Dartland From United States of America, joined Apr 2005, 636 posts, RR: 2 Posted (7 years 1 day 17 hours ago) and read 9276 times:
Okay experts out there -- question --
Let's say i have a flight coming up and i want to check-in online to make sure i have a good seat (maybe i am only pre-reserved in a middle seat, maybe i'm flying on a FL discount ticket and don't get a seat until check-in).
Let's say I have a computer and internet access, but no printer. Normally, I would wait until I found a printer or got to the airport, but in this case, I really want a good seat and don't want to get to the airport 1.5 hours in advance to get one.
What happens if I check-in online, get my seat, and then simply don't print a boarding pass???
When I show up at the airport, I presume I would go to the counter and explain that I checked-in but wasn't able to print, and they could print one out for me there, yes?
I also assume the system keeps the seat I requested when I checked-in online??
In summary....if I can't print, should I let that stop me from checking-in online anyways? or can I get the benefit of reserving my seat and just realize I need to leave a few minutes to stop by the counter on my way to the gate?
Thanks for the input (especially those who know FL...)
Litz From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 1745 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (7 years 1 day 17 hours ago) and read 9262 times:
I would check with your airline, but in most (if not all) cases you can simply go to a kiosk, upon arrival to the airport, and re-print your boarding pass.
I usually hit the kiosk anyway, just to see if any better seats have opened up ... obviously if you switch seats at that point you need a new boarding pass anyway.
And, lastly, if you're checking bags (and you don't use the skycap @ the curb) you have to use the kiosk to get your bag tags printed - yet another opportunity reprint your boarding pass ...
FutureSDPDcop From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 1291 posts, RR: 5 Reply 2, posted (7 years 1 day 17 hours ago) and read 9228 times:
I know at Southwest, you can check in up to 24 hours in advance without printing a boarding pass. You can either re-check in when you are at a computer with a printer or just wait til you get to the airport. I do this almost everytime I travel on WN. Had no problem. The only difference on the boarding pass is if you recheck in, next to your check in number, there will be an "r". I assume that means reprint but I could be wrong on that.
Christeljs From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2005, 533 posts, RR: 5 Reply 4, posted (7 years 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 9219 times:
I'm not too sure about all the different airlines, but I usually Check in online to get a good seat, take a note of my boarding number and go to a kiosk at the airport and voila!
Mikey711MN From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 1380 posts, RR: 8 Reply 5, posted (7 years 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 9199 times:
One other tip is to utilize the "fax boarding pass" option that some airlines offer. But otherwise, yeah, I do almost exactly the same thing as Litz suggests for most of my flying, and based on my 100% success rate, the recommendation...
MANmatt From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2004, 969 posts, RR: 6 Reply 6, posted (7 years 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 9192 times:
Working for KLM in MAN we get many people who use the internet check in, and even if they have printed off their boarding cards we usually reprint them a proper one as they are easier to use then the paper ones. So you shouldn't have a problem getting a boarding card at the airport., unless you fly FR then they charge £14 to reprint (what a joke!) I did the same as you when flying BA MAD-MAN, we checked in at an internet cafe the night before to get the seats we wanted and got boarding cards at the airport.
Dartland From United States of America, joined Apr 2005, 636 posts, RR: 2 Reply 7, posted (7 years 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 9175 times:
Perfect! I usually have a printer, so I never had to worry about it. But this weekend I'll be w/o one and am flying FL for the first time and won't have a seat until check-in.
UN_B732 From United States of America, joined Jul 2001, 4286 posts, RR: 5 Reply 8, posted (7 years 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 9164 times:
The only exception is jetBlue.
You HAVE to see an agent if you don't print your BP. They're also my least favorite online check-in since they force you to use PDFs, which at hotels etc. may not be supported.
-Mr. X
Lamedianaranja From Venezuela, joined Nov 2004, 1246 posts, RR: 23 Reply 9, posted (7 years 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 9129 times:
Quoting MANmatt (Reply 6): Working for KLM in MAN we get many people who use the internet check in, and even if they have printed off their boarding cards we usually reprint them a proper one as they are easier to use then the paper ones.
KLM @ SPL doesn't reprint the boarding passes because the scanner at the gate is sooo easy to use. Plus a reprint will give an error response at the gate reader: expect barcode and then we have to manually board the passenger. So if you can print it please do, otherwise just go up to a kiosk or the regular counter.
If you travel interSchengen you can just go to the gate too and have the gate agent print it.
