southwest airlines group travel check in

UponArriving

Southwest Airlines Group Travel Guide (Discounts, Number, etc.) [2021]

Traveling with a large number of people can be an extremely stressful experience. However, one of the major perks of traveling with a large group is that you can take advantage of special discounts and other benefits. Airlines like Southwest offer numerous advantages for group bookings and some of them can save you a lot of time and headache.

In this article, I will tell you everything you need to know about the Southwest Airlines Group Travel policy . I’ll cover things like discounts, deposits, and I will also talk about the savings. I’ll also show you the phone number that you need to call for group bookings and what to expect. 

Table of Contents

What is the Southwest Group Travel policy?

If you are traveling in a group of 10 or more passengers you can get exclusive discounts and added flexibility with your tickets by booking through the Southwest Group Travel Program. There are no strict requirements for the group but many common groups consist of:

• School groups
• Religious groups
• Family groups
• Sports groups

What are the Southwest Group travel benefits?

By booking with a group of 10 or more passengers you can take advantage of the following benefits:

• Flexible Payments:  No upfront payment required to create a Group reservation.
• No Extra Fees:  No booking, ticketing, or change fees.
• Unlimited Name Changes:  Unlimited name changes up to 72 hours prior to departure.
• Earn Roundtrip Tickets:  Earn one roundtrip ticket to be used on your Group’s itinerary for every 30th passenger booked (taxes and fees will apply).

Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!

Things to know

$50 deposit.

While there is no upfront payment required to make a group reservation for you will be required to make a $50 deposit per passenger. This $50 deposit will not go towards your airfare cost and instead will be refunded within five business days after you have made your final payment.

Depending on how it is processed with your credit card provider it could take a statement or two for the refund show up. This unfortunately does put a bind on those dealing with smaller credit limits.

Note:  Credit card is the only approved form of payment for the deposit and payment may be made by uploading a completed and signed Letter of Authorization (LOA) form via  www.swagrouptravel.com  or by calling 1-800-433-5368.

Cancellation of your group reservation will result in forfeiture of the Deposit Amount. However, the passengers should still be eligible for travel funds , according to a rep I spoke with. 

Southwest group travel phone number

The Southwest group travel phone number is: 1(800)433-5368 . The line is open Monday through Friday from 5AM to to 12AM Central standard time.  Group bookings must be made via phone and cannot be made online. 

Something that you need to know about this phone number is that the hold times can be extremely long like this person who waited 4.5 hours . I doubt you will have to wait that long waits for over one or two hours are not that uncommon.

This is especially the case if you’re calling soon after a new schedule is released. So you should you’d be prepared to wait a very long time or try to call during non-peak hours.

Submitting passenger names

You will need to complete the Excel form which will allow you to input all the passenger names and then you can submit the form to the Southwest Airlines Group Travel Management page here . This spreadsheet template should be emailed to you after you contact Southwest via phone. 

You will need to complete all of the different fields which include:

• Group Leader Name
• Departure Date
• Confirmation Number
• Passport information will be required for International Reservations

For the passengers you will need:

• Full legal name
• Date of birth
• Redress number (if applicable)

I would suggest trying to get an exact match with the person’s government issued ID and the names that you input on the spreadsheet. You don’t always have to have an exact match with a middle name but I think that it helps.

If you need to make changes to the passenger names you can do this by entering your updates on the “Changes” tab on the Excel Name Template provided by Southwest Airlines. Remember that the names can be changed up to 72 hours prior to departure. 

Submitting your payment

If you have already submitted a complete name list, you may call 1-800-433-5368 to pay over the phone, using a credit card or PayPal. You may also upload a completed Letter of Authorization (LOA) form on the Southwest Airlines Group Travel Management page.

Southwest does not accept multiple payments.

If paying via wire transfer, be sure to call or email [email protected] at least seven business days before your final payment due date to receive the detailed instructions for sending your wire transfer

Group Tickets are flight and date specific and cannot be changed, used or exchanged for travel on other flights.

How much are the discounts?

The amount of the discounted fare is just going to vary based on your flight. Southwest usually offers several different rates for the same flight and only a select few people can take advantage of each fare.

