If you have flown Southwest Airlines, you know the unique open seating policy of the airline can make getting a great seat feel like a game of chance. Without assigned seating, your boarding position becomes critical — you will want to board as early as possible to snag your favorite spot or ensure overhead bin space. But how do you increase your chances of boarding early without obsessing over the exact 24-hour check-in window? Southwest offers a solution called EarlyBird Check-In, a service that automatically checks you in earlier than most passengers, potentially boosting your boarding position.

The question is: Is it worth the extra cost? Here is everything you need to know to decide if EarlyBird Check-In makes sense for your next trip.

What Is EarlyBird Check-In

Credit. Travel + Leisure. Southwest Check-In.

EarlyBird Check-In is a paid Southwest Airlines service designed to give passengers an advantage in the boarding process by securing an earlier boarding position. For a fee ranging from $15 to $99 per person, one way, EarlyBird Check-In automatically checks you in 36 hours before your flight, well before the standard 24-hour check-in window opens to other passengers. If you are flying round-trip, you will need to buy EarlyBird Check-In for each leg separately.

While EarlyBird improves your boarding position, it does not guarantee you will be the very first to board. The first 15 boarding spots on Southwest are reserved for Business Select passengers. This means that, depending on how many Business Select tickets are sold, your boarding position with EarlyBird could range from a high A spot to early in the B group. However, EarlyBird Check-In does guarantee that you will board before those checking in manually, giving you a better chance at securing a good seat and overhead bin space.

Related: Southwest Airlines Baggage Policy: What You Need To Know

How Does EarlyBird Check-In Work

Credit. The Points Guy. Southwest Boarding Area.

The boarding process on Southwest flights is unique compared to most major airlines. Instead of assigning seats at booking, Southwest places passengers in one of three boarding groups: A, B, or C. Within each group, passengers are assigned a boarding number that determines their place in line — A1 boards first, followed by A2, and so on. Once onboard, passengers can choose any available seat.

Without EarlyBird Check-In, your boarding group and number are assigned based on how quickly you check in, which opens exactly 24 hours before departure. Many passengers set alarms to check in at the precise 24-hour mark to maximize their chances of getting a favorable boarding position. Those in the A or early B groups have the best odds of securing good seats, space for carry-ons, and the ability to sit near companions. In contrast, checking in later can result in being placed in the C group, where middle seats are more common, and you may be seated far from friends or family.

With EarlyBird Check-In, Southwest automatically checks you in 36 hours before departure, ahead of passengers who check in manually. While this service does not guarantee an A1 boarding position (since the first 15 spots are reserved for Business Select passengers), it does greatly improve your chances of boarding in groups A or early B, making it more likely you will find a seat that meets your needs.

How Do You Get EarlyBird Check-In With Southwest

There are a few ways to take advantage of EarlyBird Check-In or comparable boarding benefits:

• Purchase A Business Select Ticket: Business Select fares, the premium ticket option on Southwest flights, come with guaranteed priority boarding in positions A1–A15. This option provides the best shot at securing the seat of your choice, along with extra perks like a complimentary premium drink and higher Rapid Rewards points earning rates.
• Purchase An Anytime Fare: Anytime fares do not automatically come with EarlyBird, but they are fully refundable and earn more points than Wanna Get Away fares. Adding EarlyBird Check-In to this fare type provides flexibility and convenience if you are hoping for a better boarding position without buying a Business Select ticket.
• Purchase Upgraded Boarding: If you did not book EarlyBird Check-In in advance, you may still purchase Upgraded Boarding at the gate on the day of departure. This allows you to buy a boarding position in A1–A15 for an additional fee, typically $30 to $149 per segment, depending on availability.
• Use A Southwest Credit Card Benefit: Some Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards offer valuable perks that can help with boarding. Certain cards provide an annual travel credit, which can be used toward EarlyBird Check-In fees, while others include upgraded boarding benefits for A1–A15 positions on select flights. Additionally, some cards even come with an EarlyBird Check-In benefit, helping you secure a better boarding position automatically.

Related: The Best Credit Cards For Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards

Who Should Consider EarlyBird Check-In

Credit. Travel + Leisure. Boarding Early With Southwest EarlyBird Check-In.

EarlyBird Check-In can be a game-changer for a smoother boarding experience, especially under any of the following conditions:

• Traveling During Peak Times: Boarding early is especially valuable on busy flights, like those during weekends or holidays.
• Traveling With Friends Or Family: EarlyBird helps ensure you can sit together with your travel companions. If you are traveling with elderly parents, young children, or others who need your support, EarlyBird helps keep your group together.
• Unable To Check-In At The 24hr Mark: EarlyBird Check-In automatically secures your spot if you can not check in exactly at the 24-hour mark.
• Value A Specific Seat: EarlyBird improves your chances of snagging an aisle or window seat or sitting closer to the front.
• Require Overhead Bin Space: Boarding earlier gives you a better shot at finding space for larger carry-ons.

If any of these apply, EarlyBird Check-In can make your Southwest boarding experience smoother and less stressful.

Who Should Skip EarlyBird Check-In

There are cases where EarlyBird Check-In might not be necessary:

• Solo Traveler / No Seat Preference: If you are flexible with where you sit, especially on shorter flights, EarlyBird might be an unnecessary expense.
• Budget Traveler: EarlyBird Check-In fees can add up, especially if you are traveling with a family. Checking in at the 24-hour mark is free, and with some good timing, you might still get a decent boarding position.
• Off-Peak Travel Time: On less crowded flights, EarlyBird may not be as valuable, as there will be more seat options available regardless of boarding position.
• Have A-List Elite Status: Southwest A-List and A-List Preferred members already get priority boarding, so EarlyBird would be redundant.
• Families With Small Children: Southwest offers family boarding between Group A  and Group B for families with children 6 and under, allowing two adults to board with each child — making EarlyBird unnecessary for many families.

Final Thoughts

The EarlyBird Check-In can be a valuable add-on, especially if you are flying Southwest during peak travel times, need overhead bin space, or want to sit with your travel companions. By allowing you to check in early and secure a better boarding position, EarlyBird takes some of the stress out of the open-seating policy on Southwest flights and helps ensure a smoother boarding experience. For families with young children, elite status members, or those traveling off-peak, however, EarlyBird may not be necessary, as other options like family boarding or standard check-in can still meet your needs.

Ultimately, EarlyBird Check-In is about balancing your travel priorities with the extra cost. If getting the right seat, having space for your carry-on, or boarding with ease matters to you, EarlyBird could be a worthwhile investment. By weighing these factors for your next Southwest flight, you will be able to decide if EarlyBird is the right choice for a more comfortable and relaxed journey.