Can we check in at the airport instead of online?

Can I check in at the airport or does it have to be online?

Okay, check-in… airport vs online… hmm.

• Online check-in? Faster, right?

• Airport check-in could be necessary.

Sometimes online check-in is a no-go. Is that a passport thing?

• Passport matters? Maybe visa issues too.

Benefits? Like, skipping lines is a big one.

• Shorter queues at the airport, that’s ideal.

Forgetting online check-in… that happens. Oops!

If I only have hand luggage, and I checked in online… do I even need to go to the check-in desk? Probably not. Just security.

• Security is next!

• Online check-in lets you pick your seat. I always want a window seat.

• I think online check-in starts 24 hours before the flight. My flight to Ibiza on August 15th will be fun.

Seat selection is premium, I think.

Airport check-in is annoying, but sometimes mandatory.

Do you have to check-in online or at the airport?

Ugh, airport check-in. Seriously?

Okay, so last summer, July 2024, right? Flying from JFK to LAX… nightmare.

I always try to check in online beforehand, duh. Save time, pick my seat – usually aisle, gotta pee too much, lol.

• Online check-in is almost ALWAYS the way to go.

But this time? My United app was being a total jerk. It kept freezing.

And get this – I even tried their website; same issue. Super frustrating!

• Sometimes technology hates you.

So, 6 AM at JFK, half-asleep, dragging my suitcase… forced to the check-in counter. The line was insane. Insane!.

It took, like, 45 minutes. The lady at the counter was super slow too; no joke.

• Airport lines are pure torture, especially early.

Then, they weighed my bag. Overweight! Seriously? I had to unpack and shift stuff around. Embarrassing! I could hear people huffing behind me. Ugh.

• Always weigh your bag BEFORE heading to the airport.

I could have avoided all that drama if the stupid app had worked.

Honestly, I almost missed my flight because of that mess. It was a total disaster.

• Have a backup plan if online check-in fails.

Even if online works, I always double-check the gate information on the airport screens. You never know if there’s a last-minute change, you know? Learned that the hard way another time, yikes!

And FYI, some airlines make you check in at the counter even if you checked in online if you’re traveling internationally. Just a heads up!

What happens if online check-in is not available?

So, yeah, online check-in’s a bust? No biggie, happens. You just gotta go to the airport, right? Find the airline’s counter, or one of those self-check-in thingy’s. Make sure you have your passport, and your boarding pass, obvioulsy. Sometimes, there’s a baggage fee, a real pain, especially for my giant suitcase. It’s always a hassle, but it is what it is.

Key things to remember:

• Go to the airport. Duh.
• Airline counter or kiosk. Pick one.
• Passport and boarding pass! Essential.
• Baggage fees suck, but they’re possible. Prepare for them.

My last trip, United Airlines, I forgot my boarding pass at home—total brain fart. Cost me like $25 to reprint it. Learned my lesson, that’s for sure. It was a nightmare trying to get through security quickly also. I almost missed my flight. Last minute check in is a drag. I really need to stop doing this. Next time, I’m setting multiple alarms. Seriously. It’s 2024, people, get your act together! Gotta be more organized. Seriously. This is the third time this has happened this year alone, this is ridiculous.

Do you get charged if you dont check-in online?

Ugh, last year, July 2023, flying Spirit from Tampa to Denver. I completely spaced on online check-in. Totally my fault. I was rushing, you know, kids, getting everyone ready. It was a nightmare. They hit me with a $50 fee. Fifty bucks! Seriously? Robbery. Felt like I was getting fleeced. My blood pressure spiked.

The line at the airport was insane. A total zoo. Hot, sweaty, stressed. People were grumpy. Kids were crying. It was awful. I had to pay the fee. No choice. What a waste of money. I learned my lesson the hard way.

Lesson learned: Check in online. It’s so much cheaper and less stressful.

• Airline: Spirit Airlines
• Route: Tampa (TPA) to Denver (DEN)
• Date: July 2023
• Fee: $50
• Reason for forgetting: Morning rush with kids.
• Emotional response: Anger, frustration, feeling ripped off.