Southwest Airlines has a well-deserved reputation as an airline without assigned seating. Southwest has an open seating policy that either customers love or despise in place of selecting a seat (or receiving a random seat assignment).
You might anticipate getting a better boarding location the earlier you check-in. It sounds easy, right?
Well, even if you check in exactly 24 hours before takeoff, it's unlikely that you'll get a coveted A1 boarding spot. Those who book more expensive Business Select fares are automatically assigned an A1 through A15 designation, which explains the situation. Following those who purchase EarlyBird Check-In are passengers who have Southwest A-List or A-List Preferred elite status.
It is also possible to acquire improved boarding positions but to do so, you must wait until 24 hours before the scheduled departure of your trip in the hopes that some of the highly sought-after A1 to A15 slots would still be available.
This last, tried-and-true backup strategy to board the plane earlier so you may choose from a larger selection of available seats recently become more pricey.
Previously, the price for enhanced boarding ranged from $30 per segment for each person to $60 per segment for each person.
Southwest, however, raised the maximum cost of premium boarding to $80 per segment, per person, effective May 15, as first reported by View From the Wing. That is what you just read. Southwest now charges up to $80 for the chance to have a better seat.
The cost of upgraded boarding is dependent on the duration and demand of a specific flight; if all A1 to A15 seats have already been claimed, the service may not be offered on all flights.
Southwest provided the following pricing statement to us:
"Upgraded Boarding is one of Southwest's most well-liked add-on services, giving customers the choice to purchase an upgraded boarding slot in Group A1-A15 (when available). We informed our staff that the price range for Upgraded Boarding will now vary from $30 to $80. Similar to how they do now, the pricing points for upgraded boarding will change according to the duration and popularity of each flight. Price ranges within the new range are open to change at any time, just like they are right now. We hope that our clients continue to appreciate this product.”
This additional hike may make it more challenging to assess whether it's worthwhile to purchase premium boarding while flying Southwest, especially with the rising cost of airfare this summer.
For individuals who have the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card or the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card, there is, fortunately, some good news. Up to four improved boarding places are included with each card per year.
If there is a seat available for A1 to A15 boarding, you can continue to use those upgrades as usual because there is no set cost associated with using them. No of the selling price, you'll get a statement credit off the charge.
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