Loading Page...

Can I use Southwest credit to pay for early bird check in?

You can use travel funds to rebook and change a Wanna Get Away fare to an Anytime or Business Select one, but you can't use travel funds to pay for Upgraded Boarding or buy EarlyBird Check-In.



No, you generally cannot use Southwest Flight Credits (LUV Vouchers or Travel Funds) to pay for the EarlyBird Check-In® fee. Southwest's payment systems typically restrict the use of flight credits to the "Base Fare" and government-imposed taxes and fees of a new flight booking. Ancillary services, such as EarlyBird Check-In, Upgraded Boarding, pet fees, or inflight Wi-Fi, must be paid for using a credit card, debit card, or PayPal at the time of purchase. However, if you have a Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority or Performance Business Credit Card, you may receive "credits" for these purchases that appear as statement credits on your bank account. It is also important to remember that EarlyBird Check-In is non-refundable; if you cancel your flight, the money paid for the check-in service is forfeited and cannot be converted into a flight credit for future use. For the most efficient experience, it is best to bundle these costs during the initial booking phase if you are not using a card that covers the benefit.

People Also Ask

Southwest Airlines will limit its popular EarlyBird Check-In feature as part of its effort to overhaul its flying experience. Going forward, the airline is limiting the number of EarlyBird Check-In spots available to purchase on certain flights, routes, or days, Southwest confirmed to Travel + Leisure.

MORE DETAILS

Customers can add EarlyBird Check-In to their reservation up to 36 hours prior to a flight's scheduled departure, when it is available. Upgraded Boarding guarantees an A1-A15 boarding position and, when available, can be added to a reservation up to 30 minutes before a flight's scheduled departure.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

There are two Southwest credit cards that give Upgraded Boarding — a personal and business version. Both provide 4 Southwest upgraded boardings per cardmember year.

MORE DETAILS

60,000 Southwest points are worth around $798 when redeemed for airfare. While Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards points are most valuable when redeemed for Travel, they're also redeemable for gift cards, hotel stays, merchandise, and more.

MORE DETAILS

As such, we do not publish flight loads. If for any reason you're uncomfortable traveling in the current environment and would like to discuss the flight load of your upcoming flight, we strongly encourage you to reach out to our Customer Service Department via any of the options below. Email here.

MORE DETAILS

B boarding group: This is the next best boarding group to be in if you want the chance to select a seat you can live with. However, being near the beginning of the B group is a lot better than the end.

MORE DETAILS

Although Southwest priority boarding isn't based on the cabin class you fly, you can get the perk by:
  1. Purchasing EarlyBird Check-In or Upgraded Boarding.
  2. Carrying a credit card that offers priority boarding benefits.
  3. Purchasing a higher fare ticket.
  4. Being an elite member.


MORE DETAILS

Do the points I earn expire? No, your Rapid Rewards points do not expire. However, if you choose to close your account, the points in your account will be terminated.

MORE DETAILS

Preboarding is available for Customers with disabilities who need a specific seat to accommodate a disability, need assistance boarding the aircraft, or need to stow an assistive device.

MORE DETAILS

  1. Book Window & Aisle Seats … & Cross Your Fingers.
  2. Monitor Your Seat Map Before Boarding.
  3. Pay For an Extra Seat to Guarantee More Space.
  4. Block the Middle Seat for a Smaller Fee.
  5. Pick the Right Plane to Avoid Middle Seats Altogether.


MORE DETAILS

What are the best seats on a plane?
  • Best seat for a smooth ride: A seat over the wing.
  • Best seat for sleepers: A window seat near the front.
  • Best seat for maximum legroom: An aisle seat in the second exit row.


MORE DETAILS

Check in early. No seats are assigned on Southwest Airlines, but boarding positions are assigned at check-in. The earlier you check in, the better position you will secure for yourself. Check-In begins 24 hours prior to your departure time.

MORE DETAILS