Have you ever flown Southwest Airlines and found yourself wondering, "How on earth do I get a good seat on this open-seating airline?" You're not alone! Southwest's unique boarding process, where seats aren't assigned, can feel like a bit of a lottery. But there's a secret weapon many savvy travelers employ to increase their chances of snagging that coveted window or aisle seat, or simply ensuring their group can sit together: EarlyBird Check-In.
This comprehensive guide will break down everything you need to know about Southwest's EarlyBird Check-In, including its cost, how it works, and whether it's truly worth the investment for your next trip.
Understanding Southwest's Boarding Process
Before we dive into EarlyBird, it's crucial to grasp Southwest's standard boarding system. Unlike most airlines, Southwest operates on an open seating policy. This means there are no pre-assigned seats. Instead, passengers are assigned a boarding group (A, B, or C) and a position within that group (1-60+) when they check in.
Group A: Boards first, typically getting the best choice of seats.
Group B: Boards next, usually finding a decent selection of seats remaining.
Group C: Boards last, often left with middle seats towards the back of the plane.
Your boarding position is primarily determined by when you check in for your flight. Southwest's online check-in opens exactly 24 hours before your flight's scheduled departure. This often leads to a frantic scramble as travelers set alarms to check in the moment the window opens, hoping to secure an A or early B boarding pass.
What is EarlyBird Check-In?
EarlyBird Check-In is an optional, paid service offered by Southwest Airlines that provides the convenience of automatic check-in before the traditional 24-hour check-in window. When you purchase EarlyBird, Southwest automatically checks you in and assigns your boarding position 36 hours prior to your flight's scheduled local departure time. This gives you a significant head start over passengers who check in manually, significantly increasing your chances of getting an earlier boarding position.
Step 1: Is EarlyBird Check-In Right For You? Consider Your Travel Needs!
Before you even think about the cost, let's figure out if EarlyBird Check-In aligns with your travel priorities. Ask yourself these questions:
Sub-heading: Do You Value Seat Choice?
Do you absolutely need a window or aisle seat? Are you keen on sitting closer to the front of the plane for a quicker exit upon arrival? If so, EarlyBird can greatly improve your odds. Without it, you're at the mercy of how quickly you check in at the 24-hour mark, and on popular flights, desirable seats can disappear quickly.
Sub-heading: Traveling with Companions?
Are you traveling with family or friends and want to ensure you sit together? This is one of the biggest reasons people opt for EarlyBird. Southwest's open seating can make it challenging to find multiple adjacent seats if you board in the later groups. EarlyBird significantly increases your chances of securing seats together, especially if you're a larger group.
Sub-heading: Carrying On Luggage?
Do you plan to bring a carry-on bag and want to guarantee overhead bin space? Boarding earlier means you have first dibs on the overhead bins. If you board in Group C, you might find the bins full and be forced to gate-check your bag, which can be an inconvenience.
Sub-heading: Busy Schedule or Prone to Forgetting?
Are you likely to forget to set an alarm and check in exactly 24 hours before your flight? Or perhaps your schedule makes it difficult to be online at that precise moment. EarlyBird takes the stress out of this by automating the check-in process for you.
Sub-heading: Are You an A-List/Business Select Passenger?
If you hold Southwest's A-List or A-List Preferred elite status, or if you've purchased a Business Select fare, you already receive priority boarding (A1-A15 for Business Select, and earlier A or B positions for A-List). In these cases, EarlyBird Check-In might not be necessary as you're already guaranteed a good boarding position.
Step 2: How Much Does EarlyBird Check-In Cost? Deciphering the Price Tag
This is often the million-dollar question! The cost of EarlyBird Check-In is not fixed and can vary.
Sub-heading: Variable Pricing
Southwest states that EarlyBird Check-In pricing starts at $15 one-way, per Customer, and can go up to $99 one-way, per Customer.
Route Popularity: The price often depends on the popularity of the route. Flights to popular destinations or during peak travel times (holidays, weekends) are likely to see higher EarlyBird prices.
