Southwest Early Bird Checkin

[rie'smom]

So how do you define what a "busy time" is? We are traveling from PVD to MCO on Fri, February 5th, which I don't consider a particularly busy time.

However, we are returning on Monday, Feb 15th, which is President's Day and the start of a vacation week for some schools. I believe WDW considers this week a "peak week". But since we are traveling AWAY FROM Orlando, should I still consider it a "busy time"?

Since you're traveling away it shouldn't be bad. If flying to WDW that day though I'd book EBCI.

 

[twinklebug]

Since you're traveling away it shouldn't be bad. If flying to WDW that day though I'd book EBCI.

I agree, MCO to either BDL or PVD on President's day should be fine. FL schools aren't out that week and those who've flown in for the holiday week aren't ready to leave yet.

You can also get a feel for how packed the plane will be by checking out the remaining ticket categories. For example, if they're still selling the wanna get away fares, your probably OK. However, I've noted in the past that some folk don't decide they want to go away until the few weeks preceding vacation.

If your flight is sold out you're in trouble

 

[love2driveinct]

Thank you both, that's what I was hoping! And thanks for mentioning ticket sales -- when I checked yesterday they still had Wanna Get Away fares for both flights, so I guess that's a good sign so far. But I'll keep an eye on it as it gets closer... thanks again.

 

[WDWjen]

I'm curious now that the holidays are over and the EBCI has been around for a few months -

Is anyone choosing NOT to pay EBCI and checking in at 24hrs prior and still getting a B boarding pass? Or are most of you getting A?

My flights to/from MCO will be 1/23 and 1/30 so I dont think they are very busy times - I'm wondering if EBCI is not really necessary...

 

[Echo queen]

I was in disney the week between Christmas and New Year and did not use it and got A seating for 4 people coming and going. I do not and will not use it, I do have an iphone and know how to use it.

 

[goofy4tink]

Got a call from my dd yesterday. They are heading home on Friday..from MCO to Manchester. She's with her dad, step-mom and sister. So, she says that they are heading to Busch Gardens today to have some fun with my ds and ddil. But, that they have to stop and do online checkin for their flights home. I asked why the heck her step-mom didn't do EBCI..."Oh, she didn't want to spend the extra $15 per person, and they can do it right at BG since they are part of a SW program." Are you kidding me?? I thought that was just nuts. So, I told her I could check them in from home, then they could just print out the bp's when they got to the airport. They were amazed. Personally, I can't imagine worrying about getting to a place to do SW checkin while at BG.
What are a few extra dollars when spending thousands????
I'll let you all know how I do this afternoon with their placements.

 

[krissyh]

BUF to MCO tomorrow (1/15)
EBCI purchased in October
A16 and A17
There better not be line cutters!

 

[disneyfaninaz]

BUF to MCO tomorrow (1/15)
EBCI purchased in October
A16 and A17
There better not be line cutters!

LOL! I actually had A16 and A17 for a flight last year and believe it or not, did have a line cutter. The A15 in front of me tried to tell this woman that she had to line up behind us because her number of bigger, but she claimed to not understand. Anyway, the ironic thing was that the A15 guy got on the flight and proceeded to save 6 seats for the rest of his family with higher numbers. Go figure!

 

[goofy4tink]

Well, I got on right at the exact time....3:15. I checked the four of them in...got B6-9. I have never seen a B before, not in any of the times I've checked myself in online with SW. I was flabberghasted to say the least. I was actually afraid they were going to be really peeved...especially when I didn't hear from them right away. Well..it turns out they were having so much fun riding Shriekra, at Busch Gardens, that they forgot to listen for my call. They were thrilled with the pass numbers. Seems they got B39 or such on the way down.

 

[dznygurl]

Leaving tomorrow morning from New Orleans....booked my flight 3 months ago...decided to purchase EBCI 3 weeks ago (just in case) It's my DD's first flight and I wanted the best possible chance to sit together....got A21 and A22

 

[sallymomo]

Ok so we will be on a Disney cruise and have a flight booked for Mar 4 (Thursday) around 1:30 flying out from Tampa to Chicago. My sister will be at home to check us in at the 24 hr mark. Do you think we should buy the EBCI? It will me, DH, DS 6 and DD 3. I know that one of us will be able to board with DD in between A and B groups. But am scared if DH adn DS board later, what are the chances of them sitting together (even if all 4 of us are not sitting together). I can't have my 6 yr old sit with some random person for 3 hrs.
What do you suggest?

