Please explain Southwest check-in

[tkhkroberts]

Okay, I was one of the people who lost their flight on Midwest Express and had to get something quick. So we ended up moving our flight to being out of Chicago instead of Milwaukee. (Nice having to now drive 2 hours further and catch a 6:35 am flight, but what can I do) How does this process work. I have seen people mentioning that they were not allowed to check in 24 horus in advance. Why would this be. My mother booked the tickets online and they were under the get away column for the pricing, not knowing if that matters or not. We are traveling with 3 children, 1 of whom has never flown before and is very nervous about it. I do plan on getting online at the 24 hours mark and checking us in to make sure that we would get A boarding passes. Also if I check in this far in advance will I be guaranteed A boarding passes or does everyone check in this far in advance. I am kind of nervous about flying Southwest with no preassigned seating. Also what do you do for the flight home to check in when you are at the parks? Thanks for any help.

 

[pamjb]

First, do not be worried about SW boarding policy. It really is a smooth system, despite the fact that there aren't assigned seats.

1--Definately do the online checkin 24 hours before your flight time. Are you guaranteed of getting an A? No, but your chances are much better at the 24 hour mark. Boarding passes A1-A15 are reserved for those who paid Business Select. There may or may not be any of these on your flight.

2. Here is a link to SW Boarding School that will make the boarding process easier to understand

http://www.southwest.com/help/boardingschool/index.html

3. For your return flight, you have a few options
A. Go to Guest Services at any of the parks (or Downtown Disney) and they can check you in. You do not need to print your boarding passes at this time.

B. You can have the front desk at your WDW resort check you in. I am not sure if this a valid option at any offsite resort. Again, no need to print your boarding pass.

C. Have a friend or family member check you in.

D. Check in with a web-enable Cell phone at mobile.southwest.com

I typically check in on my cellphone. I then have the skycap at curbisde checkin print my boarding pass when I check my bags. I still have the same boarding number, so that doesn't matter.

Enjoy the flight!!!!

 

[bcinohio]

Just returned from WDW and flew SW for the first time. We had 5 people and it was very easy. I checked us in 24hrs on the dot and got A19-23 on the way down and then 24hrs ahead for the flight home I went to the Pop registration desk and they did it for me. We got A34-38 on the way home. No problem finding seats together. We sat in about the 10th row on the way down and about the middle on the way back. It was very easy. They were very organized at the gates.

I was very stressed about it at first but it was very easy.

One thing to remember. If your flight is at say 10:00am they will start boarding 30Min prior to that time at 9:30. You don't want to miss you place in line.

have fun!!