What do you think - do I need EBCI?

[erin327]

My husband and I are traveling with our two young daughters, age 2 and 5.

I bought EBCI for the 4 of us for our flight home so as to not have to be concerned with finding a computer exactly 24 hours before trip home (we aren't flying home directly after the Disney portion of our trip so they won't check us in).

I am trying to decide whether it is necessary to pay another $40 to get it for the trip down there. We are flying on a Tuesday morning in September from Indy to Chicago to MCO. I should have no problem being at the computer exactly 24 hours before and checking in right away. Since we have a 2 year old, all 4 of us can board between the A&B group, right? So that would be worst case? Surely we could all sit sort of near each other and neither of the kids alone boarding at that point? Do you think I am ok to save the $40 and skip EBCI?

 

[Nohal]

We don't pay for the EBCI going to MCO. Of course it is only DH & me so we don't care where we sit and I am on the computer at the 24hr mark checking us in. The trip home is a different story we always pay for the EBCI because it is worth it not to have to go to guest services and spend time in line at the 24hr mark. Having young children you can board between A&B and will probably be able to sit together or close to each other. I would save the $40 to spend at Disney.

 

[DebbieB]

My husband and I are traveling with our two young daughters, age 2 and 5.

I bought EBCI for the 4 of us for our flight home so as to not have to be concerned with finding a computer exactly 24 hours before trip home (we aren't flying home directly after the Disney portion of our trip so they won't check us in).

I am trying to decide whether it is necessary to pay another $40 to get it for the trip down there. We are flying on a Tuesday morning in September from Indy to Chicago to MCO. I should have no problem being at the computer exactly 24 hours before and checking in right away. Since we have a 2 year old, all 4 of us can board between the A&B group, right? So that would be worst case? Surely we could all sit sort of near each other and neither of the kids alone boarding at that point? Do you think I am ok to save the $40 and skip EBCI?

If you can be at the computer at 24 hours, I would not pay. I had a trip at the end of April and was there at 24 hours and got A52.

Family boarding is sometimes not allowed if there are too many kids, or they can restrict it to 1 parent and the young child.

 

[CarolMN]

I wouldn't buy EBCI for a trip to MCO, especially since you can check in at 24 hours and are traveling on a Tuesday. Even if you board with a B pass, at worst, you should be able to sit 2 & 2. Since there are 4 of you and all SWA planes are 3-aisle-3, you may want to sit 2 & 2 anyway.

We always get EBCI for the return trip because I do not want to bother checking in at the 24 hours mark. We never buy going to MCO (route is usually MSP-MDW-MCO) and check in at 24 hours. Have always gotten A boarding numbers.

 

[Lewisc]

I don't think you need it. I don't agree with the PP. Checking in at T-24 won't help if your flight has a lot of continuing or connecting passengers. You'll get both BPs 24 hours before your first flight. I'd probably spring for EBCI if I was starting my trip in Chicago. Every passenger on your flight, who's connecting in Chicago, will be able to get their BPs an hour or more before your 24 hour window opens.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Since we have a 2 year old, all 4 of us can board between the A&B group, right? So that would be worst case? Surely we could all sit sort of near each other and neither of the kids alone boarding at that point? Do you think I am ok to save the $40 and skip EBCI?

WN's official policy is one adult per eligible child for family boarding, so if this is enforced, you will not all be allowed to board then.

 

[dsneprincess]

I wouldn't either way with family boarding an option. We used family boarding previously & always been able to get seats together!

 

[daughtryfan114]

I only did EBCI because I will be unable to check us in at the 24 hr mark. Hated spending the money but I will have peace of mind knowing its done while I am at work. One less thing to worry about!

Have a terrific trip!!!

 

[dsneprincess]

I only did EBCI because I will be unable to check us in at the 24 hr mark. Hated spending the money but I will have peace of mind knowing its done while I am at work. One less thing to worry about!

Have a terrific trip!!!

I admit it....I am cheap! We have flown SW for years tho & used to worry more about seating in the early years. We just had an issue on JetBlue where we either had to pay $70 for extra leg room seats to sit 2 together or take our chances...I ended up waiting & we were able to get seats together at check-in. I usually have my mom or sister check us in at 24 hour mark & return the favor when they travel, but we have family boarding as a backup for a little while longer!

 

[Lewisc]

WN's official policy is one adult per eligible child for family boarding, so if this is enforced, you will not all be allowed to board then.

and there are times where the GA will decide not to offer family mdi-boarding to any passengers.

 

[francie57]

We have done EBCI for our flights both ways and for me it was just peace of mind on the way to MCO and on the way back I didn't want to have to interrupt our fun in the parks with having to get on a computer. We were A27, 28, 29, 30 to MCO and A17, 18, 19, 20 on the way home. We fly out of Hartford and on the two trips on SW to MCO there was no family boarding since basically everyone getting on had kids. We are going for marathon weekend in Jan and I purchased EBCI for those flights also.

 

[keishashadow]

if it's a priority to sit with your family, buy the EB...at $10 pp it's a bargin for peace of mind imo.

 

[mdsd8700]

We are a family of 4, although our kids are much older now but we have never used EBCI. We always check in exactly at 24 hours and the worst we have ever gotten is in the mid B boarding. We always sit 2 and 2 so the B boarding is not an issue.

 

[Lewisc]

We are a family of 4, although our kids are much older now but we have never used EBCI. We always check in exactly at 24 hours and the worst we have ever gotten is in the mid B boarding. We always sit 2 and 2 so the B boarding is not an issue.

A year or so ago people using EBCI were getting BPs in the mid As. Trend continues and you might need EBCI if you want to sit together.

It makes a big difference if you're flight is likely to have a lot of continuing or connecting passengers. I'd definitely spring for EBCI (unless I'd be happy with middle seats) if I was departing from a city like Baltimore, Chicago or Las Vegas. Every connecting passenger will be able to get their BP an hour or more before my 24 hour window opens.

 

[sam_gordon]

Just another option (I think)...

Can you add EBCI to just two of you? If so, do that (save $20). Use the 24 hour checkin for the other two. Find out if they have family boarding. If so, 5yo & adult board with EBCI #'s. 2yo & other adult use family boarding. If not, 2yo & adult use EBCI#'s and 5yo & adult board with assigned numbers (generated at the 24hour mark).

Again, not sure if this would work or not.