 

[taliategan]

PIT to MCO flight on 1/16 at 1:05 p.m. Bought 4 tickets on 9/1, which I believe was the first day tickets for these dates were available. I think EBI may have been available at the time but I did notice it when I purchased the tickets. I later purchased the EBI on 10/26 for my wife and 2 kids to assure they would be sitting together an close to front. I did not purchase for my self as I was curious what the difference in the boarding numbers would be. The EBI boarding passes are A24 to A26 and mine is B12, and I checked in right at the 24 hour mark. I think this flight is sold out, as last time I looked on Southwest site there were no tickets for sale.

 

[LocustPoint]

Just checked in for our morning flight from MCO to BWI at 10:55, got A17-18 with EBCI, other relatives didn't use EBCI and got A50 something (my aunt couldn't remember, and she had other stresses she was dealing with). We have another set of aunt/uncle that are also traveling with us and didn't use EBCI but they are currently in one of the parks and I have no clue what they got, but you can guarantee that i won't be saving seats for them!!!!

 

[goofy4tink]

I think that in the future, any flights I book with SW, I will pay the extra for EBCI. But, there are usually 3 or less in our group, so that's not a huge chunk of change.

 

[n2mm]

I think that in the future, any flights I book with SW, I will pay the extra for EBCI. But, there are usually 3 or less in our group, so that's not a huge chunck of change.

I thought the same thing, so now when I compare prices between Jetblue and SW I now add that $10 to my SW price. I generally fly SW to MCO and JB home (because of RAC). I'm flying SW this Thursday IAD to MCO, and DID not buy the EBCI, so I'll post back how I do on Wednesday morning.

 

[Microcell]

Oh its probably time for me to consult with DH about it.. he really likes the front of the plane and to be somewhat together, but if we check in at the 24 hour mark and get B's won't we probably find something for the four of us toward the middle?

 

[keishashadow]

PIT to MCO flight on 1/16 at 1:05 p.m. Bought 4 tickets on 9/1, which I believe was the first day tickets for these dates were available. I think EBI may have been available at the time but I did notice it when I purchased the tickets. I later purchased the EBI on 10/26 for my wife and 2 kids to assure they would be sitting together an close to front. I did not purchase for my self as I was curious what the difference in the boarding numbers would be. The EBI boarding passes are A24 to A26 and mine is B12, and I checked in right at the 24 hour mark. I think this flight is sold out, as last time I looked on Southwest site there were no tickets for sale.

that 1 pm something flight is very popular, the earlier NS is around 7 am

most of the PIT to MCO NSs i've taken last few years have been sold out or near, several times they were offering people to take a bump.

 

[jenrose66]

It will be interesting to see how many people use this service. If a lot of people do, then checking in right at 24 hours may no longer get you an A boarding pass (since they are taken by those using the early-bird service).

I checked in right at the 24 hour mark this morning. Well, actually one minute after. I received B boarding passes so maybe lots of people are using Early Check In. I mean...I'm not really worried I'm sure my mom and I will still be able to sit together, just thought I'd post my experience checking in right at the 24 hour mark since it's my first time doing so since they introduced early check in.

 

[Laurabearz]

Well I am rolling the dice and not getting EB for our upcoming trip..

We have an early morning flight out mid week non vacation time. Coming home we have a layover in columbus, ohio and I just don't see that flight being in huge demand

With that said, as long as we have one set of two seats together, so I can sit with the boy, the rest of the family can be split up with no issues.. my girls just plug their ipods in and read the whole time.

As a family of 5, that's $100 bucks we shave off our expenses which is nothing to sneeze at. I am grateful our kids travel well, and are independent enough to be split up, without drama.

 

[crashbb]

Well I am rolling the dice and not getting EB for our upcoming trip..

We have an early morning flight out mid week non vacation time. Coming home we have a layover in columbus, ohio and I just don't see that flight being in huge demand

With that said, as long as we have one set of two seats together, so I can sit with the boy, the rest of the family can be split up with no issues.. my girls just plug their ipods in and read the whole time.

As a family of 5, that's $100 bucks we shave off our expenses which is nothing to sneeze at. I am grateful our kids travel well, and are independent enough to be split up, without drama.

What about paying for two people - you and "the boy"? That way you increase your odds of getting what you need (one pair of seats), but still save $60.