Ever wished your Southwest flight experience felt a little more... premium? You're not alone! While Southwest Airlines is famous for its "no-frills, low-fare" approach, they do offer an elevated experience called Business Select. It's not a separate cabin with bigger seats, but rather a fare type packed with perks designed to make your journey smoother and more rewarding. So, if you're looking to upgrade your travel game, let's dive into how you can make that happen!
Understanding Southwest's Fares: Why Business Select Stands Out
Before we jump into the "how-to," it's crucial to understand Southwest's fare structure. Unlike many airlines with distinct cabin classes (Economy, Business, First), Southwest operates with an open-seating policy and categorizes its tickets by fare types, each offering different levels of flexibility and benefits. These typically include:
-
Basic: The most economical fare, with the fewest benefits and more restrictions.
-
Wanna Get Away Plus®: A step up from Basic, offering more flexibility with flight changes and transferable flight credits.
-
Anytime: More flexible than Wanna Get Away Plus, often including EarlyBird Check-In eligibility and refundable tickets.
-
Business Select®: This is Southwest's top-tier fare, offering the most benefits and flexibility.
Business Select provides a range of valuable perks, including:
-
Priority Boarding (A1-A15): This is arguably the biggest draw, ensuring you board first and get your pick of seats and overhead bin space.
-
Refundable Fare: Plans change? No problem! Business Select fares are fully refundable.
-
Two Free Checked Bags: Save on baggage fees, a definite plus for many travelers.
-
Bonus Rapid Rewards Points: Earn points faster towards your next free flight.
-
Complimentary Premium Drink: Enjoy a free alcoholic beverage or other premium drink on board.
-
Free Inflight Internet: Stay connected during your flight (where available).
-
Fly By® Priority Lane Access: Speed through check-in and security at select airports.
-
Free Same-Day Change/Standby: Enjoy the flexibility to change your flight on the day of travel without extra airline charges (though government taxes and fees may apply).
Now, let's get to the good stuff!
 |
| How Do I Upgrade To Business Select On Southwest Airlines |
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Upgrading to Business Select on Southwest Airlines
Whether you're booking a new flight or already have a reservation, here's how you can upgrade to Southwest's Business Select fare.
Step 1: Decide When You Want to Upgrade
This is where your engagement begins! Are you planning a new trip and want to book Business Select from the get-go? Or do you already have a "Wanna Get Away" or "Anytime" ticket and are considering an upgrade? Think about your travel needs and priorities before proceeding.
Option A: Booking a New Flight Directly as Business Select
This is the most straightforward method if you know you want all the perks upfront.
QuickTip: Short pauses improve understanding.
Sub-heading: Online Booking (Recommended for Ease)
-
Visit Southwest.com: Head to the official Southwest Airlines website.
-
Enter Your Flight Details: Input your origin, destination, dates, and number of passengers.
-
Select Your Flights: On the flight selection page, you'll see various fare options listed for each flight (Basic, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, and Business Select).
-
Choose Business Select: Simply select the "Business Select" option for your desired flights. The price will be clearly displayed.
-
Proceed to Checkout: Complete the booking process, enter passenger information, and make your payment. Your ticket will be issued as Business Select.
Sub-heading: Booking via Phone
If you prefer speaking to a representative, or have complex travel needs:
-
Call Southwest Airlines: Dial Southwest's reservation line. You might find a dedicated line for Business travelers or general reservations.
-
Request Business Select: Inform the agent that you wish to book a flight and would like to purchase a "Business Select" fare.
-
Provide Flight Information: Give them your desired dates, origin, and destination.
-
Confirm Details and Pay: The agent will confirm availability and pricing. Review all details before providing your payment information.
Option B: Upgrading an Existing Reservation
Already have a ticket but craving those Business Select perks? Good news – it's often possible!
Sub-heading: Online Upgrade Tool
Southwest makes it relatively easy to manage existing reservations.
-
Go to
Southwest.com/air/upgrade -
Retrieve Your Reservation: You'll need your first name, last name, and confirmation number. Enter these details to pull up your booking.
-
Check for Upgrade Availability: The system will show you if an upgrade to Business Select is available for your flight(s). Availability can vary based on the specific flight and how full it is.
-
View Price Difference: If an upgrade is available, you'll see the cost difference between your current fare and the Business Select fare. You will not pay a change fee, only the fare difference.
-
Confirm and Pay: If you decide to proceed, confirm the upgrade and provide payment for the fare difference. Your ticket will then be reissued as Business Select.
Sub-heading: Upgrading via Phone or at the Airport
Sometimes, talking to a person is best, especially for last-minute decisions.
