Luggage Direct & Southwest Airlines "Senior Fares"

[lastlook]

We ran into a glitch with the Luggage Direct program on our cruise in January (not HAL's fault) and thought I would share my experience in case it might save someone else a bit of hassle. Here's the (rather long) story....

 

I had (for the first time) purchased a "senior fare" airline ticket with Southwest for my husband and a regular adult ticket for myself. This resulted in two separate Confirmation Numbers.

 

When I checked us in (online) for departure from home, I discovered that although I could check us both in (under separate Confirmation Numbers), I could only print a boarding pass for myself. My husband was required to show his ID (proof of age) at the airport before they would print a boarding pass for him. OK - not a problem.

 

Fast forward to our week on the Noordam. We signed up for Luggage Direct during our cruise, and learned toward the end of the cruise that Southwest had only approved me (but not my husband) for the Luggage Direct Program. HAL said that they would contact Southwest regarding my husband.

 

We returned to the front desk later on to see if they were able to arrange to have my husband approved as well. As it turned out, Southwest did not approve my husband for the Luggage Direct Program, but did not offer an explanation to HAL. Someone (not sure if it was Southwest or HAL) canceled the approval for me when they realized we were traveling together, which is understandable. We gather that because my husband's boarding pass could not be issued in advance of our arrival at the FLL airport (again showing his ID to prove his age), that was the glitch. However, we can't say that for sure since no one was able to tell us.

 

If you book a senior fare on Southwest Airlines, you MIGHT not be able to use the Luggage Direct Program. If anyone has had a different outcome, please feel free to correct me as I am just hoping to help someone else avoid the hassle we had (several trips to the front desk and confusion with multiple colors of luggage tags for disembarkation, etc.)

 

One other interesting thing happened as a result of all the confusion. After leaving the front desk, we went back to our cabin and put the previously issued (non Luggage Direct) lime green tags on our bags and put them out just before midnight and our bags were collected soon after that.

 

The next morning we patiently waited to be called to disembark (lime green was one of the last colors to be called which was fine as we had a late afternoon flight.) As they scanned my card to exit the ship, I was flagged and pulled aside. A very nice woman had been watching for me since I must have still been on the Luggage Direct list. We had no idea, of course, and explained to her what must have happened. She took us to collect our luggage and we were escorted to an area apart from the regular U.S. Customs line. I guess because our name (or at least mine) had been on the "approved" Luggage Direct" list at one point, they were still looking for me? No one else was around, so hopefully we did not hold anyone up who was approved for Luggage Direct (that would have been very embarrassing!) I think the only people we might have held up were the two agents in that separate area.

 

I hope this information might be helpful to others who might be flying on a Senior Fare with Southwest Airlines. If I am mistaken in my assumptions here, please feel free to let me know.

[lastlook]

I should probably add that the previous year we were both booked under a regular adult fare on Southwest (also going home from FLL) and both were approved for Luggage Direct. All went perfectly that time. So it seems that the "Senior Fare" must have been been the issue since you can't get your boarding pass until you arrive at the airport?

[HazyDavy]

You would think that once Southwest confirmed your Husband's age on the outgoing trip a notation would be made on the reservation that would carry over to the return trip. He wasn't getting any younger.

[KNOT2L82SAIL]

I too found out about this glitch in Southwest's system on my last Panama Canal cruise. I had booked a senior fare to return to California and also signed up for luggage direct. I had an 11:30 flight as the guidelines on the HAL site said that was an okay time. Well, I was rejected for the luggage direct. I had to prove I was a senior. Now my flight was way too close to making it. BUT thank goodness I did make it. It was pure chaos at the Port Everglades with 8 ships in port. Airport crowded with Christmas travelers.

 

Now skip forward. I have taken a couple of Southwest flights since then. There was one very nice agent who went in and permanently marked my name as being a senior for real. LOL I hopefully will have no problems in the future if I try to use the luggage direct program and fly Southwest.

