Southwest Auotmatic Checkin if using RAC?

[kcbonnies]

I thought I read somewhere, but I can not find it now, that if you use the resort check in, that they will automatically check you in on SOuthwest prior to 24 hours before, even if you do not pay for early bird. This surprised me, so I am trying to confirm, but I can not find the thread.

Here is the scenario I am thinking of, for our return flight home we have are leaving from Orlando at 5:40 Saturday afternoon on SOuthwest. We have ADR's at Cindy's for 5:30 Friday evening. I am dreading the thought of trying to check in via i-phone in the middle of what will be the highlight dinner for my three daughters, so if the resort will check us in, it something I don't need to worry about (in addition, because of reward flights, we have 4 seperate confirmation numbers). I know that Early bird is an option, but would rather save the $50 if they check us in.

Thanks, and any other thoughts would be appreciated. I am a dad who has planned this entire trip as a surprise for everyone, so I want it to be as perfect as possible!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Sorry, I don't know anything about RAC, but you could always ask a friend or family member to check you in.

 

[goofy4tink]

I don't think that's completely correct. I would be very upset if I had paid for EBCI for my departure flight, and found that a family was able to get checked in prior to the 24 hr mark by RAC without paying for EBCI. I believe that you get checked in at the 24 hr mark.
But, something to keep in mind....I have either flown SW home myself, or my dh has, from WDW. We have both used DME. Not once have we had RAC print up our boarding passes or any luggage tags and left them in our room for us. I realie that many have had this happen, but personally it isn't anything I can say happens 100% of the time, for 100% of those who meet that criteria.
Pay the $50 for EBCI and forget about it.

 

[jmkrat]

I really doubt it, we had to go down to RAC and ask them to check-in. I don't think they can automatically check you in without your knowledge. This is the first time I have used Southwest ( I did buy the early bird check in ). I really can't see them doing it. They want to make their money early bird is one way they can.

 

[Disneybuckeye]

Check in is at 24 hours, RAC gets your luggage the morning of. Don't count on this. Last March I checked us in on my phone at 24 hours. Disney printed off my boarding passes and hung them on our door (or slide them under; forget which) overnight. This was at the Boardwalk.

I would check myself in, have someone I trust do it, or pay EBCI.

 

[Twizzles]

From my understanding one person from your party must have your 6 digit confirmation number and be present at the 24 hour check in. Concierge will then print your boarding passes as well. At least that's how it went down for us last week.

You could always call your resort and ask if they would do it for you so you have that peace of mind.

 

[Disneycouple99]

Just use the free Southwest app. It is real quick to check in with it.

 

[DebbieB]

I saw on another thread that someone said you get checked in at the 24 hour mark (not prior). I don't know if it's true, a friend & I used our phones to check us in at 24 hours while we were eating at The Land 2 weeks ago. We did have our boarding passes under our door the next morning. So they will check you in but I don't know if it's exactly at 24 hours.

 

[kcbonnies]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Jestocost]

As the variety of responses makes clear, relying on RAC or Disney (not sure really who is involved) to check you in for a Southwest flight probably is not the best idea.

Does it happen? Apparently if you use DME to get to your resort and have a flight at the right time of day (morning?) you may get checked in for your SWA flight at the 24 hour mark (or one minute before?). There are plenty of reports of people having their check in completed for them.

Does Disney "officially" offer this service? I have never seen anything come to me directly from Disney to suggest that this is how you should expect things to work.

My guess? Disney has been trying out a system where they can get SWA passengers checked in without the passenger having to do anything, but they aren't ready to make it an official offering.

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm not at all sure I ever want to hand the whole checking in proceedure to anyone other than SW itself. If I have paid for EBCI, and they drop the ball...then they get to fix it. But, if I allow Disney, or RAC, or the pope check me in and they drop the ball??? And I'm not checked in correctly??? Ah, no. SW isn't going to really care. I want that control myself. Way too important to leave to trust.