Southwest boarding upgrade?

[Artoo]

My mom says that supposedly there is an upgrade that you can purchase when flying Southwest so you can have priority boarding. She says the upgrades are $10 per person. She heard it from a relative. I've never heard of this. Does anyone know if this is an actual thing? Has anyone done it? TIA.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

My mom says that supposedly there is an upgrade that you can purchase when flying Southwest so you can have priority boarding. She says the upgrades are $10 per person. She heard it from a relative. I've never heard of this. Does anyone know if this is an actual thing? Has anyone done it? TIA.

http://www.southwest.com/flight/early-bird-retrieve-reservation.html

We've used it twice. First time was Philly to MCO, just to try it in Oct. We got A16-19. Others traveling with us that didn't buy got A40-somethings.
We did it again for our return a few weeks ago and got A18-21. On that trip's southbound leg we didn't pay and got A29-32.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

It's not really an upgrade and it isn't priority seating. It is a service that you can purchase for $10 per person. SWA will check you in at the 36 hour mark rather than you checking in at the 24 hour mark. Since you are checked in before people who do not purchase EBCI you have a better chance of getting an lower boarding pass number.

I have used it and like not having to worry about checking in if I'm not going to be at a computer.

 

[goofy4tink]

Not sure if you are aware of how SW boards. There are three lines....A, B, and C. In each group there are about 50 or so slots..perhaps more, I just forget the actual number. When you check in at the 24 hr window, you will get a boarding pass slot for each member of your group. Then, at the gate, you will be called, by letter grouping, to take your place in the corresponding slot. There are poles setup with numbers on them, within each letter group...1-5, 6-10, 11-15- 16-20 and so on. When you get to the end of that letter grouping and all are boarded, they call the next letter grouping up.
Those with any medical issues board first, before anyone else. Also, unattended minors flying. Then, those who have paid the refundable fares (business select) board. They are given the A1-15 slots. Then, everyone else is boarded. Those flying with kids under the age of 4 are allowed to board inbetween the A and B groups..if they didn't get an A slot.

So....with that in mind. SW now has Early Bird Checkin. You can pay an addlt $10 pp, per flight. This will allow SW to check you in at the 36 hr window vs the 24 hr window you normally use. You don't need to do anything...SW does it for you. You are checked in according to when you bought EBCI. Those who booked it 5 months before their flight will get a lower slot than those who booked EBCI 2 months prior. There is no way to tell exactly how low a slot you will get though. But, you will get a slot before those who are booking at the 24 hr window. Are you assured of an A slot? No, but you will most likely get one.

 

[JUDYKN]

Hi,

We checked in right at the 24 hour mark and got B1 yesterday. Flying from PHL to MCO today!!!!!

 

[visitingapril09]

I have seen something similar on allegiant. It appears with them you can actually 'buy' pre boarding...........if you have a justified reason to preboard......you don't have to pay the money right?? You still get to preboard at no fee?? We travel with a son in a wheelchair and preboard for medical reasons.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Hi,

We checked in right at the 24 hour mark and got B1 yesterday. Flying from PHL to MCO today!!!!!

Have a great time!!

I have seen something similar on allegiant. It appears with them you can actually 'buy' pre boarding...........if you have a justified reason to preboard......you don't have to pay the money right?? You still get to preboard at no fee?? We travel with a son in a wheelchair and preboard for medical reasons.

Medical preboarding is a whole different thing. The Early Bird Check In mentioned above is for those who otherwise wouldn't qualify for medical boarding.
On SWA, 'medical preboards' board 1st. There is no fee for that. Then A group boards, then 'family boarding' for those with children age 4 and under, then B group then C group.

 

[TDC Nala]

EBCI isn't preboarding, nor is it technically an upgrade. They just check you in earlier than you would be able to check in if you didn't buy EBCI. There is no guarantee that you will get one of the lowest numbers - depends on how many people buy EBCI and are checked in ahead of you. You're still free to take your chances and check in at 24 hours, but what you get then will also depend not only on how soon you check in, but on how many people bought EBCI and were checked in ahead of you.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I have seen something similar on allegiant. It appears with them you can actually 'buy' pre boarding...........if you have a justified reason to preboard......you don't have to pay the money right?? You still get to preboard at no fee?? We travel with a son in a wheelchair and preboard for medical reasons.

Yes, you will be able to preboard before the "A" Group. In fact, you don't even have to check in right at 24 hours. You can check in later or at the airport, get a "B" or "C" boarding pass and still board first. Save the "A" pass for somebody else. My nieghbor flies with a disabled daughter and they never check in until they get to the airport.

 

[Luv2Scrap]

I also have a question about this. I have to switch planes in St Louis both down to Orlando and back. So if I purchase EBCI, do I pay once eacy way and get the benefit at my original airport and again in St Louis?

Thanks!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yes