Is Southwest Early Bird Check In Worth it?

I have never taken advantage of it and was wondering if it is worth the extra $30.00?

Is Southwest Early Bird Check In Worth it?

I don't think so. I paid for it once and got a B number. If I go on myself I always get an A number.

Re: Is Southwest Early Bird Check In Worth it?

It really depends. How important to you is it that everyone in your group sits together? Do you fit into any of the "other" boarding categories, i.e., special needs, small children, etc. Is it a very croweded flight and time of year, etc.

Re: Is Southwest Early Bird Check In Worth it?

Jenna is 6 so not sure if we quailfy anymore. I might be leaning on doing it on the back end of the trip since we will be running around alot the day before we fly. We are coning home on Labor day

Re: Is Southwest Early Bird Check In Worth it?

I find friends who fly SW with kids- some do it both ways - but most do it only on the return trip. They do that because then they don't have to stress about checking in at the 24 hour mark which is easier to do before you leave.

Also I haven't flown SW yet - but have looked into them because we might for our next trip. A few things...I hear you get a better number the earlier you purchase the early bird check in - so if you buy your tickets when they release dates and you buy it then you will get a better number than someone who added the early bird say a month before they fly.

Also depends on where you are flying to - several people told me that they didn't have family boarding when they flew to or left MCO (orlando) because there were too many families with little ones flying to do it. Something to think about.

If you think you can check in 24 hour mark going down you could skip it - but it depends on a lot of variables. I personally would probably only get it coming back so I don't have to be bothered worrying about checking in right at the 24 hour mark.

Re: Is Southwest Early Bird Check In Worth it?

It was four and under on my flight last week.

Re: Is Southwest Early Bird Check In Worth it?

Family boarding is for ages 4 and under. You get to baited between the a and b groups. Most of the time coming from Orlando they don't do it because toothy people would qualify. You can do it for just two of you do someone would be guaranteed a seat next to your daughter. Your early bird number is tied to when you reserve it.

We don't do it because I can go for a couple of hours without sitting next to DH I think if I were flying with children I would get it at least for the children and one parent.

Re: Is Southwest Early Bird Check In Worth it?

I decided to do it for our return trip