Plane ticket question??? HELP

[shelby3387]

This is probably a REALLY dumb question but I need to know. My boyfriend and I are 19, we just purchased our plane tickets and we have never flown before. Now after i purchased them all I got was a confirmation number that i printed out, am I supposed to get an actual ticket or boarding pass or do i just show up at the airport without one?? Thank you!!

 

[Chickkypoo]

Hi Shelby,

Most airlines allow you to check in online 24 hours before your trip. You will enter your confirmation number, follow the easy steps to check in, then be able to print your boarding pass at that time.

You can also wait until you get to the airport, and then check in there, though I usually find it best to do so ahead of time.

Who are you flying with?

Have a great trip!

Jamie-Lyn

 

[shelby3387]

Ah thank you!! We are flying with Southwest

 

[Chickkypoo]

Southwest is a little different as you don't have assigned seating. Instead you are given a boarding number that varies depending on when you check in.

You have two options:

1. Early Bird Check-in, in which Southwest checks you in automatically at 36 hours before your flight, you just have to print your boarding pass anytime between 24 hours and your arrival at the airport. You have your best chance to receive an early boarding number this way.

2. Check in right at 24 hours before your flight to get the next best chance to receive an early boarding number.

If you wait until your arrive at the airport, you run the risk of receiving a really high boarding number, and possibly not being able to sit together on the flight.

 

[Spunky946]

Ah thank you!! We are flying with Southwest

You need to check in at exactly 24 hours to get your boarding number. There are no assigned seats. You are given a letter and number. A1-a-60 b1-b-60 and c. The earlier you check in, the higher the number.

 

[Chickkypoo]

I forgot to mention, Early Bird Check In costs $12.50 per person one way.

For me, it's money well spent to make sure I get to sit beside my husband in a window seat, but you may want to save the money.

 

[shelby3387]

I forgot to mention, Early Bird Check In costs $12.50 per person one way.

For me, it's money well spent to make sure I get to sit beside my husband in a window seat, but you may want to save the money.

Am I able to purchase the early bird check in after I bought my seats?

 

[Leslieloody]

Am I able to purchase the early bird check in after I bought my seats?

Yes. Southwest will be happy to accept additional early birds.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

Am I able to purchase the early bird check in after I bought my seats?

Yes. Just log into the website and add them to your flight.

Also, go to TSA.gov and read up about security protocols so you know what to expect when you get to the airport and how to pack (ie what you can/cannot bring through security)

 

[DebbieB]

Am I able to purchase the early bird check in after I bought my seats?

Yes, just go on the website, call up your flight and click add early bird check in.

 

[shelby3387]

Yes, just go on the website, call up your flight and click add early bird check in.

Okay great thanks I think that might be worth doing! No way am I getting stuck sitting with a stranger my first time on a plane!

 

[goofy4tink]

Okay great thanks I think that might be worth doing! No way am I getting stuck sitting with a stranger my first time on a plane!

Even if you don't buy EBCI, you will in all probability. Be able to get two seats together. It's only those passengers that end up in th C group that have issues...and even then, it's pretty much those in the mid and late C group that can't find two empty seats together. So, if you do t buy EBCI, and just check yourself in, right at the 24 hr window, you should be okay.

 

[seashoreCM]

This is probably a REALLY dumb question but I need to know. My boyfriend and I are 19, we just purchased our plane tickets and we have never flown before. Now after i purchased them all I got was a confirmation number that i printed out, am I supposed to get an actual ticket or boarding pass or do i just show up at the airport without one?? Thank you!!

I suggest that you print out your itinerary, one of whose pages may be shown on a screen titled "passenger receipt". Bring that to the airport with you. You probably won't need to show it but who knows, there could be a glitch somewhere.

 

[goofy4tink]

I suggest that you print out your itinerary, one of whose pages may be shown on a screen titled "passenger receipt". Bring that to the airport with you. You probably won't need to show it but who knows, there could be a glitch somewhere.

As long as she has her confirmation number with her, they will be fine. No need to cause any more angst than needed.

 

[Lewisc]

As long as she has her confirmation number with her, they will be fine. No need to cause any more angst than needed.

I suggest that you print out your itinerary, one of whose pages may be shown on a screen titled "passenger receipt". Bring that to the airport with you. You probably won't need to show it but who knows, there could be a glitch somewhere.

You don't even need your confirmation number. An agent can check you without it. They can look you up by name.

It's easier if you print your boarding pass before going to the airport. It's easier to print your BP from a kiosk, I'm not sure if you even need your confirmation number at the kiosk.

EXCEPTION. Until somewhat recently SW Vacations used physical tickets. People who booked a vacation package with SW needed to bring actual tickets to the airport. I don't know how many, if any, vacations sold require tickets.

 

[LisaS]

From Southwest's website:

How do I check in and print a boarding pass on a kiosk?

Use any of the following methods to access your reservation:

• Enter your confirmation number (six-character alpha-numeric code)
• Enter your Rapid Rewards number
• Swipe your Rapid Rewards A-List Membership Card
• Swipe a major credit card with your name on it

Once you retrieve your reservation, follow the steps on the screen to obtain a boarding pass, upgrade to a Business Select™ Fare, check luggage, change your flight, or add yourself to the standby list. When using the Rapid Rewards membership card or account number, the name on your reservation MUST match the name on your Rapid Rewards account and membership card to quickly process your reservation at the kiosk. You may update the name on your account by contacting Rapid Rewards Customer Service to have a new card issued.

 

[bumbershoot]

Okay great thanks I think that might be worth doing! No way am I getting stuck sitting with a stranger my first time on a plane!

You're not going to have a problem and be split from him.

But let's say you were. You might have noticed that strangers can be awfully kind and helpful. In, say, answering questions. They can also be kind and helpful on a plane. You two are on your first flights from what you said in the first post. It will all be brand new to you. The strangers around you might have been on countless flights, and know exactly what every noise means, what every chime means, etc. If you look at a seasoned traveler, stranger or not, you can see if that weird noise is making them nervous or not. etc.

Strangers are awfully helpful sometimes. And are very useful in situations where you're a total newbie. Don't count them out.

But it's not going to be a problem.

 

[shelby3387]

Thank you everyone for you're help!!