Guide me through using RAC for an early flight

[exwdwcm]

we have decided against using ME and are getting a rental car instead----we just prefer it on our trips. however, our biggest headache is always lugging our bags around.

We'd like to try the RAC this time. We are a party of 14 staying at the WL, flying back to DFW on American on a sunday am. I know we have to calls BAGS to pay our baggage fees, but when? the night before?

Also- currently our flight is at 8:30am (AA bumped it earlier, originally at 9;30am). So when do we need to be at the RAC counter- are they even open early enough for us to use? I believe I read three hours before- so at 5:30am (at the latest), we need to be down there, checking in our bags and printing our boarding passes, is that correct? What time does RAC open? Will bell services be available that early to get our bags downstairs for us?

 

[Missytara]

The RAC is open from 5:00 am to 1:00 pm daily. And they won't accept any baggage less than three hours before the flight - so you may be cutting it close at an 8:30 am flight - I would call DME and double check.

You will need to contact baggage services about two-three days before you leave to schedule them to come to your room to help you with your bags. So like when I leave on Saturday, I stop by their counter on the way out to the parks on Thursday morning, at the latest. Ask them to come at least 45 minutes before you need to be at the RAC, since you have a large party.

 

[goofy4tink]

You are able to check in other members of your immediate family...spouse and children. But, if there are other non-immediate family members going, they will have to check themselves (and their families) in.
You can call for luggage assistence early (about 5ish), or better yet, just collect your group and have each person take their own bag(s) with them. Each family group can then check in.
You must be completely checked in before the 3 hr mark before your flight departure...so, if your flight is at 8:30, you have to all be done checking in by 5:30!! At that time of day, you shouldn't run into any lines though.
Be sure to have proper ID with you.....this is just like checking in at the airport. They will want to see ID for each adult.

 

[Missytara]

OOOH, good one about the ID, and you need your KTTW card as well.

 

[exwdwcm]

Thank you all for the great answers! We will definitely plan to be downstairs by 5am then probably.

or better yet, we are trying to get bumped to a later flight (10:30am), since AA cancelled our original one, hence the much earlier time we didn't plan on! Then we would only need to be down there by 7am probably.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Also- currently our flight is at 8:30am (AA bumped it earlier, originally at 9;30am). So when do we need to be at the RAC counter- are they even open early enough for us to use? I believe I read three hours before- so at 5:30am (at the latest), we need to be down there, checking in our bags and printing our boarding passes, is that correct? What time does RAC open? Will bell services be available that early to get our bags downstairs for us?

With an 8:30 a.m. flight, you should plan on being finished with the RAC process at 5:30 a.m., not just showing up at RAC at 5:30 a.m. Keep in mind that there may be a line at the RAC counter, and that the check-in process takes some time to complete.

I would plan on being at the RAC counter at (or soon after) 5:00 a.m. There might already be a line if there are several other families with early flights.

I would recommend talking to bell services the day before and making an appointment. Also, keep in mind that although Magical Express takes care of the inbound bell services tips for guest who use Magical Express, that's not the case for outbound Magical Express or RAC service.

 

[exwdwcm]

With an 8:30 a.m. flight, you should plan on being finished with the RAC process at 5:30 a.m., not just showing up at RAC at 5:30 a.m. Keep in mind that there may be a line at the RAC counter, and that the check-in process takes some time to complete.

I would plan on being at the RAC counter at (or soon after) 5:00 a.m. There might already be a line if there are several other families with early flights.

I would recommend talking to bell services the day before and making an appointment. Also, keep in mind that although Magical Express takes care of the inbound bell services tips for guest who use Magical Express, that's not the case for outbound Magical Express or RAC service.

great, thank you! knowing my group, going earlier is better, just in case! i am telling them 5am. we always tip and i didn't even realize ME took care of it inbound. we would have tipped them probably regardless if we used ME. thanks!

 

[seashoreCM]

You need to be at the bus platform 15 minutes before your bus time.

You don't want to be in the middle of RAC when that T minus 15 arrives. So if it is T minus 20 and you are not done with RAC then get out of that line and drag the rest of your suitcases to the bus platform.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

You need to be at the bus platform 15 minutes before your bus time.

You don't want to be in the middle of RAC when that T minus 15 arrives. So if it is T minus 20 and you are not done with RAC then get out of that line and drag the rest of your suitcases to the bus platform.

In post 1, exwdwcm explained that they are renting a car.

But the advice about not missing the DME motorcoach is good for people who are using DME transportation to get back to airport.