SW early bird check in question

[antkim]

I am sure this has been asked before but I can't locate anything and need to make a decision today. Has anyone ever purchased this for just one person in your group and then just saved seats for others boarding after you? Did it work out or did you have to give up the seats? I always thought that everyone in the group must purchase it but SW agent told me last night that we do not all have to pay for it. He also said that yes one person could get it technically hold the seats but of course someone else could try to take them etc.

Any experience or thoughts on this?

Thanks!

Kim

 

[goofy4tink]

Hi!!! Looks like you got the definitive word from the SW agent. Here on the Trans board, you're going to get a lot of 'discussion' as to whether it is ethical or moral to pay for one EBCI and then save seats for those that didn't pay.
I believe that if you need to save just one or two seats, then fine. But as soon as you start saving seats in a row other than yours, all bets are off. I also would head to the rear of the plane. Here's why. It just isn't fair to those that have paid for EBCI to have to bypass you and your saved seats (for those that didn't pay) and then have to go to the rear of the plane, while you and your saved seats get more preferable seats.

Here's the thing...if you pay for one EBCI and then board, ahead of your group, and sit down and save those seats for the others, and someone comes along and wants one of those seats? They are entitled to it! It is still an 'open' seat, and remains 'open' until someone's behind is plopped down in it!!! And if there is any 'discussion' about it, the FA won't get involved......an open seat is an open seat!!! Now, most people will move past those 'taken' seats, especially if they're flying with others. But, if you're saving seats toward the front of the plane (at least in front of the wing), and a solo passenger comes along and sees an aisle seat without someone in it? He/she may just plop down in it!!!

Be prepared. It may very well work out just fine. Or, you could face some unpleasantness.

Haven't seen you around for a bit!!!! Hope all is well with you.

 

[Alesia]

I am sure this has been asked before but I can't locate anything and need to make a decision today. Has anyone ever purchased this for just one person in your group and then just saved seats for others boarding after you? Did it work out or did you have to give up the seats? I always thought that everyone in the group must purchase it but SW agent told me last night that we do not all have to pay for it. He also said that yes one person could get it technically hold the seats but of course someone else could try to take them etc.

Any experience or thoughts on this?

Thanks!

Kim

You can try to save seats, but if someone else sits there, there's nothing you can do about it. I would just buy ECBI for everyone. For me, the savings wouldn't be worth the possible stress.

 

[Arden01]

As someone who paid EBCI for my entire family this summer, I would be very annoyed if someone did this.

 

[supersnoop]

I am sure this has been asked before but I can't locate anything and need to make a decision today. Has anyone ever purchased this for just one person in your group and then just saved seats for others boarding after you? Did it work out or did you have to give up the seats? I always thought that everyone in the group must purchase it but SW agent told me last night that we do not all have to pay for it. He also said that yes one person could get it technically hold the seats but of course someone else could try to take them etc.

Any experience or thoughts on this?

Thanks!

Kim

Southwest does not have a seat saving policy. That doesn't mean it's allowed, and it doesn't mean it isn't allowed. It means they will not support or assist you in any way. If you try to save a seat, and someone decides to sit down, you're out of luck.

 

[antkim]

Hi!!! Looks like you got the definitive word from the SW agent. Here on the Trans board, you're going to get a lot of 'discussion' as to whether it is ethical or moral to pay for one EBCI and then save seats for those that didn't pay.
I believe that if you need to save just one or two seats, then fine. But as soon as you start saving seats in a row other than yours, all bets are off. I also would head to the rear of the plane. Here's why. It just isn't fair to those that have paid for EBCI to have to bypass you and your saved seats (for those that didn't pay) and then have to go to the rear of the plane, while you and your saved seats get more preferable seats.

