Southwest Early Bird Check-In

[Belle5]

If I don't pay at the time of purchase, can I go back at a later date (a few weeks or months from now) and add it by calling southwest?

Thanks!

 

[sseely40851]

I bought my tickets back in December and just added my Early-Bird check-in ($10/person each way) on Feb. 10.

 

[Thumper_Man]

If I don't pay at the time of purchase, can I go back at a later date (a few weeks or months from now) and add it by calling southwest?

Thanks!

You can add it by calling SW or you can add it online. Click HERE for the link to add it online. All you need is your confirmation number and passenger name.

 

[Belle5]

I bought my tickets back in December and just added my Early-Bird check-in ($10/person each way) on Feb. 10.

Thanks so much for answering! I didn't hit "buy my tickets" until you responded! I am purchasing 7 tickets, so it was an additional $140 to add early bird.

Did you just call Southwest or were you able to add on-line?

 

[Thumper_Man]

Thanks so much for answering! I didn't hit "buy my tickets" until you responded! I am purchasing 7 tickets, so it was an additional $140 to add early bird.

Did you just call Southwest or were you able to add on-line?

DW and I never buy the EB on our flight TO our destination. I can usually be at a computer at the 24hr mark to check us in. We usually buy it on our RETURN flight from our destination. Beats not having to worry about checking in while on vacation, plus saves us a little money.

 

[Belle5]

You can add it by calling SW or you can add it online. Click HERE for the link to add it online. All you need is your confirmation number and passenger name.

Thanks for this information and the information about only adding for the return flight!

 

[LisaS]

Thanks so much for answering! I didn't hit "buy my tickets" until you responded! I am purchasing 7 tickets, so it was an additional $140 to add early bird.

Did you just call Southwest or were you able to add on-line?

As stated you can add it online. But keep in mind that boarding positions for those who purchase EBCI are assigned in the order in which they purchased it. If you are going to purchase it, the earlier you do so, the better your boarding position.

 

[Belle5]

As stated you can add it online. But keep in mind that boarding positions for those who purchase EBCI are assigned in the order in which they purchased it. If you are going to purchase it, the earlier you do so, the better your boarding position.

Thanks so much! I was not aware of that!

 

[focusondisney]

I have a few questions too: Are EBCI numbers always better than you can get by checking in yourself at the 24 hr mark?

And what happens when you get checked in Early Bird? Do they send an email at the 24 hour mark with your boarding no?

Thanks!

 

[K9pal]

I have a few questions too: Are EBCI numbers always better than you can get by checking in yourself at the 24 hr mark?

And what happens when you get checked in Early Bird? Do they send an email at the 24 hour mark with your boarding no?

Thanks!

Yes, EBCI will be ahead of 24 hour check ins, but behind the business class folks. You will not receive any notification, but when you arrive at the airport just head for the SW kiosk and print out your boarding pass. My last 2 flights out of Orlando I had EBCI and was assigned A31 on both. So apparently, more folks are now doing it.

 

[PatMcDuck]

Just an FYI, I checked in at exactly 24 hours last week, for each flight to and from Orlando. Both times, I got around B28-35 range, so lots of people must be doing EBCI. (I had a handicapped DS with me, so I pre-board when he is with me, so I was not concerned about what # I got).

That said, paying $140 for EBCI would kill me a little, lol. Couldn't someone check in for you at 24 hours? I have done it from the parks, and from a resort hotel, or you could do it by phone. Or another friend of family member could do it from home.

 

[goodferry]

We did EB this time (first week of Feb.) because last trip I checked in at exactly the 24 hour mark and had boarding positions in the mid 30s with B passes, my kids were freaking out lol. I think a lot of people are doing the EB thing, we added it about two weeks before our flight and we were in the mid 30s with A passes

 

[focusondisney]

Yes, EBCI will be ahead of 24 hour check ins, but behind the business class folks. You will not receive any notification, but when you arrive at the airport just head for the SW kiosk and print out your boarding pass. My last 2 flights out of Orlando I had EBCI and was assigned A31 on both. So apparently, more folks are now doing it.

Thanks! We have not flown SW in about 3 years, before they did the EBCI. Last time we were on them they had the first 15 slots reserved for business class, but there were only a few people there. I think one flight didn't even have any business passengers, so A16 started the boarding. We are still 3 months out & I added the EBCI at the time of booking, so I hope we'll get a decent spot!