Online check-in?
 

Hello All,

I am sorry for that this may seem like a stupid question, but I am an inexperienced traveler.

What are the biggest advantages with checking in online (flight or car rental)?
Wouldn't you still have to wait in line at the airport?

Thanks

Online check in for flights can save significant time at the airport because usually you can just go to a special line to check your bags and this line almost always significantly shorter than the main line. imo, it is usually the same length as the elite/first class line, maybe two or three people, depending on the time. A couple flights ago, I got to the airport and at least 300 people were in the regular line during a huge weather delay. I just walked up and dropped my bag having already checked in.

Also I see you are a NW flyer and right now NW is offering 1,000 miles for each time you use online checkin.

For cars, I would guess it depends on your car rental company but it saves you from saying no, no, no, i decline to the upsells for insurance, et al, and often you will be dorected to a row of many types of cars and you can just pick the one you like, regardless of class booked.

Thanks OB One,

That pretty much answers my question. If anybody else has another reason why they use online check in I would sure like to hear it.

Thanks

You are weclome and if you don't have a bag to check, you can head straight to the security checkpoint. No need to even stop at your airline's desk. and if you are flying NW this summer, this is where you register for the 1,000 mile bonus http://www.nwa.com/promo/checkinandwin/

Online checkin has pros and cons. Since I mainly fly NW, this mainly pertains to them.

I rarely check bags, so using a kiosk in the airport is usually no slower than checking in online. The reasons I will check in online:

- 10 points in the current miles promo. Kiosk only gives 5.
- Potential to get the upgrade if EUA did not clear. There is debate in the NW forum if the online checkin actually helps on the FC standby list or if fare class is more important for battlefield upgrades.
- If flying Southwest, can get you an A boarding pass. Not sure if it affects any other carriers with a zone system.

Reasons NOT to check in online:

- Waiting until last minute to make sure they did not swap equipment and move the exit row I was sitting in (DC-9 30/40/50 and CRJ versions). If you check in 24 hours out you can't change your seat again.
- That pesky 8.5X11" piece of paper to fold, cut or tear apart.
- No computer/printer handy.

I'm not sure what you mean by checking in for a car online. I do reserve mine online, usually National, since the website knows everything about me (DL#, CC#, corp discount codes, etc.) Plus the website knows I get a full for the price of a mid, but my corporate travel site can't figure that out.

I find online check in is a great thing to do when I am forced to travel on amateur day (also known as Saturday).

It also gives you extra protection in case you hit traffic heading to the airport, especially when travelling w/o checked bags. If you get to the terminal 25 minutes before your flight, assuming security doesn't take long, you can go right to the gate and board normally. But if you haven't online-checked in, the airline might refuse to let you onto that flight, since you've missed the checkin deadline.

You didn't ask about OLCI for hotels. I'm not sure how many chains offer it, and it is in its infancy stages at Hilton, but the concensus on the HH forum is that there is no advantage and actually looks disadvantageous for Diamonds looking for upgrades.

Don't know your rental car affiliation, but Avis offers preferred service. After the first rental, you skip the counter. You either find your name on a board, get dropped off at your car, or use a special counter/kiosk. It can save time if you are happy with the car they picked out for you. No other advantage.

Thanks everybody for all of your help.

Now I'd hate to sound like an amatuer, but why is Saturday known as amatuer day?

Very few frequent business travellers fly Saturdays, but many infrequent and/or clueless passengers do. This tends to make lines for check-in and security screening move much slower. It can be very frustrating to get behind a family travelling with all their worldly posessions who can't seem to empty their pockets and have to keep going back and forth as they set off the metal detector.

It also clogs up the boarding areas where folks tend to stand right by the gate even though they are not ready to board.

It's the best invention that I have come accross in my years of travel. Being able to checkin 24 hours before the flight,changing your seat to a better one makes it easy. I have timed myself at my home airport(SJC) and it usually takes 10 minutes from car-gate even at LAX it saves time. I don't mind going inside to the machine for my bags. Online checkin is something I bet we will be using for years to come. It saves time for everyone and it gives me more time at the lounge or eating lunch :D Hmm where were we in 1995 without this feature? Taking 45 minutes to check in +10-15 min at security=1 hour of wasted time IMOP.

The only benefit I see about OLCI is that you select your seat ahead of every one else that checks in at the airport. However, I do more international travel than travel within the USA. It is benefitial if travelling within the USA if you are travelling with carry on laugage only.

I have nothing but praises for OLCI from the airline I fly almost bi-weekly (CX) because it saves me time in a badly designed and often crowded terminal (CKS Terminal 1). Another plus is the peace of mind from able to complete the whole process two days before the flight... ^