Southwest EarlyBird Question

[PolyRob]

I booked my flights with Southwest about 4 months ago for a May trip when I saw a drop and until today, the prices had either remained the same, or increased. I now noticed my flight to MCO has decreased $37 per person

I know I am eligible to get a credit that is good for the year, but I purchased EarlyBird check-in. I have read that the EarlyBird will "transfer" as long as the flights are not cancelled and modified within the same reservation.

My question is will my position in the 36-hour EarlyBird check-in be modified as if I were "purchasing" the tickets today, rather than 4 months ago if I change the flights to save money? I purchased early with this additional charge to allow my family and I better seating. I am not sure if it is worth saving $111 to lose our potentially better spot. I have already spent less than half of what it would have cost via JetBlue or United (including bags) without saving the $111, so I am unsure if it is worth the risk.

 

[myminnieme]

I booked my flights with Southwest about 4 months ago for a May trip when I saw a drop and until today, the prices had either remained the same, or increased. I now noticed my flight to MCO has decreased $37 per person

I know I am eligible to get a credit that is good for the year, but I purchased EarlyBird check-in. I have read that the EarlyBird will "transfer" as long as the flights are not cancelled and modified within the same reservation.

My question is will my position in the 36-hour EarlyBird check-in be modified as if I were "purchasing" the tickets today, rather than 4 months ago if I change the flights to save money? I purchased early with this additional charge to allow my family and I better seating. I am not sure if it is worth saving $111 to lose our potentially better spot. I have already spent less than half of what it would have cost via JetBlue or United (including bags) without saving the $111, so I am unsure if it is worth the risk.

My understanding is that early bird is tied to the reservation number, so as long as the reservation number initiated 4 months ago, that should correlate to your early bird spot even if you switch flights.

Make sure it indeed transfers over, cuz I have had trouble with losing my early bird with a flight switch.

 

[Shanti]

I booked my flights with Southwest about 4 months ago for a May trip when I saw a drop and until today, the prices had either remained the same, or increased. I now noticed my flight to MCO has decreased $37 per person

I know I am eligible to get a credit that is good for the year, but I purchased EarlyBird check-in. I have read that the EarlyBird will "transfer" as long as the flights are not cancelled and modified within the same reservation.

My question is will my position in the 36-hour EarlyBird check-in be modified as if I were "purchasing" the tickets today, rather than 4 months ago if I change the flights to save money? I purchased early with this additional charge to allow my family and I better seating. I am not sure if it is worth saving $111 to lose our potentially better spot. I have already spent less than half of what it would have cost via JetBlue or United (including bags) without saving the $111, so I am unsure if it is worth the risk.

I think you keep your original spot in the Early Bird "line". I've changed reservations w/Early Bird countless times & never had an issue. You can only lose it by outright cancelling the flight. Exchanges always keep Early Bird attached.

 

[n2mm]

Keep in mind that the credit is good for a year from the date you originally purchased your tickets. So it's really not good for a year...guessing 8 months. I've changed my flight times in the past and still ended up with a good placement number. When you check the lower price, make sure it's available for all in your traveling party. Often the new lower price is good for 1 or 2 travelers.