Is Southwest Upgraded Boarding or EarlyBird Check-In Worth It? What to Know Before You Fly

I once forgot to purchase EarlyBird Check-in on Southwest Airlines for our flight home from Las Vegas. And I also forgot to manually check-in for this flight 24 hours in advance. By the time I remembered, I was granted the dire boarding position of C22.

Anyone who flies Southwest knows that group C can be aggravating, especially when flying carry-on only. It is the very last boarding group, which means the entire plane, less 38 or so people, would find their seats and claim overhead space before me. I am not a fan of unassigned seating.

To avoid this, I always buy EarlyBird Check-In when I book my flights. Here’s a summary of how it works, what happens when you change a flight, and whether early boarding is available to buy at the gate. We fly Southwest many times per year to my daughter’s volleyball tournaments.

How Regular Boarding on Southwest Airlines Works

If you’ve never flown Southwest Airlines, the boarding process might feel slightly different because there are no assigned seats. Instead, Southwest uses an open seating policy, meaning you choose any available seat once you’re on the plane.

Here’s how it works:

• When you check in (either manually or automatically via EarlyBird), you’ll receive a boarding group (A, B, or C) and a position number from 1 to 60.
• Your boarding pass will say something like A29 or C12.
• At the gate, you’ll line up according to your boarding group. Large numbered markers at the boarding area help everyone stand in roughly the right place—A1–A30, A31–A60, and so on.
• Group A boards first, followed by Group B, then Group C.
• When it’s your turn, you’ll board the plane and choose any open seat—aisle, window, or middle—based on what’s still available.

So, someone with Group A29 would be among the earlier boarders and stand near the “25–30” sign. Someone with C55 would be much farther back in the process and might find only middle seats left. And good luck finding overhead space for your carry-on if that’s your position.

What Is Southwest EarlyBird Check-In?

EarlyBird Check-In is a premium service that triggers an automated check-in 36 hours before departure. This is 12 hours earlier than standard check-in and gives you an earlier boarding position without the hassle of remembering to check in manually.

The boarding guarantee with EarlyBird Check-In is not A1–A15 (it starts after this), nor will they guarantee that you’ll be in Group A (we usually are). But it is still a major advantage over those who check in manually at the 24-hour mark.

If you want to board as one of the first 15 people, you’d need to purchase Business Select, which comes with EarlyBird Check-In to A1-15. We have done this, too, when the price is right. Otherwise, Business Select is the most expensive fare on any Southwest flight.

How Much Does EarlyBird Check-In Cost?

The cost for EarlyBird on Southwest starts at $15. It used to only range between $15 and $25 per passenger per fight. It’s been around $25 per leg for our Las Vegas trips.

However, nowadays, it can cost as much as $99 each way, so you really need to figure out if you’re better off with an assigned seat on a different airline. The price varies based on the demand and route.

What Tickets Include Early Check-In?

EarlyBird Check-in is automatically included with tickets bought in these fare classes:

• Business Select (A1-15)
• Anytime (this is usually what we buy) has EarlyBird Check-In included

How to Add EarlyBird Check-In

If it isn’t automatically included with your ticket, this add-on can be bought during booking or added later through the Southwest website or mobile app. You can add it until 36 hours before departure, subject to availability.

1. Open Southwest.com or the Southwest app.
2. Click “Manage Reservations.”
3. Select the flight you want to add it to.
4. Click “Add EarlyBird Check-In.”
5. You’ll pay by credit card.

After using this feature, the system will automatically check you in 36 hours before your flight. Note that Southwest limits the availability of EarlyBird Check-In, so you really should buy it ASAP.

What Happens If You Change Your Flight?

I was in Las Vegas for a volleyball tournament, which ended early. So, we were faced with a same-day flight change dilemma. I could get on an earlier flight and lose our EarlyBird, or I would kill time on the Strip or in McCarran airport.

We changed our flight and lost EarlyBird. We were literally the last boarding group. I knew there was no way we’d be able to get our carry-ons on the plane, so I preemptively checked them. I would recommend you do the same as other travelers didn’t, and forcing people to check bags held up the line. So here’s the bottom line (which is always subject to change)…

• If you choose to change your flight within 24 hours of departure: EarlyBird Check-In is non-refundable and cannot be used. You will manually check in or purchase Upgraded Boarding if it is available at the gate
• If you choose to change your flight more than 25 hours of departure: EarlyBird will transfer to your new flight.
• If Southwest has to change your flight: They will transfer your EarlyBird.

Can You Buy Early Boarding at the Gate?

Yes, you can. It’s called Upgraded Boarding, and it can increase your position to A1–A15 category (which is typically reserved for the Business Select fares).

The key points are:

• Cost: $30–$80 per segment (depends on route and demand)
• Where to buy: You may buy it at the gate or directly on the Southwest app
• Availability: It’s not always available and ultimately depends on how many slots are unsold between A1 and A15.

Is Upgraded Boarding Worth It?

On a different flight home from Las Vegas, the gate agent announced that Upgraded Boarding was available. I’d changed my flight and lost my EarlyBird again, so I paid $40 for the upgrade and received position A6.

It actually paid off because I had enough space for my carry-on and could sit in the second-row aisle seat. Again, this isn’t an option if the Business Select seats are sold out in advance on a flight.

The flight from Las Vegas to San Diego is scheduled for just over an hour, but it is actually less than that. Did I really need to spend $40? I was the only one who paid for Upgraded Boarding on the entire plane despite the announcement that our flight was full.

I paid with a credit card at the gate. The A7-A15 boarding positions behind me were empty. Upgraded Boarding on Southwest Airlines is worth it if you:

• Don’t mind spending $40 (obviously).
• Are in a major hurry.
• Have a tight connection and want to exit the plane quickly.
• Forgot to buy EarlyBird Check-in.
• Checked in late and have a terrible boarding position.
• Prefer the first few rows of the plane.

The Bottom Line Difference Between EarlyBird Check-In and Upgraded Boarding

EarlyBird Check-In checks you in 36 hours before the scheduled departure, granting you an earlier boarding position. You can buy it up to 36 hours in advance of your flight subject to availability.

Upgraded Boarding is only available if they have last-minute space in boarding numbers A1-15 that they are trying to sell.

When You Might Skip Early Boarding Altogether

Here are some reasons to skip upgrading to either early boarding scenario.

• You’re checking bags and don’t need overhead space for a carry-on.
• You’re not on a busy flight.
• You don’t care where you sit.
• You want to save the money.
• You’re unsure about your plans and may change your travel date or time (applies to EarlyBird only)

Final Thoughts

Whether you choose either early boarding option depends on whether you value the convenience of getting on the plane early. I do but you’ll certainly save money if you can set an alarm on your phone and check in right when the check-in window opens.

Top photo courtesy of Southwest Airlines