Help with printing of boarding pass problem!

[pamwynn]

I know some of you are going to think I am just the stupidest person in the world for posting this, but here it goes anyway! We live about an hour and forty-five minutes away from our departure airport and our flight leaves at 6:30 am, so we are going to go the night before our flight and spend the night at a hotel that has "Park 'N Fly". We can leave our car there for no extra charge and they have security watches. Well my dilemma is this.....I won't be able to print our boarding passes before I leave home because you can only print them after 12:01am on the day of your flight . I don't really want to have to wait to get our boarding passes when we get to the airport, because they are assigned on a first come, first serve basis for the actual boarding process. If any of you have ever flown Southwest Airlines, you know what I'm talking about. My question is, do you think the Hotel would have a place for me to use the internet to print our boarding passes? And if not, do you think it would be to much to ask the front desk to print them for us so that we could actually have them in hand when we arrived at the airport the next morning around 5:30am? I'm thinking of calling the hotel before we go and asking them about this, but I wanted to get some other opinions before I did that. So, what do you all think?

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

My guess is that a park 'n fly hotel would have many customers that would want to print out boarding passes. It would make sense to me that they'd have the ability to do it. BUT, then again, a smaller hotel might not have internet access at the front desk. Okay, so I'm no help... sorry... lol

 

[Pea-n-Me]

We did it at Pop Century recently. DH went to the front desk at midnight and they let him use a computer/printer out back. I'm sure they'll have something you can use at your hotel. Oh yes, even though we were "A"s the only seats we found together were in the last row!!

 

[NotUrsula]

I always tip for this service if someone does it for me, and I've never had any hotel refuse to do it. I've never asked at a really limited-service place, though.

Really, it isn't very unusual, so I think that you should call the hotel and ask.

 

[Brian Noble]

If the hotel can't help you, perhaps you could find out when the counter in the airport closes/reopens? Since you are right there, you might be able to sneak one of you over earlier in the morning to grab boarding passes...

Edit: nevermind; that won't work. If you go to the counter, the counter agent is likely to need to physically see everyone in your party. However, if there are e-ticket kiosks, you could go and print them there.

 

[Lewisc]

Many of the hotels by airports have some type of business center. Check your hotel and then other adjacent hotels. Alternately have a friend do online check in and SW will just re-print your BP.

 

[pamwynn]

Thanks for all of the help. I haven't been able to yet, but hopefully tomorrow I'm going to call to a couple of the hotels and check this out!

 

[Ms. Belle]

I could be wrong about this because I've never flown Southwest. Delta Song will let you print your boarding passes 24 hrs before your flight, so if your flight was at 6:30am on Monday, you could print your pass at 6:30am Sunday. Does Southwest not let you do this? I'm curious because I'm flying Southwest for the first time in April.

 

[PCFriar80]

Ditto Ms. Belle....Delta is 24 hours, 30 minutes.

 

[cranbiz]

Southwest will only let you checkin at 12:01 AM the day of the flight (no 24 hours before like JetBlue, Delta, Independance and others).

They will however, now let you print boarding passes for everyone on the ressie.

I would be willing to bet that there is a business center at the hotel, most hotels that cater to travelers have them, even if it's just 1 PC and a printer.

 

[bubba's mom]

We had this EXACT same thing. Spent night at Phila. airport "Park & Fly" hotel. Left car, caught 5am shuttle to airport for 7am flight to MCO. I too was concerned about the printing the passes, etc. Guess what?? We were at the airport SO early (by 5:15am), we got an "A" boarding pass and we were at our gate by 5:35am. And the best thing?? The plane wasn't even full!!! I guess it was too early for most. I wouldn't worry if this is your plan. Chances are, you'll be at the check-in before most are even at the airport!! And, when you do get to your gate, you can always get in line (or sit) under your boarding letter...so, you'll at least be first to board for whatever letter is on your boarding pass!!! I hope this sets your mind at ease....because you are describing ME last year!! Good luck!

 

[Rpsemont]

Also, If you happen to be taking a laptop along (but probably not a printer!) You can go on line and go through the process even though it won't "print" the passes. That way you could get you letter assigned, but when you get to the airport, tell them you've already checked in on line, but you need your boarding passes.

Last year at BWV, they did this for us. However, I would definitely approach the front desk when they're not busy.

 

[G00fyDad]

Just call the hotel. Ask them if they would allow you to do this. If not then see if there is a 24 hour Kinko's (copy shop in case you have never heard of them in your area) and go there and do it. They will have internet access.

You could also have a family member do it for you from home and then fax them to the hotel. I know that the hotel will accept faxes unless youre staying at a "Bates motel" style place.