Newbie on Southwest .....Boarding Question

[mimmiepnp]

I will be flying solo on Southwest Airlines in September to Orlando. This is my first time using SW as I usually fly JetBlue.

In trying to understand the boarding process, I purchased the early bird boarding pass as recommended. If I understand correctly, I go online 24 hours before my flight to print out my boarding pass and group for boarding and then just pick any available seat. Getting that boarding pass printed out flying down to Orlando is easy as I am home but how do I get a boarding pass printed out when I am at Disney?

I am a little stressed about this whole boarding process since it is new to me so can all you experienced SW flyers make me feel a little more comfortable flying SW especially since I am flying solo and meeting my son in Disney. I think a little more info about the process is all I will need.

Thanks.

 

[Pookasaurus]

If you paid the $10 (or whatever) then they check you in, you just have to print the pass, correct. I would assume there to be a business center or someone at the front desk who can help you to print the return pass?

As for boarding you never pick your seat until you actually get on the plane. your pass will have a boarding number on it (example
- A36). When you get to the gate and it's time to board the plane, southwest basically lines you up and the boarding number is your spot in line. They let the line board the plane groups at a time and once you're on you can pick out any seat you want that is open.

If you paid for the priority option thing you should get an A boarding (but not promises) and have your pick of seats for the most part. I've always done this and ended up with A36 or A40:50ish and didn't have a problem getting the seat I wanted (window). The first time I was in row 11, 2nd a little farther back but not bad

 

[Pookasaurus]

I kept saying priority but meant early bird - I believe priority is something else

 

[cedricandsophie]

Yes you go online 24 hours ahead to get your pass and boarding priority...A, B, etc. At Disney you can go on wifi and just register and get your boarding priority then print out pass at airport. Or ask front desk time print your boarding pass. They have done it fir me many times no problem. It's very simple.

 

[siskaren]

By buying EBCI, you don't have to worry about checking in at the 24 hour mark. Southwest checks you in automatically at the 36 hour mark.

Have you checked out this page on the Southwest site:

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

 

[Allison]

There is no need to print your boarding pass at 24 hours. Print it whenever you want after the 24 hour mark.

 

[goofy4tink]

I pretty much primarily fly JB as well. But, I do enjoy SW every so often! With EBCI, you really don't have to print out your boarding pass before you get to the airport. If you use RAC, at your resort, to check your bags, they will print it out then. If you're just going back to MCO with your bags, there will be kiosks at the SW area where you can print the bp.
You're going to find its no big deal! Very easy.

 

[DVC-Don]

I get Early Bird Check In for my flights and just print my boarding pass at the airport from the Southwest kiosks.

 

[DebbieB]

If you want to print your boarding pass at WDW, just go to any guest services desk at a resort or park. If you are going to check bags at the resort, they will print it for you.

 

[Skywise]

Also note that if you have a smartphone that SW has started doing electronic boarding passes for the Orlando airport (and a few others) They'll email/text you your boarding pass and you just show that when TSA and boarding.

Southwest has 3 boarding "groups" - A, B and C with about 60 people in each group numbered from 1-60.

If you purchase a business class seat or are one of their frequent fliers you get put into the beginning of the A group.

Families with young children will get to board between the A and B groups.

Generally us "commoners" , will get seats at the end of the A group or, more usually in the beginning of the B group. That all depends on how many priority members are flying.

The way the process works is that, at 24 hours, you start "lining up" by checking in at which point its first come first served for the "commoners" seats. The earlier you sign in, the higher up in the line you'll be.

If you purchase earlybird (which is $10, I believe) you'll get auto checked in at 24 hours. Guaranteeing you a higher place in line. I don't do that myself and usually end up somewhere in the low-mid B's when I check-in within the first hour.

In my experience, so long as you get into the B group you pretty much will get the seat of choice you want (aisle or window) although you may have to go to the back of the plane to do so. If you're traveling with a family (EG 4 of more) you'll probably want one of the adults to get an earlybird checkin and then hold the seats for the others.

 

[CantSwim63]

Also note that if you have a smartphone that SW has started doing electronic boarding passes for the Orlando airport (and a few others) They'll email/text you your boarding pass and you just show that when TSA and boarding.

Southwest has 3 boarding "groups" - A, B and C with about 60 people in each group numbered from 1-60.

If you purchase a business class seat or are one of their frequent fliers you get put into the beginning of the A group.

Families with young children will get to board between the A and B groups.

Generally us "commoners" , will get seats at the end of the A group or, more usually in the beginning of the B group. That all depends on how many priority members are flying.

The way the process works is that, at 24 hours, you start "lining up" by checking in at which point its first come first served for the "commoners" seats. The earlier you sign in, the higher up in the line you'll be.

If you purchase earlybird (which is $10, I believe) you'll get auto checked in at 24 hours. Guaranteeing you a higher place in line. I don't do that myself and usually end up somewhere in the low-mid B's when I check-in within the first hour.

In my experience, so long as you get into the B group you pretty much will get the seat of choice you want (aisle or window) although you may have to go to the back of the plane to do so. If you're traveling with a family (EG 4 of more) you'll probably want one of the adults to get an earlybird checkin and then hold the seats for the others.

