Need Advice on Southwest Airlines Early-Bird Check-In

I wouldn't bother. We bought the Early Bird checkin last month when flying with our two three year old girls. Our pass numbers were in the A40s. There were people just a few behind us that had checked in at 24 hours.

But most importantly, if all you're worried about is sitting next to your kids, you don't need Early Bird. Families with small kids can board before the B group no matter what their boarding passes say. I think it's one adult per child, though, so not all six of you will get on early. But it's enough to ensure that your boys will have a family member to sit next to.

I fly nothing but Southwest! If your in the A group, you will probably have little difficulty being able to get the kids with the adults. The seats usually don't start becoming overly filled and difficult to find together till about halfway through the B group. Since your traveling with kids, even if you get the B or C group, you can board between the A group and the B group (family boarding), so you should still be able to find seats together. That's why they put family boarding in between, because there are still a number of seats available. Personally, I wouldn't even stress over getting the early bird check-in cause you'll probably be fine no matter what group you get.

You could pay for one early check in seat , have that person get seated in the "A" group and " save " the rest of your family's seat. Or at lease enough seats for you to sit with your child.
As for asking people to move so your family can sit together, sure a lot of people will do this to accommodate you, but some of them will be the same people who did pay the "early bird" checkin fee and will not want to give up the seat they paid extra to acquire.

I've had some luck checking in right at the 24 hour mark and getting in the A group. What you can do is pay for one person for the early bird check in and then have them try to hold some seats. if you are flying with kids you can board between the A group and the B group, so there is still a good chance that you can find seats together since only 60 people will board before you, if you are not already a member of the A group. The only way this could be a problem is if the flight you are taking is a stop over from another flight, this means that people could already be on board and are just stopped over. I would call southwest and see if this is a brand new flight or a stop over for another flight. It may help with your decision.

I wouldn't pay the extra money. My grandparents did one time and they ended up getting the same spot in line as they did when they didn't buy it (A55 or something like that). There shouldn't be an issue with your boys being able to sit with adults, and if there is, talk to the flight attendants and people around you to see if anyone is willing to switch. Generally, people are pretty good about that thing.

i really like southwest, but the open boarding is a nail-biter! i always check in right at the 24 hour mark to ensure a spot on the A list. but since there are only 2 children in your group (it's not like you're desperate to keep all 6 of you together, right?) i'd pass on the early bird and just check in promptly.
i agree that it's not a great policy to assume that passengers will move to accommodate you. in a pinch you can generally find someone, but since they are sitting in a seat they have chosen, you're causing resentment and an uncomfortable flight for someone else. just check in early and get in the A group. you'll be fine, especially since you're not choosy about the seats themselves.
enjoy your flight!
:) khairete
S.

I have never purchased the early-bird check in while traveling on Southwest, and have never had much of a problem getting decent seats. If you have an A group boarding pass (which you probably will if you check in 24 hours before), it won't be a problem. Also, more than likely you will find other passengers who will be willing to move so you can sit your child in a middle seat next to you, etc.

Not sure if they changed it but my husband flew to California about 2 years ago (alone). I did not purchase the early bird checkin but I did go in for the flight out and return flight to get him checked. He got in on the A boarding both times. If you have to purchase it, i would say get it if you will not be able to log on to check in at the 24 hr mark. i will say it had to be exactly 24 hrs. When I logged in I think it was almost the 23rd hour for his return flight and it told me so (12:22 am). If you do end up for some reason not sitting together, you might still be able to arrange things since most, unfortunately not all, people are sympathetic to families with small children and will move-or really do not want to have to deal with a child separated from their group :)

We flew SW in 2008 from VA to CA. If that was available, I didn't know about it. However, I was careful to check in ASAP and had no problems whatsoever. We were always in the A group. We had 2 adults and 2 kids in the group, and we always flew together. No problem.

If you check in right away at the 24hr mark you will morethenlikely be in the A group. By being in the A group you will have plenty of places to pick from and the 4 of you will be seating right next to each other.

I usually check in, when flying by myself, between the 15/12hr mark and in the B group. I have always seen doubles seats when boarding so if you are sure you can check in rightaway at the 24hr mark or very close to it you should be fine, I would not pay extra for it, just be on top of checking in ASAP.

I've never done the early bird (I'm too cheap to pay the extra $10!) and I always get a B boarding pass. You might have to ask people to move so you can sit with the kids, but I agree that most people are willing to move so children don't have to sit alone. Just say something like "Oh I hope little Johnny doesn't throw up the whole time like he did last time we flew". That should get people to move! I think you pretty much have to do the early bird to get an A boarding pass these days. But, like everyone else says, if you check in right at the 24 hour mark, you should get a "good" B boarding pass.

My husband often flies Southwest, and when he does he always does the early bird check in. It is so easy, and since you are traveling with a group, sounds right up your alley!!!

I think it is worth it.

Have Fun!

I wouldn't pay extra.

My hubby flies Southwest almost weekly. When he is getting ready to leave for the usual 6am flight, I just print out his boarding pass.

He is already on the A-list for boarding and a very frequent SW passenger.

As for your seating. Most people will make accomodations so a family can sit together.