What is EarlyBird Check-in?
EarlyBird Check-in is a new, low-cost option that gives you the benefit of having an automatically assigned boarding position, allowing you to board earlier than Customers using our traditional checkin procedures. As an EarlyBird Check-in Customer you will have a better opportunity to select your preferred seat and have greater access to overhead bin stowage for your carryon luggage than our general boarding Customers. This affordable option automatically reserves for you the next best boarding position available, allowing you to board the plane after Business Select Customers and Rapid Rewards A-List Members.
Will EarlyBird Check-in Customers get an "A" Boarding Pass and be among the first to board?
Probably, but not always. It depends upon how many Business Select, Rapid Rewards A-List, and EarlyBird Check-in Customers are on a given flight. However, as an EarlyBird Check-in Customer you will definitely get a better boarding position than Customers in the general boarding group.
Who can purchase EarlyBird Check-in?
Customers who have purchased electronic tickets at the Wanna Get Away Fare, Anytime Fare, Senior Fare or DING! Fare can benefit from purchasing EarlyBird Check-in. Priority boarding privileges are already included with the purchase of Business Select fares and are a benefit of being on the Rapid Rewards A-List. EarlyBird Check-in Customers will receive boarding positions after Business Select and A-List Customers. NOTE: EarlyBird Check-in should not be purchased for Unaccompanied Minors since they will preboard the flight ahead of all other Passengers. Please review our
Unaccompanied Minor Policies for more details.
How much does EarlyBird Check-in cost?
EarlyBird Check-in options can be purchased for $10 one-way (origin to destination). You can purchase EarlyBird Check-in on either a one-way or a roundtrip basis.
When are EarlyBird Check-in Customers' boarding pass positions reserved?
EarlyBird Check-in Customers will be checked in automatically and receive a reserved boarding position 36 hours prior to their flight's scheduled local departure time. Customers who purchase EarlyBird Check-in between 36 and 25 hours prior to their flight's scheduled local departure time will have their boarding position reserved 25 hours prior to their flight's scheduled local departure time. Boarding Passes can be printed beginning 24 hours prior to the flight's scheduled local departure time.
Is there an order in which EarlyBird Check-in Boarding Passes are reserved?
Yes, Customers who have purchased Anytime Fares will receive priority over other fare types during the initial boarding position assignment.
How can a Customer purchase EarlyBird Check-in?
EarlyBird Check-in can be purchased only on southwest.com at the time you make your reservation or up to 25 hours prior to their flight's scheduled local departure time. Customers may purchase EarlyBird Check-in on southwest.com only through a link on the southwest.com confirmation page following purchase of the reservation, through a link in the confirmation e-mail that is following purchase, or via a link in the
Travel Tools section of
southwest.com. EarlyBird Check-in cannot be purchased over the phone.
Will the number of EarlyBird Check-in Passengers be limited on each flight?
No. All eligible Customers can purchase EarlyBird Check-in.
If a Customer is booked in the same reservation with other Passengers, can he/she purchase EarlyBird Check-in even if the others do not choose to do so?
Yes. EarlyBird Check-in options are available for purchase on an individual Passenger basis.
If an EarlyBird Check-in Customer chooses to change a flight, will the EarlyBird Check-in options transfer to the new flight?
It depends. EarlyBird Check-in is tied to the Customer's reservation for which the EarlyBird Check-in purchase was made and will be transferred to the Customer's new flight if he/she changes the flight at least 25 hours prior to the original flight's scheduled local departure time and so long as the change is to a flight that will depart in more than 25 hours. Since EarlyBird Check-in is associated with a reservation, any changes must be made within the same reservation record (same confirmation number) in which the Customer purchased EarlyBird Check-in.
Is EarlyBird Check-in refundable?
All EarlyBird Check-in purchases are nonrefundable. Customers who cancel their flight will forfeit the previously purchased Early Bird Check-in option for that particular flight.
Upon purchase of EarlyBird Check-in, will a Customer receive a copy of his or her receipt via e-mail?
No. The EarlyBird Check-in purchase confirmation page serves as your only receipt. We recommend that you print this page for your records and keep it with your other travel documents.
If a Customer adds EarlyBird Check-in to an existing itinerary, will any other components of the reservation change?
No. After adding EarlyBird Check-in, your existing confirmation number and travel details remain the same.
