Have you ever dreamt of a trip that isn't just about one destination, but a whirlwind adventure touching down in multiple exciting cities? Perhaps you want to visit family in one state, then hop over to a popular national park, and finally conclude your journey with a relaxing beach getaway. If this sounds like your ideal travel plan, then booking a multi-city flight on Southwest Airlines might be exactly what you need!
Southwest is renowned for its low fares, customer-friendly policies (hello, two free checked bags!), and a unique open-seating model. While booking a simple round-trip or one-way flight is straightforward, tackling a multi-city itinerary can feel a little more complex. But don't you worry, because this comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the process, ensuring your multi-city adventure with Southwest is as smooth as a fresh bag of pretzels at 30,000 feet!
Let's dive in and unlock the secrets to multi-city travel with Southwest!
Step 1: Charting Your Course – The Grand Design of Your Multi-City Adventure
QuickTip: Pause at lists — they often summarize.
Before you even think about opening the Southwest website, it's crucial to map out your journey. This isn't just about picking cities; it's about understanding the flow of your trip.
1.1 Destination Deliberations:
List Your Cities: Grab a pen and paper (or open a note on your phone) and jot down all the cities you want to visit. For example, perhaps you're thinking: Denver (DEN) -> Las Vegas (LAS) -> San Diego (SAN) -> Home (Your Origin City).
Order Matters: Think about the logical order of your cities. Does it make sense to fly from the East Coast to the West Coast, then back towards the middle, or vice versa? Southwest generally allows for a maximum of three segments (meaning two stops plus your final destination or two destinations plus your final departure airport) on a single multi-city itinerary booked online. If your journey is more complex, you might need to book multiple separate one-way tickets or call Southwest directly.
Dates and Flexibility: For each leg of your journey, have a target date in mind. Are your dates flexible? Southwest's Low Fare Calendar can be your best friend here, as flexibility often translates to significant savings.
1.2 Understanding Southwest's Model:
Point-to-Point vs. Hub-and-Spoke: Unlike many traditional airlines that operate on a "hub-and-spoke" model (where most flights connect through a central hub), Southwest operates a "point-to-point" system. This means flights often go directly between cities, which can be great for multi-city travel, as you might find direct flights for each leg of your journey, minimizing layovers.
No Assigned Seats: Remember, Southwest doesn't assign seats. Boarding is based on your check-in time and boarding group (A, B, or C). For multi-city flights, you'll check in for each individual segment 24 hours before that segment's departure.
Fare Types: Southwest offers several fare types: Business Select, Anytime, Wanna Get Away Plus, and Basic. Each has different benefits regarding flexibility, Rapid Rewards points earning, and checked baggage allowances. Understand these before booking, especially if flexibility is a key concern for your multi-city trip.
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| How To Book Multi City Flights On Southwest Airlines |
Step 2: Navigating the Southwest Website – Your Digital Travel Agent
With your itinerary mapped out, it's time to head to the official Southwest Airlines website.
QuickTip: Reflect before moving to the next part.
2.1 Getting Started on Southwest.com:
Open your web browser and go to Southwest.com.
On the homepage, you'll see the flight search widget. By default, it's usually set to "Round Trip." Look for the "Multi-city" option and click it. This is the magic button for your complex itinerary!
2.2 Entering Your Flight Segments:
The "Multi-city" search form will expand, allowing you to add multiple legs of your journey.
Segment 1: Enter your Departure City and Arrival City for your first flight segment. Select your Departure Date using the calendar tool.
Adding More Segments: You'll see a button like "Add another flight" or a "+" sign. Click this to add your second segment.
Segment 2: Enter the Departure City (which will likely be the Arrival City from your first segment) and your next Arrival City. Select the corresponding Departure Date.
Repeat this process for any additional segments you have, keeping in mind the typical online limit of three total segments.
Number of Passengers: Before searching, ensure you select the correct number of passengers traveling with you.
2.3 Refining Your Search:
Show Fares in Points (Optional): If you're a Rapid Rewards member and planning to use points, there's a checkbox to "Show fares in points." This is incredibly useful for seeing your options in both cash and points.
Promo Code (Optional): If you have a valid promo code, this is where you'd enter it.
2.4 Executing the Search:
Once all your segments, dates, and passenger details are entered, click the "Search Flights" button.
Step 3: Selecting Your Flights – The Art of the Perfect Itinerary
This is where your meticulous planning pays off! Southwest will display various flight options for each leg of your multi-city journey.
3.1 Reviewing Your Options:
Flexibility is Key: You'll typically see a calendar view or a list of dates with prices for each segment. Pay close attention to the dates you selected and look for the "Wanna Get Away" fares, which are usually the lowest.
Fare Types and Pricing: Each flight option will show the price for different fare types (e.g., Wanna Get Away, Anytime, Business Select). Consider your needs: if you anticipate needing to change your flights, a Wanna Get Away Plus or Anytime fare might be worth the extra cost for the added flexibility.
Flight Times: Review the departure and arrival times for each segment. Ensure you have enough layover time between connecting flights, especially if you're flying into a large or busy airport. While Southwest's point-to-point model often minimizes layovers, if you do have a connecting flight, consider at least a 1-hour buffer.
Direct vs. Connecting Flights: Southwest prides itself on direct flights. However, sometimes for certain routes or dates, a connecting flight might be the only or cheapest option. Be aware of this as you select.
3.2 Choosing Your Preferred Flights:
Click on your desired flight for each segment. As you select them, they will typically be added to a summary of your itinerary.
Double-Check: Before proceeding, meticulously review all selected flights, dates, and times to ensure they align with your plan. It's much easier to correct errors now than after booking.