"...you'll get auto checked in at 24 hours." Just a minor note that it is at 36 hours, the result is the same as stated though.

 

[goofy4tink]

Also note that if you have a smartphone that SW has started doing electronic boarding passes for the Orlando airport (and a few others) They'll email/text you your boarding pass and you just show that when TSA and boarding.

Southwest has 3 boarding "groups" - A, B and C with about 60 people in each group numbered from 1-60.

If you purchase a business class seat or are one of their frequent fliers you get put into the beginning of the A group.

Families with young children will get to board between the A and B groups.

Generally us "commoners" , will get seats at the end of the A group or, more usually in the beginning of the B group. That all depends on how many priority members are flying.

The way the process works is that, at 24 hours, you start "lining up" by checking in at which point its first come first served for the "commoners" seats. The earlier you sign in, the higher up in the line you'll be.

If you purchase earlybird (which is $10, I believe) you'll get auto checked in at 24 hours. Guaranteeing you a higher place in line. I don't do that myself and usually end up somewhere in the low-mid B's when I check-in within the first hour.

In my experience, so long as you get into the B group you pretty much will get the seat of choice you want (aisle or window) although you may have to go to the back of the plane to do so. If you're traveling with a family (EG 4 of more) you'll probably want one of the adults to get an earlybird checkin and then hold the seats for the others.

The A group has those paying full fare, business select or rewards members taking slots 1-15. So, all other passengers start with A16...so not always towards the end of the A group.
And with EBCI, you get checked in 36 hrs prior to travel....a full 12 hrs sooner than those that haven't purchased EBCI! With EBCI, you are getting the perk of not having to be at the computer at the 24 hr window. There are times when someone that bought their ebci slot when they booked in January will find themselves with a higher number than someone who bought theirs in June...depends on the ticket price (evidently).
The only reason I ever buy EBCI is for my flight home from WDW...I just don't want to have to worry about checking in at the 24 hr window.

 

[TexasErin]

The A group has those paying full fare, business select or rewards members taking slots 1-15. So, all other passengers start with A16...so not always towards the end of the A group.
And with EBCI, you get checked in 36 hrs prior to travel....a full 12 hrs sooner than those that haven't purchased EBCI! With EBCI, you are getting the perk of not having to be at the computer at the 24 hr window. There are times when someone that bought their ebci slot when they booked in January will find themselves with a higher number than someone who bought theirs in June...depends on the ticket price (evidently).
The only reason I ever buy EBCI is for my flight home from WDW...I just don't want to have to worry about checking in at the 24 hr window.

Question- Does this mean that since I signed up for their Rapid Rewards program that we will get seated before EBCI. We signed up for Rapid Rewards, but don't have nearly enough points to be worth anything. There will be 4 of us on our flight from DFW to LAX next year and I had planned on buying EBCI for two of us----but is this not needed since we're Rapid Rewards members (sorry for the stupid question....) or do you have to have or use a certain number of points??

Thanks,
Erin

 

[bdoyledimou]

no you wont be seated before families just for being a RR member --

unless you are an RR member that flies weekly.

 

[goofy4tink]

Question- Does this mean that since I signed up for their Rapid Rewards program that we will get seated before EBCI. We signed up for Rapid Rewards, but don't have nearly enough points to be worth anything. There will be 4 of us on our flight from DFW to LAX next year and I had planned on buying EBCI for two of us----but is this not needed since we're Rapid Rewards members (sorry for the stupid question....) or do you have to have or use a certain number of points?? Thanks, Erin

Nope, there are levels if I remember correctly. Unless you fly air, you aren't going to qualify. When I say rewards people, I mean those that are flying thousands of miles a year.

 

[mimmiepnp]

Thank you for all the replies.
So if I understand this, since I am using Magical Express, I will get my boarding pass when I go to resort airline counter to check in and give my luggage for flight home so there is no need for me to worry about printing our boarding pass the day before somewhere .... correct??

 

[LisaS]

The A group has those paying full fare, business select or rewards members taking slots 1-15. So, all other passengers start with A16...so not always towards the end of the A group.

Only the Business Select customers and those who pay the $40 upgrade fee at the gate get into the A1-A15 group. That's why there are usually only a few people in A1-A15 -- not many passengers buy a Business Select fare and only a few purchase the boarding upgrade. By leaving that space reserved they can slot in any last-minute Business Select travelers and then, starting 40 minutes before departure they offer any open positions in A1-A15 for sale for $40 each.

A-List Preferred and A-List members (Southwest's frequent travelers) are assigned positions starting with A16. EBCI passengers follow the A-Listers and then they assign positions to everyone else.

 

[DebbieB]

Nope, there are levels if I remember correctly. Unless you fly air, you aren't going to qualify. When I say rewards people, I mean those that are flying thousands of miles a year.

You need 25 one ways or 35,000 points in a calendar year for A-List (guaranteed A) or 50 one ways or 70,000 points for A-List Preferred (board before other A).

Thank you for all the replies.
So if I understand this, since I am using Magical Express, I will get my boarding pass when I go to resort airline counter to check in and give my luggage for flight home so there is no need for me to worry about printing our boarding pass the day before somewhere .... correct??

Correct

 

[Pembo]

Front desk at Disney will gladly print your boarding pass for you if you'd rather get it done ahead of time.