Southwest Airlines stands out among its competitors for its commitment to customer convenience and satisfaction. One of the airline’s standout features is the Early Bird Check-In service, which allows passengers to secure favorable flight boarding positions. It is a great choice for affordable travel. Southwest Airlines has an “open seating” system, meaning you pick your seat after you board. But to get a better shot at your favorite spot (window, aisle, etc.)
This comprehensive guide delves into What is Early Bird Check-In and the details of maximizing it with a Southwest Credit Card, ensuring you’re well-prepared for your next travel.
Let’s get started!
What is Early Bird Check-In?
It’s a way to check in for your Southwest flight earlier, giving you a higher boarding number. This means you’ll likely be closer to the front of the line when you board and have more options for choosing your seat.
Early Bird Check-In with Southwest Airlines is like getting a head start on boarding. Here’s the breakdown:
Standard Check-In: Southwest allows check-in 24 hours before your flight. This is when you get your official boarding number.
Early Bird Check-In: This lets you check in even earlier, typically 36 hours before your flight. This gives you a chance to get a much lower boarding number, putting you closer to the front of the line when you board the plane.
The benefit? Lower boarding numbers mean a better shot at grabbing your preferred seat – window, aisle, extra legroom, etc. Since Southwest uses an “open seating” system where you choose your seat after boarding, a lower number gives you more options.
How to Use Early Bird Check In Southwest Credit Card?
Here are the five easy and effective ways to profit from Early Bird Check-In and successfully travel.
It’s all about having your Southwest Credit Card linked to your reservation!
- Verify If You have a Southwest Credit Card: If you don’t have one yet, apply online. It’s usually a quick and easy process.
- Link your Credit Card to your Southwest Account: This step connects your card to your travel profile. Doing so, the Early Bird Check-In recognizes your card eligibility. Don’t worry, it’s usually a simple process on the Southwest website.
- Book your Southwest Flight: Now, use your Southwest Credit Card for booking your flights. This automatically links your reservation to your credit card.
- Early Bird Check-In Window: Southwest typically allows Early Bird Check-In 36 hours before your flight’s scheduled departure.
- Check-In Online: 36 hours before your flight, go to the Southwest Airlines website or app and log in to your account. You should see the Early Bird Check-In option is available for your flight.
Complete Check-In: Follow the prompts to complete the Early Bird Check-In process. This will assign you a boarding number (hopefully a low one!).
Bonus Tip: Set a reminder for yourself 36 hours before your flight so you don’t miss the Early Bird Check-In window.
Using your Southwest Credit Card makes Early Bird Check-In an easy and friendly process because it streamlines the it by automatically linking your card and reservation. You won’t need a separate code or anything like that.
Southwest Early Bird Check-In: How Much Does It Cost?
The price can vary depending on how popular your flight is and how long it takes. It starts at $15, but according to Southwest’s fees, it could cost as much as $99.
Here’s the catch:
- If you cancel your flight, you won’t get your money back for Early Bird Check-In.
- But, if Southwest cancels your flight, you can call them to get a refund for Early Bird Check-In. It might take up to a week (7 business days) to get your money back.
Free Early Bird Check-In with Southwest Airlines: Here’s How!
There are a few ways to snag Early Bird Check-In with Southwest Airlines without paying extra:
1. Book an Anytime Fare: Anytime fares are the magic ticket! They automatically include Early Bird Check-In, allowing you to check in 36 hours before your flight and get a decent boarding position.
Booking an Anytime fare within 24 hours of your flight might not get you the best boarding position since Southwest starts assigning them earlier.
2. Business Select® Fare: This fare already comes with Priority Boarding, so Early Bird Check-In is included. No need to pay extra!
3. Be a Frequent Flyer: If you have A-List Preferred or A-List status with Southwest, you (and anyone on your reservation) automatically get Priority Boarding, which includes Early Bird Check-In.
Remember: Even with free Early Bird Check-In, checking in earlier (36 hours) gives you a better shot at a good boarding position.
Fly Often with Southwest and Get Special Perks!
If you travel a lot with Southwest and have earned “A-List Preferred” or “A-List” status, you and anyone flying with you on the same reservation get special treatment called “Priority Boarding.” This means you don’t need to pay extra for Early Bird Check-In – it’s already included!
Southwest Early Check-In: Can I Skip the Fee?
Here are a few groups who already get priority boarding without paying extra for Early Bird Check-In:
- Frequent Flyers with A-List Status: If you travel a lot with Southwest and have earned “A-List Preferred” or “A-List” status, you and anyone flying with you on the same reservation get “Priority Boarding” which includes Early Bird Check-In for free.
- Passengers with Disabilities: Southwest offers pre-boarding to passengers with certain disabilities. This allows them to board before the general boarding process starts, eliminating the need for Early Bird Check-In.
- Unaccompanied Minors: Southwest provides pre-boarding for unaccompanied minors traveling alone. They won’t need to purchase Early Bird Check-In.
Skip the Early Bird Check-In Fee with These Southwest Credit Cards!
The following Southwest Credit Cards come with free Early Bird Check-In Service. which means you can choose your seat and avoid the overhead bin scramble without paying extra! These are:
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus, Premier, and Premier Business Cards: These cards each give you two free Early Bird Check-Ins every year.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Card: This card doesn’t offer free Early Bird Check-In, but it does give you a $75 annual credit that can be used towards the cost of Early Bird Check-In if you decide to purchase it.
