RAC and Southwest check-in

[Vijoge]

I'm sure this has been answered somewhere on this board but I've been searching for an hour and I'm still not clear. Hopefully, this won't be too confusing.

Normally, when flying Southwest, I check in online 24 hours prior to my flight. If I want to use RAC for my return trip and check my luggage while at the resort, does this mean I cannot check in and get my boarding pass at the 24 hour mark, but instead will need to check in with the airline when I check my luggage (3 or more hours before my flight)?

Or, to put it another way, if I check in with Southwest at the 24 hour mark and obtain my boarding pass will I then need to take my luggage with me on the bus to the airport?

This doesn't even sound clear to me. . .

 

[cassie58]

You will still do your 24 hr. check-in with SW so you can get your seating group. You can now do it on your phone, which makes it easier, since you can do it in the parks or wherever you are at that time. You will then bring your luggage down in the morning to the baggage desk and they will check your bags so they go straight there, and you won't see them again until you claim them after the flight. (I am assuming you are using DME) Baggage desk will also hold your carry-on items if you have a later flight and want to go to the parks, have an ADR, etc. after you check out of your room.

 

[Vijoge]

You will still do your 24 hr. check-in with SW so you can get your seating group.

Thanks! That was exactly what I wanted to know.

 

[KT0191]

I am bumming off your question here!

Will they print your boarding pass when checking your bags at RAC even though you have already checked in on the 24 hour mark online?

 

[paults]

yes

 

[MrsHammer]

We used the RAC last week and flew Southwest. I bought early bird, so I was checked in automatically at the 36 he mark. The day of our departure, an envelope was hanging on our front door with our boarding pass printouts. We ate breakfast at the Mara, packed our bags and then checked them in st the desk. That process took less than 5 minutes for three people. We even caught an earlier DME to the airport than what we were scheduled for. Worked out very well.

 

[Vijoge]

We used the RAC last week and flew Southwest. I bought early bird, so I was checked in automatically at the 36 he mark.

Was EB worth the extra cost? What boarding position did you get?

 

[goofy4tink]

Was EB worth the extra cost? What boarding position did you get?

That's a very subjective question. It's worth it to some, others, not so much. I always get it now. Why? Because a lot of other people are getting it! There have been many reports of people checking in at the 24 hr window, right on the dot, and getting mid-B slots!!! Nowadays, we're starting to see those that buy EBCI getting those same mid-B slots!!! Which means, if you didn't do EBCI, you could easily end up in the late B group, or even the C group.

Here's the issue...if it's just you traveling, you won't have trouble finding a fairly desirable seat. Nor is it cost prohibitive to pay for EBCI. But, if you're traveling with your family, and want to sit together, you will want to pay for EBCI. And at $15 pp, each way, that is going to add up. A family of 4 will end up paying about $120 in addition to their fares. For those that really need it (families, larger groups who want to sit together) it will cost more.

If it's a busy route to MCO, from your home airport, you will want to buy EBCI. I do it at the same time I book my flights...just be done with it. With more and more people buying EBCI, and getting slots in the B group, it makes sense to buy it asap.

 

[cassie58]

Was EB worth the extra cost? What boarding position did you get?

We have never had a problem getting seats without EB. We always check in right at 24 hr. mark, and have gotten the end of Group A or beginning of Group B, which gives you plenty of choice of seats normally. We have 2 kids, so sit one behind the other, but only need two seats together if it was more crowded. Just make sure you are at the airport in plenty of time to get through security and get to your gate before your group lines up to start boarding(usually about 30-40 min. prior to flight). You line up in your group in order of your number so it's not a mad rush or anything. Once on, you can choose any seats that are available, generally only the front third is full, if you get end of A/beginning of B. If it will give you peace of mind, you don't want to worry about 24 hr., and fits in your budget, you could buy EB, but otherwise I think you will be fine checking in at 24hrs mark.

 

[goofy4tink]

The last time I flew SW to MCO, from Providence RI, I paid for EBCI. We still aren't sure how the slots are divvied up...are they based on 'when' you bought EBCI? Don't know, but I'm sure it has something to do with it. Anyway....I had purchased EBC when I bought my tickets...the day SW opened the window for my travel. I got A48. Not a 'bad' spot...A1-15 aren't used for EBCI...those slots go to full fare/business class passengers. So, my slot wasn't too bad...there were about 33 slots open in front of me. BUT......there were medical preboards, and a fair amount of them Probably 10 or so. So now I am behind 43 or so people. I watched as families boarded behind me....about 20 people. Then came the B group. About half of them had EBCI, and they weren't happy!! There were now about 65ish people on board, and they were spread out a bit. I 'think' some were saving seats based on some conversations I overheard as they passed by my row. There were many comments being made about what a waste it was to pay extra to get on the plane sooner.....all the 'good' seats were taken. Not sure what a 'good' seat is..probably those in front of the wing. It is no longer a good idea to assume that if you check in right at the 24 hr mark, you'll get in the A, or even low B group. I'm seeing very different scenarios. I'll be watching in Sept to see what slots we get (bought EBCI when I bought fares) and what others are saying as they board.

 

[AngiTN]

Was EB worth the extra cost? What boarding position did you get?

I never get it. Our flights are $49 each way and it seems rather silly to add about half that more in ECB. I always check in online at the 24 hour mark exactly (I set an alert on my phone to remind me) but I also don't really care if we sit together or not. It's an hour flight. I can be alone for an hour. But, knock on wood, we've always gotten seats together.

Checking in at 24 hours the latest I've gotten is the first of B. Typically we get mid to late As

Coming home I care even less how fast we get off the plane. Gotta wait on luggage anyway.

 

[MrsHammer]

Was EB worth the extra cost? What boarding position did you get?

We bought it on our flight to Orlando and back home as well (to/from Nashville, TN). On the flight to Orlando we got A27, 28 and 29. Coming back we got A37, 38 and 39. I purchased my tickets and EB right after the schedule opened up for my dates. This was our 9 yr old daughter's first flights ever, so I definitely wanted to make sure that she would be with either me or my husband. Luckily, we were all 3 able to sit together both ways.

 

[maxiesmom]

Was EB worth the extra cost? What boarding position did you get?

I always buy it. And I typically end up with a boarding position around A 26 or so. I just figure it as part of the ticket cost, I wouldn't fly Southwest and not get it.