SWA - EBCI Problems

[PCFriar80]

Anyone else encounter problems with EBCI over the last 24 hours? I purchased it in May for our BDL - MCO trip tomorrow and when I checked my ressie this AM saw I had B15 and B16. I would have expected better. When I called they told me they had problems with the process and refunded my fee.

 

[dburg30]

Anyone else encounter problems with EBCI over the last 24 hours? I purchased it in May for our BDL - MCO trip tomorrow and when I checked my ressie this AM saw I had B15 and B16. I would have expected better. When I called they told me they had problems with the process and refunded my fee.

I'm really surprised they will refund the fee. Unless they are stating you didnt get checked in at the proper time via EBCI, and you actually checked yourself in when you went on to see what BP #'s you had.

 

[PCFriar80]

I'm really surprised they will refund the fee. Unless they are stating you didnt get checked in at the proper time via EBCI, and you actually checked yourself in when you went on to see what BP #'s you had.

Well they did. Admitted there were problems. I called the customer relations 214...... number.

 

[dburg30]

That's awesome, since they easily could've just said "we never promised what BP's you would get" although if you were in line and just mentioned EBCI and people in front of you said "we didnt do that" then the gig would have been up and you would've REALLY been upset.

 

[Lisa75]

Dealt with this mess this morning . While I get that they don't guarantee an "A" boarding pass you are paying them to check you in prior to the 24 hour mark when everyone else gets on.

My husband is on a work trip where several of them are on the same confirmation number. While we purchased EBCI for him for the return I got on this am at the 24 hour mark to check his friend in (they were in a training with no computer access). The friend got A27. I went to see what EBCI got for my husband and it was A50!

Basically, I was checking him in as EBCI had not. Thank God I looked. At least you got an honest rep who told you about the computer problem. The girl I had came up with ten different excuses like: your husband's friend must have had EBCI" "you are not guaranteed an A pass", "there must have been a lot of A-listers and business select.". Finally she came off of it and said the computer problem. Basically said sorry that happened goodbye. She never offered the refund and I didn't want to deal with her anymore so I sent them an email for the refund. What a pain!

I always use the EBCI and don't worry about it. I think from now on I will still get on and check-kind of defeats the purpose a little!

 

[Nermel9]

Ugh I hope they get this straightened out soon! I purchased EBCI for my upcoming trip in November so I hope it works out ok! I used it last year with no problem!

 

[AlexDurrani]

I had a friend that just left MCO for Albany on tuesday and it seems that they have been having the problem for a while. He had purchased the EBCI and got the same problem of a B?? numbered BP. He was asking about it.

I just found the official FAQs page for the EBCI and it is interesting to read.
EarlyBird Check-in FAQs

 

[Elmo007]

On a recent trip, there were 3 of us using EBCI, we had A24, A25 and then C50. Obviously it was an error. It took 10 minutes or so when we checked our bags but we boarded as A24, A25 and A25a.

 

[dburg30]

I had a friend that just left MCO for Albany on tuesday and it seems that they have been having the problem for a while. He had purchased the EBCI and got the same problem of a B?? numbered BP. He was asking about it.

I just found the official FAQs page for the EBCI and it is interesting to read.
EarlyBird Check-in FAQs

As stated, if I found anyone in front of me that didnt purchase EBCI, except A-listers and business select, I would be on the phone pretty much demanding my money back for EBCI.. Just because I got a crappy number wouldnt upset me, but if I was after non EBCI people it would, again, minus the 2 I listed above.

 

[j's m]

I purchased for the 3 of us for our Nov trip. First time flying SW. I guess I'll still get on at the 24 hr mark just to be sure. But I'll be really ticked if I blew 30 dollars.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Right - not because EBCI automatically indicates you'll board before passengers who check in themselves 24 hours or less before departure, but because
(a) EBCI ensures your boarding pass will be issued before those passengers'
combined with
(b) boarding pass letter/number combinations are assigned in the order the BPs are issued.

EBCI doesn't mean you(r entire party) won't get B or C passes, but it's supposed to mean nobody who checks in after you gets a lower BP placement.

 

[Inkmahm]

And those of us who love the Airtran method are supposed to be happy about using this flawed SW system? I don't think so.

 

[dburg30]

And those of us who love the Airtran method are supposed to be happy about using this flawed SW system? I don't think so.

You dont have to pay the $20 rt pp to use it.


I checked in this AM.. I had purchased tix march or april, whenever they opened up for this time period. About a month ago, maybe a bit longer I decided to add EBCI to 3 of our party (my wife, bro and sis in law) my mom and I, didnt do it for and the rest didnt pay for it because they have twins 2 years old so they could board between a and b...

Got a24,25,26 for the first 3 EBCI's, A36 and 37 for the next set (which makes sense since I did purchase those later then the 24-26 set.. and the rest of the family at t-24 I got A44-48..