Southwest Flight help...:(

[lovin diz]

ok..So 24 hours in advance i will need to do the early bird check in.

I knew the first place to go for this was the disboards.

 

[JanaDee]

ok..So 24 hours in advance i will need to do the early bird check in.

I knew the first place to go for this was the disboards.

No, if you've paid for Early Bird Check In (EBCI), you don't need to check in at all. That is what you pay for, automatic and early check-in at the 36 hour mark. If you did not buy EBCI, you need to log into your account and check everyone in your party in at the 24 hour mark.

 

[bcla]

No, if you've paid for Early Bird Check In (EBCI), you don't need to check in at all. That is what you pay for, automatic and early check-in at the 36 hour mark. If you did not buy EBCI, you need to log into your account and check everyone in your party in at the 24 hour mark.

No account needed. Just the confirmation number and name. I don't even recall if it's an option to pull up a confirmation number from a Southwest account. All airlines work this way since not every passenger sets up an online account and many purchase through travel agents or other booking services. You could even check in at the airport, although most people don't go to an airport early enough to get a low boarding number.

https://www.southwest.com/flight/retrieveCheckinDoc.html

For the OP, we're just advising that you should try to check in as early as possible. That would get your group a lower boarding number and possibly a better chance of getting seats together. Seating on Southwest is first-come first-served like boarding a bus. They have that Early Bird Check In for a fee, as well as Business Select where they reserve the lower boarding numbers.

 

[nkereina]

She said they took over another airline, and there were changes mainly on their flights to and from Atlanta??

Glad it worked out! And this is true. I believe Southwest didn't operate to and from Atlanta until they took over AirTran (or if they did it was limited). Atlanta was AirTran's main hub, so Southwest has since taken over their former itinieraries and made some new ones of their own.

 

[JanaDee]

No account needed. Just the confirmation number and name. I don't even recall if it's an option to pull up a confirmation number from a Southwest account. All airlines work this way since not every passenger sets up an online account and many purchase through travel agents or other booking services. You could even check in at the airport, although most people don't go to an airport early enough to get a low boarding number.

https://www.southwest.com/flight/retrieveCheckinDoc.html

For the OP, we're just advising that you should try to check in as early as possible. That would get your group a lower boarding number and possibly a better chance of getting seats together. Seating on Southwest is first-come first-served like boarding a bus. They have that Early Bird Check In for a fee, as well as Business Select where they reserve the lower boarding numbers.

If she used points to book the airfare, she has an account.

 

[elaine amj]

So happy it worked out for you. I'm glad you tried the "call again" trick. Works for many call centre places too

I love Southwest. Yes, no assigned seating can make ppl feel a little panicky - but it makes boarding sooo much faster and smoother. I sit at my computer and make sure my screen is open and ready 5 mins before my checkin time. You likely will have 3 confirmation numbers (3 bookings) so it will help if you have several devices (we line up 2 laptops and 2 smartphones. All data is input and we test the submit button to make sure we have entered our info correctly). We actually count down the last 10 seconds and then all click at once - it's like a military operation!!! And no, those few seconds don't typically make that much of a difference - maybe 5-10 numbers. But it's a bit of a game for us lol.

Have a great time flying!

 

[bcla]

You likely will have 3 confirmation numbers (3 bookings) so it will help if you have several devices (we line up 2 laptops and 2 smartphones.

I looked up a three-person reservation on Southwest I made for my wife and my inlaws with points. Each passenger got a separate confirmation number, although it's the same number for the round trip flight for each passenger. In the OP's case I think it's probably five confirmation numbers. Another thing is that they'll probably want to print boarding passes at home, so make sure the printer is ready or know how to save a print job to PDF. You can reprint after the boarding number is issued.

I always make sure to print a copy of the confirmation just in case.

 

[bcla]

If she used points to book the airfare, she has an account.

Didn't say how she booked the flight for dad. Could have been over the phone, although I doubt it. Could have been booked without logging in. In any case each passenger gets a separate confirmation number, so it has to be done sequentially.

 

[elaine amj]

I looked up a three-person reservation on Southwest I made for my wife and my inlaws with points. Each passenger got a separate confirmation number, although it's the same number for the round trip flight for each passenger. In the OP's case I think it's probably five confirmation numbers. Another thing is that they'll probably want to print boarding passes at home, so make sure the printer is ready or know how to save a print job to PDF. You can reprint after the boarding number is issued.

I always make sure to print a copy of the confirmation just in case.

Good point. We have a "divide and conquer" in my house so DH usually sets our screens up. And for various reasons, I always end up booking all of us separately. It's a pain to manage so many bookings, but due to our situation (and constant changes in plans), it works out best for us.

OP - the best part about Southwest is no luggage worries. With 2 free checked bags per person, we never come close to worrying about overweight luggage. Although one trip I had a ton of carry-ons because I didn't bring enough bags suitable to be checked-in for the stuff we bought...

 

[sharona]

Glad it worked out! And this is true. I believe Southwest didn't operate to and from Atlanta until they took over AirTran (or if they did it was limited). Atlanta was AirTran's main hub, so Southwest has since taken over their former itinieraries and made some new ones of their own.

When DD and I booked on SW MCO to BOS via ATL in November, it stated something like "formerly AirTran" or "operating as AirTran" and we were able to choose seats when we booked.

 

[JanaDee]

Didn't say how she booked the flight for dad. Could have been over the phone, although I doubt it. Could have been booked without logging in. In any case each passenger gets a separate confirmation number, so it has to be done sequentially.

You didn't happen to used to live in Mass, did you?

 

[bcla]

You didn't happen to used to live in Mass, did you?

Nope. Almost did at one time.

 

[nkereina]

When DD and I booked on SW MCO to BOS via ATL in November, it stated something like "formerly AirTran" or "operating as AirTran" and we were able to choose seats when we booked.

Yep. I too took a flight back in September from BUF to ATL which was operated by AirTran. Everything about it was AirTran - the plane, the flight attendants, the boarding process. You could pay to pick your seats. Those days are over now though, as AirTran was officially phased out as of December. It should be straight Southwest from now on.

 

[TLSnell1981]

This morning I called again. I got a wonderful lady.

I guess it all depends on who you speak with....

Thanks again!!!

It's amazing, how answers vary from agent to agent. I learned long ago...hang up and try again, if my issue isn't resolved. This doesn't just apply to airlines.


I'm happy you found a workable solution. Have a wonderful trip!