Right - I definitely didn't check us in at T-24 (1 because it was at 5:30 the previous morning but 2 because I thought I had taken care of the issue). Clearly SW made off fine and no one was hurt - it also didn't help my feelings of customer loyalty.
Why would your customer loyalty feelings be hurt because they followed the exact procedures that they have laid out in their program terms and conditions? Never have those on "linked" reservations been checked in with a flyer with status, they've always needed to check themselves in at the appropriate time. CP boarding with Primary traveler still has not been officially announced although it's been done for the last 8-10 months. And even then it's been pretty clear cut that BS benefits don't extend to companions, frankly I'm surprised they gave her the A list benefit and she got an A group at all.
DANG BLANG!!
Even though the system checks you in, you have to go on the website or the app and check in to see your boarding position. You can do this starting at 24 hours before your flight.
Thank you!
Wow. I have never had a C boarding pass if I remember to check in at T-24. When I have forgotten I have seen an occassional C boarding pass. Everyone must have bought EBCI.
Coming back from Vegas in mid-December I got B60 checking in right at 24 hours ahead. I spoke with the guy in front of me for a bit while boarding was happening and he remarked "I checked in right at 24 hours in advance looks like I beat you by a second". It was the furthest I had been except for what we think was a random glitch where I was the Companion and we checked in right at 24 hours and got C something or rather, that was not something with a bunch of EBCI. This past December flight we are thinking that's what happened as in a lot of EBCI and people with A-list (like my husband was). I think the bumps SWA gave may have helped with that a bit. My husband with A-list was low A's like A24 or something like that.
No, to be clear, I didn't check in at t-24 (I thought the problem had been solved - usually I do). So, I don't think it would've been a problem (I don't even remember when I checked in - single parent taking kids to Disney World on our first trip since the pandemic ... it was all a blur
I hear you and have been clear since my follow-up that I clearly misunderstood. To answer the question about loyalty, I felt like the gate agent/CSR could've taken a moment to say, "Here's the mistake - we're sorry for confusion. You can board when family boarding begins." She did none of that and, even as I understand a number of reasons why it could be that way, I felt she was super rude (I think subconsciously - she's dealing with a ton of people at the beginning of a long day). I personally feel (and in my own current job with Customer Service) that it's not terribly out of line to hear people, and then try to explain or fix (with any grace, kindness, compassion, etc one can find). I also don't fundamentally know what mattered to them since we weren't going to have to board with the C group (my base-level goal was 3 seats together and my preference was to be pretty far back so I didn't have to deal with people as much). It's not like it's a mad rush for first-class seats. But anyway, I hear you and thought I already said it but will reiterate - clearly my mistake. I apologize if trying to clear it up here (since I believe that when I asked about this situation earlier this year, I got the info that led me to my erroneous belief and I didn't want others to have to experience that) is a problem. But yeah, you definitely are 100% right.
She might not have offered Family Boarding because technically it's meant for 6 and under with you having a child older than that. There are reports that kids older than 6 have boarded with Family Boarding especially when they have those younger siblings who qualify with no issues and you've already reported that you did that but that could be why the gate agent did not. I'm sure some gate agents might suggest it but they aren't under an obligation to as it goes against SWA's official policy. Their policy only speaks to 2 adults can board with a child 6 and under. I don't mean to spark a debate on that but just to say I can understand why the gate agent didn't suggest it.
I've not ever had that happened. Wonder if there were some issues that made the family miss the connection that SWA was trying to make up for? Only reason I can think of as it wouldn't be standard procedure for SWA FA's to actually hold seats themselves.
Yeah , could’ve been, but I was actually trying to avoid confrontation with the flight attendant. I wanted to get home lol. A couple of nice people made it all better, but I also thought it was weird that they had reserved seats for a family.
I would think it would be weird too but would have done exactly as you not really wanting that sort of confrontation. I asked my husband just now and he's never heard of it happening either out of all the flights he's been on. I totally get though why that experience would make you look around at other airlines.
