What is Early Bird Check-In? Southwest Airlines – Complete Guide

What is Early Bird Check-In?

Early Bird Check-In is a service provided by Southwest Airlines, letting you avoid the hassle of manual check-in. By paying an additional fee ranging between $15 and $25, you enjoy the luxury of automatic check-in 36 hours before your flight. This is especially useful if you’re aiming for a better boarding position or desire a specific seat.

For instance, if your flight leaves at 5:30 a.m., instead of standard check-in at the same time the previous day, Early Bird Check-In on Southwest eliminates the rush and allows you a 12-hour head-start. If you’ve purchased non-priority tickets such as Wanna Get Away Fares, this service markedly improves your chances of getting preferred seating and overhead bin space. It’s particularly beneficial for busy individuals, anxious travelers, and families traveling with older children.

Understanding Southwest Airlines’ Check-In Policy

1. Most passengers are eligible to check-in 24 hours before flight departure

Southwest Airlines’ check-in policy permits passengers to manually check-in 24 hours prior to their flight departure time. For instance, if your flight is at 6:00 am on Sunday, you’d be eligible to check-in starting 6:00 am on the preceding Saturday. This timely check-in ensures a favorable boarding position.

2. Check-in for Southwest flights is based on A-list, B-list and C-list categories.

Southwest Airlines operates a unique check-in policy that prioritizes boarding using a number-group system. Read more about Southwest Boarding in our complete guide.

Remember, the sooner you check-in, the better boarding position you tend to achieve.

3. Southwest Open Seating Policy Explained

Southwest Airlines operates an Open Seating policy, forgoing the traditional assigned seating style common with other airlines. Instead, you have the freedom to pick your seat upon boarding. Here’s how it works: When you check into your flight, you’ll be assigned to a boarding group (A, B, or C) and numbered (1-60) within that group. The boarding process starts with Group A, Family Boarding, Group B, and finally Group C, arranged sequentially by number. For instance, if you’re in Group A and assigned number 15 (A15), you’ll board the plane before someone assigned B10, thereby having a wider selection of available seats.

How does Early Bird Check-In work?

Southwest Airlines’ Early Bird Check-In is an optional service that provides you certain advantages when boarding your flight. It automates your check-in process and improving your chances of getting a better seat.

1. To use this service, choose the Southwest Early Bird Check-In option while completing your booking on Southwest.com.
2. It costs between $15 and $25 per passenger.
3. Having opted for it, you get automatically checked in 36 hours prior to your flight, instead of the usual 24-hour pre-flight check-in.
4. You’ll receive an email detailing your boarding position well in advance, making it convenient to print your boarding pass.

Remember, it doesn’t guarantee ‘A’ boarding slot, but increases your chance of getting an early slot.

Does Southwest Early Bird automatically check you in?

Yes, Southwest Early Bird automatically checks in passengers. If you opt for this service, you can relax knowing that Southwest will check you in and assign your boarding position 36 hours before your flight. For instance, rather than rushing to check in 24 hours in advance, you are sorted 12 hours ahead of other passengers.

The benefits of SWA Early Bird Check-In

1. Automatic check-in

Automatic check-in forms a significant part of Southwest Airlines’ Early Bird Check-In service. Enabling automatic check-in means you’re freed from the need to check in 24 hours before departure, a crucial feature for busy travelers. For instance, if your flight is scheduled for 6:00 am on a Sunday, automatic check-in ensures you get your confirmed boarding position 36 hours prior on Friday, eliminating the need for manual check-in early on Saturday.

2. Get Higher Chance at A Boarding Group

While purchasing Early Bird Check-In improves your odds of landing an ‘A’ boarding position, it doesn’t guarantee it. Priorities go first to Business Select fares and A-List members. Your boarding number is largely based on when you bought Early Bird Check-In and your fare type. Even as an Early Bird purchaser, you might wind up in ‘B’ if demand outstrips available ‘A’ slots.

3. Get Higher Chances of Getting a Preferred Seat

With EarlyBird Check-In, the sooner you purchase it, the higher your likelihood of nailing the desired seat. It pushes you towards an A boarding position but remember it’s limited.

How to purchase Early Bird Check-In?

Purchase at the time of ticket purchase

Booking a ticket on Southwest Airlines and considering the Early Bird Check-In? Here’s how you can purchase this service at the time of ticket booking.

