The Sneaky Trick To Get Priority Boarding On Southwest Airlines
No airline is truly ever perfect, but to many, Southwest Airlines comes close. A recipient of Money's Best Airline for Families award in 2023 and topping the customer satisfaction charts in the J.D. Power 2023 North America Airline Satisfaction Study, Southwest is often lauded for being passenger-friendly. Renowned for its customer-centric approach, Southwest offers numerous perks, including two complimentary checked bags, non-expiring credits, and zero fees for altering or canceling flights. The kicker, however, lies in its unconventional boarding system. Doing away with assigned seating, it employs an open-seat policy. You only get to score the best seats in the aircraft if you're appointed to a certain boarding group — or if you know how to hack your way through it.
Passengers are sorted into three boarding groups (A, B, and C), with numbered positions from 1 to 60. If you get A1, consider yourself a winner. You'll get to call dibs on the seat you want (though those requiring assistance still pre-board). With C60, you might as well expect to sit at the very back near the toilets. Southwest maintains that this process is "quick, easy, and efficient," but it can be a bummer to those who prefer an aisle or window seat. But if you don't want the misfortune of a crappy boarding assignment, just pay for EarlyBird.
With prices starting at $15 per flight, an EarlyBird Check-In pass unlocks a privilege. You're among those who board first, allowing you to select your desired seat and snag coveted overhead bin space.
The power of EarlyBird check-in
There are two ways to purchase EarlyBird Check-In. You can either buy it as an add-on to your ticket or secure an Anytime fare, which automatically includes the EarlyBird perk. Anytime fares also boast a bunch of other benefits, like access to a special check-in and security lane, free refunds, and bonus rewards points. While Southwest Airlines notes that EarlyBird isn't a surefire way to score a group A assignment, those who purchase it often get to enjoy an A slot and automatic check-in 36 hours before takeoff.
Sadly, as of August 2023, EarlyBird has become a limited luxury, per an email from Southwest to The Street. "EarlyBird Check-In will be subject to availability on certain flights, routes, or days, and that will mean EarlyBird Check-In is unavailable for some customers looking to purchase it," it read. The good news is there's still an option to pay your way to early boarding: you can either book a Business Select fare, or buy Upgraded Boarding when available.
With a Business Select ticket, you get free refunds, your choice of a premium beverage (think margaritas and mimosas), and most importantly, a guaranteed A1 to A15 boarding assignment. In the event that a flight doesn't fulfill 15 Business Select passengers, Southwest offers other travelers the chance to purchase the A1 to A15 slots, starting at $30 per flight. This can be arranged when you check in via the Southwest app or at the departure gate or ticket desk at the airport.
Be part of the A list or use a Southwest credit card
When it comes to enjoying priority boarding with Southwest Airlines, loyalty goes a long way. If you refuse to shell out money for EarlyBird, Upgraded Boarding, or a higher-tier ticket, you can get free priority boarding if you fly Southwest often. Your dedication will pay off later on. Flying 20 or more eligible one-way flights or collecting over 35,000 rewards points in a single calendar year make you a shoo-in to the carrier's A-List or A-List Preferred club. This elite membership not only grants you priority boarding, but also extends the VIP treatment to everyone who's part of your reservation. That way, you and your friend group get to sit together without reserving seats for one another, which may only aggravate other passengers.
It also pays to have a Southwest-branded credit card, particularly the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card. Holders of these cards are entitled to up to four Upgraded Boardings per year. Sure, you would still have to buy it through the usual methods, but you'll get reimbursed later on through credits regardless of how much the upgrade cost you.