My situation was (EWR-DCA):
Current time: 12:00 noon
Next Departure: 1pm
My scheduled flight: 3pm
Kiosk telling me I can confirm an earlier flight (I did not ask for this option) for $25. My plan was to get on the 1pm.
I knew seats were available, I just declined and went right to the gate and got a new boarding pass. Had to use Gate Agent time. If I could not get on - then I would have just consumed more beverages in the PClub.