SW Early Bird Check In necessary?

[toyotaae86lg]

I'm debating on EBCI for this years trip in September. It's me, DW and DD (3yo) flying on southwest. We flew SW last year almost exact same dates and flight times departing Houston 6:10am and departing Orlando at 2:25PM and we did not have EBCI. We used the family boarding and got on all together but thats just the case. EBCI would ensure we were together. It's also 12.50 extra one way so like an extra $75. What would you guys do? Don't worry about EBCI and go with the family boarding or Yes it's worth the extra cost?

 

[Superchikk]

At the very least, I would make SURE you check-in 24 hours in advance to get the earliest boarding possible. I would say though, if it's super important that you all three sit together, it might be worth the $75.

 

[toyotaae86lg]

At the very least, I would make SURE you check-in 24 hours in advance to get the earliest boarding possible. I would say though, if it's super important that you all three sit together, it might be worth the $75.

Yea thats what we did last year, I just waited till midnight and checked in. We still got "B" seating but we all sat together. Coming back from Disney was a bit trickier to check in via my phone app but I did it.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I think the family boarding is good enough. In some cases the family boarding will go before the early bird check in seats if their numbers are far back enough.

 

[nalajms]

I always buy EBCI for flights out of MCO. Even family boarding gets crowded and some people get very rude. Plus I don't want to worry about checking in while we're at the park.

 

[Gracie09]

Yea thats what we did last year, I just waited till midnight and checked in. We still got "B" seating but we all sat together. Coming back from Disney was a bit trickier to check in via my phone app but I did it.

Did you have a midnight flight? I'm confused as to why you would wait until midnight to check in, unless you took a really late flight. It's 24 hours before your flight

 

[toyotaae86lg]

Did you have a midnight flight? I'm confused as to why you would wait until midnight to check in, unless you took a really late flight. It's 24 hours before your flight

I do apologize, I think i'm thinking of my fastpass selections. Yes I would check in 24hrs so for my Houston flight it's 6:10AM which isn't a big deal, but that does pose a question for my outgoing orlando flight. It's at 2:25PM so that would put me in the parks to check in which I would need to rely on my iphone to check us all 3 in. As of right now i'm leaning on not getting it and relying on the family boarding. $75 is souvenirs and i'm a cheap skate.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I wouldn't buy it if I were traveling with a 3 year old.

 

[Jaime4004]

I wouldn't buy it if I were traveling with a 3 year old.

Neither would I. Never had a problem for my family of 5 to sit together with family boarding. Unfortunately they're all too old now, so we'll see what happens. Still going to risk it.

 

[kwdw]

With a 3 yo - and family boarding - I wouldn't pay it!

 

[Lewisc]

I agree. Family boarding will work fine. Some EBCI customers wind up with B BPs. I think EBCI would be a waste of time.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I wouldn't buy it if I were traveling with a 3 year old.

I got it for my next trip both going and coming back. My kids are 15 and 9. DS15 is a bit nervous to fly so he doesn't want to sit by himself. DD9 wants a window seat and to be next to me.

My plan is to get a row with DD at the window and me in the middle seat then DS and my SO sit the row right behind us. That way I can talk to DS if he gets too nervous. He's flown before but for some reason he's not really feeling it this time.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I don't think I would bother either...just use family boarding. If for some reason that makes you nervous just buy the EBCI for the return flight. That will only cost you $37.50.

 

[CarolMN]

I'd pay for EBCI for the return flight only. That way you do not have to worry about checking in 24 hours in advance and you wouldn't have to worry about Southwest deciding not to do Family boarding. Since there are so many families with children at MCO, it is not uncommon for them to skip it there. It happens, more often than some might think.

The relief from worrying would be worth the $37.50 to me. You should be fine checking in 24 hours in advance on the trip to MCO.

 

[beccasmom]

We always purchase it, but it does get pricey. I agree with previous posters that it is helpful to purchase it for your return flight. It cuts down on stressing out about checking in yourself so you can enjoy your precious park time.

 

[bookgirl]

Only on a Disney Trip have I seen Family Boarding denied all together, it was tragic, at least for the dozens and dozens of extended family members that were waiting in line. I've seen lots of mom's with babies try to do Preboard and that's denied almost every single time.

I have seen them limit Family boarding to child and immediate family only. No aunts, adult siblings, or grandparents. Mom, Dad, Kid and young siblings.

 

[elaine amj]

I don't do EBCI for leaving (just check in at 24 hour mark) but I do for returning because MCO is a different from most other airports. Then again, my kids are too old for family boarding. Even with EBCI, I am typically in high As or low Bs. Of course, I tend to wait to buy EBCI because I am a serial SW flights changer.

As long as you get in the mid-Bs at worst, you should have no problem finding seats together (even if it is nearer the back of the plane).

 

[ohiotodds12]

As previous posters have said, we only do it for the return and that solves a few issues, one I don't have to worry about where i am at the 24 hour mark, my boarding pass is already to go at the resort when we check out luggage, two, I know how family boarding is at MCO. We do not have young ones anymore but I get dizzy really easy and want to have a family member with me if I need them!

 

[cmfitz14]

Do 4yr olds qualify for family boarding?

 

[johnnyr]

We purchased EBC for our trip only because we are traveling during Christmas week. Otherwise, I don't think we would have.