Flight Length: Longer flights might also have a slightly higher EarlyBird cost.
Time of Purchase: While not explicitly stated, purchasing EarlyBird further in advance may sometimes offer a slightly lower price than adding it closer to departure, although this is not a guaranteed rule.
It's important to remember that the price is per person, per one-way flight segment. So, if you're taking a round-trip flight with a connection (four flight segments), and you want EarlyBird for every leg, you'll pay for four EarlyBird purchases.
Step 3: How to Purchase EarlyBird Check-In – A Step-by-Step Guide
Purchasing EarlyBird Check-In is a straightforward process. You have a couple of opportunities to do so:
Sub-heading: Option A: During Initial Flight Booking
This is the most common and often recommended way to purchase EarlyBird.
Search for Flights: Go to Southwest.com and enter your desired travel dates and destinations.
Select Your Flights: Choose your outbound and return flights.
Review Optional Add-ons: As you proceed through the booking process, before finalizing your payment, you'll typically be presented with optional add-ons. Look for the "EarlyBird Check-In" option.
Add to Cart: Select the option to add EarlyBird Check-In for the desired passengers and flight segments. The cost will be clearly displayed.
Complete Purchase: Proceed to payment and finalize your flight booking.
Sub-heading: Option B: After Initial Booking (Adding It Later)
If you've already booked your flight but later decide you want EarlyBird Check-In, you can still add it.
Log In to Your Account: Go to Southwest.com and log in to your Rapid Rewards account, or go to the "Check In" or "Manage Reservations" section if you don't have an account.
Retrieve Your Reservation: Enter your confirmation number, first name, and last name to pull up your booking.
Look for EarlyBird Option: On your reservation details page, you should see an option to "Add EarlyBird Check-In" or similar.
Select Flights/Passengers: Choose which flight segments and passengers you want to add EarlyBird for.
Pay the Fee: Follow the prompts to complete the payment for the EarlyBird service. Be aware that EarlyBird Check-In is subject to availability, so if you wait too long, it might not be an option, especially on highly popular flights. Southwest states it can be added up to 26 hours prior to a flight's scheduled local departure time.
Step 4: What Happens After You Purchase EarlyBird? – The Automatic Check-In Process
Once you've successfully purchased EarlyBird Check-In, the magic happens behind the scenes.
Sub-heading: Automatic Check-in at 36 Hours
Southwest's system will automatically check you in beginning 36 hours before your flight's scheduled local departure. This is 12 hours before general check-in opens for everyone else.
Sub-heading: Boarding Position Assignment
At the 36-hour mark, your boarding position (e.g., A35, B12) will be assigned based on the time stamp of your EarlyBird Check-In purchase relative to other EarlyBird purchasers and Anytime/Business Select fare holders. While EarlyBird doesn't guarantee an A1 boarding position (Business Select passengers get the first 15 spots), it significantly improves your chances of getting an A or early B position.
Sub-heading: Retrieving Your Boarding Pass
You'll still need to retrieve your boarding pass within the standard 24-hour check-in window. You can do this:
Online: Via Southwest.com or the Southwest mobile app.
At the Airport: At a self-service kiosk or the ticket counter.
The benefit of EarlyBird is that your boarding position is already secured; you just need to get the physical or digital pass.
Step 5: Is EarlyBird Check-In Worth the Cost? – Weighing the Pros and Cons
Deciding if EarlyBird Check-In is worth it is a personal decision, but here's a breakdown to help you decide:
Sub-heading: Pros of EarlyBird Check-In
Better Boarding Position: This is the primary benefit. You're much more likely to get an A or early B boarding group, giving you more seat choices.
Guaranteed Overhead Bin Space: Boarding earlier means you'll almost certainly find space for your carry-on luggage.
Reduced Stress: No need to set alarms or rush to check in exactly 24 hours before your flight. EarlyBird automates the process.
Sitting Together: Significantly increases the likelihood of families and groups sitting together. This is invaluable for those traveling with young children or elderly companions.
