Paid extra for SW Early Bird and got B15+

[brockash]

Wish I hadn't paid extra to what basically equated to the last 30% of seats (since families preboard).

So frustrating. If they can't guarantee an "A" checkin they should stop selling EBC.

I do have a toddler - do I still qualify as family boarding? Also - is it just me and him or my whole family?

The whole premise is a fraud in my opinion. They're goal is to get as many ppl. to pay for it as possible and if they meet their goal, then there was no benefit to paying for the "perk" anyways. Disney does this often as well, with all these "exclusive" offers/parties/pay for time etc., but the more we as consumers are willing to pay for it, the less any benefit really exists....they just get to keep charging us more.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

We shouldn’t be penalized because my youngest is 7 now.

The other times that I flew with Southwest and had a child under 6 we paid for Earlybird (from BWI to MCO) and got A’s so we didn’t use family boarding.

SWA is actually quite generous in its age restriction. I believe they are like that because they have open seating.

No one has to use Family Boarding and you yourself said you didn't use it before but instead relied on EBCI. Purely guessing but if you paid for EBCI but got a B boarding position I'm guessing you would have likely used Family Boarding then because it was more favorable.

At some point you'd age out on the Family Boarding. That does not equate to penalizing you.

 

[disneyfan2kids]

Personally - I'd be a fan of simply EBCI gets seated first. Then others. I even have a toddler and don't feel like "families" should board first necessarily. Pay for it - or don't. (That being said - I'd be the first one to move if a mom/toddler didn't end up together using the above system.) I do think that there should be concessions for this.

 

[Spunky946]

5 total - Me, DH, 3 kids (only 1 being a toddler)

They might let you all on or they might not, depending on how many families.

 

[Bullseye]

OP Southwest operates on an algorithm for assigning their Boarding Positions

1. A1-15 are only for those with Business Select fares purchased or Upgraded Boarding purchased (which is done at the gate and subject to availability)
2. After that is A-list Preferred
3. After that is A-list
4. After that is Anytime Fares purchased with EBCI in the order in which EBCI was purchased
5. After that is Wanna Get Away Fares purchased with EBCI in the order in which EBCI was purchased
6. Companion Pass is in there somewhere along with passengers with Anytimes Fares and Wanna Get Away fares without EBCI which is determined by the passenger checking in at 24 hours prior to their flight.

Nothing and I mean nothing guarantees you A Boarding except for option #1. Unfortunately this falls into the category of misunderstanding things. In the future if you fly Southwest and purchase EBCI do so with the understanding that EBCI is not related to Boarding Groups (ABC).

Look at you with all the good info . Of course that just removed all the warm fuzzies I normally have with EBCI

 

[FCDub]

Personally - I'd be a fan of simply EBCI gets seated first. Then others. I even have a toddler and don't feel like "families" should board first necessarily. Pay for it - or don't. (That being said - I'd be the first one to move if a mom/toddler didn't end up together using the above system.) I do think that there should be concessions for this.

There’s a 10-page thread from a few days ago that addressed this ad nauseum. And again, families don’t board first.

 

[disneyfan2kids]

There’s a 10-page thread from a few days ago that addressed this ad nauseum. And again, families don’t board first.

They board before B - so how is that not "first" considering they are boarding before EBCI in some cases?

 

[FCDub]

They board before B - so how is that not "first" considering they are boarding before EBCI in some cases?

In your initial post, you talked about families pre-boarding, which is incorrect. "First" is not the same as "before" so I wanted to make sure you still weren't confused.

 

[disneyfan2kids]

In your initial post, you talked about families pre-boarding, which is incorrect. "First" is not the same as "before" so I wanted to make sure you still weren't confused.

OK, semantics.... but OK. I still think that if you're paying for ECBI you should board before any (non-handicapped) individual at all that didn't pay the ECBI. Regardless of age/etc. ECBI should be exhausted before those that didn't pay. OR eliminate family preboarding. Either/or I'm fine with.

 

[sponica]

We've nearly always gotten A's in the past as well.
I sort of wonder if more folks are buying EBCI these days because of the Boeing 737 Max grounding and all the effects.

I think the price point was too low for a while, too many people started using it. Now it's an ingrained habit. I think the last time we traveled with them we added it because our flight out was at like 530 AM, and I wasn't going to check in at 530 AM the day before.

 

[Elizakapeka]

I love flying southwest and understand all sides of these arguments which made me wonder why southwest doesn't just let people pick their seats? even if it is for a fee so they arent loosing the EBCI profits. Im sure theres probably a whole thread about this

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Look at you with all the good info . Of course that just removed all the warm fuzzies I normally have with EBCI

lol

I'm sorry I didn't mean to do that

 

[Allison]

OK, semantics.... but OK. I

It isn't semantics. It is 2 different things and to not clarify that may lead to confusion for others reading the thread.

 

[disneyfan2kids]

It isn't semantics. It is 2 different things and to not clarify that may lead to confusion for others reading the thread.

Sure, ok - whatever floats your boat.

 

[tjmw2727]

Thanks, I'm not picky about the row - and my DH, and older son can fend for themselves - I'd just like to ensure my toddler has familiar faces on both sides of him so he doesn't freak. (Me and my 13yo) - so I want a row for us.

I would family board with the 9yo and the baby and let dh and older dd board together in their spots. There is no way they will deny the 9yo family boarding with you and make him board "alone". Then if you prefer the help of the 13yo with the baby the older kids can switch seats.

 

[FCDub]

I would family board with the 9yo and the baby and let dh and older dd board together in their spots. There is no way they will deny the 9yo family boarding with you and make him board "alone". Then if you prefer the help of the 13yo with the baby the older kids can switch seats.

Sure they will – if there's another adult who will be able to watch the 9-year-old.

 

[FCDub]

OK, semantics.... but OK. I still think that if you're paying for ECBI you should board before any (non-handicapped) individual at all that didn't pay the ECBI. Regardless of age/etc. ECBI should be exhausted before those that didn't pay. OR eliminate family preboarding. Either/or I'm fine with.

Sorry for trying to help. Have a nice trip.

 

[tjmw2727]

Sure they will – if there's another adult who will be able to watch the 9-year-old.

How would the gate agent know this? If the op lines up with the baby and the 9yo in family boarding they will board all 3 no questions asked. The gate agent will not "interrogate" them as to if there is anyone else he can board with.

edited to add in case the post below was a snipe at me:

Family boarding would normally include the entire family so the OP's entire family "should" be able to board in family boarding. Even if there are restrictions they allow both parents to board with a child under 6. Since the OP is concerned I suggested they board with two of the children instead of 2 parents and the under 6 - worst case scenario.

 

[Allison]

So gaming the system.

 

[tjmw2727]

So gaming the system.

?