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Is Southwest Early Bird Check-In Worth it?

Discussion in 'Getting There & Getting Around' started by WIZARD, Nov 18, 2016.

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  1. NYNYGirl

    NYNYGirl VIP Whale

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    We buy EB for our return flights, especially for our next from San Juan, but I just never understood why you still have to call to check in...
     
  2. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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  3. Turtleman

    Turtleman VIP Whale

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    I flew Southwest to Vegas for the first time last month and had the same question. Let's just say that I purchased the Early Bird and will do so again! Perhaps if I didn't take a carryon (large backpack) I wouldn't care as much, but open bin space is nice to have, as are more available seats from which to choose. (Both flights were full.)
     
  4. dmr

    dmr Registered Abuser

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    I think it's worth it for a longer flight, say 3 hours or so. For a quick up-down flight like OMA to MDW, where you spend more time in the airport than you do in the air, I can easily put up with a crummy seat.
     
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  5. eaglejohn

    eaglejohn VIP Whale

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    odds of getting a better seat also depends on planes. all planes board A1-60, B1-60. C 1-"?. 700 series planes have 24 rows and seat 143. 800 series has 30 rows and seats 175. We always go for an 800 series at Tampa since they are non stop from here.
     
  6. NandJfrmNJ

    NandJfrmNJ VIP Whale

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    First of all, I agree with Joe about saving seats. I don't care if it's the middle seat you're saving ("which nobody wants anyway"). People don't comlpain because they don't want to get into an argument and are being considerate. I really wish SW would take a stand on that unscrupulous practice.

    Now, to answer the OP's question: we buy early bird on the way home but never on the way out. Actually, we never sit together b/c we both like aisle seats so as long as we can get those we're happy. Most of the time we get A boarding passes but there have been a few occasions when we've gotten low B's-still low enough to get aisle seats.
     
  7. TrewBrew

    TrewBrew I may be right, I may be Crazy.

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    Ditto. Pay the money I have seen this happen way to often.
     
  8. Busyman

    Busyman VIP Whale

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    The only seat "saving" we've ever done is the middle seat. We always pay the EB for both of us.
    If someone wants the middle seat we are "saving", we give it up with no fuss. Otherwise, we have 3 seats with the armrests up.

    I can't imagine 1 person having 2 seats beside them and they try to save 1 or 2. Pay the EB for both of you or don't complain when someone wants both seats beside you.

    This isn't rocket surgery.
     
  9. bshowell

    bshowell VIP Whale

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    I usually do EB coming and going because I'm coming from the East Coast on a direct flight (usually). Those flights are absolutely packed - always at full capacity. And $15 each way is still cheaper than paying bags.
     
  10. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    We actually do want the middle seat and window. We bring along our dvd player and watch two movies during the flight. My wife, being a very nice person, always takes the middle seat, so I get the window. Maybe we run into the saved seat more often because we choose seats where somebody is already in the aisle seat. But, it allows her to choose to sit next to a person who isn't weight challenged.
     
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  11. bluesdude

    bluesdude VIP Whale

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    We also want the middle seat. My wife sits by the window and I get the middle. I dont care to sit in the middle but my wife is only comfortable by the window and wants me next to her for the flight. We have never done EB but I might on our return trip just to try it out. GreekJim, we are flying out of MKE in the morning (6:35am) and I know those flights are always booked solid. Checked in this morning and got A57 & A58.
     
    Dead & Co with my son! June 4 or 5th - June 8th
  12. grosx2

    grosx2 Have fun storming the castle!

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    Didn't see this mentioned anywhere in the thread, but does SW have an official policy on seat saving? If so, that would obviously override anyone's personal opinion on the matter.
     
  13. NICKG5

    NICKG5 Tourist

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    I usually just read posts but felt compelled to respond to the complaints of holding seats. I am A-list and am always A20 or better. I hold a seat for my wife, but still buy EB so it's not as bad. Only once did a person comment and he did so walking away because he didn't have the balls to say it to my face. How about all the pre-boards getting on before A is even called. I fly a lot and can say it is a problem only going to/from Vegas. I see some of these people walking to the bathroom from the gate and then come back and sit in a wheelchair. All these people in wheelchairs, yet I don't see as many in the casinos.
     
  14. BobK89

    BobK89 Tourist

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    Absolutely. We either get the first row or exit row. But find out where your flight is originating before you purchase
     
  15. eaglejohn

    eaglejohn VIP Whale

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    no
     
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  16. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    There is no policy
     
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  17. shellieshoe

    shellieshoe Low-Roller

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    I guess it depends on the definition of "available seat"

    When you board you can choose any available seat.
     
  18. greekjim

    greekjim King Gyro

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    Depending how I fell sometimes I don't want to deal with southwest and the random seating and just fly out of O'Hara since I live between the two airports.
     
  19. greekjim

    greekjim King Gyro

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    Oh yea good luck in Vegas!
     
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  20. leo21

    leo21 VIP Whale

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    I can't pause at work to check in and I won't pause in Vegas so EB is a must. Even when I am solo, I want a window on the right side of the plane near the front. As for seat saving, unless someone is trying to save exit row, I don't see any reason for folks in A group to fight over it. If it's B group and someone is saving seats, that's a different story.
     
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