Cheating Your Way Through Travel

[noflyingfan]

Matt and I are in the process of booking our honeymoon. It's been a long process, the details of which I will spare you, but what it basically came down to is this.

We are flying from Chicago to Phoenix and Phoenix to Maui on Southwest (the flight to Maui is actually on ATA, but they're partners with Southwest, so it's basically the same). Then back the same route. I have one Rapid Rewards credit that I would like to use on the trip. I can't use it for Hawaii though -- you need two credits for that. So I called Southwest and asked if I could use the credit on the Chicago to Phoenix portion of the trip, and then pay for the Phoenix to Hawaii portion. They said sure, but you have to book the flights separately. So basically, I book the same exact flights I would have booked together, but pay for one and then use the credit for the other.

The problem is, I would have to get and recheck my luggage in Phoenix, since my ticket would show that as my final destination. The lady on the phone said I might be able to persuade the baggage check people to push it through, but I might not.

I am wondering if maybe just I can book my tickets separately, and we can book tickets for Matt on the same flights but just one booking, so Maui shows as his final destination, he can check his bag and my bag (since you're allowed more than one per person) and I can check no bags, so both bags will go right to Maui with no rechecking needed.

Has anyone ever done this? Would you advise against this plan for any reason?

[EyesSkyward]

I'd check their policy on how many bags can be checked. Many airlines only allow 2 checked bags and will charge extra for additional bags. Depending on what the fee may be, it might be worth a try.

If I'm reading it right, it would just be two. Her's and Matt's. So no extra fee, right?

Of course, she'll be bringing us all leis and tiki mugs and grass skirts and hawaiian shirts on the way back, so she'll need to bring a third, empty suitcase for that.

Anyhoo, when does the free flight award expire? If there's any doubt (and in this secret-TSA-watchlist world we're in, you can't be too careful in avoiding any appearance of funny business when flying), and if there's no rush, I'd just use the award some other time and do the honeymoon trip all legit-like.

- Jeff

[noflyingfan]

Yes, two bags. And Southwest allows three, so we can, of course, take an extra suitcase for all those wonderful souvenirs.

After thinking about it, I might just do the legit thing this time. I'd save a couple hundred bucks, but I have till October to use the reward, and there are plenty of places I can go.

I certainly don't want to look suspicious. I can't see it being a huge deal, but you never know in this day and age. But even more, I think I would feel more secure booking both tickets all the way through and together. That way, if there are any delays or anything, it won't be as big a deal, and we'll be in their system together.

[AZO-FA]

Yes, two bags. And Southwest allows three, so we can, of course, take an extra suitcase for all those wonderful souvenirs.

I want a coconut bra. :hug:

But make sure they are BIG coconuts.

[noflyingfan]

Thanks for letting me know, Sean. Your system is actually better than what I had planned.

I ended up just not using the reward this time though. It seemed like a lot of hassle to book all those different tickets, and I can use the reward for something else, no harm, no foul.