When it comes to traveling with a large group of people, whether for business, school, family, or a big adventure you have always wanted, it’s not the simplest process. The great news for all of you is that Southwest Group Travel makes it easy for 10 or more individuals to travel together, and it may even be more affordable than purchasing separate tickets. On this blog, we are going to cover everything that you need to know about group travel on Southwest Airlines. You can connect with Southwest Group Travel Service at 1-800-433-5368 to discuss your group’s situation.

What is Southwest Group Travel?

Southwest Group Travel allows large groups of people to travel together on a Southwest airplane. If your group of travel companions meets the requirement of being 10 or more people sharing the same travel plans, then group travel services are available to you.

This program is beneficial specifically for:

• Corporate events and business meetings
• School excursions and student travel
• Sports teams and competitions
• Family Reunions And Group Vacations

Southwest has a different approach to group travel by allowing flexibility, assistance, and functionality for the planning of travel.

Why Choose Southwest Airlines for Group Travel?

When you book your group travel through Southwest Airlines, you will receive several benefits that you will not receive when booking an individual ticket on Southwest.

• Group Discounts

If you have a large group that wants to travel together, Southwest Airlines offers group travel at a far less expensive price than purchasing individual tickets.

• No Additional Fees on Bookings, Ticketing, or Name Changes

Unlike most airlines that charge fees for making changes, Southwest Airlines does not charge any fees for name changes or ticket issuance for group travel arrangements.

• Unlimited Name Changes

Upon creating a group travel itinerary, you will be able to change the names of any members of the group up to 74 hours before the scheduled departure.

• Free Ticket Awards

For every 30th passenger included in your itinerary, Southwest Airlines may provide you with one round-trip ticket free of charge.

• Dedicated Support Specialists

You will have access to a dedicated group travel support specialist. If you need assistance with anything related to your group travel itinerary, just call 1-800-433-5368, and they will assist you with any issues you may encounter regarding your group travel itinerary.

These benefits provide not only cost savings but also decrease the amount of time you spend planning travel for your group, particularly if you have a larger group.

Booking for Group Travel on Southwest Airlines: Step-By-Step Process

Group travel bookings follow a different procedure from individual passenger bookings on the website. The following outlines how to book a group for air travel.

Step 1 – Quote Request

To begin booking your group, you can request a quote using either of these methods.

Over the Phone- You can call the dedicated Group Travel Services line (1-800-433-5368) for a customized quote and to speak with a staff member who can help you with complex itineraries, which can be more efficient than requesting a quote online.

Online- If you are traveling for business or meeting purposes, you can use the Southwest Business Assist™ portal to submit your request for a project proposal.

Step 2 – Deposit Payment

Once you receive and accept your quoted fare, you will need to pay a $50 per person deposit. This amount guarantees the seat availability for your group at the quoted fare. The deposit will not be refundable, but you will receive credit for the total deposit amount when you pay the total amount of fares.

Step 3 – Finalize Your Booking

As your scheduled travel date gets closer, you will want to make sure you complete these actions:

• List of Names- You will need to provide an official name and Rapid Rewards® number for each passenger on your booking.
• Final Payment- Pay the total fare amounts in full.
• Ticketing- After Southwest receives your full fare payment, it will issue electronic tickets for each passenger in the group.

For Business Meetings in Larger Groups (25+) Via Southwest

Southwest Airlines provides a different service for planners as well, called Southwest Business Meetings, which is geared towards groups of over 25 people and allows the following:

• Automated Proposals: Planners can receive a quote or manage their contract by using a digital dashboard.
• Reporting by Meeting: planners will be able to see which attendees have booked their flight and which ones have not.
• GDS Integration: planners can book their attendees’ flights through their preferred GDS, such as Sabre or Amadeus.

Southwest Groups

The Southwest Groups is a redefined tool for booking and managing travel for Group Travel Decision Makers at Southwest Airlines, which specializes in Group Travel Management. 

The goal of Southwest Groups is to make the booking process for groups simple and to save time for Group Travel Arrangers through the use of tools that enable you to Self-Service, Shop, manage, Deposit; Manage and Upload Reservations including Name Changes, and generate Robust Management Reports and Dashboards.

“Southwest Groups provides a level of digital Hospitality and Efficiency for Group Travel that equals the level of service provided by Southwest’s other airlines – no other product has existed that delivered that kind of service to Southwest Customers before now,” said Aileen Furlong, Vice President of Sales at Southwest Airlines. 

“The detailed workflows available through the new Southwest Groups enable Travel Managers to easily book and manage their Group Travel arrangements, to have immediate access to Duty of Care Reporting, and to be able to spend less time on administrative tasks and spend more time supporting their travelers as they travel to or from meetings and events.”

Southwest Airlines Group Travel Phone Number

You can reach the Southwest Group Travel Office at the Group Travel Number, Monday to Friday from 5:00 a.m. – midnight Central Time.

• Call Southwest Group Travel at 1-800-433-5368.
• Online resources include Southwest Group Travel Support.
• For Event Planning and Corporate Travel, please visit the website for Southwest Meetings & Groups.

Concluding Thought

With Southwest Airlines Group Travel, large groups have no trouble planning their travel. Affordable group fares, flexible name changes, a dedicated support staff, and a suite of powerful corporate tools allow for successful group trips that create long-lasting memories. Dial the toll-free number, 1-800-433-5368, to speak with an expert who will provide personal assistance with finding the best flights for your group.

Whether you’re flying to a major event or just wanting to get away with friends and family, Southwest Airlines Group Travel helps each individual arrive prepared and excited for the journey ahead.