Is SW early bird worth the 12.50?

[edk35]

Anyone used it???

 

[Mommytwotwins]

I have used it 3x and it worked out well but if you are able to checkin online at exactly 24 hours before you can still get a good boarding number. I am going in April and did not pay for it this time. I figured I would just check in on my phone.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

So many people use it now that I have even had a high B boarding number with it. I can't imagine not using it any more.

If you are undecided, at least use it for the return flight. For me, not having to worry about check in at exactly 24 hour point when you are on vacation is worth it.

 

[edk35]

Well I added it to my son's ressie in Aug. He is having back surgery in late May so he and his GF are flying down and we are driving. However, I remembered that they usually let him board early because he has a peanut allergy so I probably spent money that I didn't need to spend.

 

[Grammy4Lizzy]

We check in at exactly 24 hours and we got B numbers last week. If you use it, only pay for one person in your party and they can be seated and save the other seats.

 

[Monte Cristo]

idea: If you use it, only pay for one person in your party and they can be seated and save the other seats.

Are you sure about that?

 

[goofy4tink]

We check in at exactly 24 hours and we got B numbers last week. If you use it, only pay for one person in your party and they can be seated and save the other seats.

And exactly how fair is that to those who have paid for EBCI? Sorry, but that's something I never recommend if you are trying to save seats in more than one row.

I used to buy EBCI for my flights home simply because I didn't want to have to worry about checking in at the 24 hr window while in WDW. And that will be the same now. But with so many people now buying EBCI, I figure that if I don't get it both ways, I'm going to soon be given a spot in the C group!!
I almost wish that SW would just increase fares $15 and do away with that 'perk'.

 

[mcd2745]

I used to buy EBCI for my flights home simply because I didn't want to have to worry about checking in at the 24 hr window while in WDW. And that will be the same now. But with so many people now buying EBCI, I figure that if I don't get it both ways, I'm going to soon be given a spot in the C group!!
I almost wish that SW would just increase fares $15 and do away with that 'perk'.

That's what we usually do. I'm not going to interrupt my vacation (especially the last, precious day) to check in. I have no problem interrupting my work, to check in for the flight the down, though!


And I just noticed, they upped the EBCI fee to $12.50 so I'm glad I beat that by a few weeks. They're also likely to institute change fees later this year for "Wanna Get Away" fares - can bag fees be far behind? I'm not liking the direction they are heading.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

We check in at exactly 24 hours and we got B numbers last week. If you use it, only pay for one person in your party and they can be seated and save the other seats.

Unless you get a business traveler like me who just takes your "saved" seat. And we are over the "Rude" trick LOL!

SW will not assist you when you run crying to the FA about someone taking your 'saved' seat.

 

[April7901]

I've found it depends on the route, time of year, and personal preference as to whether it's "worth it."


For instance - late last week, I flew Chicago to Akron, OH due to a family emergency. Booked my flight less than 24 hours before I flew, and checked in immediately. Ended up with A45. As it turned out - there were only two business-class flyers - so, only two people in the possible A1-A15 slots, and only about ten people behind me. I was glad I didn't have the option of buying EBCI, because it would have been wasted.

During the holidays, I absolutely pay the $20 (well, $25 now) to EBCI - it's worth the "peace of mind" to me.

Bottom line is that I absolutely cannot stand the thought of being in a center seat - so if I think there's even a chance of that, I'll pay for EBCI. Even with that fee, I'm still paying significantly less than I would on another airline.

All that said, though - I did not (yet) pay for EBCI for my Chicago-Orlando flights in October. I'll decide as I get closer.

 

[April7901]

Unless you get a business traveler like me who just takes your "saved" seat. And we are over the "Rude" trick LOL!

SW will not assist you when you run crying to the FA about someone taking your 'saved' seat.

^^ that. I have very little patience for "saving seat" nonsense, anywhere. I've fortunately had very few occasions to "take" a seat - but it's happened.

 

[taylor3297]

Unless you get a business traveler like me who just takes your "saved" seat. And we are over the "Rude" trick LOL!

SW will not assist you when you run crying to the FA about someone taking your 'saved' seat.

Saw a person take the saved seat on a flight. When the person saving the seat complained, the FA said sorry.

 

[StacyMarie]

We check in at exactly 24 hours and we got B numbers last week. If you use it, only pay for one person in your party and they can be seated and save the other seats.

