Question 1

What is EarlyBird Check-In?

Accepted Answer

EarlyBird Check-In is an option giving you the convenience of automatic check-in before our traditional 24-hour check-in. As an EarlyBird Check-In Customer, you’ll have the benefit of an earlier boarding position, a better opportunity to select your preferred available seat, and earlier access to overhead bin storage for your carryon luggage.

Question 2

How much does EarlyBird Check-In cost?

Accepted Answer

EarlyBird Check-In pricing starts at $15. Pricing may vary based on the popularity and length of each (one-way) flight. A credit card must be used for the purchase of EarlyBird Check-In. Please review our optional travel charges for more details.

Question 3

Is EarlyBird Check-In refundable?

Accepted Answer

EarlyBird Check-In purchases are non-refundable. Customers who cancel their flight will forfeit the previously purchased EarlyBird Check-In option for that particular flight.

In the event that a flight is canceled by Southwest, we recognize that the decision was not within the Customer’s control and will process a refund of the EarlyBird Check-In purchase on Wanna Get Away® and Wanna Get Away Plus™ fares for that particular flight in the Customer’s itinerary. The purchaser’s credit card will be refunded within seven business days. If you do not receive the EarlyBird Check-In refund in this time frame, then please contact us for further assistance.

Question 4

Will Customers with an EarlyBird Check-In benefit get an “A” boarding pass and be among the first to board?

Accepted Answer

While EarlyBird Check-In doesn't guarantee an A boarding position, it improves your seat selection options to help you get your favorite seat.

Question 5

I purchased an Anytime fare, how does the bundled EarlyBird benefit work?

Accepted Answer

New for 2022, EarlyBird Check-In is included with the purchase of an Anytime fare. Customers who purchase an Anytime fare will automatically be checked in to their flight 36 hours prior to scheduled departure—that’s 12 hours before our traditional 24-hour check-in. You will receive an earlier boarding position, improved seat selection, and earlier access to overhead bins. Please note, for Anytime fares purchased between 36 and 24 hours, the boarding position assignment process has begun so this may impact the boarding position assigned to you. If you purchase an Anytime fare within 24 hours of your flight’s scheduled departure, you will not receive the EarlyBird Check-In benefit. In an irregular operations situation, resulting in a change in itinerary, you will be assigned the best available boarding position at the time of reaccommodation.

Question 6

Who can purchase EarlyBird Check-In?

Accepted Answer

Customers who have purchased Wanna Get Away or Wanna Get Away Plus fares 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 a Rapid Rewards® A-List Preferred or A-List Member or a Passenger on a reservation that includes an A-List Preferred or A-List Member. EarlyBird Check-In is included with the purchase of an Anytime fare. EarlyBird Check-In can be purchased up to 36 hours prior to a flight's scheduled local departure time.

Note: EarlyBird Check-In should not be purchased (1) for Passengers on the same reservation as an A-List or an A-List Preferred Member as they will receive priority boarding or (2) Unaccompanied Minors since they will preboard the flight. Please review our Unaccompanied Minor Policies for more details.

Question 7

When are EarlyBird Check-In Customers' boarding pass positions reserved?

Accepted Answer

EarlyBird Check-In Customers will have their boarding positions reserved beginning 36 hours prior to their flight's scheduled local departure time. Boarding passes can be accessed beginning 24 hours prior to the flight's scheduled local departure time.

Question 8

Is there an order in which EarlyBird Check-In boarding positions are reserved?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Customers who have purchased Anytime fares receive priority over Customers who purchase EarlyBird Check-In with Wanna Get Away Plus and Wanna Get Away fares. Customers who purchase EarlyBird Check-In with Wanna Get Away Plus receive priority over Customers who purchase EarlyBird Check-In with Wanna Get Away fares. Boarding positions are assigned based on the time stamp of the EarlyBird Check-In purchase relative to Passengers within the same fare product.

Question 9

How can a Customer purchase EarlyBird Check-In?

Accepted Answer

EarlyBird Check-In can be purchased on Southwest.com®, over the phone, and on the app up to 36 hours prior to a flight's scheduled local departure time. Purchase EarlyBird Check-In here.

EarlyBird Check-In can be purchased as part of the original flight purchase or added to a flight after purchase.

Question 10

Will the number of EarlyBird Check-In Passengers be limited on each flight?

Accepted Answer

No. All eligible Customers can purchase EarlyBird Check-In.

Question 11

If a Customer is booked in the same reservation with other Passengers, can they purchase EarlyBird Check-In even if the others do not choose to do so?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if EarlyBird Check-In is purchased and added to an existing itinerary. If EarlyBird Check-In is purchased within the same transaction as the air purchase, then all eligible Customers must purchase EarlyBird Check-In as well.

Question 12

If Southwest Airlines® cancels my flight, will I get a refund for my EarlyBird Check-In purchase?

Accepted Answer

Yes. In the event that we must cancel a flight, we recognize that the decision was not within the Customer’s control and will process a refund of the EarlyBird Check-In purchase for that particular flight in the Customer’s itinerary. The purchaser’s credit card will be refunded within seven business days. If you do not receive the EarlyBird Check-In refund in this time frame, please contact us for further assistance.

Question 13

Upon purchase of EarlyBird Check-In, how will a Customer receive a copy of his or her receipt?

Accepted Answer

If EarlyBird Check-In is purchased as part of the original flight purchase, then it will be listed in the Customer’s air confirmation email. If purchased separately, then the Customer will receive a separate EarlyBird Check-In receipt at the email address listed in the itinerary.

Question 14

If a Customer adds EarlyBird Check-In to an existing itinerary, will any other components of the reservation change?

Accepted Answer

No. After adding EarlyBird Check-In, your existing confirmation number and travel details remain the same.

Question 15

If I have EarlyBird Check-In and choose to change my flight, will the EarlyBird Check-In transfer as well?

Accepted Answer

EarlyBird Check-In can be transferred only if the new flight departs more than 25 hours from the time of the change. If the new flight departs in less than 25 hours, then you will lose your non-refundable EarlyBird Check-In purchase. Additionally, if the change to your reservation involves a new city pair(s), you will need to contact us to have the EarlyBird Check-In transferred.

EarlyBird Check-In®