Here's the thing...if you pay for one EBCI and then board, ahead of your group, and sit down and save those seats for the others, and someone comes along and wants one of those seats? They are entitled to it! It is still an 'open' seat, and remains 'open' until someone's behind is plopped down in it!!! And if there is any 'discussion' about it, the FA won't get involved......an open seat is an open seat!!! Now, most people will move past those 'taken' seats, especially if they're flying with others. But, if you're saving seats toward the front of the plane (at least in front of the wing), and a solo passenger comes along and sees an aisle seat without someone in it? He/she may just plop down in it!!!

Be prepared. It may very well work out just fine. Or, you could face some unpleasantness.

Haven't seen you around for a bit!!!! Hope all is well with you.

Nice to see you and hope all is well! I have not been on Trans board in ages! I have never even considered purchasing the EBCI however when we flew SW in November I checked RIGHT at the 24 hour mark literally (as I always do) and we all got C which I could not believe! This happened on both legs of our trip! We got the last few seats together each way (last row). I fly SW alot and always check in right at 24 hour mark and I have always got A and maybe B once but never C (and late C!). I am wondering if this was just a fluke? I plan to check in at 24 hour mark as usual this time and hope we would get A or B! If I do get EBCI for just myself I already figured it would be best to go to the back of the plane and would not be holding more than a couple of seats.

Thanks for the replies!!

 

[gwynne]

You can try to save seats, but if someone else sits there, there's nothing you can do about it. I would just buy ECBI for everyone. For me, the savings wouldn't be worth the possible stress.

ITA. I do what I can to help insure a pleasant travel day, and that includes purchasing ECBI for everyone when on Southwest. I have no interest in getting into it with fellow passengers.

 

[stormer]

You can try to save seats, but if someone else sits there, there's nothing you can do about it. I would just buy ECBI for everyone. For me, the savings wouldn't be worth the possible stress.

As someone who paid EBCI for my entire family this summer, I would be very annoyed if someone did this.

ITA. I do what I can to help insure a pleasant travel day, and that includes purchasing ECBI for everyone when on Southwest. I have no interest in getting into it with fellow passengers.

Agreed!

 

[goofy4tink]

Nice to see you and hope all is well! I have not been on Trans board in ages! I have never even considered purchasing the EBCI however when we flew SW in November I checked RIGHT at the 24 hour mark literally (as I always do) and we all got C which I could not believe! This happened on both legs of our trip! We got the last few seats together each way (last row). I fly SW alot and always check in right at 24 hour mark and I have always got A and maybe B once but never C (and late C!). I am wondering if this was just a fluke? I plan to check in at 24 hour mark as usual this time and hope we would get A or B! If I do get EBCI for just myself I already figured it would be best to go to the back of the plane and would not be holding more than a couple of seats.

Thanks for the replies!!

I like to think of EBCI as part of the fare! I imagine you're flying from either Logan or Green. Those are busy Orlando routes! Especially during vacation times.
I guess it all depends on who is flying. There is always a chance that someone will give you a hard time, if they really want to sit in one of those saved seats. If you go into it, knowing it can happen, which would mean part of your family sitting elsewhere, and you're okay with that...then have at it.
I just hate having to worry about it...I just book it for everyone. I think of it as paying for a checked bag vs getting two free!!!

 

[nkereina]

What the SW phone agent told you contradicts what the SW flight attendants I've encountered will tell you. In my experience, as you're boarding, the FAs will announce over and over that "its a full flight, take any open seat" - in other words, no saving of seats - all seats are fair game.

Aside from that, I'd be nervous about getting into a contentious situation if you're trying to save multiple seats. Air travel brings out the worst in people.

 

[maxiesmom]

I am sure this has been asked before but I can't locate anything and need to make a decision today. Has anyone ever purchased this for just one person in your group and then just saved seats for others boarding after you? Did it work out or did you have to give up the seats? I always thought that everyone in the group must purchase it but SW agent told me last night that we do not all have to pay for it. He also said that yes one person could get it technically hold the seats but of course someone else could try to take them etc.

Any experience or thoughts on this?

Thanks!

