Early check in advantages?
Feb 9, 2011, 12:27 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Dataw Island, SC
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 86
Early check in advantages?
If I have a flight with multiple bags to be checked, I still have to get luggage check tags at the counter from an attendant (at least in Syracuse, anyway). Is there any benefit to checking in early on the web site, as opposed to just checking in normally at the counter? Thanks.
Feb 9, 2011, 12:31 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: CHA/TYS
Programs: The Mac Daddy of Heimlich County (and low-ball status)
Posts: 2,868
one less thing you have to worry about at airport?
less chance that you lose power later on and can't get online or print them out?
less chance that you lose power later on and can't get online or print them out?
Feb 9, 2011, 12:59 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: US-CP, UA, Marriott Rewards, HHonors, Avis,
Posts: 4,549
Better selection of seats if you want to change around or spring for the "choice" seats (aside: I wouldn't spring for the choice seats).
If you've not been upgraded and are an elite, one of the day-of-departure upgrade criteria is time of check-in.
Not sure if you'd maintain a lower boarding zone after a visit to the desk but that might make it worth it if you've still got a carry-on to stow.
Also I find the delay/gate change notifications that ive signed up for are more consistently delivered once I check in.
If you've not been upgraded and are an elite, one of the day-of-departure upgrade criteria is time of check-in.
Not sure if you'd maintain a lower boarding zone after a visit to the desk but that might make it worth it if you've still got a carry-on to stow.
Also I find the delay/gate change notifications that ive signed up for are more consistently delivered once I check in.
Feb 9, 2011, 1:01 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 709
I always check-in online at home, but then generally re-print my BP when I get to the airport from a self-serve kiosk, just because I like the size and feel of airline-printed BP's better than a big piece of paper from my printer.
Feb 10, 2011, 7:48 am
#5
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Pennsylvania
Programs: US Silver, HHonors Silver
Posts: 187
Are IDB procedures (due to w&b issues or whatever) determined by time of check in or time of boarding? Might be something else to consider possibly, but I don't know the answer tbh.
Feb 10, 2011, 11:23 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: SJC and ONT
Programs: WN A-List/CP, HHonors Diamond, CX J with AA miles, US Gold/*G
Posts: 2,082
+1. I print to PDF at the office/home for my records and visit the kiosk for the hardcopy (which they give back to you anyway...when are smartphone BPs coming out?).
Feb 10, 2011, 11:43 am
#7
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: US CP, Hilton Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,007
Feb 10, 2011, 11:49 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Miami, Nice
Programs: Marriott Titanium, AA Concierge Key, Delta, United, Emorates, and others
Posts: 4,694
The better seat choices in Choice is the biggest thing. For the bags no advantage whatsoever.
Feb 10, 2011, 4:34 pm
#9
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: AVP
Programs: US CP, Hilton Diamond, Avis Prefered
Posts: 259
If you are not elite you can pay for any checked bags and you get a cheaper rate. Not an issue with me since I hardly ever check bags and when I do my first three (I think) are free!
Feb 11, 2011, 9:00 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: SM dirt, UA dirt, US Gold
Posts: 87
If I have a flight with multiple bags to be checked, I still have to get luggage check tags at the counter from an attendant (at least in Syracuse, anyway). Is there any benefit to checking in early on the web site, as opposed to just checking in normally at the counter? Thanks.
If you get to the airport and the check in systems are down, They can manually tag your bags and you get to fly. This happened to me once( not US), one of the rare times I did not OLCI, and I had to be reticketed on another airline 6 hours later. Those folks who had printed their BPs at home had their bags tagged manually and off they went. Lesson learned.
Not much to do in GSO.
P.S. I try to get my BPs reprinted at checkin since I prefer that size, but I always have the printouts w/ me now.
Feb 11, 2011, 9:03 am
#11
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: SM dirt, UA dirt, US Gold
Posts: 87
Had them in DTW for several years for Delta & NW anyway. Only prob is you need your status card to get in the elite line, etc., since the pass is just one of those square barcode like images(sorry I don't know the correct name for these)
Feb 11, 2011, 10:54 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: 1 mile from RDU
Programs: SW, AA Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hertz 5*, Avis Presidents
Posts: 506
a bird in the hand . . .
it is definitely worthwhile to have a physical boarding pass for better protection when you run into overbooking situations. The people with no seat assignment and no boarding pass are going to be more vulnerable to being selected for involuntary denial of boarding before those with BPs (and yes, there are other factors that can affect the pecking order, such as ff status, class of service, etc., but why not at least improve your odds with a factor you can control)
Feb 11, 2011, 2:29 pm
#13
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: AVP
Programs: US CP, Hilton Diamond, Avis Prefered
Posts: 259
Checked online and it seems like the did away with the discount for paying at home for checked bags, is that correct? The policy says there is a discount if you purchased your ticket prior to Oct 2010.
Feb 12, 2011, 8:21 am
#14
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: PIT/LBA
Programs: I miss US Airways
Posts: 791
Just a quick update I just noticed regarding mobile boarding passes:
http://www.usairways.com/en-US/trave...ding-pass.html
Now for flights originating in CLT, DEN, and LAS. When I flew about a month ago, it was only LAS. Glad to see expansion.
http://www.usairways.com/en-US/trave...ding-pass.html
Now for flights originating in CLT, DEN, and LAS. When I flew about a month ago, it was only LAS. Glad to see expansion.
