SW $10 check in fee?

[PrincessAlways]

Have you used it? Do you think it's worth it or not? So, if you don't buy it, are you automatically in section B or C???

 

[helenk]

I use EBCI for my return trips only, that way I do not have to worry about the 24 hour check in time while in the parks.
I think that I have been prettyluck at the 24 hour check in for my trips to WDW I still have gotten A boarding passes, usually in the 30s and up.

 

[PrincessAlways]

I use EBCI for my return trips only, that way I do not have to worry about the 24 hour check in time while in the parks.
I think that I have been prettyluck at the 24 hour check in for my trips to WDW I still have gotten A boarding passes, usually in the 30s and up.

That's a good idea. I'm not too worried about the flight down. It's a late flight & I don't think it'll be very crowded. Like you said, it might be good on the return flight. Can you add it on later? I already booked the flights.

 

[notnothin]

That's a good idea. I'm not too worried about the flight down. It's a late flight & I don't think it'll be very crowded. Like you said, it might be good on the return flight. Can you add it on later? I already booked the flights.

You can add EBCI up to 25 hours prior to your flight.

 

[JLitfin]

I just returned from WDW and didn't use the early bird check in. Going down the flight was empty, we left around 4pm. My numbers were A47 and A48. I was back and forth whether I should purchase the EBCI on our flight back home and decided since it was only my DH and I we decided to take our chances. My DH set his smart phone to go off when it was time to check-in, that way we didn't forget. The phone went off and we checked in on his smart phone. Our numbers were A42 and A43 I'm glad we decided not to pay the extra fee for EBCI. Our return flight was full.

 

[PrincessAlways]

You can add EBCI up to 25 hours prior to your flight.

Thanks, that's good to know!

I just returned from WDW and didn't use the early bird check in. Going down the flight was empty, we left around 4pm. My numbers were A47 and A48. I was back and forth whether I should purchase the EBCI on our flight back home and decided since it was only my DH and I we decided to take our chances. My DH set his smart phone to go off when it was time to check-in, that way we didn't forget. The phone went off and we checked in on his smart phone. Our numbers were A42 and A43 I'm glad we decided not to pay the extra fee for EBCI. Our return flight was full.

Thanks for the info!!! With airfare the way it is, I just don't know if I want to spend even an extra $10!!!

 

[dancin Disney style]

If you are going to add EBCI do it ASAP. With the EBCI you are checking in in the order that it was purchased....meaning if I buy it today and you buy it next week I get checking in ahead of you and everyone that bought it in between me and you is also checked in before you.

I just added in to my March flight but only going home. I thought it would be worth the $10 to not have to think about where I am at the 24hr mark. Generally, the flights leaving MCO are full and I know that I want to sit with my DD.

 

[Lewisc]

The first 15 BPs go to passengers who book business select. Passengers who fly a lot of flights are "A listers" and they automatically get the next group of BPs. Next are the passengers who purchase EBCI. Since you have no idea how many passengers on your flight re A-Listers or purchased EBCI you won't know what kind of BP you'll get when you check in at T-24. Most of the passengers posting are still getting As and low Bs at T-24.

AN EXCEPTION.

Passengers with a connecting flight get BPs for both flights at their T-24, a couple of hours before you can get your BP. Passengers originating at a city with a lot of connecting passengers such as MDW, BWI, LAS might consider purchasing EBCI or run the risk of getting a high B or even a low C BP.

BTW--The date you purchased EBCI isn't the only factor that determines your BP sequence number.

 

[PrincessAlways]

This sounds more complicated than I thought!

 

[MistressMerryweather]

We checked in at Magical Express at 10am of departure day(our flight was at 5:30ish) and got B36, which was fine. Our flight was totally packed.

I'm wondering how it works if you check-in online at 24 hours with your cell and then check-in at magical express the next day with your bags? Do you get the boarding letter from your 24 hour check-in or do they recheck you in and give you what's available?

 

[Lewisc]

I'll try to make it simple. What airport are you flying from? Approximately what time is your flight? Will you able to check in at T-24 for your return flight? In other words what time is your return flight and do you have a web enabled phone available?

What are the ages of any kids you'll be flying with?

 

[MistressMerryweather]

What are the ages of any kids you'll be flying with?

Yes, the whole A, B and C thing is void if you have a child/children 4 and under. The whole family(immediate family, not g'mas/aunts/uncles) boards right after A and before B, so even the EBCI would be unnecessary in that circumstance. Love having a 4 and under on SW!

 

[Jestocost]

I'm wondering how it works if you check-in online at 24 hours with your cell and then check-in at magical express the next day with your bags? Do you get the boarding letter from your 24 hour check-in or do they recheck you in and give you what's available?

If EBCI checks you in at 36 hours or if you check yourself in at 24 hours you will get the numbers assigned at check in regardless of when or where you eventually print out your boarding passes. RAC will do it for you if/when you check bags, the front desk at your resort or guest services in the parks or DTD will do it for you, or you can print them yourselves when you get to the airport. One little thing to know is that when you use EBCI you will get checked in at 36 hours but you will not be able to see or print your BPs until 24 hours.

 

[MistressMerryweather]

If EBCI checks you in at 36 hours or if you check yourself in at 24 hours you will get the numbers assigned at check in regardless of when or where you eventually print out your boarding passes. RAC will do it for you if/when you check bags, the front desk at your resort or guest services in the parks or DTD will do it for you, or you can print them yourselves when you get to the airport. One little thing to know is that when you use EBCI you will get checked in at 36 hours but you will not be able to see or print your BPs until 24 hours.

Thank you! I had wanted to check in at 24 hours earlier this month but was worried it would mess up the ME check-in. That is good to know. For me EBCI isn't important as long as we can check in at the 24 hour mark. Next trip doesn't really matter either as we are traveling with our 2yo.

 

[tjmw2727]

Yes, the whole A, B and C thing is void if you have a child/children 4 and under. The whole family(immediate family, not g'mas/aunts/uncles) boards right after A and before B, so even the EBCI would be unnecessary in that circumstance. Love having a 4 and under on SW!

Not always, often if the flight is full or there are several families with young children they will limit family boarding to one parent with the child 4 and under.

 

[MistressMerryweather]

Not always, often if the flight is full or there are severaly families with young children they will limit family boarding to one parent with the child 4 and under.

Then you put your bag or coat on the seats right next to you and say, "taken".

 

[brymolmom]

Then you put your bag or coat on the seats right next to you and say, "taken".

Actually, I have had flight attendants announce on several of my SW flights that 'saving seats is not allowed'.

I haven't seen too much of an issue with it - but I was planning on using that 'rule' when I had to transfer planes with a very short layover. If I couldn't get at least 2 and 2 with my kids, I was going to ask someone to move a purse or other luggage. The rules are 'first come first served' on seats so honestly if your spouse/other child is BEHIND another person in the boarding pass line - that seat can (and in reality 'belongs') to the person in front of them, if they choose it.

Not that I've seen it cause an issue...but like I said that was going to be my own strategy if I needed it. I wouldn't let a purse take one of the spots of a 2 person seat and let my 6 year old sit apart from me instead. Luckily, I didn't have to do it as I was able to find some seats together in the back of the plane. I wasn't expecting a pleasant conversation about it so was very happy it was avoided.

 

[LidoDeck]

Then you put your bag or coat on the seats right next to you and say, "taken".

Unless the bag or coat has paid for a ticket and is in possession of a boarding pass, the seat is not "occupied" and flight attendant will advise coat or bag owner that seat is available for another passenger who wants it.