Southwest EBCI Fee increase eff March 14th

[Yellowjj]

Now moves to $15 one way or $30 roundtrip.

 

[helenk]

Yikes it makes me start to think it may be getting a bit too expensive to use. I just added EBC to my flights to and from California for August. Thanks for the notification.

 

[EpcotGuy]

not such a great deal at $12.50 anyway. I just got A52 and A49 for my recent DL trip. annoying

 

[dancin Disney style]

not such a great deal at $12.50 anyway. I just got A52 and A49 for my recent DL trip. annoying

I would gladly pay it IF I was guaranteed an A.

There is a psychology on pricing. People will quickly hand over $20 but once it's more than that they think about it. Once something is over $25 they don't bother thinking about it they just won't pay it.

I'm sure this price increase will reduce the number of people that buy EBCI. I wonder by how much?

 

[Disneylover99]

I would gladly pay it IF I was guaranteed an A.

Me too. I don't mind the increase, I just wish they wouldn't sell EBCI to people who won't be getting A boarding.

 

[RedAngie]

Me too. I don't mind the increase, I just wish they wouldn't sell EBCI to people who won't be getting A boarding.

I'd probably be a little peeved if I got a B with EBCI, but I can't see SW cutting off sales when A capacity is reached. Too many people are willing to pay for the option.

 

[DebbieB]

if EBCI goes into B, they should board all before family boarding. With family boarding now 6 and over, the lines are huge. Also factoring in seat savers, you could be wasting the $25 if you get B.

 

[Disneylover99]

I'd probably be a little peeved if I got a B with EBCI, but I can't see SW cutting off sales when A capacity is reached. Too many people are willing to pay for the option.

I always buy EBCI, and thankfully have always got A boarding. The day I get a B boarding, is the day I stop buying EBCI.

 

[Disneylover99]

if EBCI goes into B, they should board all before family boarding. With family boarding now 6 and over, the lines are huge. Also factoring in seat savers, you could be wasting the $25 if you get B.

I like that idea. EBCI should always take priority over family boarding IMO.

 

[dancin Disney style]

if EBCI goes into B, they should board all before family boarding. With family boarding now 6 and over, the lines are huge. Also factoring in seat savers, you could be wasting the $25 if you get B.

Total agreement.

We should all start flooding the SW Facebook page with this.

 

[pigletto]

Because I always buy EBCI for the four of us each way, I'm now looking at $120 added to our overall total, plus exchange. It will certainly make looking at other airlines more attractive at this point. I am also in total agreement, that purchasing EBCI should guarantee you A group. It's a complete waste otherwise.

 

[loveswdw]

I've gotten B several times when buying EBCI. When you factor in family boarding, the plane was already close to half filled by the time we got on. I usually get high A. I only buy EBCI if I know I won't be able to check in at the 24 hour mark. Usually only buy it for the return trip home from MCO since I may be in a park at check in time.

 

[maxiesmom]

So that's the second reason I'm glad I booked my October trip so early. First, is I booked a package and my ticket price was locked in. Now, I've saved a little here too.

 

[kristenrice]

I buy EBCI for our return trips simply because I have no idea where I will be or what I will be doing at the 24-hour mark. I don't want to have to worry or think about it and the $50 (going up to $60) for my family is worth the peace of mind. I honestly do not really care where we sit, but I agree that EBCI purchasers should ALWAYS get priority over family boarding...period. SWA would make more $$$ this way because families with children would be more apt to purchase EBCI if they knew that they would not be able to board before those who did.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I've said it before. If SW would stand by the supposed policy of only 1 adult with 1 child in the family line (no grandmas, aunts, next door neighbour) there would be a lot more happy people. It would not affect the B group as much and I think perhaps more people would consider buying EBCI.

It has become my new hobby to scope out the family line while I'm waiting to board. Some people park themselves on the floor in front of the door to get the jump on the others (whatever, that's their choice). Then there are the numerous adults that far out number the children in that family line and they are all allowed to board. My estimate is that on my last 4 flights the adults out number the kids 4:1. My personal favourite are the kids that are wellllllllll beyond the maximum age and they all board as well. Now, I completely understand if a family has a child under and over the age limit but I've seen many families that clearly do not have any children under the limit.

Overall, I'm not really bothered by what other people do. I find it entertaining.

 

[kristenrice]

Overall, I'm not really bothered by what other people do. I find it entertaining.

Me too...I'm getting on the plane, my bag fits under my seat...that's all that matters to me. I would like to sit in the vicinity of my DH, DD12 and DD9, but if we are a little spread out, so be it.

The wheelchairs are what amaze me. Last year, we flew from Orlando to Flint in May. It was a non-stop flight and I'm not sure if it was continuing on to somewhere else, but I was flabbergasted that there were TWENTY-THREE people in wheelchairs lined up to pre-board. TWENTY-THREE people needed assistance to board the plane....but miraculously, only a few needed a wheelchair when they got off. When the FA's noticed all the "medical pre-boards" standing and attempting to get off the plane ahead of everyone else, she calmly announced that all of those who required assistance when boarding needed to remain seated until the other passengers had disembarked, at which time assistance would be provided. I chuckled..

 

[dancin Disney style]

The wheelchairs are what amaze me. Last year, we flew from Orlando to Flint in May. It was a non-stop flight and I'm not sure if it was continuing on to somewhere else, but I was flabbergasted that there were TWENTY-THREE people in wheelchairs lined up to pre-board. TWENTY-THREE people needed assistance to board the plane....but miraculously, only a few needed a wheelchair when they got off. When the FA's noticed all the "medical pre-boards" standing and attempting to get off the plane ahead of everyone else, she calmly announced that all of those who required assistance when boarding needed to remain seated until the other passengers had disembarked, at which time assistance would be provided. I chuckled..

That must have been a miracle flight

 

[DebbieB]

I've said it before. If SW would stand by the supposed policy of only 1 adult with 1 child in the family line (no grandmas, aunts, next door neighbour) there would be a lot more happy people. It would not affect the B group as much and I think perhaps more people would consider buying EBCI.

It has become my new hobby to scope out the family line while I'm waiting to board. Some people park themselves on the floor in front of the door to get the jump on the others (whatever, that's their choice). Then there are the numerous adults that far out number the children in that family line and they are all allowed to board. My estimate is that on my last 4 flights the adults out number the kids 4:1. My personal favourite are the kids that are wellllllllll beyond the maximum age and they all board as well. Now, I completely understand if a family has a child under and over the age limit but I've seen many families that clearly do not have any children under the limit.

Overall, I'm not really bothered by what other people do. I find it entertaining.

They have been enforcing no extended family (I've seen them turn away grandparents) but it really doesn't matter because the people in the family boarding line save seats anyway.

I've resigned myself to buying it when I buy the tickets. I just don't want to end up like last time and stuck in the very back when I got my BP at exactly 24 hours because of the huge number of family boarders.

 

[sue Z]

I only get it if I have a connecting flight

 

[Callie]

I get annoyed when I get on the plane and people are saving seats. I've often times just wanted to sit in the middle to prove a point, but I continue on.