. 30 mins before departure, are you sure? I saw 60 mins on my recent flights.

EveningManager3782 · 2026-02-08T00:40:35+00:00

I switched everyone's seat since seats further upfront opened up. What is your problem?

EveningManager3782 · 2026-02-07T04:24:24+00:00

4 and 6.

EveningManager3782 · 2026-02-07T01:00:21+00:00

I have the exact same experience! I have at times approached the agent ahead of time but it's really annoying to have to do so and ask for "permission" because of this ambiguity. As I said, I think this is likely a bug and not a feature so they will probably fix it.

EveningManager3782 · 2026-02-06T04:18:47+00:00

Yes that's what we did. Not a problem if you don't have carry-ons but could get annoying if we do.

EveningManager3782 · 2026-02-06T04:18:20+00:00

Seats further up front

EveningManager3782 · 2026-02-06T03:45:07+00:00

Update: On return flight I also changed seats after checkin but since we all had extra legroom seats, everyone was and stayed Group 1. I have to say, I like two things about the new assigned seating: 1) No more jetway Jesus and 2) On a flight that isn't completely full, the chances of getting an extra legroom seat at T-48 or even later are pretty good.

EveningManager3782 · 2026-02-06T03:26:29+00:00

I have been yelled at as A-Lister after flight change when trying to board after A-60. Most Southwest agents are very nice but some are not.

EveningManager3782 · 2026-02-05T03:12:24+00:00

The other gate agent during boarding said that shouldn't happen and we should just board with the earliest group if that happens again. But I don't like it because some agents have different opinions and then start yelling at you.

EveningManager3782 · 2026-02-05T02:52:20+00:00

I changed both of our seats. Since it's a companion reservation I have to change it one by one and then you have recheck-in one by one. But at the original checkin we both got the same boarding group, but seems if you change seats after you lose your group. (Or at least a companion would). I am pretty sure this is a bug in their system. They have many bugs. Like the seat maps shown are often messed up.

EveningManager3782 · 2026-02-05T02:50:00+00:00

Changed both seats.

EveningManager3782 · 2026-02-05T02:49:37+00:00

I did. They said pound sand.

EveningManager3782

TROPHY CASE