How does SW's EBCI work with connecting flights?

[jtowntoflorida]

It's looking like I might have to go with Southwest for our next trip to Disney in October. We fly from MSP and SW has eliminated all non-stop flights to MCO from here, so we're going to have a do a connecting flight. While I normally don't do connecting flights, SW's fares are so much less expensive that I just can't justify paying $200+ more per person (over $500 a seat!) to fly direct in this case, since there are four of us traveling.

We always do EBCI when we fly SW, but I'm unsure of how it works for the connecting flight since we've never flown with a connection on SW before. I know if we connect to a flight that already has people on board, we'll be "behind" them for seats no matter what. I'm not really worried about where we sit, but rather being able to find seats together. Does the EBCI carry through to your connecting flight? Meaning, do you get the earlier boarding position for the second flight as well as the first? Any other things to keep in mind? Our connection choices would be STL, MDW, or ATL...where can I check to see if any of those flights are continuing, rather than originating flights?

 

[a742246]

Yes EBCI carries thru to your connecting SW flight, at least it did last December.

 

[seashoreCM]

You get boarding numbers for both flights when you finally check in, although the exact number might not be the same for each flight. I don't think there are any flight combinations where you could pick up tickets and boarding numbers for the first flight before the 36 hour in advance assignment time for the second flight.

Your EBCI assigned boarding number is superior relative to all those assigned without EBCI and for boarding at the same connecting or originating airport you are boarding at.

You would want to allow adequate connection time since passengers with inferior boarding numbers will board if you are not there yet and their numbers are called.

Adequate "connection time" also applies to Magical Express going home. You will always get upon request an earlier, say, 3-1/2 instead of 3 hour, resort departure time before your flight. Make the request on or before the morning of the day before the day you go home.

 

[tjmw2727]

With EBCI SWA will automatically check you in for both flights at T36 for the first flight. At T24 you can go online and see/print both sets of boarding passes.

 

[jdb in AZ]

With EBCI SWA will automatically check you in for both flights at T36 for the first flight. At T24 you can go online and see/print both sets of boarding passes.

The connecting flight usually has a lower EBCI boarding number because you'll actually be checked in before 36 hours.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

The connecting flight usually has a lower EBCI boarding number because you'll actually be checked in before 36 hours.

This was my ultimate question; I thought it would work like that, but wasn't sure.

As it turns out...with the cost of EBCI factored in, Delta is actually lower priced than SWA, on Delta we can get a direct flight at least on the way down to MCO (only connecting flight home, which I don't care about), and we have enough credit card points to pay for 1 1/2 tickets on Delta, so it's a moot point for me after all.

 

[jdb in AZ]

This was my ultimate question; I thought it would work like that, but wasn't sure.

As it turns out...with the cost of EBCI factored in, Delta is actually lower priced than SWA, on Delta we can get a direct flight at least on the way down to MCO (only connecting flight home, which I don't care about), and we have enough credit card points to pay for 1 1/2 tickets on Delta, so it's a moot point for me after all.

cool. I assume you don't have to pay luggage fees?

 

[clr055]

This is a great question and I am glad you asked it because I had not even considered that. Thanks!