Online/early check-in...is it worth it?

[Jude Starr]

I just got an email saying I can now check in online for my flight on Thursday. I have never bothered with the early check in thing before but it got me to wondering; if I have already selected my seat etc, and I have luggage so will need to drop that off anyway, is there any point in doing the early online check in? It's an international flight, SQ.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I just got an email saying I can now check in online for my flight on Thursday. I have never bothered with the early check in thing before but it got me to wondering; if I have already selected my seat etc, and I have luggage so will need to drop that off anyway, is there any point in doing the early online check in? It's an international flight, SQ.

Depends on your class of travel. If in economy you usually benefit from a dedicated 'internet check-in' queue where you drop your bags and they sight your passport. That queue is often empty. For full flights, checking in early may make the difference between you being bumped or not.

 

[Jude Starr]

Ok, that makes sense! Thank you!

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Agree with MT's sentiments above. The OLCI queues barely have anyone in them so if you don't have *A status that would allow priority checkin this is the next best thing.

 

[Jude Starr]

Kool! Have done the online check in, packing 99% complete; almost ready to rock and roll! :mrgreen:

 

[SYD]

For the OPs specific situation, some good advice and obvious benefits.

For anyone who doesn't have an allocated seat and non status - go online ASAP once OLCI opens. I flew SYD-CBR on VA recently and whilst domestic and I had no issue (preselected seat / status PAX) - my colleague who doesn't get out much could not do OLCI the morning of what turned out to be an overbooked flight - 'computer said "no"'!

Fortunately, he was with me at the SYD Premium Lounge Entry and they managed to get a seat because he was with a WP PAX but presumably some other poor bunny was bumped...

 

[Strategic Aviation]

Are there any disadvantages to OLCI? (Assuming you have the option of printing boarding passes free of charge at the airport.)

I guess with some carriers you wouldn't be able to change your seat after OLCI, but that's a negligible issue.

 

[Lemon_Party]

Are there any disadvantages to OLCI? (Assuming you have the option of printing boarding passes free of charge at the airport.)

I guess with some carriers you wouldn't be able to change your seat after OLCI, but that's a negligible issue.

Cancellation of ticket may no longer be permitted? Obviously makes no difference in the vast majority of trips though.

 

[Hvr]

It means you can visit more lounges when doing the AFF lounge run.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Cancellation of ticket may no longer be permitted? Obviously makes no difference in the vast majority of trips though.

Cancellation and seat selection (through manage booking pages) may be inactivated once checked in... but airlines can always 'uncheck' you and cancel. CX allows you to uncheck yourself.

 

[tomlee1986]

I would do it cause you can do seat selection!

 

[JohnK]

With SQ online check-in can possibly yield better seat selection and as mentioned the ability to use the 'Online Check-in' queue.

With someone like PG the best I can get when booking is row 15 back but with online checkin that can improve to row 4 or 5 which is much more desirable.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I would do it cause you can do seat selection!

Always see if you can pre-allocate seats at the time you book as a lot of airlines don't charge for this. Sometimes despite doing OLCI you could still end up in a middle seat.

 

[firstclasser]

If travelling in Y, then i never do OLCI. Especially if you have no status, then there's no preferential seating available to select anyway! I always check in at the airport and ask for a fire exit seat - more often than not, there is still some available and are more than happy to provide it to me free of charge. If fire exit seats aren't available, then they'll still be able to seat you in either a window or aisle seat (which ever you prefer). If you were to attempt to select a fire exit seat online, you'd be charged ~ $US150.
So for me, there's no point checking in online.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

If travelling in Y, then i never do OLCI. Especially if you have no status, then there's no preferential seating available to select anyway! I always check in at the airport and ask for a fire exit seat - more often than not, there is still some available and are more than happy to provide it to me free of charge.

If fire exit seats aren't available, then they'll still be able to seat you in either a window or aisle seat (which ever you prefer).
If you were to attempt to select a fire exit seat online, you'd be charged ~ $US150.
So for me, there's no point checking in online.

There's nothing to stop you doing OLCI or even selecting your seat at the time of booking then asking at the airport if there are emergency exit seats available.

Not all airlines charge for exit rows eg QF don't on domestic B738 flights.

If you do seat selection late ie at the airport there will be times when only middle seats are left.