SW Early Bird Check-in Worth it?

[javamom]

It's an extra $10/seat, and no guarantee that you'll even get Group A boarding. What has been your experience? On Arrival? At Departure?

 

[Bobo912]

I've used EBCI 7 times and I've gotten early A boarding passes each time. For a couple of flights I purchased it for both legs of the roundtrip, but lately I've been checking in at T-24 for the flight out and buying EBCI for the return flight. I've still gotten A's for the flight out, but of course, the numbers are a bit higher. If you're on vacation, it's just super convenient not to have to interrupt your fun to check in at T-24. I think that is the best thing about it, regardless of whether you get an A or B.

 

[pattyw]

We've used EBCI many times. We always get low A's. And like PP, we look it as a convenience as well. No more stress of checking in at work or on vacation anymore!

 

[Sweettears]

Absolutely think that its worth it. I used to avoid SW because of the cattle call and then the 24 hour rush to the computer. Always been low A (under 30) since using it (at least 10 times).

Still don't understand why its so difficult for them to assign seats. The aisles are just as clogged with their method as it is with other airlines.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I love EBCI. The last 3 times I have used it, it has been wonderful. It was very nice not having to worry about being at a computer or having to rely on somebody else doing it for you. We also got low A's each time.

 

[mlittig]

Another Early Bird check in fan here

 

[Elmo007]

I also do it coming home but not leaving. I fly from ISP and its usually not insane like MCO. Aslo who needs to search WDW for a computer at T-24.

Last time out of MCO, I got A-16 & 17. No One had 1-15 so after medical boards, I was first on. Sitting in Row 2 is nice. Easy to the bathroom and quick exit at ISP. (First off too)

 

[pipervali]

I was about to ask this myself. There are three of us flying together, and I'm going to be in a place where I can't access the net at T-24, so I was contemplating whether it was worth it or not. Seems like I'm just gonna pull the trigger on it.

 

[bookgirl2632]

We went to Universal last week. We didn't get EBCI for our flight down. I checked in at the 24 hour mark and got A54, 55, and 56. The three of us got seats together in the middle of the plane. That's fine with us.

For the flight back, I did get EBCI. I didn't want to have to worry about doing it myself while down there. We got A19, 20, and 21.

Naturally, if it's a really busy time of year, that may dictate whether it's worth it or not. Going down, I don't think we'll ever get it. Coming back, I'll do it for the convenience.

 

[goofy4tink]

A few thoughts...I used to avoid SW like the plague since I hated getting there and having to stand/sit at the gate entrance in order to hold my place in line. Not so much fun, to say the least. But, when they came out with their new boarding proceedure, I went back to flying SW. It's so much nicer now. I have no problem with them not assigning seats....actually works out quite well for the majority of people.
Do I use EBCI?? Yep..especially on the flight home. I hate having to think about being close to a computer in order to check in at that 24 hr window. Much easier to just pay $10 pp and let SW do it 36 hrs before. So much easier for me. But, others may not agree.

 

[mdsd8700]

I am going to be the odd man out here it seems. We are a family of 4 and have never used EBCI, for us the extra $80 round trip just doesn't seem necessary. That money could be a lunch while we are on our trip. We do always check in EXACTLY at the 24 hour mark and we have always gotten A, a few times B. We sit 2 and 2 a row apart from each other and never had a problem doing so. I wouldn't ever consider spending the extra money since it has never been an issue for us but we never travel more than twice a year either. My husband can check us in on his Blackberry and that has also never been a problem for our return trip. However if I didn't have access to a computer/internet connected phone at the 24 hour mark, I would pay the EBCI. I guess we have been lucky that has never been the case.

 

[jodifla]

We haven't paid for ECBI either. Even when I've gotten into the mid Bs (I forgot to check in until about 12 hours after the window opened) we've always gotten a row together.

 

[LisaS]

Still don't understand why its so difficult for them to assign seats. The aisles are just as clogged with their method as it is with other airlines.

With no assigned seats, passengers tend to get to the gate area well ahead of boarding time so that they are ready to line up and board the plane the instant their boarding group is called. This helps them get the passengers on board more quickly and turn the planes around faster which helps their bottom line.

We did EBCI on our last trip and are doing it again on our next trip. DH can check us in from his phone but that required frequently checking the time on our last day in the parks so we didn't forget to check in for our flight. We enjoyed our last full day at WDW much more when we weren't constantly reminding ourselves "we're going home tomorrow". We could easily check in from home for the flight to MCO but opted to do EBCI for the outbound leg as well. One less thing to think about when getting ready to go on vacation is a good thing!

 

[JLitfin]

Can we use airline credit in order to paid for the Early Bird Check In?

 

[cajunlace]

When purchasing SW tickets on-line when do you purchase early bird check-in? I mean, during the purchase of your airline tickets or is that a separate purchase?

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Can we use airline credit in order to paid for the Early Bird Check In?

No, unfortuntely, you cannot use travel credits to purchase EBCI.

When purchasing SW tickets on-line when do you purchase early bird check-in? I mean, during the purchase of your airline tickets or is that a separate purchase?

Yes, you can purchase it when you purchase your tickets. You can also purchase EBCI up to 25 hours before your flight. However, EBCI is assigned based on first in. So, for instance, those that sign up when flights first come out will get an earlier boarding number than those purchasing EBCI a week before their flight.

Here here is information on EBCI: http://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/faqs.html?topic=earlybird_checkin

 

[MelissaFromRI]

So happy to find this thread , as I was going to start one myself
EBCI is looking better and better to me

I have a question , has anyone who has used SW Early Bird Check-in been picked for extra screening at the airport ? One of my friends told me that she's used EBCI twice and twice her husband got selected for extra airport screening...

 

[MinnieLee]

I also do it coming home but not leaving. I fly from ISP and its usually not insane like MCO. Aslo who needs to search WDW for a computer at T-24.

Last time out of MCO, I got A-16 & 17. No One had 1-15 so after medical boards, I was first on. Sitting in Row 2 is nice. Easy to the bathroom and quick exit at ISP. (First off too)

We live 10 minutes from ISP and that airport is the best! I am at my computer right at the flight time check in time on the way to WDW so we don't use the EBCI but have always used it on the way home. No worries about getting to guest services, concierge or calling someone at home to check us in on the return flight. You can also check in from your cell phone if you want.

We have always had an A boarding pass with a low number and no problems. Worth it, yes, I would say so!

 

[MommyJack]

When purchasing SW tickets on-line when do you purchase early bird check-in? I mean, during the purchase of your airline tickets or is that a separate purchase?

You can add it anytime up to 25 hours before your flight.

 

[javamom]

So, for instance, those that sign up when flights first come out will get an earlier boarding number than those purchasing EBCI a week before their flight.

http://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/faqs.html?topic=earlybird_checkin

Oh yuck, i just purchased mine for our Oct 10th flight, I really hope it's not money wasted at the back of the plane...