Should we pay for early bird check in for SW ?

[maryj11]

We have never flown with Southwest and don't know if it is worth the extra for early bird check in ? There will only be 2 of us. Those who have flown with southwest please share your experiences

 

[DebbieB]

We have never flown with Southwest and don't know if it is worth the extra for early bird check in ? There will only be 2 of us. Those who have flown with southwest please share your experiences

When it's a friend and I, we don't get it. Just be sure to sign on at 24 hours to get your boarding passes. We've even been able to snag the 2 seat exit row.

 

[kbonner]

you can check in online 24 hours before the flight. If you can do this easily then you will still get a decent boarding location. Everyone who chooses the early bird will be given priority, so part of it depends on how many people choose to do so. You could easily still wind up in group A without it.

That being said, I choose early bird because I usually am flying solo, and prefer not to worry about checking in for the return flight. For two, I believe you are looking at $50 for early bird. The question would be if that amount is worth it to you to get on a faster (a little faster depending on booking) and to not worry about manually checking in to your flight.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

I never pay for it for our flight out. I just make sure I log in at exactly 24 hours and do it myself. Have always gotten mid-B or better. For our family of 4, we've never had to be separated.

However, I do pay for it on the return flight. I just don't want to have to worry about it while in the parks or about having availability to check-in at that 24 hour mark.

 

[jerseygal]

We fly Southwest and never have paid for early bird...For us, $100 extra is not worth it.

We check in on line 24 hours before and thats' it! No problem!

 

[BJC15]

I never pay for it for our flight out. I just make sure I log in at exactly 24 hours and do it myself. Have always gotten mid-B or better. For our family of 4, we've never had to be separated. However, I do pay for it on the return flight. I just don't want to have to worry about it while in the parks or about having availability to check-in at that 24 hour mark.

Yep, same for us. Early bird for return flight only.

 

[francie57]

We do the same as the pp. We definitely get it for the trip home since I don't want to have to worry about being on a computer while at the parks.

 

[Snoozan]

Another SW flyer here who usually pays for EBCI only for return flight. It was especially apparent why on my last trip in April when I did not pay extra even on my return flight - I had to use the hotel internet to check in as I had a separate reservation than my DH and I was so afraid the guy using the hotel business computer would not finish his work before I had to check in. Lucky for me, he finished his work with just a couple minutes to spare. Needless to say, it'll be worth the $25 not to worry about when you'll have a chance to check-in on your return flight.

 

[maryj11]

Thanks everyone. I was thinking maybe early bird check in would be a good idea on the return fight. I do not want to worry about getting checked in our last day in the parks.

 

[CarolMN]

I never pay for it for our flight out. I just make sure I log in at exactly 24 hours and do it myself. Have always gotten mid-B or better. For our family of 4, we've never had to be separated.

However, I do pay for it on the return flight. I just don't want to have to worry about it while in the parks or about having availability to check-in at that 24 hour mark.

Yep, same for us. Early bird for return flight only.

Thanks everyone. I was thinking maybe early bird check in would be a good idea on the return fight. I do not want to worry about getting checked in our last day in the parks.

Ditto - I pay for EBCI for DH & I only on the return trip. Well worth it to me to NOT have to worry about where I might be when it's time to check-in.

 

[georgina]

For our return trip we just set a reminder and check in via the phone App. I'm too cheap to pay for EB anymore, but all my kids are adults.

 

[rszdtrvl]

We care about where we sit, so we always purchase the early bird check in. It is worth the additional $25/round trip for us.



If a good seat is really important to you, I recommend getting it. If you don't really care where you sit and/or plan on checking in at exactly 24 hours, then save your money.

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

We have never flown with Southwest and don't know if it is worth the extra for early bird check in ? There will only be 2 of us. Those who have flown with southwest please share your experiences

For the trip down, I am not doing EB checkin. For the way home, I did buy it for my family of 4. The reason being, I don't want to have to think about checking in right at the 24 hour mark while I'm in the parks at WDW. If you don't check in right at the time, and don't have EB, plus your flight is full, your family may not be able to sit together. If you can check in right at 24 hr mark, and it's only 2, I would say it's not worth the money.

 

[maxiesmom]

I do. When we flew last year it was just my adult nephew and I. I purchased EBCI and had A 24. We headed towards the very back of the aircraft, and ended up with an empty seat next to us. Which was my plan.