Please help me with checking in with Southwest!

[ADisneyQueen]

I'm confused and don't remember this from the last time we flew SW. There are 4 of us going DH,me and 2 dd. I bought the tickets with points all at the same time from the 50,000 you get from the credit card.. Each of us has a different confirmation number. Does this mean when checking in I do each one individually or do I just give my DH's since it is his email and SW account? And I use the same confirmation # for return flight, right? Thanks.

 

[LWQuestie]

Each confirmation checks in separately.

For your second question, does each confirmation number include the round trip? Or do you have a different confirmation number for each flight (4 confirmation #s or 8)?

If each confirmation number includes the flight TO MCO and FROM MCO, then the same confirmation number is used to check in for the return. Depending on the flight time of your return, you may want to consider springing for the EBCI. $40 to not worry about interrupting your vacation to check in at 24 hr.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

If you booked your flights as round trips, there will be one confirmation number.

Why waste money for EBCI? It takes a minute or two to check in online or on a smart phone.

 

[LWQuestie]

Not everyone has a smartphone.
If your flight is at 7pm, you could be busy at that time the day before. I have been in many places in WDW with crummy internet access, so I can't guarantee that I'll be able to actually use the app or website to check in. Also, I haven't had much luck with the app check-in in general.

For me, it's worth the $20 to not worry about it. It's a personal decision, so just wanted to point it out!

 

[luvmy2babies]

I use EBCI both ways actually for that very reason. I’m usually busy at the 24 hour mark for departure and return. For depature I’m generally on my 40 minute commute to work and at the 24 hour mark for return I’m in a park. To each his/her own. It’s worth it to me.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

It isn't a big deal to us to check in b/c I'll be home and then for the return flight check in we will be at the resort taking a break. I just wasn't sure if I had to check in all four of us separately. I don't remember doing that last time. I thought I remembered checking us in all at once b/c our boarding passes were in a sequence of four.

 

[ShelsGoingToDisney]

When you buy with points you will get separate confirmation #'s for everyone. What I do is open 5 windows and have each window all filled in with confirmation # of each person and all ready to go. I watch the clock for the 24 hour mark. Once that hits I hit confirm through each window as quickly as I can. We've ended up with pretty close boarding #'s, maybe a few strays in between us but it always works out at the gate that we are basically together.

 

[mamamary]

When you buy with points you will get separate confirmation #'s for everyone. What I do is open 5 windows and have each window all filled in with confirmation # of each person and all ready to go. I watch the clock for the 24 hour mark. Once that hits I hit confirm through each window as quickly as I can. We've ended up with pretty close boarding #'s, maybe a few strays in between us but it always works out at the gate that we are basically together.

We also have 4 sep. conf. numbers - this is a good idea.

 

[vicki_c]

Southwest has a decent app for the smartphones (I have an iPhone, but assume they have one for Androids too) that you can use to check in as well. It's free on the App store.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

Thank you ShelsgoingtoDisney! Last trip I did not use points and had one conf. # and this time 4 #s with the points. It makes sense now. I will try your window idea.

 

[backyardponder]

Personally, I wouldn't use EBIC in your case. $80 round trip is a lot of money. The only thing it gives you is pretty much a guarantee that you will all sit together (at least 3 + 1 or 2 + 2) on a 2 hour flight. Since your kids are older, splitting them up shouldn't be an issue, but that's your call.

I never kill myself to check in 24 hours in advance. If it happens to be convenient, I'll do it at 24 hours. If not, DW and I may not sit next to each other. After being married 40+ years, that's ok. BTW, we've never had to split up on a SW flight!