earlybird on southwest

[Figment Mom]

Our trip is in a few days and I just realized that 24-hour check-in is right when I'll be at the Frozen fireworks dessert party. I could check in on my phone but don't want to have time think about it.

My return flight is 2 weeks from today. My understanding is that your boarding assignment for early bird is better the earlier you book.

Even though it's only 2 weeks out, will early bird guarantee me A or low B boarding?

 

[SteveMouse]

Our trip is in a few days and I just realized that 24-hour check-in is right when I'll be at the Frozen fireworks dessert party. I could check in on my phone but don't want to have time think about it. My return flight is 2 weeks from today. My understanding is that your boarding assignment for early bird is better the earlier you book. Even though it's only 2 weeks out, will early bird guarantee me A or low B boarding?

EBCI does not guarantee you will be in any particular seating group. It provides you an opportunity to have the system automatically check you in 12 hours BEFORE anyone who doesn't have EBCI, giving you a priority. It all depends how many people have bought EBCI for your flight and, of course, where you fall in the queue as to where you will end up.

 

[Figment Mom]

EBCI does not guarantee you will be in any particular seating group. It provides you an opportunity to have the system automatically check you in 12 hours BEFORE anyone who doesn't have EBCI, giving you a priority. It all depends how many people have bought EBCI for your flight and, of course, where you fall in the queue as to where you will end up.

So it guarantees me a better spot than if I check in at 24 hours, right?

Sorry. This is my first time on SW and it confuses me!

 

[SteveMouse]

So it guarantees me a better spot than if I check in at 24 hours, right? Sorry. This is my first time on SW and it confuses me!

People who have purchased ECBI are automatically checked in before those that haven't purchased ECBI.

Southwest retains slots A1-A15 for business select passengers, regardless of when they check in (on some flights you can buy this access day-of-flight). A-List Rapid Reward (frequent flyer) members also get early check in.

See http://www.southwest.com/html/travel-experience/boarding-your-flight/

 

[DebbieB]

I got nervous that my flight to MCO was completely soldout, I booked earlybird about 3 days before. I got A37.

 

[Figment Mom]

Thanks!

 

[mncole]

Not sure if you have kids or not, but keep in mind that families traveling with children under age 5 do get priority boarding; after A group boarding and right before B group boarding.

 

[keishashadow]

Not sure if you have kids or not, but keep in mind that families traveling with children under age 5 do get priority boarding; after A group boarding and right before B group boarding.

If the flight is oversold and there are many children, they reserve option to suspend family boarding. I've only seen it twice out of MCO on oversold flights, assume it doesn't happen often. imo it's only fair to those who have purchased EBIC.

It's always a good idea to check in ahead of time to get a boarding number. Many seem to be unaware the accommodation is restricted to 1 accompanying adult per child under the age of 5.

OP if you don't have a smart phone to use in the park, you could either check in later that evening or possibly have a friend or family member do it for you. good luck.

 

[goofy4tink]

Look at it this way....if you buy EBCI, you are going to get checked in 12 hrs prior to those checking in at the 24 hr window. So, not only do you not have to worry about checking in during the party, you are a few steps ahead of those that do have to check in...which means you should get a better boarding slot than if you checked yourself in at the 24 hr window.