As you may or may not be aware, the TSA 9/11 security fees will be rising this Monday July 21, 2014. While this will effect all flights book on 7/21/14 or later, it is a good idea to reserve your Southwest Airline’s companion pass ticket now (if you are a companion pass holder).
Southwest Airlines companion pass tickets are FREE, except for the TSA 9/11 security fee. Currently, those fees are $2.50 for a one-way nonstop flight and $5 for a one-way flight with a layover. Come Monday, you’ll be paying the following:
- One-way nonstop: $5.00
- One-way with a 4 hour or less connection: $5.60
- One-way with 1 connection over 4 hours: $11.20
- One-way with 2 connections over 4 hours each: $16.80
Typically Southwest flights are non-stops or have a connection (or 2) under 4 hours. There are a few flights they operate that have a connection over 4 hours (not many), and I do not believe any have two connections with both being over 4 hours.
So for the most part, you’ll be paying an extra $2.50 for those non-stop flights (each way), and $0.60 for those flights with a layover. Currently, flights that have a stop but do not require you to get off the plane are priced as a nonstop, so I am assuming the same will hold once these changes take affect.
To avoid paying the higher taxes, make sure to book your companion ticket now. You might as well book your tickets on points as well and if the flight goes down in price, you can get the points difference back (although you will be paying the higher taxes at that point).
The responses below 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.