So for example, the lowest fare may only be available to 6 to 8 passengers, the second lowest fare may only be available to the next six to eight passengers and so on. I have no idea about the exact quantity of passengers but you get the idea….

When you book as a group you should receive a fare that is lower than the average price but probably not as low as the lowest available fare. In some cases, it could be cheaper for passengers to book their own individual tickets.

However, this probably depends on the size of the group. For large groups I would guess that you would be paying a below average rate and would be better off with the group travel rate, especially considering the added flexibility.  

If you find a cheaper price online, Southwest is a little bit nebulous with what they will do. For example, that they answer this specific question by stating the following:

I saw a lower fare available on southwest.com versus what I was quoted through Group Travel Services. Can I get the website price in my group reservation? southwest.com  fares and Group fares differ in many ways, and each offers its own unique benefits. The best option for you is determined by your travel needs.  southwest.com  fares are often only available online and usually have limited quantities available. There may not be enough seats at the online price for your whole group.  southwest.com  fares tend to work best for small parties that don’t need much flexibility in their travel plans. Group fares work best for parties of ten or more who may require flexibility with name changes and payments.

This sounds like a nice way of telling you that you cannot get your price matched (or at least not a guaranteed match). It still probably would not hurt to call in and request the price match if you found it though. You never know what they might do.

TSA Pre-Check 

You are not able to enter your Known Traveler Number when making Southwest Group Travel reservations. This means that the passengers will likely not receive TSA Pre-check. If you are not familiar with TSA Pre-check, it is a program that allows you access to expedited security screening and can save you a lot of time. You can find out more about the program here . 

Rapid Rewards 

When you input the names of the passengers traveling you will not have a field to enter in the Rapid Rewards number. This means that the passengers will not automatically receive Rapid Rewards for their flight. However, it does appear possible to call in after the fact and request for Rapid Rewards to be issued.

Flights from multiple departure points

If you have a lot of people flying to a single place from different places around the country you might be wondering if you can also qualify for the group travel rates. Southwest does offer an option for situations like this but it will require a high number of passengers. 

Southwest Airlines offers a formal meetings program for corporate meetings and conventions with a minimum of 150 Travelers through SWABIZ. To make Southwest Airlines the official airline of your meeting and find out if you are eligible, visit  www.swabiz.com  and submit a Meetings Agreement Request form.

The group check-in process

The check-in process is a little bit different for Southwest Group Travel and the exact process for check in would depend on if you are flying on a domestic flight or international flight. Basically if your flight is a domestic flight you can check in the group or specific passengers but if you’re checking in for an international flight you will need to check in each passenger one at a time.

Below are the specific instructions provided by Southwest.  

Domestic Groups

1. Go to  southwest.com  and click “Check In” to reserve your boarding positions.  Enter the confirmation number and first and last name of any one of your travelers. 2. You have the option to either check in the entire Group, or select specific Passengers. 3. The names of successfully checked in Passengers along with their boarding positions will begin to populate on the screen one at a time.  Please note: Certain Passengers may not be eligible for online check in and must proceed to the ticket counter. 4. Once you arrive at the airport proceed to the ticket counter to receive your boarding passes.

International Groups

 1. Go to  southwest.com  and click ‘Check In’ to reserve your boarding positions. Enter the confirmation number and first and last name of any one of the travelers. 2. You will only be able to check in one Passenger at a time.  3. A valid passport and emergency contact information will be needed to complete the check in process. 4. Repeat steps 1 – 3 for each International Passenger.  4. Once you arrive at the airport proceed to the ticket counter to receive your boarding passes.

Southwest Group Travel boarding

If you are not familiar with the Southwest boarding process it works like this. You are given a boarding pass that falls into one of three groups: A, B, or C. You are then issued a number within that group and that is where you will line up to board the plane. There are no assigned seats so all seats are open to everyone. Read more about the boarding process here . 

Traveling with a group, you might be tempted to save seats on the plane. But you should be aware that many people frown upon saving seats on Southwest. My advice would be to head to the very back of the plane where people are more forgiving about you saving seats. 

You might be wondering about Southwest EarlyBird which is a service that allows you to check in automatically and secure a better boarding position for a fee of $15 to $25. Unfortunately,  Southwest EarlyBird is not available to tickets purchased as part of a Group itinerary.

