Help with Winair booking

[Sabrina]

Greetings, all. My husband and I are headed to St. Barts for the first time in April. We are trying to book our flights from SXM to SBH. We've tried the online booking tool at fly-winair.com, but it's unclear how the fare codes align to the fare class (Saver, Premium, etc.). I'd like to make sure we're booking the correct fares that give us the flexibility we're looking for, but I can't make sense of the price details page by adding up the charges to determine which flights we're actually about to book.

I tried calling their reservations number over and over but keep getting disconnected. I've emailed them but am concerned about getting a timely response.

Any suggestions or info you can share? We looked at SBC as well but their flight times don't align with our flights to/from SXM on Delta.

Thank you!
Sabrina

 

[tim]

i've never had a problem calling them on the reservations line. At what point in the conversation do you get disconnected?

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Sabrina]

Thanks for the welcome!I go through the phone tree to get to Reservations, and then I get the message that all agents are helping someone else -- please hold, and then I'm on hold for 30 seconds or so before the automated system tells me I've been disconnected and the call hangs up. This keeps happening every time I call. I'll try again later today.

 

[tim]

What is the flexibility you're seeking in the tickets? I always buy the cheapest ones that give me sufficient connection time.

 

[Sabrina]

We're hoping to do the same but we'd like the lowest-priced flexible fare, meaning one that will allow us to pay a change fee if we need to be booked on a different flight for unforeseen reasons. It looks like the rock-bottom price won't allow for any changes, for example if our flight from the US to SXM is delayed.

 

[amyb]

Give Winair a chance to catch its breath. With the latest storm I am certain their phone lines are simply over run today.

 

[phil62]

My strategy is to book a flight at least 2 hours after the projected landing time of our incoming flight. They will often put you on an earlier flight. Winair may appear to have a complicated booking system, but when it comes time to actually fly, they basically just fill the seats.

Phil

 

[andynap]

I'm with Phil. I book for 2 hours after we land. If they have seats on an earlier flight they will put you on it

 

[Sabrina]

Thanks for the info -- that's really good to know. Hopefully I can get through on the phone soon.

 

[cbuncamper]

Thanks for the info -- that's really good to know. Hopefully I can get through on the phone soon.

Hi

Thanks and our appologies for the phone system, our technitions are working on it

Regarding the booking and different fares, basically the fares are broken down in 3-4 groups, depending on the destination, the cheaper the fare, the more restricted the rules, so for an example

Saver fare - these are non refundable and change fees can be US$ 35 dollars per change per person

Premium Fare - These are refundable for a small administrative fee and changes are only US$ 15

I do fully support the other replies on giving your self enough time and indeed once our earlier flights have space, we will board you. You can also check in online to make the process even easier

Thanks

Claudio Buncamper
Winair

 

[tim]

Thank you, Mr. Buncamper, for your input:up:

 

[NHDiane]

It's always a welcome message from those that can give us the inside info! Thanks Claudio!