Southwest Airlines Question

[jpgpmpcp]

Is it worth it to pay the $10 per person fee for early bird check-in? We will be flying with our 11 year old DD and 4 year old DS. Thanks in advance for any guidance anyone has.

Happy New Year!!!

 

[robhawk]

It is to us! I like not having to stress over seating! good luck

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Me too. As it gets more popular the non-EBCI boarding #s get worse & worse. My kids are 11 & almost 15 and I still want to sit together.

 

[Pikezh638]

I did it this time. I will let you know

 

[jpgpmpcp]

Thanks everyone! I think we will do it so we are all together.

 

[KGK]

I usually don't use the EBCI. Just use my phone to check in exactly 24 hours ahead of time.

I AM using the EBCI for our return trip on our upcoming WDW vacation. I just don't want to stop during our last few day in the park to check in. I'll do self check in for our way down.

Have a good vacation.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I use the EBCI only for my return flights. I like the fact that I don't need to be concerned with checking in at the 24hr mark while I'm on vacation. So far we have always had numbers under A30.

 

[heimlichfan]

Since you are traveling with a 4yo, you actually can do family boarding which happens after early bird boarding - basically between boarding groups A and B.

Also, if you hope online and check in right at your 24 hour mark, you will get early B boarding.

Just some food for thought!

 

[deegack]

Since you are traveling with a 4yo, you actually can do family boarding which happens after early bird boarding - basically between boarding groups A and B.

Also, if you hope online and check in right at your 24 hour mark, you will get early B boarding.

Just some food for thought!

On some flights to Orlando they suspend family boarding because 90% of the plane is families.
Ask yourself the question am I ok if our family gets split up? And that could mean your older child sitting away from a parent and only one parent with the younger one. If you are don't pay the extra money. If you're not pay the extra money.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

On some flights to Orlando they suspend family boarding because 90% of the plane is families.
Ask yourself the question am I ok if our family gets split up? And that could mean your older child sitting away from a parent and only one parent with the younger one. If you are don't pay the extra money. If you're not pay the extra money.

I agree. Also don't assume if you do get separated from your child that people will trade seats with you, especially if they paid for EBCI so that they could sit with their family.

This happened to us on Airtran where there is a $6 pp charge to choose a seat assignment. I paid for the 4 of us and the family in a row behind us with 3 small children chose not to. She asked dh if he would trade seats with 1 of their kids and he quickly did, not knowing I paid so he could sit with us. How ironic she was in a panic about sitting with her children but back when it was time to pay she wasn't concerned and it wasn't worth the $24 to her.

 

[judykay53]

I used it on our return flight in July. Just didn't want to have to go somewhere and check in. We were the first in line after two business gentlemen. Would definitely do it again. We were staying in the cabins and the boarding passes were laying on the deck in front of the door the morning that we left. A bit damp but OK.

 

[Pikezh638]

I just printed my passes for tomorrow and the boarding numbers were A 20 and A 31. So I consider it worth 10$

 

[Huff]

We've never used EBCI. Instead I've always checked in right at 24 hours. Worst I got was B15 and all of us were easily able to sit together and the flight was full. I think problems don't occur except for those that get a C pass.

Each time I've checked in online at 24 hours my boarding passes were printed and left on our resort door in the morning. How did Disney do that? I don't recall ever giving Disney my airline confirmation numbers, only our flight times and flight numbers when booking DME.

 

[ellie&mattys mom]

If yes how far in advance do you buy your early bird tickets?
thanks!

I already bought it for the way home!

 

[networktek]

we always go with the early bird option $10 to save alot of hassel is worth it

 

[DisCookie]

This is my first time flying SW and I'm going solo, so nobody to split up, so I probably won't pay that $10...
Do I get a seat assignment when I checkin at the 24 hour mark or you get some kind of priority number and it's a free for all with the seats?

 

[mb187143]

This is my first time flying SW and I'm going solo, so nobody to split up, so I probably won't pay that $10...
Do I get a seat assignment when I checkin at the 24 hour mark or you get some kind of priority number and it's a free for all with the seats?

There are no assigned seats on SW, but it's definitely no longer a free for all. When you check in for your flight, you will get a boarding pass with a group letter and an assigned number. SW has 3 groups, A, B and C. The number corresponds to your position in your assigned group.

SW does pre-boarding for passengers needing assistance, followed by A group. Prior to boarding, they will start making announcements, and you'll see by your gate a series of poles with numbers on them, which will help you find your space in the line. A 1-30 lines up on one side, A 31-60 on the other. After the pre-boards, the A group boards, 1-30 followed by 31-60. If they're allowing family boarding, it happens after the A group, and then B and C repeat the same process of lining up and proceeding down the jetway.

Once you're on the plane, look for the seat you want. It's actually pretty orderly now, and since people arent looking for "their" seat, but a seat or group that fits their party.