Online check-in w/ SW......

[bubba's mom]

So, DH had to fly to Fla. to be will seriously ill MIL Wed. afternoon. Since his trip was a medical emergency, the best we could do for him was a one way down on Southwest and one way ticket home on USAir. So, we purposly stay up the night before to check-in online (flight was 3pm). Well, after several tries, I finally called SW and complained we couldn't check-in online. Know why?? Turns out, since DH had a ONE WAY ticket, he couldn't do it. WHAT??? I was pretty ticked and practically yelled at the poor lady on the phone. I told her they need to advertise the fact that the online check-in is for round trip purchases.....I was mad! So, she offered their "customer help" or something phone number. I took it and asked if there was a toll free number for customer complaints...she said "no". C'mon, I wasn't born yesterday! So, I have yet to contact SW about this, but as soon as I get a chance, you bet they will be getting an earful from me!! But, I did want all the DIS to know, apparently you need to purchase a round trip ticket on Southwest to check-in online.... We'll see if he can use the online check-in on the flight home....since THAT is only one way also........

 

[Lewisc]

Not completely true. You can't check in online if you're selected for extra security. This could be because your name is the same or similar to someone on the watch list. Purchasing a one way ticket close to your departure will frequently trigger the security alert. A certain number of reservations are also tagged on a random basis. Not only can't you get a BP on-line but your luggage will be hand searched and if you have set off the metal detector you will be carefully looked at.

Really not a SW issue but a security TSA issue. Make sure you list your RR (frequent flyer) number when you make your reservation. That's sometimes enough to prevent the selection on a O/W ticket.

US Air might let him checkin online but he'll probably also get hit with the extra security.

Really no reason to waste a phone call to SW. They're not going to put something like if the computer profile causes your to be flagged as a potential security risk you won't be allowed to print your BP online on their website.

 

[simzac]

Maybe this is dumb question, but if your DH was flying by himself, what would it matter when he got his boarding pass, wouldn't he sitting by himself no matter where he sat on the plane? Maybe I missed something in your OP.

 

[disneyldwjr]

So, DH had to fly to Fla. to be will seriously ill MIL Wed. afternoon. Since his trip was a medical emergency, the best we could do for him was a one way down on Southwest and one way ticket home on USAir. So, we purposly stay up the night before to check-in online (flight was 3pm). Well, after several tries, I finally called SW and complained we couldn't check-in online. Know why?? Turns out, since DH had a ONE WAY ticket, he couldn't do it. WHAT??? I was pretty ticked and practically yelled at the poor lady on the phone. I told her they need to advertise the fact that the online check-in is for round trip purchases.....I was mad! So, she offered their "customer help" or something phone number. I took it and asked if there was a toll free number for customer complaints...she said "no". C'mon, I wasn't born yesterday! So, I have yet to contact SW about this, but as soon as I get a chance, you bet they will be getting an earful from me!! But, I did want all the DIS to know, apparently you need to purchase a round trip ticket on Southwest to check-in online.... We'll see if he can use the online check-in on the flight home....since THAT is only one way also........

That is not true. I checked my daughter in for a one way flight on SWA.
This is what SWA states about their online check in procedure in the "more facts about online checkin" area.

Determine if you are eligible.
Online Checkin/Print Boarding Pass is available beginning at 12:01 AM local time on the day of departure and ends one hour prior to departure.
If any of the following items apply, your reservation does not qualify for Online Checkin:

You have a group, senior, youth, infant, military, or other passenger-specific fare type.
You have a paper ticket.
Your flight has already departed.
The above restrictions; heightened security; and other issues may make some reservations ineligible for Online Checkin.

The last sentence pretty much covers a lot of bases. And, just a FYI, the customer service number is not toll free.

 

[bubba's mom]

.. but if your DH was flying by himself, what would it matter when he got his boarding pass, wouldn't he sitting by himself no matter where he sat on the plane?

First, he hates, I mean hates lines. With a mid afternoon flight, and no luggage to check, he just wanted to get to the gate (& bar)! (He is the type of person to be 4 hours early for something instead of 1 minute late....) Second, he knew he'd be sitting by himself, but wanted to try to get to the front of the plane to get off a little quicker (BIL was waiting to pick him up cuz they were in a hurry to make it to the hospital in time for ICU visiting hours). He also said he didn't want a "C" boarding pass because if they over sell the flight (which, they did), he wanted to be sure to get on that plane....if it wasn't a medical emergency and BIL wasn't waiting for him, he would have taken the bump....but, just couldn't this time!

 

[Lewisc]

he didn't want a "C" boarding pass because if they over sell the flight (which, they did), he wanted to be sure to get on that plane....if it wasn't a medical emergency and BIL wasn't waiting for him, he would have taken the bump....but, just couldn't this time!

