Get Started

Learn more about Credit Cards, Travel Programs, Deals, and more.

Southwest Extends Their Schedule Through March, 2016 & Why You Should Book in Advance

This post may contain affiliate links - Advertiser Disclosure. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

southwest schedule extension march 2016

Southwest Schedule Extension through Next March

Southwest has announced that as of tomorrow June 30, 2015 they will be extending their schedule out through March 8, 2016. With Southwest points now being “flexible”, these extensions are a good reminder that it most likely pays to book early.

Up until recently, Southwest’s points were worth a fixed value. The amount of points required was tied directly to the cost of the ticket. Unfortunately that isn’t the case anymore. As flights and routes get full, the cost in points increases dramatically.

southwest schedule extension march 2016

You can see that practice at work in my post from this morning. For flights during a normal week, points were worth 1.7 to 1.8 cents each in some cases. When flying during peak times, the value of points dropped significantly. This is going to continue to be the case, especially if you want to travel at the last minute or during peak times.

As Kenny at Miles 4 More points out, a ticket price may increase 5% as flights fill up, but the points cost may increase upwards of 10-12%. For this reason, why not try to plan out some trips? Since Southwest bookings are fully cancelable, it makes sense to lock something in now. For that reason, I use these schedule releases as a reminder to search and book.

Conclusion

Generally the schedule is loaded into the system pretty early in the morning, so you should be able to book around the time you wake up tomorrow. Right now the schedule is open through January 4, 2016 so we are only gaining a couple of months. With that said, use these extensions to book some flights, check the prices on your current flights and daydream about all of the amazing places you will go.

Disclosure: Miles to Memories has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Miles to Memories and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

Lower Spend - Chase Ink Business Preferred® 100K!

Chase Ink Business Preferred® is a powerful card that earns 3X Ultimate Rewards points in a broad range of business categories on the first $150K in spend per year. Right now earn 100K Chase Ultimate Rewards points after $15K $8K spend in the first 3 months with a $95 annual fee.

Learn more about this card and its features!


Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
Shawn Coomer
Shawn Coomerhttps://milestomemories.com/
Shawn Coomer earns and burns millions of miles/points per year circling the globe with his family. An expert at accumulating travel rewards, he founded Miles to Memories to help others achieve their travel goals for pennies on the dollar. Shawn also runs a million dollar reselling business, knows Vegas better than most and loves to spend his time at the 12 Disney parks across the world.

Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

4 COMMENTS

  1. Shawn … I have reservations in Aruba over President’s holiday, 2016. I’ll need to book out of BWI. Before I call Southwest, maybe you can answer a question? I have the companion pass through the end of 2015. Can I book now and still use the companion pass for next year after it expires? I do have a plan to get the companion pass again in January, 2016 using the Marriott flight & hotel package. What do you think I need to do? I’d like to get the flights now. In January there might not be flights available and if there are, they’ll cost large amounts of points.

      • I called SW and they told me what you told me. They suggested I book 2 R/T w/ points now and come January when I get the companion pass again, give them a call. They will cancel one of the R/T tickets and make every effort to immediately turn around and book my companion in the same slot.

        • Since Aruba during President’s week is such an immensely popular destination, be prepared for the possibility that, by the time you get your Companion Pass in January, your flight might be sold out, meaning you would not get your points for the second ticket back. I would definitely book my flights immediately using points and hope for the best.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Related

7,703FansLike
9,903FollowersFollow
16,444FollowersFollow