QuickTip: A quick skim can reveal the main idea fast.
Step 4: Passenger Information & Payment – Bringing Your Trip to Life
Once you're satisfied with your flight selections, it's time to finalize the booking.
4.1 Entering Passenger Details:
You'll be prompted to enter the full name, date of birth, and gender for each passenger. Ensure these details exactly match the government-issued identification they will use for travel.
Rapid Rewards Number (Optional): If you're a Rapid Rewards member, enter your membership number to earn points on your flight.
Known Traveler Number (KTN) / TSA PreCheck (Optional): If you have TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, enter your KTN here to expedite security screening.
4.2 Reviewing Your Itinerary (Again!):
Southwest will present a summary of your entire multi-city itinerary, including the total cost. Take a final, careful look at all the details. Check dates, times, cities, and passenger names. This is your last chance to catch any mistakes easily.
4.3 Payment Methods:
Southwest offers various payment options:
Credit Card: The most common method.
Southwest LUV Vouchers: If you have these, you can apply them here.
Gift Cards: Southwest gift cards can be used.
Rapid Rewards Points: If you opted to show fares in points, you'll complete the booking using your accumulated points.
Cash + Points: Sometimes, you might have the option to combine cash and points.
Enter your payment details securely.
4.4 Confirming Your Purchase:
Once you've entered your payment information, click the "Purchase" or "Book" button to finalize your reservation.
Step 5: Confirmation and Beyond – The Start of Your Journey!
QuickTip: Keep a notepad handy.
Congratulations! You've successfully booked your multi-city flight on Southwest Airlines.
5.1 Confirmation Email:
You will immediately receive a confirmation email with your itinerary details and confirmation number. Save this email! It's your official record.
The confirmation number is crucial for managing your reservation, checking in online, and making any changes.
5.2 Managing Your Reservation:
You can always access and manage your reservation on Southwest.com under the "Manage Reservations" section using your confirmation number and last name.
From here, you can:
Change or Cancel Flights: Southwest is famous for its flexible change policies, often allowing changes without a change fee (though fare differences may apply). Cancellations usually result in a travel credit.
Add EarlyBird Check-In: If you want an earlier boarding position for any segment, you can purchase EarlyBird Check-In.
Add Upgraded Boarding: Closer to departure, if available, you might be able to purchase Upgraded Boarding for a better position.
View Flight Status: Keep an eye on your flight's status leading up to departure.
5.3 Checking In:
Remember to check in online 24 hours before the scheduled departure time of each individual flight segment to get the best possible boarding position. You can do this on the Southwest website or through their mobile app.
Tips for a Smooth Multi-City Booking Experience:
Book in Advance: Especially for popular routes and peak travel times, booking well in advance often secures the best fares.
Be Flexible with Dates: Even shifting your travel by a day or two can sometimes result in significant savings. Use the Low Fare Calendar!
Consider One-Way Tickets: If your multi-city itinerary is very complex (more than three segments), sometimes booking separate one-way tickets might be necessary or even more cost-effective. Compare prices carefully.
Clear Your Cache and Cookies: If you're experiencing issues with the website, try clearing your browser's cache and cookies or using an incognito/private Browse window.
Call Customer Service for Complex Needs: If your multi-city plans are particularly intricate, or if you encounter any issues during the online booking process, don't hesitate to call Southwest Airlines customer service. Their agents are trained to handle complex itineraries. The general number is 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792).
Related FAQ Questions:
Here are 10 related FAQ questions, all starting with "How to," along with their quick answers:
How to find the cheapest multi-city flights on Southwest?
Use the "Low Fare Calendar" feature on Southwest.com, and be flexible with your travel dates, especially considering mid-week travel (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) for potentially lower fares.
How to change a multi-city flight on Southwest?
Go to "Manage Reservations" on Southwest.com, enter your confirmation number and last name, and follow the prompts to modify your flight. You typically won't pay a change fee, but a fare difference may apply.
How to cancel a multi-city flight on Southwest?
Navigate to "Manage Reservations" on Southwest.com, find your multi-city booking, and select the option to cancel. You will usually receive a travel credit for the value of your ticket, valid for future use.
How to add an additional leg to an existing multi-city Southwest booking?
You generally cannot add a leg to an existing multi-city booking directly online. You will likely need to cancel and rebook your entire itinerary, or book the additional leg as a separate one-way flight. Contact Southwest customer service for guidance.
How to use Rapid Rewards points for a multi-city booking?
When searching for flights on Southwest.com, select the "Show fares in points" checkbox. The displayed prices will then be in points, and you can proceed with booking using your Rapid Rewards balance.
How to check in for multiple segments of a multi-city Southwest flight?
You need to check in for each individual flight segment separately, 24 hours before the departure time of that specific flight.
How to find my confirmation number for a multi-city Southwest flight?
Your confirmation number will be in the confirmation email sent to you immediately after booking. You can also log into your Rapid Rewards account if you were logged in during booking.
How to handle baggage on a multi-city Southwest itinerary?
Southwest's generous two-free-checked-bags policy applies to each passenger. Your bags will typically be checked through to your final destination on a multi-city itinerary if all flights are on Southwest. Confirm this with the check-in agent.
How to contact Southwest Airlines for multi-city booking assistance?
For general questions or assistance with complex multi-city bookings, call Southwest Airlines at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792).
How to ensure I have enough layover time between multi-city flights?
While Southwest's point-to-point often means fewer connections, if you do have a connecting flight, aim for at least a 1-hour layover for domestic travel. For international connections, allow more time (2-3 hours) to account for customs and immigration.
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