Early bird paid off this time
Dec 7, 2019, 1:45 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 95
Early bird paid off this time
I have to say for the first time in quite impressed with early bird. I am flying today, bought my tickets back on November 1st, I have been avoiding early bird cause it always seemed to be a crap shoot of it actually helped me but since it was a December flight I went for it. I was pleasantly surprised when I checked in yesterday to find I had A28 and A26 for my flights!
the real test will be on the 14th when I fly back...I feel like that will be a more busy day but this time I’m happy!
the real test will be on the 14th when I fly back...I feel like that will be a more busy day but this time I’m happy!
Dec 7, 2019, 6:53 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 349
I have to say for the first time in quite impressed with early bird. I am flying today, bought my tickets back on November 1st, I have been avoiding early bird cause it always seemed to be a crap shoot of it actually helped me but since it was a December flight I went for it. I was pleasantly surprised when I checked in yesterday to find I had A28 and A26 for my flights!
the real test will be on the 14th when I fly back...I feel like that will be a more busy day but this time I’m happy!
the real test will be on the 14th when I fly back...I feel like that will be a more busy day but this time I’m happy!
Dec 7, 2019, 8:52 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 95
I don't want to be a wet blanket, but IME the times I've received a truly great checkin number as a non-elite (whether early bird or at T-24) usually meant that the flight was not very full. In those cases, early bird isn't really worth it because pretty much everybody is getting their own row (or at least an empty middle) anyway. But YMMV!
Dec 7, 2019, 2:21 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Nashville -Past DL Plat, FO, WN-CP, various hotel programs
Programs: DL-MM, AA, SW w/companion,HiltonDiamond, Hyatt PLat, IHF Plat, Miles and Points Seeker
Posts: 11,072
Dec 7, 2019, 2:41 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Traveling the World
Posts: 6,072
I have to say for the first time in quite impressed with early bird. I am flying today, bought my tickets back on November 1st, I have been avoiding early bird cause it always seemed to be a crap shoot of it actually helped me but since it was a December flight I went for it. I was pleasantly surprised when I checked in yesterday to find I had A28 and A26 for my flights!
the real test will be on the 14th when I fly back...I feel like that will be a more busy day but this time I’m happy!
the real test will be on the 14th when I fly back...I feel like that will be a more busy day but this time I’m happy!
Dec 9, 2019, 6:54 am
#8
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Peoria
Programs: Southwest, Best Western Gold, La Quinta, Dollar
Posts: 819
Why is it a crap shoot? There are situations where its likely to be of little help but even at its worst, it still gets you ahead of the T-24 rush.
Dec 9, 2019, 8:44 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 95
Dec 9, 2019, 9:35 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Peoria
Programs: Southwest, Best Western Gold, La Quinta, Dollar
Posts: 819
Like I said, there are situations where EBCI is not as useful and likely not worth the money. If you're getting a B with EBCI, its probably because you bought very close to your travel date. Keep in mind that there are folks here who buy their tickets the day they go on sale; you'll be behind all of them and behind all of those who bought before you did.
Dec 9, 2019, 7:13 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Nashville -Past DL Plat, FO, WN-CP, various hotel programs
Programs: DL-MM, AA, SW w/companion,HiltonDiamond, Hyatt PLat, IHF Plat, Miles and Points Seeker
Posts: 11,072
In the end - the one thing for sure is EVERYONE will get a seat.
On light loads, you will surely get an aisle or window.
On flights with folks that have no idea, you still will get a good seat at T-24.
If traveling as a single, chances of a good seat go way up.
Traveling with 2 people, still not bad since one will (in most cases) accept a middle seat.
Traveling with 3 folks that want to sit together... it can get rough if the flight is full.
Dec 10, 2019, 3:38 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: RNO
Programs: AA/DL/UA
Posts: 10,770