So, if you fly Southwest often and want to save time and hassle, consider applying for a Southwest Credit Card with Early Bird Check-In benefits!
Early Bird Check-In vs. Upgraded Boarding: What’s the Difference?
Both Early Bird Check-In and Upgraded Boarding help you get on the plane faster with Southwest Airlines, but they work in different ways:
- Early Bird Check-In: This lets you check in for your flight earlier (usually 36 hours before departure) compared to the standard 24 hours. This gives you a better chance of getting a good boarding position, but it doesn’t guarantee a specific spot. It often comes free with certain Southwest Credit Cards or fares.
- Upgraded Boarding: This costs extra (starting at $30 per person, per flight leg). If you purchase it and there are spots available, you’ll be guaranteed a boarding position in the A1-A15 range, which is near the front of the plane. This lets you pick your seat first and avoid the fight for overhead bin space. You can usually buy Upgraded Boarding when you check in online (24 hours before your flight).
How to Buy EarlyBird Check-In:
There are three ways to buy EarlyBird Check-In:
- Visit Southwest.com
- Call Southwest at 1-800-435-9792
- Use the Southwest mobile app
[Credit Southwest Airline]
When Can You Buy It?
You can buy EarlyBird Check-In up to 36 hours before your flight, but only if they still have it available for your trip.
Do You have to Buy It Beforehand?
Nope! You can also add EarlyBird Check-In to your existing flight reservation.
What Happens If Your Flight Changes?
If your flight gets changed and it’s more than 25 hours away, they can move your EarlyBird Check-In to the new flight. But if it’s less than 25 hours away, you’ll lose the benefit.
Buying EarlyBird Check-In for a Group
If you’re buying EarlyBird Check-In after booking a flight for multiple people, you can choose who gets it (you don’t have to buy it for everyone). However, if you buy it at the same time you book the flights, everyone on the reservation needs to have it.
Benefits of Using Early Bird Check-In Southwest Credit Card
With Early Bird Drop-Off, you can go in for the check-in procedure way earlier and get a leg up on several aspects of your journey. Securing the boarding position as early as possible helps you pick the place, gives more room for your hand baggage, and avoids the hassles of scurrying to find an available headroom. In addition to those mentioned above, the guarded luggage belts provide one more perk – an opportunity to disembark sooner than all the other passengers by being among the first on the landing. With these merits, you will travel with Southwest Airlines to provide you with a more enjoyable and stress-free experience.
Maximizing the Benefits
To take full advantage of Early Bird Check-In, you must make your Southwest flight payment using your Southwest Credit Card. In this way, you ensure that you are one of these travelers who benefit from the Early Bird Check-In. If you are booking your flight, please select the Southwest credit card as your payment method. When you use this transaction, your Southwest Airlines account automatically links to your credit card, simplifying the Early Bird Check-In process. With your Southwest Credit Card, you gain eligibility for Early Bird Check-In while accruing reward points that you can later use to purchase flights, flight upgrades, or excellent travel perks.
Tips and Tricks for a Smooth Experience
Activate the Early Bird Check-in feature on your Southwest credit card and read some tidbits for a glitch-free process. One of the most important strategies is verifying the departure ticket precisely 24 hours before departure. This is the earliest you will check in and will enable you to increase your chances of getting the best boarding position. Schedule the reminder on your mobile or computer to avoid the time zone mistake.
A recommendation is to consider booking a seat near the front of the cabin. Though Early Bird Check-In will not ensure a particular boarding position, it will assuredly increase the possibility of your sitting closer to the exit. Thus, it is true that in such a case, you can take advantage of the fact that there is a short distance to the lavatory, and you can leave the plane quickly as well.
Finally, remember that this Early Bird Check-in applies to all travelers listed in your reservation. If you can travel with family or friends, add their details when you check in to the Early Bird Check-In service label, making them part of this special offer. These tips and tricks make your flight with Southwest Airlines worthwhile and fun.
Comparing Early Bird Check-In with other Airlines’ Check-In Options
Analyzing other airline check-in options contrasts the early bird check-in approach. Unlike other airlines that boast unique check-in options, Southwest Airlines‘ Early Bird Check-In is stunning for its simplicity and ease. In contrast to other airlines that use air travel check-in benefits determined by ticket class and loyalty status, Southwest provides this feature to all passengers at a fixed price. It doesn’t matter whether you are in first or regular class or an excellent client; you can always have the Early Bird Check-In service, either during the booking process or afterward. This framework floor determines each passenger’s access upon boarding and makes the boarding process more inclusive towards customers’ needs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, with Southwest’s Early Bird Check-In, pick your favorite seat, breeze through carry-on storage, and get out the door fast! Plus, a Southwest Credit Card makes Early Bird Check-In a snap and earns you rewards points for free flights! Apply online, activate your card, book with the card, and check in 24 hours early. Set a reminder and consider a front seat to exit even quicker. Early Bird Check-In covers everyone in your group, so fly smarter and stress-free with Southwest!
Can I still check in to see if I have an Early Bird Check-In?
Yes, even if you have an Early Bird Check-In, you can still check in manually. However, it’s important to note that manually checking in after Early Bird Check-In has started may result in a less favorable boarding position.
Is Early Bird Check-In available for international flights?
Yes, Early Bird Check-In is available for both domestic and international flights operated by Southwest Airlines. However, it’s always recommended to check the specific terms and conditions for your particular flight to ensure Early Bird Check-In is applicable.