Southwest Group Travel baggage fees

Southwest will allow you to travel with your first two checked bags for free. The applies even when traveling as a group. If you are wondering about the fees for additional bags or for oversized bags then click here for more on the Southwest baggage fee policy.

The Southwest Group Travel program can be a great way to fly with a large group because you can save money and get added flexibility with name changes. However, you will likely have to deal with really long wait times on the phone and will have to go without some benefits like EarlyBird and Pre-check.

If you’re dealing with a smaller group I would suggest comparing the prices of booking them individually to help people save money but it could all just depend on the route. 

Cover photo by  Tomás Del Coro  via  Flickr.

Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and the credit card app, WalletFlo . He is a former attorney turned travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and CNBC. Read my bio .

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Table of Contents

What is earlybird check-in, so, do i need earlybird check-in, how to add earlybird check-in, how to get earlybird check-in for “free”, final thoughts.

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Southwest Airlines is an extremely popular U.S. low-cost carrier for a number of reasons. They regularly offer cheaper fares compared to other airlines, and they’re very transparent about their fees. Southwest doesn’t charge for most of your luggage (your carry-on and first 2 bags fly free), and they don’t issue change or cancellation fees.

Additionally, Southwest gets pretty great customer satisfaction ratings and provides a fairly comfortable inflight experience with some freebies along the way.

However, when it comes to seat assignments and boarding, Southwest does things a little differently — that’s where their  EarlyBird Check-In  comes into play.

So what is EarlyBird Check-In, and do you really need it? Let’s take a look…

EarlyBird Check-In is an optional Southwest Airlines add-on that provides the ticket holder with automatic check-in starting at 36 hours prior to the flight’s scheduled departure time.

For $15-$25 one-way, EarlyBird Check-In customers are automatically checked in and assigned a boarding number before the general 24-hour self-check-in period. Pricing depends on the length of the route and the popularity or demand for EarlyBird Check-In on each specific route.

To realize how EarlyBird Check-In can be a plus, we need to take a look at Southwest’s boarding process.

Southwest Airlines Boarding Groups & Process

If you’ve never flown Southwest, their boarding process can be slightly confusing. If you’re familiar, you’ll instantly see the benefits of EarlyBird Check-In.

Southwest Airlines doesn’t assign seats. Instead, passengers line up at the gate according to boarding position; once called, they are free to sit in any available seat on the plane.

So how does Southwest decide who boards first?

Boarding numbers are assigned by Group (A, B, or C) and Boarding Position (1-60). Boarding flows in order from A1 through C60. Again, once you board the plane, you may sit in any available seat.

Southwest’s boarding positions are assigned based on a few factors:

• Fare type purchased (Business vs. Anytime vs. Wanna Get Away vs. Wanna Get Away plus)
• Status with the airline
• Whether you’re traveling with a family
• Time at which you check in
• “Pre-boarding” qualifications

Hot Tip:  In general, the earlier you check-in, the better your boarding position will be when flying Southwest (cue EarlyBird Check-In light bulb!).

Southwest Pre-Boarding: SWA states that pre-boarding is reserved for customers that have a “specific seating need”. This need may be considered to accommodate a disability and/or need for assistance in boarding or stowing an assistive device.

All passengers requesting a pre-board designation should notify a Southwest Airlines employee either at the ticket counter or at the departure gate, prior to boarding.  In order to verify a passenger’s necessity to pre-board, agents may ask the passenger “fact-finding questions”. Those who meet the qualifications will receive a new boarding pass with a pre-board designation.

Southwest also states that if a customer with a disability simply needs a little extra time to board, they will be permitted between Group A and Group B, before Family Boarding. These individuals should also speak with a gate agent and will likely be reissued a boarding pass with an extra time designation.

SWA’s general policy for those traveling with a pre-board passenger is that only one “travel companion” acting as an attendant may pre-board alongside them. Any other family/friend is required to board with by their assigned boarding group and number.

A small detail to note: Pre-board individuals may not occupy an exit seat.

Positions A1-A15:  Reserved for Business Select customers

This doesn’t mean A16 is always the sixteenth person to board — there aren’t always 15 people who purchased a business fare. If there are open A1-A15 positions (i.e., 15 business fares haven’t been sold), then the gate attendant may give passengers an option of upgrading their position just before the boarding process begins for $30, $40, or $50 per segment depending on the itinerary.