-
Call Southwest Airlines: Contact Southwest Customer Service. Explain that you have an existing reservation and would like to inquire about upgrading to Business Select. They can check availability and process the fare difference.
-
Visit the Ticket Counter or Gate: On your day of travel, you can inquire about upgrading at the Southwest ticket counter or even at the departure gate. While less common for a full fare upgrade, this is sometimes an option, especially if seats are available. Be aware that last-minute upgrades can sometimes be more expensive due to dynamic pricing.
Step 2: Understanding the Cost of Upgrading
 |
The cost to upgrade to Business Select isn't fixed. It's the difference between the fare you originally paid and the current Business Select fare for that specific flight. This means the price can fluctuate based on demand, how close to departure you are, and the original fare you purchased.
Tip: Highlight sentences that answer your questions.
Key Considerations for Cost:
-
Dynamic Pricing: Southwest, like most airlines, uses dynamic pricing. The price of Business Select (and all fare types) can change frequently.
-
Fare Difference, Not a Fee: You're not paying an "upgrade fee" in the traditional sense; you're paying to change your fare type to a higher class.
-
Refundability of Original Fare: If you upgrade from a "Wanna Get Away" fare, remember that the original fare portion might have been non-refundable if canceled outright. However, when upgrading to Business Select, you're paying the difference to get the fully refundable benefits for the entire new fare.
Step 3: Maximizing Your Business Select Experience
Once you've secured your Business Select fare, here's how to make the most of it:
Early Boarding & Seating
-
Arrive on Time: With your A1-A15 boarding position, you don't need to stress about checking in exactly 24 hours prior to your flight to get a good boarding group. However, still arrive at the gate at the designated boarding time to ensure you get on the plane with your assigned priority.
-
Choose Your Seat Wisely: With early boarding, you have your pick of any open seat. Want extra legroom? Head for the exit rows or the first few rows (Southwest is even introducing some extra-legroom seats on certain aircraft). Prefer a window or aisle? The choice is yours!
Leveraging Other Perks
-
Complimentary Drink: Don't forget to claim your free premium drink during the flight!
-
Free Wi-Fi: Connect to the inflight Wi-Fi for free. This is a significant perk, especially on longer flights.
-
Priority Lanes: Look for the "Fly By®" lanes at check-in and security at participating airports. These can save you valuable time.
-
Checked Bags: Take advantage of your two free checked bags. This is a considerable saving if you usually travel with more than a carry-on.
-
Flexibility: If your plans change on the day of travel, remember you have free same-day change and standby options. This can be incredibly useful for business travelers whose schedules often shift.
Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 related FAQ questions that start with 'How to' with quick answers:
How to check if my flight offers Business Select?
You can check for Business Select availability by searching for your desired flights on Southwest.com. All available fare types, including Business Select, will be displayed for each flight segment.
QuickTip: A short pause boosts comprehension.
How to know if an upgrade is worth the cost?
Consider the value of the perks: Is early boarding crucial for you? Do you typically pay for checked bags or in-flight Wi-Fi? Is the flexibility of a refundable ticket important? Weigh these benefits against the price difference.
How to upgrade if I used Rapid Rewards points for my original booking?
If you booked with points and want to upgrade to Business Select, you'll generally need to pay the fare difference in dollars. The points from your original booking will be returned if you cancel the original fare.
How to upgrade multiple passengers on the same reservation?
When upgrading an existing reservation online or via phone, you can usually upgrade all passengers on that same confirmation number to Business Select. The fare difference will apply to each individual.
How to get a refund for a Business Select fare?
Business Select fares are fully refundable. If you cancel your flight at least 10 minutes before the scheduled departure, you'll receive a full refund to your original form of payment.
How to use the Fly By® priority lanes with Business Select?
Tip: Every word counts — don’t skip too much.
Simply look for the "Fly By®" signage at Southwest check-in counters and security checkpoints at participating airports. Your Business Select boarding pass will grant you access.
How to make a same-day change with Business Select?
On the day of travel, you can use the Southwest app, mobile web, or visit a Southwest agent at the airport to switch to another flight between the same origin and destination, provided there's an open seat.
How to earn more Rapid Rewards points with Business Select?
Business Select fares earn the highest number of Rapid Rewards points per dollar spent compared to other fare types, helping you accrue points faster towards future reward flights.
How to tell the difference between Business Select and Upgraded Boarding?
Business Select is a fare type you purchase that includes A1-A15 boarding among other perks. Upgraded Boarding is a separate add-on you can purchase within 24 hours of departure to get an A1-A15 position, without changing your original fare's other benefits.
How to find out if my flight offers a complimentary premium drink?
Most Business Select fares include a complimentary premium drink on flights over 250 miles. You can confirm this with the flight attendant during beverage service.
 |