[jtl513]

Are Senior fares cheaper on Southwest?

[lastlook]

I too found out about this glitch in Southwest's system on my last Panama Canal cruise. I had booked a senior fare to return to California and also signed up for luggage direct. I had an 11:30 flight as the guidelines on the HAL site said that was an okay time. Well, I was rejected for the luggage direct. I had to prove I was a senior. Now my flight was way too close to making it. BUT thank goodness I did make it. It was pure chaos at the Port Everglades with 8 ships in port. Airport crowded with Christmas travelers.

 

Now skip forward. I have taken a couple of Southwest flights since then. There was one very nice agent who went in and permanently marked my name as being a senior for real. LOL I hopefully will have no problems in the future if I try to use the luggage direct program and fly Southwest.

 

Thanks very much for this information. We will be repeating the journey again soon on Southwest for another cruise out of Port Everglades, so will ask an agent about a permanent notation while we're at our home airport.

[lastlook]

Are Senior fares cheaper on Southwest?

 

You have to compare the Senior Fare against their "Wanna Get Away" fares to see what is the best price for your trip. Sometimes the Senior Fare is less expensive (especially if you are booking your flight after most of the "Wanna Get Away" fares have been sold.)

[KNOT2L82SAIL]

Are Senior fares cheaper on Southwest?

 

Not always cheaper. What I do is run the trip and check off senior. That way, you get all of the options. If the Wanna Getaway fares are all sold out, then senior fares are usually the way to go. You just have to watch and look for the best option.

[lastlook]

You would think that once Southwest confirmed your Husband's age on the outgoing trip a notation would be made on the reservation that would carry over to the return trip. He wasn't getting any younger.

 

I thought that once he had shown his passport for our flight down to FLL, that it would be in his record for the return flight home. This was the first time I'd booked a senior fare, so it was a learning experience.

Edited February 3, 2014 by lastlook

[lastlook]

I too found out about this glitch in Southwest's system on my last Panama Canal cruise. I had booked a senior fare to return to California and also signed up for luggage direct. I had an 11:30 flight as the guidelines on the HAL site said that was an okay time. Well, I was rejected for the luggage direct. I had to prove I was a senior. Now my flight was way too close to making it. BUT thank goodness I did make it. It was pure chaos at the Port Everglades with 8 ships in port. Airport crowded with Christmas travelers.

 

Now skip forward. I have taken a couple of Southwest flights since then. There was one very nice agent who went in and permanently marked my name as being a senior for real. LOL I hopefully will have no problems in the future if I try to use the luggage direct program and fly Southwest.

 

Have you been able to print out your own boarding pass when flying Southwest on a Senior Fare (since the permanent notation was made?)

[djhsolara]

My Mom occasionally travels with us on a Southwest senior fare and we've never had problems printing her boarding pass from home and we've never had issues using Luggage Direct. We just did it off Zuiderdam in October.

[Typhoon1]

Are Senior fares cheaper on Southwest?

 

Anywhere from $50.00 to $100.00 each way depending on the route. Availability does vary, however.

[KNOT2L82SAIL]

Have you been able to print out your own boarding pass when flying Southwest on a Senior Fare (since the permanent notation was made?)

 

I am sorry, but I have not cruised since they marked me a Permanent Senior.

[whogo]

This is good information. Thanks to all.

[lastlook]

My Mom occasionally travels with us on a Southwest senior fare and we've never had problems printing her boarding pass from home and we've never had issues using Luggage Direct. We just did it off Zuiderdam in October.

 

Thank you for sharing your experience. The next time we fly to FLL, we both will be able to print our boarding passes as I purchased regular adult fares on Southwest for us both, as it happened to be the best pricing this time. I am a bit uneasy about purchasing a "Senior Fare" for my husband on Southwest in the future as it seems like more trouble than the savings is worth. I'll make some inquiries with Southwest before I book another "Senior Fare" ticket.

