Southwest how early to check in for an "A"?

[kmermaid]

The way things look for USAir I might be using Southwest in April. I'm nervous about there seating policy. There will be 4 of us: 2 adults, 2 children ages 7 & 10. I just want a child with an adult seated together. What is the best way to do this, how early do we have to get to the airport?

Also any idea when SWA will release dates from 4/16 thru 4/23?

Thanks for all your help!

 

[Sporty]

You can print out your boarding passes at midnight. We usually print them out in the morning before we leave for the airport (5:00-ish) and always get an "A".
Since we don't have a computer for our return, we usually plan on being at the airport two hours early. We usually get "A" but once we got "B" (we still had NO problem sitting together and there were 4 of us and I like to sit toward the front of the plane).

 

[M's_girl]

Did you know you can check in online now after 12:01 am on the day of your flight. Since my husband can't seem to come to bed before 2am--this work for us really well.

 

[Sammy]

Originally posted by M's_girl
Did you know you can check in online now after 12:01 am on the day of your flight. Since my husband can't seem to come to bed before 2am--this work for us really well.

I thought you could only do this if you had a single-ticket reservation. Have they changed this policy? That would be WONDERFUL if they have!

 

[kilee]

As of right now you can only print the boarding pass w/ separate reservations. I personally was so afraid of booking each ticket separate and losing a great rate that I went ahead and booked together. On our trip a few weeks ago-- we arrived about 90 minutes early each time and got A's.

In 10/03 we arrive about 90 minutes early and got B's both times. Really depends on how full the flight is and everyone else. We have always sat together though.

 

[dirkus]

And you have to be careful about separating your reservations since that could mean that just one of you could get bumped, rescheduled, etc. If anything like that happens and all 4 are on one reservation, they have to do it to all of you (not necessarily a good thing but at least you are all together).

 

[bopeep9207]

If anyone gets bumped it will not be the ones that checked in online.
Bumping starts with asking for volunteers then goes to the folks that checked in the latest.
You can also book all members at one time then call and get them separated.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I forgot about making seperate reservations so I could check in online at 12:01am. I called SWA and they did it in just a few minutes while I was on the phone with them. I love their customer service--they are always friendly and patient with me!!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

We are always there about 2 hours early because there is no way we want a B boarding pass, it also depends on how many preboards you have. I too am waiting for dates for the last week of april, its spring break here and I can just imagine all the kidos who will want to preboard. I think there was talk about not a whole family, just one parent to accompany the child under4 etc. You had the whole familys tagging along etc, Even with an A, we never get up any farther than row 13 due to all the preboards. I really dont like the airline, but there is not too much competition here these days.

 

[LeapYear Debbie]

Don't forget that you are not always guaranteed an A when checking in via computer. I was on a SW flight last week and the woman sitting beside me checked in with the computer and got a C boarding pass. The A's, B's, and C's are divided up between online checkin, skycabs and the counter. There is always a chance to get a B or C online.

Debbie

 

[Wiggle]

Does the "single reservation for online checkin" rule apply only to Southwest or to all carriers?

 

[beccasmom]

Also, pre-boarding is allowed for children of certain ages (it depends on the airport from what I've experienced). Even with a significant pre-boarding line on my flight from Philly, I was able to sit in row 7, which was fine with me. I did arrive early for my 7:00 a.m. flight (5:15 a.m.), but I am close to the airport and that is not an imposition for me. Checking in early is great, but if that is not an option, arriving at least 2 hours early is probably the single best way of snagging an "A" ticket. Not foolproof, certainly, but it definitely helps.

 

[bopeep9207]

Originally posted by Wiggle
Does the "single reservation for online checkin" rule apply only to Southwest or to all carriers?

Depends on the airline.

 

[debaudrn]

If you don't have separate reservation (confirmation) numbers just call them and ask them to separate reservations. For the return trip check with your hotel, many have internet access (and computers you can use) to print boarding passes for little or no fee. I did this last summer at Vero Beach and last week at the Boardwalk Villas