Is early bird included in Wanna Get Away Plus?

EarlyBird Check-In is included with the purchase of an Anytime fare. For Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus fares, EarlyBird Check-In can be purchased up to 36 hours prior to a flight's scheduled local departure time, when it is available.



No, EarlyBird Check-In is not included as a standard feature of the "Wanna Get Away Plus" fare on Southwest Airlines. While "Wanna Get Away Plus" offers significant benefits over the base fare—such as "Same-Day Confirmed" flight changes and "Transferable Flight Credits"—you still have to pay an additional fee (usually $15–$25 each way) if you want EarlyBird Check-In. The only Southwest fares that include automatic or priority boarding are Anytime (which includes EarlyBird) and Business Select (which includes A1-A15 priority boarding). In early 2026, Southwest introduced a major shift toward assigned seating for flights departing later in the year. Under this new model, "Wanna Get Away Plus" (now often branded as the "Choice" fare) allows you to select a standard seat at the time of booking, which effectively replaces the need for EarlyBird Check-In for many travelers. However, for flights still using the traditional open-seating "boarding group" system, you must still purchase EarlyBird separately if you want the system to check you in automatically 36 hours before departure.

People Also Ask

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.

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If you purchase EarlyBird Check-In, we'll automatically check you in and reserve your boarding position 36 hours before you flight's departure. This is before our general 24-hour check-in begins.

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Overselling a flight can occur because of weight restrictions and aircraft type changes. We don't overbook as part of our philosophy of Customer-friendly policies. Will I be compensated for an oversold flight? When appropriate, we'll offer compensation when a flight is in an oversale situation.

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Southwest Is A Safe Airline
They are a favorite among travelers looking for cheap flights without having to compromise on comfort or security. According to the most recent list of the world's safest airlines, Southwest was ranked in the top 15 airlines in the world in 2021, even beating out Delta, American, and United.

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How to get Southwest priority boarding
  1. Purchase EarlyBird Check-In.
  2. Purchase Upgraded Boarding.
  3. Book the right fare class.
  4. Carry select Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards.
  5. Reach elite status with Southwest.
  6. Travel as a family.
  7. Use your military benefits.


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The Southwest flight cancellation policy is simple: You can cancel your flight at any time, with no cancellation fees, up to 10 minutes before the flight's scheduled departure. If you booked a flight with Rapid Rewards points, they'll be refunded back into your loyalty account.

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You ARE entitled to a full refund via your original method of payment EVEN if you booked a nonrefundable Wanna Get Away fare IF Southwest cancels the flight (and not you). You will likely have to be the one to ask them for it, but you are entitled.

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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.

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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.

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Southwest assigns boarding positions rather than seats
  • You'll either be in group A, B, or C, with A being allowed to board first, B being allowed to board second, and C being allowed to board last.
  • You'll be given a specific number within that range, which determines the order in which you can board within each group.


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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.

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