Early bird check in - need clarification...

[beccab]

I am not clear on the advantages of early bird check in. Does early bird check in need to be purchased at the time the tickets are purchased? Also, does this mean that you if you do not buy early bird check in you can not choose seating when you purchase tickets? Or does this just mean one can board the plane earlier than those without early bird check in (therefore increasing the probability of available overhead storage)? Also, if I am buying four tickets total (2 people), that would be $10 for each ticket each way? Thanks

 

[Tara]

I am not clear on the advantages of early bird check in.

EBCI guarantees that you will be in the first group of people to board the plane AFTER Business Select and A List passengers (and medical pre-boards). It does this by automatically checking you in 36 hours prior to your flight, giving you a jump on all the people who are checking themselves in at 24 hours prior to the flight. And because it's automatic, you do not have to be at a computer or set an alarm or otherwise do anything yourself. Boarding before most other passengers means you have more choices regarding where you sit and ample access to overhead bins.

Does early bird check in need to be purchased at the time the tickets are purchased?

No, but when you purchase it does matter in terms of what boarding number you are assigned. People who purchase it before you will be ahead of you in the line.

Also, does this mean that you if you do not buy early bird check in you can not choose seating when you purchase tickets?

No one chooses seating when they purchase tickets - Southwest does not assign seats.

Or does this just mean one can board the plane earlier than those without early bird check in (therefore increasing the probability of available overhead storage)?

Yes.

Also, if I am buying four tickets total (2 people), that would be $10 for each ticket each way? Thanks

$10 per passenger, each way. For 2 passengers, that would be $40 round trip.

Hope this helps!

 

[beccab]

Thanks Tara, you have answered all my questions.

 

[goofy4tink]

A few addtl thoughts...
When you do EBCI, you have to realize that those that buy it are checked in according to when they purchased EBCI. Let's say you are flying in August. You purchased your tickets back in Feb, and bought the EBCI at that time. Great. Now, the Smith family bought their tickets for that same flight but a week before, but they didn't buy EBCI at that time.
Then, there are the Joneses. They're flying that same flight, booked their tickets in April, with EBCI.
So...now the Smith's read all about how wonderful EBCI is and decide to buy it after all. So, by now it's May.
Okay, it's 36 hrs before the flight departure. It's time for SW to automatically check you guys all in with EBCI.
You will get the lowest boarding number, then the Joneses will get the next set, with the Smiths being checked in further down the line. So, the earlier you book EBCI, the lower boarding group you'll be in.

Most people have reported being well under the highest A numbers.

I fly SW a lot. I have never had an issue with overhead storage. Why? Because SW doesn't charge for checked bags, so there isn't that frantic rush to get as much carron on board as possible.

 

[KCMiller]

I forgot to print out my EBCI when I purchased it, and there's no record on my reservation that we have it (although believe me, my credit card statement is very clear about the 6 $10 charges) - will I have any problems? Do I just go online and print out my boarding passes as usual?

Thanks a bunch,

KC

 

[goofy4tink]

I forgot to print out my EBCI when I purchased it, and there's no record on my reservation that we have it (although believe me, my credit card statement is very clear about the 6 $10 charges) - will I have any problems? Do I just go online and print out my boarding passes as usual?

Thanks a bunch,

KC

Just print out your boarding passes. There shouldn't be any reason to have the EBCI purchase proof in hand. That should be reflected on your boarding pass by it's being a lowish number in the A group.

 

[Tara]

I forgot to print out my EBCI when I purchased it, and there's no record on my reservation that we have it (although believe me, my credit card statement is very clear about the 6 $10 charges) - will I have any problems? Do I just go online and print out my boarding passes as usual?

Thanks a bunch,

KC

If you are wanting to confirm it's added to your reservation, log into your Southwest account, and go to the itineraries page. Click on the confirmation number and it will pull up the full itinerary. Each person with EBCI will have an orange EB to the left of their name.