Community Chat

[avid shopper]

Has anyone used the Southwest Airlines Early Bird Check In?   Can you tell me if I still have to log on to reserve my position or does Southwest do it automatically?

Appreciate!  Thank you!

[mantaraye]

Southwest automatically checks you in on both ends if your ticket is for round trip travel. I use it all the time, very convenient.

Just a word of caution, they cancelled my flight and switched everyone to a different flight. I lost the Early Bird check in since it was a totally different flight. Needless to say, I was a bit ticked off. They simply said I was out of luck on that one. Apparently, the Early BIrd check in is outsourced to a vendor.

[sidsmom]

Yep.

I check in 24hrs before flight time.

All you need is the confirmation number &

they will send your boarding pass via email or text.

[cottage blossoms]

I use the Early Bird check-in all the time.  Southwest assigns you your boarding position.  If you print your boarding passes, which can be done no sooner than 24 hours before your departure time, your boarding position is printed on your pass. Just in case you are not aware of this, there is no assigned seating. When you line up to board it is done according to your assigned boarding position.  As you board, you pick where you want to sit.  Of course first class/business seating is not included in your choice of seats. Hope this helps.

[hopi]

I use it everytime that when flying.  It usually adds TSA prescreening which lets you through the quick line.

It says it  on your boading pass.

Occasionally they do not honor it and you have to go to regular screening.

[sidsmom]

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@mantaraye wrote:

Southwest automatically checks you in on both ends if your ticket is for round trip travel. I use it all the time, very convenient.

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@mantaraye

I'm assuming you're speaking of Same-Day Travel, yes?

Used to be you couldn't check-in/get a boarding pass 

for the returning flight until the outgoing flight was completed.

Has that changed?

[granddi]

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@hopi wrote:

I use it everytime that when flying.  It usually adds TSA prescreening which lets you through the quick line.

It says it  on your boading pass.

Occasionally they do not honor it and you have to go to regular screening.

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For some reason a person can randomly get assigned TSA PRE for the expedited screening. If you will want it guaranteed you must go through the TSA background/fingerprint in person at a designated center for $85 domestic. Then you receive your KTN= Know Traveler Number which you register when you purchase any domestic ticket. The early bird is not related to a part of TSA PRE.

[mantaraye]

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@sidsmom wrote:

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@mantaraye wrote:

Southwest automatically checks you in on both ends if your ticket is for round trip travel. I use it all the time, very convenient.

---

@mantaraye

I'm assuming you're speaking of Same-Day Travel, yes?

Used to be you couldn't check-in/get a boarding pass 

for the returning flight until the outgoing flight was completed.

Has that changed?

@sidsmom -  No, I meant to say, the Early Bird check in works on your return trip as well. Not same day travel. Sorry if I wasn't clear on that.

[kaydee50]

Yes, I always use it when I fly Southwest.  Worth the extra $15, IMO.

[granddi]

For all you Southwest fliers, March 31 is the deadline for transferring partner points to SWA. This means partners such as Marriott. Apparently after that date they will no longer accept these transfer points.