BUF to MCO - boarding pass early?

[Cary and Mo]

Hello - we are flying Southwest out of BUF and since the flight leaves at 6:50 am, we're wondering if we can obtain our boarding passes the night before, head back to our hotel to sleep a bit - then bypass the boarding pass situation the next morning (we only have carry-on luggage). I think that you can check in 24 hours before the flight. We have tickets as opposed to e-tickets so can't check in online and print boarding passes unfortunately. Also, does anyone know how early we should be at BUF for a 6:50 am flight? No checked luggage, two adults and one 8 year old, liquids will be ziplocked LOL! Flight is on a Sunday morning the 2nd of March (week BEFORE March break here in Canada). Southwest doesn't assign seats - the earlier you get there the sooner you'll board therefore hoping the "night before" trick works!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[photomama]

yes, you can check in 24 hours in advance online; if you can't do it online imagine you could call You would need to check in 6:50a day before.

I would get to Buffalo at least 1 hour advance - you never know what's happening at customs.

 

[The House of Mouse]

Not sure how to do this since you do not have an e-ticket, but I do know that we are flying on the same flight as you! See you there!

 

[great white north]

You should still be able to get your boarding pass 24 earlier. You just have to have your confirmation #. Highly recommend you try at 6:51 or as close to it. I would try to get to airport by 5:30am as the security line can be very busy around 6:00am (1/2 hr line). You don't deal with customs their because you already did crossing the border. I have flown Southwest many times, you will enjoy you direct flight(usually land early!!)

 

[Cary and Mo]

I'm so glad I joined this site. I have been listening to the podcasts put out by this organization and find them very helpful....so I thought I would join after seeing that there was a thread for Canadians. Thanks so much for all of this excellent advice, everyone. We're going to check in the airport much earlier than the original plan, tour around Buffalo a bit (I hear there are some outlet malls around), get ourselves good and exhausted, hit the sack, then I will take the advice of planning to be at BUF for 5:30. I didn't realize that we will have already cleared customs by crossing the border LOL!

What great help you all are....and Great White North - I have heard nothing but good stuff about Southwest - no frills, but very reliable and economical.

And House of Mouse - we'll see you on the flight in 11 days!

 

[disneyfan2]

I don't think there are any outlets close to the mall, but if you take the Queenston Lewiston road, there is the Military mall that is outlet designer mall. Closer to airport, is a great mall Walden Galleria, which is 2 levels and has a great selection of Dept stores etc(There is a Disney store too ) If you have never been shopping in Buffalo, check out Target which is down the street from Walden, and i think a Walmart close by. Sorry i can't help with the flights. Did you call SW and ask what the best option could be. Maybe they will have an option for you to do it on the phone since you don;t have e-ticket. Defintely tell them you are concern about not being able to get a boarding pass early and see what they suggest. Alot of people check in at 24hrs and after a few hrs you may only get a C pass so if you wait to long you might not get the best option. SW is great, but with new boarding procedures, boarding is based on what Boarding pass you get (A, B or C) not how early you get there. Only you obtain a pass, you board when your section gets called. No need to stand in line.



Anyways to the boards, you will be very busy here on the boards. I really suggest you read alot especially if this is a first trip. There are alot of things mentioned on the boards that you cannot find out except for people posting.

 

[The House of Mouse]

We're printing our boarding passes at home then heading down to Buffalo. Staying at the Sleep Inn the night before as we need a suite for 6 of us, their shuttle is 24 hrs, and their breakfast buffet opens at 4, so thought we could grab a bite before heading over to the airport.

Have you booked your hotel for that night? I just spent the past year in the Buffalo area going to school, so I know the area quite well. I could give you an idea of shopping possibilities if you would like. We are picking up snacks at Wegmans, shopping for swimsuits at Target, Crocs at the mall and 2 for 1 margaritas at Chilis for supper!

 

[Cary and Mo]

and so generous of you all to share - we'll be at the Sleep Inn the night before...will definitely check out the local shopping for sure! Great idea re: grabbing some extra swim suits and Crocs...I think they're sort of a rip off at $35 per pair here in Canada...especially for someone who's going to grow out of them in about three seconds.

I am going to call Southwest and ask if there is ANY WAY whatsoever that they can help me re: boarding pass because I really don't think we're going to get down there before noon unfortunately (have to drop the dogs at the kennel which doesn't open until 10 am then the long drive to BUF).