Southwest online check in

[jmcross]

Can someone explain the process to me? Can I check in online if I'm travelling with kids? Also, could a relative check in online for me on the return trip since I won't have computer access??

Thanks,

Joanne

 

[jmcross]

Anyone??

 

[keithomas]

Yes, you can check in online for your entire party and print their boarding passes. You could have someone check in for your return flight for you from home, but obviously they couldn't print your boarding passes. That isn't a big deal if you're checking luggage, as you have to stand in line anyway. The agent will be happy to reprint them for you and you'll still have your coveted 'A' status if you checked in early enough. I've done this once before, but not Orlando.

However, I believe you can ask the front desk at your hotel to check-in for your return flight. At least that is what I've read on this board.

 

[Gooofy-Blade]

Yes you can check in for your entire group-the best time to do it is 12:01a.m. the day of your departure to get A boarding group. As for someone checking in for your return, I'd say yes, but not sure about you not having a copy of your e-ticket printouts after checking in.

Maybe someone else can help on part 2 of this.......

 

[welovedisneyx4]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think you can check in on line if your kids have a childrens fare ticket. If you have kids and got them a regular ticket, you are fine w/ checking in on-line. Does anyone know if that is correct?

 

[keithomas]

Hmmmm...I can't answer that welovedisneyx4, but it is a good question. I honestly didn't know they had special 'children's fares'. I split most of my airline travel between SWA and Continental, but this fall is my kids first flight on SWA and I just purchased the regular adult fare internet special rate.

If you are having someone check-in for you, then make sure they have your confirmation number and name on the reservation.

 

[jmcross]

Thanks for the info!!

I don't have a children's fare for SWA. I didn't even know that such a thing existed. I thought kids and adults were always charged the same fare.

Thanks again,

Joanne

 

[EthansMom]

I recently asked a SWA reservationist about the children's fare -- the fare she quoted was twice the adult fare I was able to book.

 

[gw_lit]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think you can check in on line if your kids have a childrens fare ticket. If you have kids and got them a regular ticket, you are fine w/ checking in on-line. Does anyone know if that is correct?

That is correct. As others have stated the childs fare is usually a discount on the full price unrestricted (i.e. most expensive) ticket. You can almost always get internet or other ticket prices that are much lower than the child's fare. About the only time the childs fare is a good deal if you're booking a couple of days before your flight and the only seats are the most expensive ones.

 

[goofy4tink]

This is what I did when I flew out of TF Green with my 11 y/o dd two weeks ago. I had an 8:30 flight to MCO. I was getting up at 4:30 anyway, so printed out our boarding passes then. Got section A.
For the trip home I asked the front desk at Pop if they could print out boarding passes for me...they did. That was at 2:30ish a.m. after an EMH night. Now, my flight didin't leave until 3 p.m., so maybe I could have waited until first thing in the morning to get them printed..don't know.
Also, even tho we were in the A corral (line, pen...whatever you call it) and about 8 people back, we were still only able to get two seats together with one a window seat about 3 rows past the wing. There are a ton of preboarders before the A people. The poor B and C people were really scrambling!!!

 

[disneyldwjr]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think you can check in on line if your kids have a childrens fare ticket. If you have kids and got them a regular ticket, you are fine w/ checking in on-line. Does anyone know if that is correct?

You are totally correct.
This is well covered on the web site under travel center.

 

[figgy4me]

.........There are a ton of preboarders before the A people. The poor B and C people were really scrambling!!!

Does anyone know how you can get to be a "preboarder"?

 

[kimatigger]

I believe if you are traveling with small children you get to prebord. I also thought if traveling with small kids you could not checkin online as it would not be valid. Do you have to wait in line anyway?

 

[lawgs]

figgy for me

a pre boarder would be anyone who can convince the gate agent that they need a "blue sleeve" ( over and above the obvious pre boarders such as persons in wheelchairs/crutches or persons with small children under X age )

 

[figgy4me]

figgy for me

a pre boarder would be anyone who can convince the gate agent that they need a "blue sleeve" ( over and above the obvious pre boarders such as persons in wheelchairs/crutches or persons with small children under X age )

Thanks, lawgs. This is all new to me. Has anyone been able to do this, and what kinds of excuses can we use?

 

[disneyldwjr]

I believe if you are traveling with small children you get to prebord. I also thought if traveling with small kids you could not checkin online as it would not be valid. Do you have to wait in line anyway?

you can check in on line with small children, unless you have a special child fare (which you have to call for), but, if you have small children, why bother, you are going to preboard regardless of the letter.

 

[disneyldwjr]

Thanks, lawgs. This is all new to me. Has anyone been able to do this, and what kinds of excuses can we use?

I find the truth the best way to go. If you don't need to preboard, why lie?

 

[goofy4tink]

Thanks, lawgs. This is all new to me. Has anyone been able to do this, and what kinds of excuses can we use?

Good way to get yourself lynched at the gate!!! I have to say that I don't mind waiting for those people in wheelchairs or those with infants or very young kids preboarding. But, when a family of 8 preboards with one child that is under the age of 5, well, that gets me a bit riled up. And then I saw them take only the aisle and window seats in hopes that no one would want to sit between them!!! My dd, 11, and I were about 8th or 9th in the A line but ended up sitting 3 rows behind the wing in order to get a middle and a window seat together. Have to say those that tried keeping that middle seat vacant sure moved fast when those who couldn't find seating together, since they were in the C group, had to split up and they would go to sit in that middle seat. Amazing to see those moms move over in order to sit next to their kid!!!
So, in short...don't be trying to come up with an 'excuse' for preboarding. Those with physical ailments..wheelchairs and such, kids under 10 (I think) traveling alone, and those traveling with kids under 5. Other than that...get thee to the appropriate section..A, B, or C!!!

 

[cruiserkaren]

Flying on SW in 2 weeks with our DD2. I didn't realize getting a SW seat was such a "frenzied" thing. Seems stressful. All I want is for my DH, me and my DD2 to be together. Do I need to be worried? Do I need to wake up at midnight and check-in? That would stink b/c I'm out of it at by midnight EVERY night (ok, really about 9:30 or so!). I just don't understand the big fight about seats. I do understand if you have kids and need to sit with them, but otherwise what's the big deal? Everyone is going to the same place! Might be my first and last flight on SW, we'll see!

 

[mouseketeerwannabe]

Flying on SW in 2 weeks with our DD2. I didn't realize getting a SW seat was such a "frenzied" thing. Seems stressful. All I want is for my DH, me and my DD2 to be together. Do I need to be worried? Do I need to wake up at midnight and check-in? That would stink b/c I'm out of it at by midnight EVERY night (ok, really about 9:30 or so!). I just don't understand the big fight about seats. I do understand if you have kids and need to sit with them, but otherwise what's the big deal? Everyone is going to the same place! Might be my first and last flight on SW, we'll see!

Don't stress! Since you have a two year old, you will be allowed to preboard. We always fly Southwest and have never had a problem getting seats together even when we've been in the B group.