![]() ![]() If you’re flying another airline, you’re usually paying between $20-$50 for an exit row seat assignment. This single benefit almost pays back the $149 annual fee for the card, plus it has plenty of other benefits for Southwest flyers. People who have the co-brand Southwest Priority Card get reimbursed for 4 Upgraded Boarding fees per year. While it’s great to get this perk by paying for it, it’s even better if you can get it for free. People who need extra time to pre-board still get on first and that’s OK by me. So instead of paying the $20 for EarlyBird at the last minute and getting a position at the very end of A or possibly the B group, for $40 I was one of the first people on the plane. The agent looked up our info and said they had positions A-7 & A-8 and the cost would be $40 each. I asked about Upgraded Boarding for our flight. We were early so there was no one at the desk. When we got to the airport, we headed to the gate. Not horrible and we’d have a solid chance of sitting together and I didn’t have to pay the $40 it would have cost for EarlyBird. When we checked in exactly 24-hours before the flight, we received boarding positions B-12 & B-13. On one of our Southwest flights, I forgot to book EarlyBird check-in with our flights. You’re only able to purchase it at the airport on the day of your flight, based on availability. Upgraded BoardingĪ less known option with Southwest is paying for Upgraded Boarding. Business Select passengers get boarding positions A1-A15.īut there’s another way to get those coveted A1-A15 boarding positions without paying a crazy amount for your ticket. Better than Early Bird and even better than A-List. Those crazy high Business Select fares you see when buying your ticket include preferred boarding positions. Even if an A-List member buys a ticket at the last minute and has position C-50 on their boarding pass, they’re able to board at the end of the A group. A Group.Ī-List passengers get checked in at T-36, a full 12 hours before the rest of the flight, ensuring them the best boarding positions. It’s called that because they always are in the A boarding group. Southwest’s Frequent Flyers earn A-List status. Full disclosure: We typically purchase EarlyBird on our Southwest flights.īut buying EarlyBird doesn’t put you first in line. This is how most passengers purchase a better boarding position, as the service is heavily promoted when booking your flight. If you’re on connecting flights, the fee covers both flights. EarlyBird needs to be purchased for each direction you’re flying (but you can choose to get the service on one flight but not the other). EarlyBird assignments are determined by when you pay your fee so the earlier you book your ticket (and pay for EarlyBird), the further up in the queue you are for a boarding position. When Southwest launched the service in 2009 the cost was set at $10 per ticket but now costs anywhere from $15 to $25. Early Birdįor a fee, Southwest’s EarlyBird Check-In automatically checks you in for your flight before the 24-hour mark. There are now ways to get in line ahead of those checking in at exactly 24-hours. Getting a boarding position feels like when you’re trying to buy concert tickets. With connectivity everywhere and checking in just a tap away on the Southwest app, everyone has a chance to check in immediately. I can remember when people who had smartphones with internet were at a huge advantage over those who could only check in using a desktop computer. Since check-in begins at T-24 Hours from the scheduled departure time, the quicker you are to check-in, the better position you have. ![]() Checking In at the 24-hour markīoarding assignments are given in the order that you check in for the flight. So while there are no assigned seats, Southwest has come up with several ways to sell preferred access to the lower boarding numbers. If you get lucky enough to have a low number, you may be able to snag this seat on a Southwest plane. Thus the advantage of getting the lowest boarding group and the lowest number in that group. When you board, you can pick any available seat. There are three groups, A, B and C, with passengers numbered 1-60 in each letter group. You line up based on the number on your boarding pass. Southwest has one of the easiest boarding systems to understand. ![]()
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