Actually even a C BP pretty much guarantees he won't get bumped, unless he's in the bar and doesn't get to the gate 10-15 minutes in advance. AFAIK they only give out as many BP as SW has seats.

 

[bubba's mom]

That is not true. I checked my daughter in for a one way flight on SWA.

You were lucky....when I called, I was told we couldn't check in online cuz it was a one way ticket...period. That is what the lady told me. Now, if I had called an got a different SW agent....maybe the story would have been different......

This is what SWA states about their online check in procedure in the "more facts about online checkin" area.

Determine if you are eligible.
Online Checkin/Print Boarding Pass is available beginning at 12:01 AM local time on the day of departure and ends one hour prior to departure.
If any of the following items apply, your reservation does not qualify for Online Checkin:

You have a group, senior, youth, infant, military, or other passenger-specific fare type.
You have a paper ticket.
Your flight has already departed.
The above restrictions; heightened security; and other issues may make some reservations ineligible for Online Checkin.

The last sentence pretty much covers a lot of bases. And, just a FYI, the customer service number is not toll free.

We saw that on the site and read it twice. We didn't have a group, senior, youth or special fare type. We had an E-ticket (always do....and FIL bought the ticket on his credit card--we live in PA, him in Fla). Flight had not departed and it was 12:03 am of departure date (flight time was 3:05pm). That last sentence DOES cover alot... I wasn't aware we were in a "heightened security" state (well, any more so than usual) and I'm guessing the "other issues" would be the one way purchase. We've only been able to fly SW twice (only available at PHL since last year) and twice we tried online check-in, and both times we couldn't. It was frustrating because we looked forward to this perk...... We have roundtrip air purchased with SW for end of June and returning mid July...so, I'm curious to see if we will be able to check-in for our flight home

 

[bubba's mom]

AFAIK they only give out as many BP as SW has seats.

Maybe, but he said they were offering a sweet deal to anyone who would take the bump.....our luck, he would have a "c" pass and not make it on the plane. Makes you wonder about the people trying to get on? Did they have a "c" pass?? Do they have an emergency too that they want someone to give up their seat? Maybe people fly and TRY to get bumped...hhhhmmmm.....

 

[disneyldwjr]

Maybe people fly and TRY to get bumped...hhhhmmmm.....

Yep, they sure do and often.

As to my daughter getting lucky with online checkin, not really, cause I was told (no big surprise here) that one way could do the online check in.
I bet if you called the agent answering would say something different.

I think the last sentence in that paragraph I pasted says it all. It will be interesting to see if you DH can check in online for the return flight. Let us know, ok?
BTW, I sincerely hope MIL is doing better and all will be well.

 

[bubba's mom]

As to my daughter getting lucky with online checkin...

btw....when was her flight?? a while ago or more recent?? i ask because last summer when we went to Fla., I tried the online check-in to come home on SW, and couldn't. I called to find out why and I was told since I bought my tickets off the website (E-tickets), that the 3 of us were on the same ressie #. We needed seperate ressie #'s to do the online check-in. I now know this has changed and the 3 of us should be able to check in online for our trip home---on the one reservation # we have. Curious to see if it'll work in July when we come home........

It will be interesting to see if you DH can check in online for the return flight. Let us know, ok?
BTW, I sincerely hope MIL is doing better and all will be well.

Yes, I will definately let you know if he was able to check in online for tonight's flight home.....and yes, my MIL is recouperating, extremely slowly, but nonetheless, recouperating. Just a week ago she was on death's door, now she may actually get off the vent on Monday--with any luck! Thanks for the well wishes.... I frequent the CB and had P&PD there...must be working!!

 

[dcandmc]

We fly out of Manchester, NH in 6 hours for our Wonder cruise tomorrow. We originally had a round-trip itinerary, but cancelled the return leg in order to rebook at a lower fare. Thus, the trip became two separate one-way trips as far as Southwest's reservation system was concerned. All six of us (under the same confirmation number) were able to get our boarding passes on-line at 12:01 this morning. bubba's mom, it sounds like you talked to a SW CSR who was misinformed. Still, that doesn't explain why your husband couldn't get his BP on-line.

 

[disneyldwjr]

btw....when was her flight?? a while ago or more recent?? i ask because last summer when we went to Fla., I tried the online check-in to come home on SW, and couldn't. I called to find out why and I was told since I bought my tickets off the website (E-tickets), that the 3 of us were on the same ressie #. We needed seperate ressie #'s to do the online check-in. I now know this has changed and the 3 of us should be able to check in online for our trip home---on the one reservation # we have. Curious to see if it'll work in July when we come home........


Yes, I will definately let you know if he was able to check in online for tonight's flight home.....and yes, my MIL is recouperating, extremely slowly, but nonetheless, recouperating. Just a week ago she was on death's door, now she may actually get off the vent on Monday--with any luck! Thanks for the well wishes.... I frequent the CB and had P&PD there...must be working!!