[cinnamon123]

Hi everyone,

I used this service two years ago & it was great (luggage direct)

I didn't know southwest had a senior fare.

Happy I didn't know or I would have used it.

If anyone needs help with their luggage it would be a senior!!

How silly of them.

Thanks for the info.

Cinnamon123

[alwaysfrantic]

I thought that once he had shown his passport for our flight down to FLL, that it would be in his record for the return flight home. This was the first time I'd booked a senior fare, so it was a learning experience.

 

They must have thought he might have found that elusive fountain of youth while visiting Florida.

[jkgourmet]

Can someone please explain the Luggage Direct program and costs to me?

[DaveOKC]

This is good information. Thanks to all.

 

This type of issue also stopped me from using it on my last cruise. I have "free" bags on American and figured that it would be a problem with Luggage Direct getting it right.

 

DaveOKC

[obriendan]

We've never used Luggage Direct but we have used Southwest senior fares. When we first applied we did have to show proof of age at the airport. However we later submitted a letter with proof of age and since then it is in the Southwest system and no proof of age is required at check in and we can print boarding passes on line.

 

Dan

[sapete]

The best thing about Senior Fares is that they are refundable. Although not as cheap as Southwest's non-refundable fares they are a discount off the fully refundable fares.

 

Also,as others have said you can send documentation to Southwest for age verification. They associated the verification to my MILs Rapid Rewards account and check-in is not a problem.

[lastlook]

We've never used Luggage Direct but we have used Southwest senior fares. When we first applied we did have to show proof of age at the airport. However we later submitted a letter with proof of age and since then it is in the Southwest system and no proof of age is required at check in and we can print boarding passes on line.

 

Dan

 

Fantastic! Thanks very much for this information. We will definitely do the same since we fly Southwest often for domestic trips. We like that they allow two checked bags per person at no extra charge and you can cancel a flight without penalty and they apply the funds toward a future flight (must be used within one year, however.) This is for regular adult fare tickets. I think another poster has mentioned that senior fares are fully refundable. I did not realize that - another great reason to fly with them if they are at an airport convenient to you.

[lastlook]

Can someone please explain the Luggage Direct program and costs to me?

 

I don't think anyone has answered this on this thread yet, so will take a stab at it. This Program is only offered for certain ports/airports and I've only used it from FLL.

 

Once on board your HAL cruise (not sure about other cruise lines), you can fill out a form for the Luggage Direct Program and submit it to the front desk. The airline that you are flying on has to approve you for the Program, and there are some flight time restrictions. I believe your flight must be before 6:00 p.m. You may not know if you have been approved until the last day on the ship.

 

If you are approved, HAL provides you with your boarding passes and a particular color of luggage tag to attach to your suitcases when you put them out the last night on the ship. It is my understanding that you will be the second group to disembark, which is fairly early (first group consists of those who are "self-disembarking" with their luggage - they don't put it out for collection the last night on the ship.) I believe the charge is $19.95 per person. Perhaps someone else who has used the LD Program more than I have can confirm or correct this information?

Edited February 6, 2014 by lastlook

[travelinjones]

You can get "age verified" by mailing proof of your age (like a copy of your drivers license or passport) to Southwest; then you can always check-in early online.

 

 

By the way, we think luggage direct is one of the best ideas; we've used it twice with no problems.

[lastlook]

You can get "age verified" by mailing proof of your age (like a copy of your drivers license or passport) to Southwest; then you can always check-in early online.

 

 

By the way, we think luggage direct is one of the best ideas; we've used it twice with no problems.

 

I totally agree that is a terrific program and it worked perfectly for us the first time. We will not hesitate to give it another try on our next cruise. The cost is very reasonable - especially when you consider the convenience of not having to deal with your luggage until you pick it up at the luggage carousel at your home airport.

Edited February 6, 2014 by lastlook