Kim

I wouldn't try it. Those are my thoughts.

 

[DVC-Don]

I took an isle seat that a woman was trying to save once. She was trying to save several seats. She told me she was saving them for her kids. Turned out her kids were in their 40's or so and they just shrugged it off when they boarded.

 

[LisaS]

I have never even considered purchasing the EBCI however when we flew SW in November I checked RIGHT at the 24 hour mark literally (as I always do) and we all got C which I could not believe! This happened on both legs of our trip! We got the last few seats together each way (last row). I fly SW alot and always check in right at 24 hour mark and I have always got A and maybe B once but never C (and late C!). I am wondering if this was just a fluke? I plan to check in at 24 hour mark as usual this time and hope we would get A or B!

On my last few flights I got A60 and A43 with EBCI. A couple of times I got low B passes. Count yourself lucky if you get an A boarding pass without EBCI these days.

 

[antkim]

On my last few flights I got A60 and A43 with EBCI. A couple of times I got low B passes. Count yourself lucky if you get an A boarding pass without EBCI these days.

This is the type of advice I was hoping to get. Sorry but I was not asking for opinions on whether I was doing something right/wrong/unethical but rather asking for experience. Based on your reply (which is very helpful) I will get it for the other travelers! Thank you!

 

[goofy4tink]

The issue is that so many people are now paying for EBCI that even if you pay for it, you may get in the B group, even toward the end of that group!!! And many have had an issue with that. BUT......EBCI stands for 'early bird check-in'...not better boarding position! It should get you a better boarding position than those that don't pay for EBCI...as you've found out!!!
This is why I say I just figure it in as part of the fare now! Or think of it as paying for my one piece of checked luggage.

 

[antkim]

The issue is that so many people are now paying for EBCI that even if you pay for it, you may get in the B group, even toward the end of that group!!! And many have had an issue with that. BUT......EBCI stands for 'early bird check-in'...not better boarding position! It should get you a better boarding position than those that don't pay for EBCI...as you've found out!!!
This is why I say I just figure it in as part of the fare now! Or think of it as paying for my one piece of checked luggage.

Makes perfect sense!!! Thank you!!

 

[n2mm]

One of the problems I've found is that at your 24 hr mark, others 24 hour mark was earlier. I'm flying out of bwi. It is a direct flight from bwi, but that same flight started elsewhere (often north) as someone else's 1 stop flight. So those folks are already on the plane when it arrives. And if your flight is someone's connecting flight they got their boarding number at their 24 hour mark from their first flight. Does this make sense? So we now buy early bird. I do try to check to see where my flight started from before arriving at bwi. This is why some folks still get B passes. I just don't find 12.50 to be an issue. It's all part of the game now.

 

[antkim]

One of the problems I've found is that at your 24 hr mark, others 24 hour mark was earlier. I'm flying out of bwi. It is a direct flight from bwi, but that same flight started elsewhere (often north) as someone else's 1 stop flight. So those folks are already on the plane when it arrives. And if your flight is someone's connecting flight they got their boarding number at their 24 hour mark from their first flight. Does this make sense? So we now buy early bird. I do try to check to see where my flight started from before arriving at bwi. This is why some folks still get B passes. I just don't find 12.50 to be an issue. It's all part of the game now.

Yes that makes perfect sense for connecting flights! Thanks again!

 

[nkereina]

This is the type of advice I was hoping to get. Sorry but I was not asking for opinions on whether I was doing something right/wrong/unethical but rather asking for experience. Based on your reply (which is very helpful) I will get it for the other travelers! Thank you!

I think earlier posters were simply providing their own experiences with EBCI, and what they have been told as well. You're making the right decision purchasing for all travelers, since that is what would be required.

 

[BellsFam]

O.K., now this just happened to me... can someone please answer?

I purchase EBCI for all three of us, we are all on separate tickets, not one package.

DH and DD are in boarding group B, and I am in A... DD is only 5, can she board with me?