Peace of Mind: Knowing your boarding position is secured can alleviate pre-travel anxiety.
Sub-heading: Cons of EarlyBird Check-In
Additional Cost: It's an extra expense on top of your airfare, and it's per person, per one-way flight.
Not Always Necessary: If you're a solo traveler who doesn't mind a middle seat, or if you're flying on a less crowded route, it might not be worth the added expense.
No A1-A15 Guarantee: EarlyBird does not guarantee the absolute best boarding positions (A1-A15), as those are reserved for Business Select fares.
Availability: On rare occasions or for last-minute bookings, EarlyBird might not be available.
Conclusion: Making an Informed Decision
Southwest Airlines' EarlyBird Check-In is a valuable service for many travelers, particularly those who prioritize seat choice, overhead bin space, and the ability to sit with their travel companions. While it comes with an additional cost, the convenience and peace of mind it offers can often outweigh the expense, especially on busy flights or when traveling with a group.
By understanding how EarlyBird works and considering your individual travel needs, you can make an informed decision on whether to invest in this popular Southwest add-on for your next journey. Happy travels!
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check my EarlyBird Check-In status?
You can check your EarlyBird Check-In status by logging into your Southwest Airlines account or by retrieving your reservation using your confirmation number on Southwest.com or the Southwest mobile app. It will typically indicate if EarlyBird was purchased for each segment.
How to get a refund for EarlyBird Check-In?
Generally, EarlyBird Check-In is non-refundable. If you change or cancel your flight, the EarlyBird purchase typically does not transfer and is forfeited. However, if Southwest cancels your flight, you might be eligible for a refund.
How to know if EarlyBird Check-In is available for my flight?
When you are booking your flight or attempting to add EarlyBird to an existing reservation on Southwest.com, the option will be displayed if it's available. If it's not shown, it's likely unavailable for that specific flight.
How to combine EarlyBird Check-In with Upgraded Boarding?
You can purchase both EarlyBird Check-In and Upgraded Boarding. EarlyBird secures an earlier position automatically, while Upgraded Boarding allows you to purchase an A1-A15 position at the gate within 24 hours of departure, if available. They serve different purposes, but you wouldn't typically need both for the same leg unless you wanted to guarantee the absolute best position even after getting a good EarlyBird position.
How to ensure my family sits together with EarlyBird Check-In?
While EarlyBird significantly increases your chances of sitting together, especially for small families, it's not a 100% guarantee. Board as a group as soon as your boarding group is called and look for available rows with enough seats. If you have very young children (6 and under), Southwest also offers family boarding after the A group, regardless of your assigned position, which can be a backup.
How to use Rapid Rewards points to pay for EarlyBird Check-In?
Currently, EarlyBird Check-In cannot be purchased directly with Rapid Rewards points. It is typically a cash-only purchase. However, some Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards offer complimentary EarlyBird Check-Ins as a perk.
How to tell my boarding position if I purchased EarlyBird?
Your boarding position (e.g., A25, B08) will be assigned automatically 36 hours before your flight. You can view this position when you check in online or via the app (within 24 hours of departure) or when you print your boarding pass.
How to check in without EarlyBird Check-In?
To check in without EarlyBird, you must manually check in via Southwest.com or the Southwest mobile app starting exactly 24 hours before your flight's scheduled departure. Be ready to check in the moment the window opens to get the best possible boarding position.
How to add EarlyBird Check-In after booking my flight?
You can add EarlyBird Check-In to an existing reservation by logging into your account on Southwest.com, going to "Manage Reservations," and looking for the "Add EarlyBird Check-In" option. This is typically available up to 26 hours before departure, subject to availability.
How to know if EarlyBird Check-In is worth it for a specific flight?
Consider the time of day, day of the week, and route popularity. Peak travel times and popular routes are where EarlyBird provides the most value, as flights are likely to be full and competition for good seats will be high. For less crowded flights or if you're indifferent to your seat, it might be less necessary.