Anyone who has read this website before likely knows how much I rave about Southwest (despite the popular opinion of disliking their boarding process). Those who know about the Southwest companion pass know that it is one of the best deals in travel: pay for one person (paid in dollars or points) and bring a companion for free not including taxes and fees ($5.60 for most domestic US flights). The ability to bring a person for just those minimal taxes and fees on a flight unlimited times in a year is extraordinary.
To escape east coast cold weather for even colder weather and snow, we chose our long-time favorite – Colorado. Although it is not our primary airport, Southwest flies numerous nonstops between Denver and Baltimore everyday, often dropping to or below $99 one way (or for less with Southwest Rapid Rewards). We ended up booking 3 round trip tickets for about 18,600 points TOTAL plus $33.60 for taxes and fees. Add the Southwest companion for just $11.20 round trip. and we had very affordable flights to Colorado totaling $44.80.
Fast forward one amazing ski trip later. On the flight home we needed to check 9 bags including our skis, ski boots, suitcases and a food bag. Luckily Southwest offers two bags per person free and further allowed a ski bag and ski boot bag as one bag. All our bags were free. However, with that many checked bags, something was destined to go wrong. Unfortunately my suitcase had made its way onto the wrong flight. It was in Phoenix, not Baltimore.
At the baggage counter, the agent offered me $100 Southwest LUV voucher to come pick up the bag the next day, but being at least an hour and a half drive round trip, I declined the offer. Southwest flew my bag to Baltimore, then drove it to my house. After signing the papers to have my bag delivered the agent gave me an email address to update the status and another address to see what Southwest can do for the inconvenience.
I emailed Southwest on my drive home, simply telling them how they had lost my baggage. The next day I received a response, apologizing for the inconvenience. I also received a Southwest LUV voucher for $50. What a day! Free $50 gift card and I got my suitcase back, the best of both worlds.
The point of this story is to show how awesome Southwest is. You may not be able to replicate this example, but you can travel affordably knowing that if something goes wrong, Southwest has your back. That’s because there is a heart on the bottom of every plane and their ticker symbol is even LUV.
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