The best positions following A1-A15: Usually assigned to A-List Preferred/A-List Members and passengers with EarlyBird Check-In.

Southwest states that these distinctions in and of themselves do not guarantee an A boarding position, but they do ensure that you will receive the earliest position available.

Family Boarding:  Families traveling with children 6 years of age or younger are allowed to board together between A and B groups.

Non-priority positions: General positions are distributed after all Business fare, status, and EarlyBird Check-In passengers have been assigned.

The remaining boarding positions are assigned in order of the time a passenger checks in. For this reason, you’ll find many Southwest passengers set reminders to ensure they’re checking in at the very moment check-in opens.

This can be a huge pain if you’re busy at that time or you simply forget the 24-hour policy. Earlier boarding positions usually go in a matter of minutes.

Additionally, if the flight is pretty full and you’re the last to board, there’s a chance that your carry-on may not fit in the overhead compartments, meaning it will have to be checked. Southwest doesn’t charge extra for this, but if you’ve only packed a carry-on to expedite your airport process, you’ll probably be disappointed having to wait at baggage claim.

Remember, even if there are quite a few families (flights to Orlando for example), they all get to board between A and B groups.

A note about boarding “direct flights”:  A direct flight is where a plane flies from an initial destination to a final destination via one or more intermediate airports. In the case of a direct flight, the flight number does not change and passengers already onboard that are flying straight through to the route’s final destination do not have to disembark.

This is a consideration in regards to boarding as these passengers will be on the plane, occupying seats, prior to new passengers boarding.

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Additional Notes on EarlyBird Check-In & Boarding

Southwest doesn’t limit the number of passengers who can purchase Early-Bird Check-In.

This means that purchasing EarlyBird Check-In won’t necessarily guarantee you an A boarding position.

Does that mean there’s a boarding order within the EarlyBirders? The short answer is yes.

Southwest states EarlyBird customers who purchased an Anytime fare will receive priority over those who purchased other fare types (such as Wanna Get Away or Wanna Get Away plus). After that delineation, “boarding positions are assigned based on the timestamp of the EarlyBird Check-In purchase relative to passengers within the same fare class.” ( source )

Basically, the earlier you purchase your ticket with the Early-Bird add-on, the higher your boarding number will be.

When can EarlyBird Check-In be purchased?

Customers usually purchase EarlyBird Check-In as part of their original flight purchase. However, if not purchased with the initial ticket, customers can add EarlyBird Check-In to a flight after purchase up to 36 hours before a flight’s scheduled local departure time.

EarlyBird Check-In is nonrefundable. 

If a customer cancels his or her flight , the EarlyBird Check-In fee for that particular flight is not refunded. However, if the flight is canceled by Southwest, the fee will be refunded.

Technically, no one needs EarlyBird Check-In. On the other hand, whether or not you want it depends largely on your personal preferences.

You’ll Probably Want EarlyBird Check-In If…

• You can’t check in exactly 24hrs before departure and do care about where you sit
• You may not remember to check in 24hrs before departure and do care about where you sit
• You prefer to sit near the front of the plane ( turbulence is generally less severe  for passengers toward the front)
• You prefer an aisle seat, window seat, bulkhead seat , or exit row (or just despise the middle seat)
• You’re not traveling with children, but you’re on a flight to a destination that’s family-friendly (e.g., Orlando/ Disney )

You Don’t Need EarlyBird Check-In If…

• You bought a Business Select fare
• You have A-List preferred or A-List status
• You have family boarding (traveling with children 6 years old and under)
• You need “extra time” or assistance boarding the plane
• You’re buying a ticket for an unaccompanied minor (pre-board included in fare type)

You Probably Don’t Really Need EarlyBird Check-In If…

• You’re uber-confident in your 24hr check-in skills
• Keep in mind boarding positions go fast, and you never know how many other passengers have opted for this add-on.
• Technically, “saving seats” is discouraged, but it’s rarely reprimanded.
• Your flight is at an obscure time on an unpopular day or route

You Might Be On The Fence About EarlyBird Check-In If…

• You can always wait a little while and add it later, as long as you purchase before the 36hr deadline
• Family boarding between A and B groups only applies to those traveling with children 6 and under
• You’re traveling with friends and don’t want to be split up
• Your flight has come from another city, and passengers already on board are passing through to your destination with no plane change

Bottom Line: In our opinion, if the up-charge isn’t a huge financial strain and you don’t want the stress of boarding toward the end of the pack, go ahead and add it.

