Who prints out their own boarding passes?

[hercamore]

We are flying NW to Pensacola from Mn. in two weeks using E tickets, (two connections). Nwa.com has a special where you get 2,000 flyer miles if you print your own boarding passes from your own computer or at the airport. I would have to do this on my computer since our small regional airport doesn't have e-checkin machines.

I am not sure I am brave enuf to do this cause I don't fly all that much.

For you frequent flyers out there that do this, any comments on pros and cons of printing your own.

Thanks,

Herc

 

[soccer mom]

We did it for the first time in November out of Detroit. It was fantastic. When we entered the airport, especially the return flight, and saw the line for the counter it was terrifying! There were dozens and dozens of people waiting. We just walked up to their do-it-yourself computer, followed the instructions and were at security check point in five minutes. It was great! No problems as all.

The only bad part was we had a lot of time on our hands and sat in front of the Disney store and spent another $100.00! lol

 

[DebbieB]

Has anyone used the USAirways kiosk at the airport? Their website says to swipe your Dividend Miles card or the credit card used to make the reservation. Do you get boarding passes for everyone on your reservation at once or does each have to swipe their dividend miles card? I'm planning on trying it in May, you get 1,000 bonus miles for the first time, 50 thereafter.

 

[Terk-1]

Which airlines have these?? Are they available at all the airports? I'm planning on flying Southwest and the line last September to go home was amazing. Does anyone know if Southwest has these at MCO?

 

[CarolMN]

I've been printing out our boarding passes at home ever since NWA first offered the service. Only had a problem one time - the boarding pass didn't print out all the little bar codes. Just went to the agent at the airport and had another one printed for me. No trouble at all. They've improved the system since they first started, too. Now you can get a reprint if the first attempt fails. The "home printed" passes work just fine at the gate. Never any problems there.

We really like this service when all we have is carry on luggage. Then it really saves us lots of time. It doesn't always save you time, though. That's especially true if you have luggge to check. If we have luggage to check, we like to use the curbside option. A tip is expected, but we don't mind that. All of my luggage comments are for the MSP airport. They may not apply to your regional airport.

I like the self-check in option. It's nice to get the extra FF miles, but I really do it because the system lets you change your seat assignments. Several times, I've gotten what I consider better seats doing this. Of course, you can only move to vacant seats and you can't assign yourself to exit row seats or to the seats reserved for the elite FF members (unless you are one). NWA lets you "check in" via your home computer 24 hours ahead of time, though, so you can get first crack at the available seats if you able to check in at that time. It also gives you some idea of how full the plane is.

If I can answer any specific question, let me know. Be glad to help.

 

[hercamore]

Thank you for the info, Carol.

I pm'd you.



Herc.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by DebbieB
Has anyone used the USAirways kiosk at the airport? Their website says to swipe your Dividend Miles card or the credit card used to make the reservation. Do you get boarding passes for everyone on your reservation at once or does each have to swipe their dividend miles card? I'm planning on trying it in May, you get 1,000 bonus miles for the first time, 50 thereafter.

I've not used the U S Air kiosks, but they probably work the same way that NWA's do. This is what happens on the airport NWA kiosks:

Every one on the same "reservation number" comes up when you swipe your card. It then asks you to check all of the people who are traveling. You have to answer the standard 3 questions about luggage for each person (e.g., has it been under your control, etc.). You may get an opportunity to change your seat assignments and/or upgrade if you qualify (depends on how full flight is, your FF status and/or fare paid). You will get a boarding pass for each person. NWA also gives you an option to print out a receipt. It will ask if you are checking luggage and how many pieces. If yes, you are instructed to get in a special line and the agent there has the luggage check and claim tags to put on the luggage. In my experience, this goes a lot faster than the "regular lines". FWIW, everyone on the reservation that has a FF number listed gets the bonus miles for using the special check in kiosks. You can add a number if it isn't listed. Since MSP is a NWA hub, there are always NWA employees around these machines to help you if it is needed.

Again, this is how NWA's kiosks at MSP (and MCO) airport work. US Air's most likely work in a similar manner.

 

[juicefruit00]

I have an E-Ticket and i am flying Southwest, i have never flown with them before. Can i get do my boarding passes on my own computer, and how do i do this. I am sorry, like i said i have never done this before. What do i do next? I don't have to stand in that line at the airport? Please help a beginer.

 

[CarolMN]

Hi, juicefruit00 -

Southwest does not offer this service. Here is a link to Boarding/Check-in Procedures on the Southwest web site:


http://www.southwestairlines.com/travel_center/checkin.html

Enjoy your trip!