southwest early boarding sham

Early boarding is a sham and just a revenue generator for southwest airlines. I purchased round trip tickets in NOV. for a flight in june. ( seven months in advance) I purchased early boarding in NOV. I was given a B6 boarding pass. I checked with others on line for boarding and found that people ( several) in FRONT of us purchased their early boarding last week. I found out from southwest that those who buy the cheaper tickets get placed in line behind those who bought more expensive tickets. So if you buy a fare sale do not waste your money and purchase early boarding as it will give you little benefit. By the way their new and improved rapid rewards program is only an improvement if they never had a program. It now takes about twice as many flights as it did previously to earn a free flight.

I agree

Disagree
All my tickets are free and I've always opted for the early bird option since they started it (I can afford paying $30 buck for a round trip and not having to worry about getting boarding passes). My highest number in the last 30 flights or so was 30 and most are around 20. And most flight are booked at least 60 days in advance (already booked flights thru Oct).
I actually like the new system since they never expire. I've had a hell of a time using up all my free flights this year before they expire and I still have 2 more to book before the end of January.

I don't see what the problem is, the system works exactly as Southwest says it works. It may not be a good value in your eyes. But it's definitely not a sham. For anyone.

If you feel the early boarding fee is too high for what you get, don't pay it.

I have to agree with Captain Bill. We've been using it since they implemented it and have always had A25 or lower. I like not having to be at a computer 24 hrs. ahead of time in order to check in. We'll continue to use it.

I used it for the first time last week on my return flight from Vegas and got A30. In the past I'd use my Blackberry or find a Starbucks to log in online 24 hrs prior to check in, but I have to admit that it's worth it to me not to worry about forgetting to check in 24 hrs prior to get a good assignment. I don't worry so much about being first off the plane, but more so just not having to get a middle seat. So for me it's less about being first to onboard and more about not being bothered about checking in online. I didn't get the early bird flying out to Vegas since I spend a lot of time at work or home on the computer, so it was no problem to check in. But Vegas time should be spent doing Vegas things!

fredo

Similar thing happened to us last trip.

The time/date of purchase has nothing to do with it. All of the early bird check ins are done 36 hrs prior to the flight compared to the 24 hr check ins for people who do not purchase this feature.

Don't know how many flights I've flown since the Early check in feature implemented.........but I've Never felt the need to Pay it...........Save your money.

Sometimes I'm able to checkin 24 hours & 1 min ahead............sometimes 6 hours later.
If I'm out of state, I check in on my Iphone, and reprint my boarding pass at the airport. Easy.

The highest boarding pass # I've EVER gotten was in the B group. Without paying the $10 Early boarding fee.

MOST of the time I'm in A 28-59. Somewhere in there. And I've Always gotten my carryon into
overhead. No prob.

As long as I'm Not pushing into the C group? Its worth it to me to save my $10.

I also agree with bgholtz..........takes twice as many flights now to Get a FF ticket.
NOT a fan of the new RR system. booooooooo

I never use early checkin on flights to Las Vegas. I always use them for flights home. I do not have a smartphone to check in, I dont bring a laptop. Saves me from finding an internet station to check in. I am happy as long as I get an A or B. If you get hit with a C you may be stuck in the middle seat which I dont want.

Charlie NH