Alongside Your Original Ticket Purchase

If you’re purchasing a ticket on Southwest.com or via the mobile app, there’s no doubt you’ll be prompted with a pop-up or other notification asking if you’d like to add EarlyBird Check-In to your ticket.

If the answer is yes, simply select it at that time and continue with your purchase.

If you’re making a reservation over the phone with an agent, they will ask if you’d like to purchase EarlyBird before completing your transaction.

After Your Original Ticket Purchase

If you don’t’ select EarlyBird Check-In with your original ticket purchase, you can still add it to your itinerary up to 36 hours prior to your flight’s scheduled local departure time.

You can do this by accessing your reservation:

• online here on this dedicated Early-Bird purchase page
• on the mobile app
• calling a reservation agent at 1-800-435-9792

Tips for Online Purchase: It’s really easy!

If you’re opting for adding the perk online, you simply need to enter your confirmation number, first, and last name. Southwest will then bring up your itinerary and the proposed pricing at which point you choose “Continue”.

You will then be directed to a payment page where you enter your preferred method of payment and select “Purchase”.

And that’s it – EarlyBird Check-In has been added to your itinerary! You should receive an e-mail confirmation of this addition.

Adding EarlyBird for Just One Person

Technically, yes, but you have to go a slightly round-about way to do so.

If you’re purchasing a group of tickets together but want to add EarlyBird Check-In for just one person, do not purchase EarlyBird Check-In with your original ticket purchase. (At the original purchase point, you’ll only have the option to add it to all passengers on the itinerary.)

If you want to add EarlyBird for just one person, you have to add early-bird to an existing itinerary. You can do this in the same way we explained in the “After Your Original Ticket Purchase” section just above this.

If you have the right credit card in your wallet, your EarlyBird Check-In fee can be paid for by using your miles to pay off those expenses. Each Capital One card mentioned below allows you to redeem miles for 1 cent each as a statement credit for previous travel purchases (within 90 days).

The table below outlines some of our preferred cards:

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

• 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles per $1 on flights purchased through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
• $395 annual fee ( rates & fees )
• Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status
• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more
• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ®
• APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees:  None

Capital One Miles

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card   is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

• 5x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
• $95 annual fee ( rates & fees )
• Limited elite benefits
• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

The card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.

Interested in a travel rewards credit card without one of those pesky annual fees? Then say hello to the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.

In addition to no annual fee, the Capital One VentureOne card offers no foreign transaction fees.

But is this card worth its salt, or is it merely a shell of the more popular Capital One Venture card?

• No annual fee ( rates & fees )
• No foreign transaction fees ( rates & fees )
• Ability to use transfer partners
• Weak earn rate at 1.25x miles per $1 spent on all purchases
• No luxury travel or elite benefits
• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
• Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
• Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
• APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable),0% intro on purchases for 15 months

EarlyBird Check-In can be useful if you don’t want to deal with the stress of Southwest’s self-check-in policy, which requires action exactly 24 hours before departure. Additionally, you should strongly consider EarlyBird Check-In if you’re pretty particular about your seat; while it doesn’t guarantee A Group boarding, it certainly gives you a much better chance of nabbing your desired spot.

However, if you’ve already got priority boarding through your business class fare or status, you won’t need this add-on. Similarly, if you’re traveling with kids under 6, you’ll already board right after A Group and likely won’t need it either.

Lastly, you could be on the fence. If you’re going back and forth about it and you’re worried about the added cost, remember you’re already saving on baggage fees (which are usually ~$25-$40 a piece on other airlines), so $15 per ticket doesn’t seem all that bad. Alternatively, if you’re on a route where the fee is $25 per ticket, the decision could be a bit more difficult.

As a last note, remember – if you’ve optimized your purchase by using a credit card that covers the fee, your EarlyBird Check-In is basically free!

