Excited about EBCI

[Hoopfamily]

So I just got our boarding position for our trip tomorrow. We used EBCI and are A27/28/29. I'm stoked about this. After much research and discussion we decided to get it. We'll see tomorrow how full the flight is and I'll know then whether it was a good purchase.

 

[Deesknee]

What is EBCI ? I also am south of Boston. Very curious....

 

[tinka-belle]

Early Bird Check In with Southwest. The airline will automatically check you in 72 hours before your flight and assign your boarding line slot. Not guaranteed A group, but I've not heard of anyone who didn't get A.

Saves the hassle of having to check in exactly 24 hours ahead.

 

[iteachlit]

Early Bird Check In with Southwest. The airline will automatically check you in 72 hours before your flight and assign your boarding line slot. Not guaranteed A group, but I've not heard of anyone who didn't get A.

Saves the hassle of having to check in exactly 24 hours ahead.

Early Bird Checkin happens at the 36-hour mark, not at 72 hours.

 

[simzac]

While I know everyone is excited about EBCI, I just can't see paying the extra money when checking in at the 24 hr mark will still get you a high A or low B boarding pass. JMO

 

[goofy4tink]

While I know everyone is excited about EBCI, I just can't see paying the extra money when checking in at the 24 hr mark will still get you a high A or low B boarding pass. JMO

But it won't always get you that. I know that when I checked my ex-dh and his family in last January, I was right there, right on the 24 hr mark. Ended up with mid-B's. I was appalled, they were thrilled. THey had gotten high Bs on the way down.
With more and more fliers booking EBCI, it is going to push those checking in at the 24 hr mark further and further back.
I like EBCI simply because then I don't have to worry about checking the family in for the return home flight...SW will do it for me.

 

[Echo queen]

No EBCI 6/4 Aus to BWI A33
No EBCI 6/15 Rdu to Aus A29

To each his own.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I think it really depends on the market as to how EBCI will best benefit you. MCO seems to be one where it seems to be worth doing. I like EBCI, if only for the fact that I don't have to worry about being at a computer or my cell phone or somebody else being at their computer at the 24 hour mark. I just used it last week for flights to and from Salt Lake City and got A24, 25 and 26 both times.

 

[Tara]

While I know everyone is excited about EBCI, I just can't see paying the extra money when checking in at the 24 hr mark will still get you a high A or low B boarding pass. JMO

That isn't always the case. In fact, with EBCI, it's getting rarer. A friend of mine was flying in January from Bradley to Las Vegas and even WITH EBCI got B1.

Boarding position is just one of the advantages of purchasing EBCI. Another is that you don't have to do anything. No making sure you are at a computer at 24 hours prior to your flight. That's a great convenience at home when you are preparing to leave for vacation, but it's priceless for the flight BACK home when you're possibly at a park or enjoying your vacation.

In some markets, it isn't as important, but for well-traveled routes like those to MCO, I think it makes a difference.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

That isn't always the case. In fact, with EBCI, it's getting rarer. A friend of mine was flying in January from Bradley to Las Vegas and even WITH EBCI got B1.

Boarding position is just one of the advantages of purchasing EBCI. Another is that you don't have to do anything. No making sure you are at a computer at 24 hours prior to your flight. That's a great convenience at home when you are preparing to leave for vacation, but it's priceless for the flight BACK home when you're possibly at a park or enjoying your vacation.

In some markets, it isn't as important, but for well-traveled routes like those to MCO, I think it makes a difference.

I agree. I'd guess it's the vacation routes with families that will have more EBCI purchases.

If I were traveling alone, I wouldn't really care where I sit. When traveling with my family, I like to make sure each of our kids sits with a parent. It's especially worth it when cruising. I don't want to have to leave Castaway Cay on our last full day of the cruise, trek back to the ship, pay for internet cafe, just to check in to go home. Worth the $ esp if you book with multiple rapid rewards. Then each leg and person gets a different ressie #. Takes too long to do 4 by cell phone.

 

[goofy4tink]

For my dh's return home on Aug 8, I didn't bother with EBCI. He is flying solo, so no need to worry about where he ends up. But, if it were all three of us, then EBCI would be in order.
For those busy vacation routes, especially to MCO, EBCI is valuable to a lot of families. There is no reason for 'whatever' type thoughts. If you choose not to buy EBCI, fine. That's your choice. I would rather not hear from anyone that gets B37 and isn't happy about it though. The more EBCIs we see, the further back other non-EBCI people are going to be.

 

[Manda]

We did ebci on our 6/4 mdw-mco flight and 6/9 mco-mdw flights. Booked them when long, long ago and added ebci at booking. On the way down, we had a16 and 17. On the way back? A36 and a37! And many behind us had apparently bought it as well because there was much chattering as one disgruntled lady farther back was asking everyone around her if they'd bought it, too. I'd guess that all the As on that flight had bought ebci and maybe some of the Bs! Seems to be very popular on the flights out of mco. We've used it on several flights, but I'm definitely using it on all my mco flights from now on.

 

[disny_luvr]

After much thought about EBCI, I just added it tonight to our flight in November. I just want to make sure that I don't have to do anything at the 24 hr. mark, is that correct? If it wasn't for flying with little ones I don't think I would've added it, but they like to be together and I just didn't want to risk them having to sit apart for 2 1/2 hours. It would be an unpleasant trip for me, my DH and everyone sitting around us.

 

[Tara]

After much thought about EBCI, I just added it tonight to our flight in November. I just want to make sure that I don't have to do anything at the 24 hr. mark, is that correct? If it wasn't for flying with little ones I don't think I would've added it, but they like to be together and I just didn't want to risk them having to sit apart for 2 1/2 hours. It would be an unpleasant trip for me, my DH and everyone sitting around us.

Nope, you don't have to do anything at all. After the 24hr mark, you can print your boarding passes if you'd like.

 

[disny_luvr]

Tara,
Do I have to print them or can Southwest do that for me?
Thanks!

 

[Tara]

Tara,
Do I have to print them or can Southwest do that for me?
Thanks!

No, you don't have to print them. You can print them at the kiosks at the airport - no problem whatsoever.