Is there an advantage to checking in early for a flight?

Is it worth checking in early?

Okay, so checking in early, is it worth it? Totally, yeah, do it. Like, ASAP.

Why? Because seats, duh! Especially if you’re stuck with basic economy, where seat selection is like, a gladiator contest to the death.

First come, first served, man.

Seriously, imagine being stuck in the middle seat for eight hours. No, thanks. Also, what is with this grammar and spelling stuff?!

Okay, more reasons to check in early, I’m thinking:

• Peace of mind. Get it done and forget it. You know?
• Potential upgrades. Okay, this isn’t guaranteed, but sometimes airlines are more likely to offer upgrades to people who check in early. My cousin got bumped up to first class once doing this, flying to some crazy place in Europe.
• Beat the rush. Less stress at the airport. Which is ALWAYS a win.

So yeah, check in early. No question about it. Do it even if ya don’t need to. It’s free, so. And its free!

Does checking into flight early get better seats?

Early check-in: No guarantees. Fact.

• Better seats? Sometimes.
• Upgrades? Possible. Depends on airline, loyalty status. My 2023 United flight, nope.
• Boarding? Priority. Always.

Advantage? Reduced stress. A small victory. Worth it.

Airlines prioritize revenue. Logic. Not empathy.

My experience? Mixed results. Expect nothing.

Key takeaway: Control what you can. Early check-in is one thing.

Is it better to check-in before you get to the airport?

Ugh, last summer, July 2023, flying out of JFK. Complete chaos. I swear, I waited in that ridiculously long security line for an hour! My flight to Denver was at 2 pm. My palms were sweating, I was stressed. Seriously stressed. Totally my fault. I didn’t check in online.

Next time? Online check-in, for sure. I’m telling you, it’s a game changer. No more frantic rushing, no more worrying about missing my flight. It saved my friend Sarah a ton of time last month. She actually got to the gate early and got a better seat.

Seriously, this online check-in thing… It’s simple. It’s faster.

• Saves time: Skip the long lines at the airport.
• Seat selection: You get to pick your seat. Duh.
• Stress reduction: No last-minute airport scramble. Reduces anxiety. Big time.
• Boarding pass: You get your boarding pass on your phone. You don’t need to print it! I use the Southwest app, it’s really good.

That whole airport experience last summer? A nightmare. Never again. Online check-in is the way to go. Period.

Is there any disadvantage to checking in early?

Early check-in? Lost refund flexibility. That’s the core issue.

Airlines vary. Ticket type matters. Your ticket’s essentially used.

• Non-refundable tickets: A problem.
• Refundable tickets: Potentially less problematic, but still check terms.

My experience? Missed a flight in 2023; Delta gave zero refund despite refundable ticket purchased in March.

Check airline policies. Don’t assume. Read the fine print.

A philosophical aside: Premature commitment limits options.

Regret is expensive. Learn that the hard way, like me.

Which flights are least likely to be cancelled?

Southwest Airlines. Yeah.

Sometimes, I wonder, you know?

• It’s just, Dallas. Funny, isn’t it?

• Completed flights. All that matters, I think.

• 0.62% cancellation rate in 2024. A number. Less disappointment.

I hate delays.

• Industry average? So high. 1.67%. Makes you think.

It’s just… a lottery. I miss mom.