Question on 24 hour check-in for participating airlines

[SuperLlama!]

I am curious as to the 24 hour before flight check-in for those flying on participating airlines ... does this mean that if my family and I check-in at the airline kiosk in the resort lobby 24 hours before our flight that we'd also have to give them our luggage then too, or just get our boarding passes printed off?

Also, what are the advantages of checking in 24 hours early -- are we likely to not get bumped if we check in early?

We have used DME before, and always have flown on participating airlines, but we always just checked in for the flight and gave them our luggage the morning we were leaving. However, I noticed that the flight I am interested in is packed, so if checking in early will increase our odds of not being bumped, I am all for it ... that is if I don't have to give my luggage then too..because I don't think I can pack all we'll need for the remaining day in a carry-on.

Any input would be greatly appreciated thanks

 

[seashoreCM]

The "participating airline" baggage check in aka RAC check in at your resort is not 24 hours, but rather is about 5 AM to 2 PM. You check in, hand over checked baggage, and receive boarding passes all at the same time. If your flight leaves earlier (than about 8 AM) in the morning and the RAC desk is closd, then you have to use the "all the other airlines" procedure of hauling your baggage over to the DME bus going home.

The 24 hour check in is only for some airlines notably Southwest. Southwest is in the "all of the other airlines" category. Their check in is done by the concierge (or with your personal laptop), not at the RAC desk. In the case of Southwest the earlier you check in, max. 24 hours ahead, the closer to the front of the boarding line you can get, roughly speaking.

For a few other airlines, including American and Delta, if you were fortunate enough to get and still have a seat assignment, your chances of being bumped are a little less. I am not absolutely sure of the minimum check in advance time requirement you must also meet, I thought it was 45 minutes at the airport if you still had checked baggage in hand.

Bumping usually takes into account check in time relative to everybody else but may also take into account how much you paid for your tickets.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[SuperLlama!]

Oh, I realize the kiosk isn't open 24 hours ... rather, I thought that one could check-in the day before the flight. For example, if my flight leaves at noon on Friday, I could check-in after noon on Thursday. Or is that totally wrong?

I know the airline has an online 24 hour before flight check-in, and thought you could do so at the kiosk.

I am probably totally wrong though

 

[CleveRocks]

Oh, I realize the kiosk isn't open 24 hours ... rather, I thought that one could check-in the day before the flight. For example, if my flight leaves at noon on Friday, I could check-in after noon on Thursday. Or is that totally wrong?

I know the airline has an online 24 hour before flight check-in, and thought you could do so at the kiosk.

I am probably totally wrong though

Due to TSA regulations and not Disney rules, the Resort Airline Check-in desks can't check in luggage any earlier than 12 HOURS before flight time, and no later than 3 HOURS prior to flight time.

In other words, 24 hours in advance is just a plain old "no go."

 

[CarolA]

The ONLY airlines where there is a benefit to the 24 hour check in are those without seat assisgnements. (SW, AirTran etc) Otherwise it's just something else to stress about for no good reason. No it does not reduce the risk of getting bumped, getting there on time reduces that risk.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

24 hour check in on American also may help if you are an elite level flyer hoping to get upgraded, but if you are an elite level flyer, you probably already know that.

 

[CarolA]

Reminds me WHY I am not an elite with AA. With DL the upgrade doesn't matter when you check in.

 

[disneyagain]

We're flying airtran and obviously would like to print boarding passes and check in 24 hrs pre-flight (too make sure we're all sitting together, or 2 and 2 in the same general area), whether we use DME or not.

Now the luggage question....I see that airtran was running a pilot program at our resort, starting in December, if this is still the case, can we check our luggage with RAC, the morning of our flight, even though we got our boarding passes the day before? Or does this all have to be done at the same time?

Having our bags taken to the airport and not have to worry about hauling them, would be nice, but....I much prefer to sit with my family on the plane.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Just to clarify, if your upgrade hasn't cleared on AA prior to your arrival at the airport, priority among those still waiting to upgrade are based first on your status level, then, among those with the same status, by the time of check in. So for those hoping to upgrade on AA, yes, doing online check can help push you closer to the front of the line.

Interesting to note from CarolA's post that DL operates differently. It always amazes me that even the legacy carriers operate with different rules that, from time to time, can come back to hurt you or benefit you.

--SuzanneSLO

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

One VERY IMPORTANT NOTE:

If you check in online, YOU CANNOT USE THE RESORT AIRLINE CHECK-IN DESK TO CHECK YOUR LUGGAGE.

It's one or the other.

 

[disneyagain]

THANKS CHIP 'N DALE....that's exactly what I wanted to know....