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does southwest charge for earlybird check-in.

As of February 5, 2018, EarlyBird Check-In costs $15 per one-way ticket. Southwest notes that a credit card must be used to purchase this add-on.

Do you have to check in with Southwest EarlyBird?

Southwest EarlyBird Check-In is an automatic check-in process. Passengers who have purchased EarlyBird Check-In are automatically checked in for their flight starting at 36 hours before departure. Passengers do NOT have to perform self-check-in at 24 hours if they purchase EarlyBird.

How does Southwest determine boarding order?

Southwest determines boarding order as follows:

• Business Select Fare ticket holders (guaranteed A1-A15)
• A-List preferred & A-List status members
• EarlyBird Check-In (Anytime Fare), by timestamp of purchase
• EarlyBird Check-In (Other Fares), by timestamp of purchase
• General ticket holders in order of 24-hour check-in

Exceptions:

• Unaccompanied minors: pre-board
• Individuals with a disability and others requiring boarding assistance: pre-board
• Family Boarding (those traveling with children ages 6 and under): board between A and B groups
• Passengers who paid to upgrade boarding position (when available with gate agent): pre-board

Can I pay for EarlyBird Check-In with points?

No. EarlyBird Check-In can only be paid for with a credit card.

However, some credit cards offer a travel credit that will reimburse you for this EarlyBird fee (see table above).

Is Southwest EarlyBird Check-In Worth It?

The answer really depends on your travel preferences. If you don’t want the stress of 24hr self-check-in and you’re particular about which seat you get (aisle vs window, front vs back) then it could definitely be worth it.

If you’re a business traveler and already have priority boarding (or any other traveler with priority boarding – i.e. you have status, you’re a family with kids under 6) then you won’t need EarlyBird.

If you’re in conflict, remember you’re saving cash on checked bags – the $15 per ticket for EarlyBird is quite a bit less than the typical baggage fees on other airlines. AND, if you use the right rewards-based credit card this fee could be covered – your EarlyBird Check-In is basically free!

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About Erin Miller

An experienced points hacker, Erin is Alex’s partner-in-crime and contributes to Upgraded Points with in-depth guides and relationship management. Erin’s work has been cited in multiple major publications.

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Jamaican Airports Shut Down, Stranding Travelers and Snarling Plans

The island’s three main international air hubs will remain closed through at least Wednesday night, and many airlines are waiving change and cancellation fees.

By Derek M. Norman

• July 3, 2024

All three of Jamaica’s international airports closed late Tuesday as Hurricane Beryl churned toward the island, leaving some travelers stranded and others scrambling to adjust their plans.

Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Norman Manley International Airport in Port Royal (near the capital, Kingston) and Ian Fleming International Airport in Boscobel — which together serve approximately 1.7 million visitors each year — will remain closed at least through Wednesday, according to Jamaica’s tourism board .

“All necessary precautions are being taken to ensure a swift and safe resumption of operations once the hurricane has passed,” MBJ Airports, which operates Sangster International, the country’s largest and most popular hub for tourists, said in a statement .

Travelers staying on the island should remain in the safety of their accommodations or evacuation point, the tourism board said, adding that, if possible, they should register with their home country’s embassy to receive specific guidance and support.

For travelers whose plans had them arriving in Jamaica during the closures, some airlines are offering to rebook flights for a different date, free of charge.

American Airlines, for example, is working to reschedule flights to numerous places in the storm’s path, including several Caribbean islands, Belize and Mexican destinations like Tulum, Cancún, Cozumel and Mérida through July 5.

JetBlue Airways said it would waive change or cancellation fees , as well as the cost of fare differences, for customers scheduled to travel to affected Caribbean destinations between July 1 and July 5.

And Southwest Airlines is allowing customers with flights to Montego Bay between July 1 and July 4 to reschedule without any additional charges.

Other tourist destinations potentially in the hurricane’s path are also shutting down airports.

Owen Roberts International Airport on Grand Cayman and Charles Kirkconnell International Airport on Cayman Brac will both close on Wednesday, according to the Cayman Islands Airports Authority.

Derek M. Norman is a senior news assistant for the International section of The Times. More about Derek M. Norman

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