I wouldn't advise anybody to do that! While people always find a way to cheat the system, I would rather pay for everybody and have the peace of mind if it is that important to you. If you send only one person in your party in with early boarding and have them save seats, those seats can be taken by anybody who wants them who paid for early boarding, especially if they speak up to one of the FAs and they want one of those seats bad enough. You will be asked to move whatever it is you are using to save those seats.

 

[brymolmom]

We check in at exactly 24 hours and we got B numbers last week. If you use it, only pay for one person in your party and they can be seated and save the other seats.

I wouldn't count on it. I've been on more than one SW flight where a FA is calling out 'NO SAVING SEATS' as the B's and C's are boarding.

 

[aubriee]

Unless you get a business traveler like me who just takes your "saved" seat. And we are over the "Rude" trick LOL!

SW will not assist you when you run crying to the FA about someone taking your 'saved' seat.

That was my first thought. I am not a business traveler, but even if flying solo would pay for EBCI to give me the best chance to get on that plane sooner. Due to claustrophobic issues, I hate flying anyway, but would rather be to my destination in 2 1/2 hours than to have to drive 22 hours, so I fly. However, I do everything I can to make sure I get the aisle seat close to the front that I need. If I flew Southwest, I'd pay the $12.50 for ECBI and would be taking the first aisle seat I came to. Sorry, but it's rude not to buy EBCI for your whole party when others did. I think more and more people are getting tired of that tactic and FA's will not back up the seat saver, if someone wants that seat. I have a friend whose husband flies for Southwest and when I asked him about it, he said to take the seat I need and if a seat saver causes a ruckus, the FA will never, ever, back the seat saver. They too think it's wrong for one person to pay for EBCI then board and try to save seats for others that didn't.

 

[MinnieLee]

On the going down flight, I am usually by a computer at the 24 hour mark and the way SW opens the booking windows, I don't have to buy EB round trip just on the return flight. We usually get a "B" boarding when I do it from home. Coming home though I have always used it. I don't want the hassle of remembering to check in while at the parks. We again, got B but that was ok with us.

I didn't know it had gone up to $12.50 but still better than paying for bags. Our flights always seem to be sold out so we do like the convenience.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

And I just noticed, they upped the EBCI fee to $12.50 so I'm glad I beat that by a few weeks. They're also likely to institute change fees later this year for "Wanna Get Away" fares - can bag fees be far behind? I'm not liking the direction they are heading.

I have not heard of them adding anymore fees this year? I know EBCI just went up to $12.50 and they are talking about adding a "no show" fee (if you don't fly and also don't cancel the flight) but have heard nothing else.

Could you please share where you heard this? Thanks!


As for the poster who recommended only one person buying EBCI and then saving for the whole family, I truly hope you don't try it. If you have seen the reaction on this thread alone, you can imagine what is going to happen if you actually try it on a plane...

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I have not heard of them adding anymore fees this year? I know EBCI just went up to $12.50 and they are talking about adding a "no show" fee (if you don't fly and also don't cancel the flight) but have heard nothing else.

Could you please share where you heard this? Thanks!


As for the poster who recommended only one person buying EBCI and then saving for the whole family, I truly hope you don't try it. If you have seen the reaction on this thread alone, you can imagine what is going to happen if you actually try it on a plane...

There is nothing formal out there, but some of us who watch the airline industry see SW becoming more and more like the old "main line" (All the while doing misleading commericals...)

 

[conniehar90]

It is worth it for the flight home. Then you can enjoy your vacation and not have to worry about checking in right at 24 hours. As long as you can check in at 24 hours for the flight down, then it is not worth the money.

 

[elaine amj]

The way our tickets worked out, we have 4 separate confirmation numbers. So looks like we will have to check in 4 separate times. even doing this at the 24 hr mark, its going to be very annoying. I'm really worried we're all going to have separate boarding numbers and going to be split up from the kids. We'll figure it out but it will be a bit of a hassle.

On the way home, it will be even more interesting. It will mean checking at 3pm on the Sunday. Not sure which park we will be in - but we'll try to schedule a break during that time so we can be in the hotel's business centre to check in. I'm starting to debate if its worth it to pay for 2 EBCI. That way, DH can go on with one child to get an aisle and a window seat. The next child can then go in whenever and take the middle seat. I can just sit wherever.

Or maybe we should just make the kids deal with sitting separately. They get the heebie jeebies sitting next to strangers though. It drives me batty, but they hate doing it, even in rides and shows. Maybe this is a sneaky way I can force them to deal with it *mean mom hat on*.