1. Visit Southwest.com or the Southwest mobile app.
2. Proceed with your flight booking process.
3. During the process, you’ll encounter a pop-up or notification inquiring if you’d like to add EarlyBird Check-In.
4. Select “yes” and continue with your purchase. EarlyBird is applicable for all passengers on that reservation.
5. If booking over the phone, the agent will ask if you’d like to add this feature before finalizing your transaction. Say “yes”.
6. Complete your transaction. Note that purchasing EarlyBird doesn’t necessarily guarantee an ‘A’ boarding position.

Purchase before your flight

If you didn’t buy Early Bird Check-In at the time you purchased your ticket, you can still add it later.

1. Visit the dedicated Early-Bird purchase page or using the mobile app, or calling at 1-800-435-9792. You can add it up to 36 hours before your flight.
2. Key in your confirmation number, first, and last name to bring up your itinerary.
3. Choose “Continue” to move on to the payment page.
4. Pick your preferred payment method and click “Purchase”.

Remember, if you’re purchasing the flexible Anytime fares more than 24 hours before takeoff, the EarlyBird Check-In is free.

SWA Early Bird Check-In: Is it worth it?

The value of Early Bird Check-In is subjective – it really boils down to what you value more: money or convenience. While it’s great to nab your favorite seat or dodge the dreaded middle one, you can usually manage the same by checking in right at the 24-hour mark without the extra charge.

Here’s some groups that might find it worth it:

1. If you buy Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, or Anytime fares. It lets you avoid fretting about securing good seats or overhead bin space.
2. Consider it if you’re traveling with older kids (ages 6+), particularly during popular vacation times, to ensure you all sit together.
3. Use it if you’re often tight on time or prone to flight-related anxiety. The automatic check-in feature gives you peace of mind.
4. For long flights, it may be worth more to you.

Tip: Use travel credits from certain Southwest cards to offset the Early Bird Check-In costs.

In what order are Early Bird check-ins processed?

There are two factors that determine your boarding group placement when you buy Early Bird Check In: Fare class and time of purchase.

Anyone who purchased an “Anytime Fares” will receive priority over other fare types. Within a fare group, passengers who purchased Early Bird earlier will get checked in first with a better boarding number.

How to Get Free Early Bird Check In?

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card offers many perks, one of them being the ability to secure EarlyBird Check-In for your Southwest flights. You’ll get two statement credits per year for Early Bird Check In. Simply pay for your Early Bird Check In with your card and you’ll see it deducted later on your statement.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is another option for free Early Bird Check In. You’ll get two statement credits per year for Early Bird Check In. Simply pay for your Early Bird Check In with your card and you’ll see it deducted later on your statement. 

All information about this card was independently collected and this card is no longer available through the site.

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card delivers valuable travel perks for frequent flyers. You’ll get two statement credits per year for Early Bird Check In. Simply pay for your Early Bird Check In with your card and you’ll see it deducted later on your statement.

Southwest Early Bird Check In vs Upgraded Boarding

With Early Bird Check-In:

1. Automatic check-in, relieving you of the stress related to racing the clock.
2. A better boarding position ensuring you have better options for seating.
3. You can purchase up until 36 hours before departure
4. Valid for all legs of your flight
5. $15-$25

For Upgraded Boarding:

1. Guaranteed A1-15 boarding
2. It’s available via the app, at the ticket counter or gate pre-boarding, giving you flexibility.
3. Limited available slots (15 max per flight)
4. Must be purchased for each flight leg
5. Cost varies

Southwest Early Bird Check-in vs Upgraded Boarding: Rewards Credit Card

Southwest Airlines offers two different services to improve your boarding experience – Early Bird Check-in and Upgraded Boarding, each offering distinct advantages. Particularly, Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card holders receive certain additional perks and benefits.

Here is a comparison of the two services:

1. Early Bird Check-in: Available for free to Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus, Premier and Business Premier credit card holders only. With either card, you will get 2 Early Bird Check Ins per year.
2. Upgraded Boarding: Available for free to Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority and Business Performance credit card holders only. With either card, you will get 4 Upgraded Boardings per year.

Southwest Early Bird Check In with Companion Pass

If you have a Companion Pass, your Companion will automatically be given a boarding assignment next to you. If you are assigned A45, for instance, your Companion will be A44 or A46. You do not need to purchase Early Bird Check In for your companion for them to board with you.

How to tell how many Early Bird credits you’ve used

If you can’t remember if you have used your Early Bird check in credits yet, you can follow these steps to check. These show me checking Upgraded Boarding credits but it is the same process.

If you’re in the Chase app, select “See All Transactions”

Then you’ll select “Search or Filter”

Then select Transaction Type.

Then select “Adjustment”

Now you’ll see any credits you’ve gotten. If you click on a credit you can see more detail to confirm it is for Early Bird Check In.