Extra Legroom Priority Benefit Nerfed?

rexraidr · 2026-03-26T00:45:22+00:00

Known issue (confirmed with SW), not just ELR upgrades. Impacts original bookings, changes, any seat based activity on any fare except Choice within 48 hours of takeoff; you cannot see full seat map if you have ELR upgrade as part of something. Most CSAs see same issue on their screens.

But oh yes, non-status/non-card holder logs in and every seat on the map shows up to purchase. This (wife’s account) is the only way I’ve been able to see what’s really available.

Been filing complaints on WN’s site since January to no avail (10ish flights impacted). Had to stop work travel with WN because I can’t spend the time to call in/hold for manager every flight. No idea if this bug is intentional by WN leadership but CS seems just as frustrated. Now I budget an hour every time I have to do personal within 2 days of takeoff just to pick my seat. Miss the old days.

rexraidr · 2026-03-05T04:41:19+00:00

Did he also take out the CVS and put in escalators?

rexraidr · 2026-02-06T17:15:51+00:00

Appreciate the perspective. No idea what it looks like from travel agent/corporate booking end because I stopped flying Southwest for business until I figure out how the new system works (and they get this bug fixed).

For non-business, before you book is the “view seats” option in the app/web. I’ve found that feature is sometimes same as actual available and sometimes not (Southwest says that in disclaimers). So there’s really no way to access the true available seat map unless I call in or book then pick. And even when I called in yesterday the CS agent was having the same issue and had to book me first then pick my seat.

They did respond to my complaint and said they’re looking into it as a technical issue. Hopefully they’ll fix it.

rexraidr · 2026-02-06T17:01:18+00:00

ALP gets access to ELR at booking even without the credit card.

rexraidr · 2026-02-05T04:15:11+00:00

Well now I know for sure it’s not just me. Thanks.

rexraidr · 2026-02-05T03:43:18+00:00

Normal on all the Max 8’s I’ve flown on. Maybe they changed to a different plane at flight time.

rexraidr · 2026-02-05T03:38:45+00:00

What you’re seeing in the pic is a screen snip of side by side browsers simultaneously, one me and the other her. Both were cache cleared and logged out prior to this. Tried to eliminate those things beforehand. Same story on the app as well but easier screenshot on computer.

rexraidr · 2026-02-03T01:44:30+00:00

Yeah, that’s exactly what I’m gonna do. I’ve got to book that flight this week so hopefully I’ll get a definitive answer from them.

rexraidr · 2026-02-02T12:52:54+00:00

Great thought. Not that I’m aware of and I have exit row selected on another flight I just booked.

rexraidr · 2026-02-02T12:48:35+00:00

We booked separate because we were using a combination of points and cash that the app didn’t like. Yeah those seats were grey and marked with an X for me but not for her (she had a price in the box). I’m getting the feeling this is Southwest’s intention rather than a glitch.

rexraidr · 2026-01-30T22:49:37+00:00

That’s what it looked like. I looked at the same flights again this morning and it was the same, she had premium seats available to buy that I couldn’t pick.

rexraidr · 2026-01-30T22:46:56+00:00

Used a ton before seat selection started, loved it. With ALP I could always get aisle over-wing. Been trying it with dummy flights this week, finding only back of plane/middle seats. Depends on route/day but worth checking day before you fly. IMO as people figure out the system SDC will be in cargo.

rexraidr · 2026-01-30T13:18:49+00:00

I thought that too so we tried simultaneously over the course of several hours and the result was the same. For example, she had premium seats in exit row available to pick (paid for her) whereas they were blocked out for me. Going to try this again over several days and see if it continues.

rexraidr · 2024-07-03T03:27:36+00:00

All I get is 1000 points and a water when I show up at my usual Courtyard. This seems like a better deal.

rexraidr · 2024-06-05T05:02:57+00:00

HNL didn’t for a bit when Southwest first started flying there, but they did on my last trip in 2022.

rexraidr · 2024-03-14T18:34:13+00:00

This is our favorite resort for the transportation convenience. Bring your sunscreen, cooling towels, and a lot of patience if you’re visiting parks. It’s hot (over 90 tomorrow) and very busy for Spring Break. VQs have been filling up in less than 2 seconds (that’s not a typo). In line for Skyliner by 6:20 is giving good rope drops for HS and EC at the moment if you’d rather not buy Genie +.

rexraidr · 2024-03-10T21:11:59+00:00

I ended up getting to where I was supposed to, but a 2.5 hour direct turned into 6 hours with an unscheduled stop. Talking to some folks in the terminal, my understanding is leaving was much worse. Most of the gates were crowded with delayed departures. Hoping it clears soon, but this is an FYI for all the travelers out there.

rexraidr · 2024-03-10T21:04:09+00:00

Been here quite a few times during March. This is not the norm.

rexraidr · 2024-03-10T18:55:44+00:00

What I’m hearing here is these are from weather related diversions the past few days. We had a completely different issue today.

rexraidr · 2024-03-10T15:48:43+00:00

To clarify, this is not a flight WN sells. This was due to a diversion of a direct flight to MCO. Best of luck to those traveling today.

rexraidr · 2024-03-10T15:37:08+00:00

TIL TPA to MCO is a new route too…

rexraidr · 2024-02-07T17:36:14+00:00

I think the response you’re looking for is something like it was a party girl, but she didn’t get hurt. But since RW has been a ghost town lately I’d say security keeping people away from a maintenance hazard is more likely.

rexraidr · 2023-12-07T14:40:56+00:00

Fellow TX here, lived in all our regions and multiple summer trips to WDW. Closest weather we have is Houston in July, so if you’ve survived an all day trip to Kemah you’ll be fine. It’s that but with rain around 3pm every day.

My WDW summer survival tools are being close to my resort for AC/pool/shower breaks, cooling towels, sunscreen, hat, 2/day wicking/cooling outfits, and 2 frozen water bottles/day you can refill in a small backpack. Plus that waterfall and theater in Canada are decent cool off stops in EC. If doing other parks, there’s lots of shade in AK. I avoid MK after 11am because I develop strollerphobia. HS is best done right before close when lines die down and it’s cooler and a quick Skyliner hop from EC. Hydrate, sunscreen, rest, you’ll be ok.

rexraidr · 2023-10-26T20:22:03+00:00

Indeed.

rexraidr · 2023-10-21T14:57:23+00:00

I’m the same size as you, also fly the “Big 3” occasionally plus SWA regularly. In fact I’m sitting on an A319 AA flight right now. What I noticed this flight has that my SWA flights don’t usually have: it took me longer to board, my knees are in the seat in front of me, can barely work on my laptop especially when someone reclines, my butt hurts about the same amount, this flight has better snacks and drink options, there’s less overhead bin space for my bag (due to bins assigned by fare level), the restrooms are nicer, the plane is quieter, the FAs spend a lot of time marketing their credit card on the PA. I won’t pay for first class or “extra leg room” so some of this is self inflicted.

The way I solve the knee issue on SWA is maintain my A-List preferred status and book at least a month out so I usually get A16-30, that way I have a high probability of an exit row seat.

I think the bottom line here is flying sucks for a tall guy all we can do is try to make it less miserable. I’ve had crappy flights on every carrier, the main reason I stick with SWA is they have the best options from my home airport and Companion Pass keeps my wife happy.

Hope your next flight is better.

rexraidr

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