Her flight was in January this year. The check in for your July trip should work just fine, unless that last sentence comes into play somewhere(keeping my fingers crossed that it does not).

 

[disneyldwjr]

We fly out of Manchester, NH in 6 hours for our Wonder cruise tomorrow. We originally had a round-trip itinerary, but cancelled the return leg in order to rebook at a lower fare. Thus, the trip became two separate one-way trips as far as Southwest's reservation system was concerned. All six of us (under the same confirmation number) were able to get our boarding passes on-line at 12:01 this morning. bubba's mom, it sounds like you talked to a SW CSR who was misinformed. Still, that doesn't explain why your husband couldn't get his BP on-line.

Actually, because it was a last min. one way flight, it probably triggered off some alarm in the system. They have to follow TSA guidelines and this scenario is probably one of the triggers.

 

[Pinnie]

Actually, because it was a last min. one way flight, it probably triggered off some alarm in the system. They have to follow TSA guidelines and this scenario is probably one of the triggers.

ITA. I am sure the last minute purchase of the ticket and the fact that it was a one way, triggered an alert.

It's NOT SWA's fault. The TSA makes the rules and the airlines must follow them.

pinnie

 

[bubba's mom]

ITA. I am sure the last minute purchase of the ticket and the fact that it was a one way, triggered an alert.

It's NOT SWA's fault. The TSA makes the rules and the airlines must follow them.

pinnie

yes, i see that now.....*sigh*....it just would've been nice to know that before we tried to online checkin....and of course the CSR at SW..... I'm guessing she didn't know At the time we were sitting here trying to do online check-in, my poor DH was so frazzled and worried, he shows that emotion with anger...and he directed his anger at SW. Had we known a last minute one way ticket would trigger a "security alert", he probably would have been in better shape! Still, it would have been nice to know "that last sentence" meant something that applied to our situation.....but, I thank you of making us aware of it, because when the time comes, we will be flying down there with only a day or two notice. Depending on the flight times available and cost, we may end up flying one way to and from again....so, if that's the case, I'll be more prepared!! Thanks!

 

[Lewisc]

we will be flying down there with only a day or two notice. Depending on the flight times available and cost, we may end up flying one way to and from again....so, if that's the case, I'll be more prepared!! Thanks!

Sign up for SW FF program (Rapid Rewards) and make sure you use it when you make your reservation. You might get enough credits for a free flight or other promotions. That may reduce your chances of being selected.

Alternatively you might just book a R/T flight. SW doesn't charge any change fees but you'll have to pay any difference in fare.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I booked 3 tickets RT on SW in October for Las VEgas and couldn't check-in online because we were all on the same ressie. For our tickets to Chicago in May, I made 3 separate ressies so we could print our BP at midnight. Have they changed that rule now?

 

[disneyldwjr]

I booked 3 tickets RT on SW in October for Las VEgas and couldn't check-in online because we were all on the same ressie. For our tickets to Chicago in May, I made 3 separate ressies so we could print our BP at midnight. Have they changed that rule now?

Yes, they have changed that feature. It was not a rule, per se, it was all their system could handle at the time. The info is on their web site.

 

[disneyldwjr]

yes, i see that now.....*sigh*....it just would've been nice to know that before we tried to online checkin....and of course the CSR at SW..... I'm guessing she didn't know At the time we were sitting here trying to do online check-in, my poor DH was so frazzled and worried, he shows that emotion with anger...and he directed his anger at SW. Had we known a last minute one way ticket would trigger a "security alert", he probably would have been in better shape! Still, it would have been nice to know "that last sentence" meant something that applied to our situation.....but, I thank you of making us aware of it, because when the time comes, we will be flying down there with only a day or two notice. Depending on the flight times available and cost, we may end up flying one way to and from again....so, if that's the case, I'll be more prepared!! Thanks!

Lets hope that you don't have to be "prepared" for quite a long time.

 

[bubba's mom]

It will be interesting to see if you DH can check in online for the return flight. Let us know, ok?
BTW, I sincerely hope MIL is doing better and all will be well.

Well, DH is home and I wanted to let you know that he WAS able to check-in line and print his boarding pass from home (well, Mom & Dad's house) for his flight home on USAir. He didn't say he was "flagged" for a security check either.....so, there ya go! And, disneyldwjr, thank you for your good wishes....we hope to not have to take an emergency flight down again for quite some time! MIL is improving and was even trying to write notes yesterday. She was extremely sad to see my DH leave (as usual), but he has convinced her (he thinks) that she is on the road to recovery and coming home....someday soon hopefully! Hopefully she'll get that vent out tomorrow and be in a regular room in no time!! Thanks everyone.....what a comfort to have DIS friends!!