MANmatt From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2004, 969 posts, RR: 6 Reply 11, posted (7 years 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 9088 times:
Quoting Lamedianaranja (Reply 9): KLM @ SPL doesn't reprint the boarding passes because the scanner at the gate is sooo easy to use. Plus a reprint will give an error response at the gate reader
The only reason why we reprint is because our scanners don't work at the gates and we have to print off a list of people who have checked in via the internet and mark them off as they board. However if we reprint their boarding passes it makes things a lot easier. The only reason it will come up with an error message is if the passengers document check and been done and changed to yes in the system. We never have any issues doing it this way.
AlexPorter From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 12, posted (7 years 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 9069 times:
Often, you can change seats online without checking in using your confirmation number. However, at some airlines this opportunity closes once the check-in window opens. I tend to get better seating opportunities (for domestics) if I use a kiosk about two hours in advance, since some people will have switched flights, but others who arrive to the airport a little later will not yet have snapped up the newly opened seats.
JGPH1A From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 13, posted (7 years 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 8986 times:
Quoting Dartland (Thread starter): When I show up at the airport, I presume I would go to the counter and explain that I checked-in but wasn't able to print, and they could print one out for me there, yes?
With BA for example, you can check in online, and pick up the BP from the self-service kiosk, if you have no printer. At least you get to pick your seat, and of course the seat assignment is recorded.
I also assume the system keeps the seat I requested when I checked-in online??
Yes it does.
Quoting MANmatt (Reply 6): Working for KLM in MAN we get many people who use the internet check in, and even if they have printed off their boarding cards we usually reprint them a proper one as they are easier to use then the paper ones.
What - no 3-D barcode scanners ? Tsk tsk !
Quoting AlexPorter (Reply 12): However, at some airlines this opportunity closes once the check-in window opens.
Funny you mention that - on AA.com, for example, you can't change your seat assignment within a certain time before departure, but I still get a real-time seat allocation on the my AA flight in Amadeus. Wierd - clearly it's not a system limitation, just a limit on the website.
MANmatt From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2004, 969 posts, RR: 6 Reply 14, posted (7 years 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 8953 times:
Quoting JGPH1A (Reply 13): What - no 3-D barcode scanners ? Tsk tsk !
We have them, just rarely do they work! They are crap really. Don't think the technology at MAN is that quite up to date as it needs to be to handle these kind of things! Half the gates don't even have boarding pass printers so we need to print something off from the gate!
ContnlEliteCMH From United States of America, joined Mar 2005, 1436 posts, RR: 50 Reply 15, posted (7 years 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 8953 times:
I usually check in to CO 24 hours before my flight, and then print my boarding pass at the airport. Why? I can ensure I get a nice seat by checking in 24 hours ahead of time, I'm platinum so I don't have to wait in line at the airport, and I don't like the full-page boarding passes. I prefer the heat-printed slips that fit into the jacket because those fit easily into my shirt and/or pants pocket.
Now, when my Elite status expires (which it may because I'm flying far less; having two children in 50 weeks will do that), I'll definitely print the pass out ahead of time if I'm not checking baggage.
Christianity. Islam. Hinduism. Anthropogenic Global Warming. All are matters of faith!
MANmatt From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2004, 969 posts, RR: 6 Reply 17, posted (7 years 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 8939 times:
Quoting JGPH1A (Reply 16): I take it you have the alternate high-tech equipment available i.e. a biro to cross out the old seat number and write in the new one
Of course, that's if someone hasn't done a runner with mine during the shift! Only just got the transfer desk sorted out! Used to have phone check-in and get them to check them in whilst i wrote out a boarding pass!
Jano From Slovakia, joined Jan 2004, 814 posts, RR: 4 Reply 18, posted (7 years 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 8939 times:
Quoting Dartland (Thread starter): Let's say i have a flight coming up and i want to check-in online to make sure i have a good seat (maybe i am only pre-reserved in a middle seat, maybe i'm flying on a FL discount ticket and don't get a seat until check-in).
Depends who you fly. I know only NW procedure so here is the answer fo NW. I'd do web check-in and then at the airport I'd get the boarding passes reprinted at the check-in kiosk. If by any chance you stay at the hotel you can do web check-in and have the boarding passes faxed to the hotel fax machine too.
JGPH1A From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 20, posted (7 years 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 8936 times:
Quoting MANmatt (Reply 17): Used to have phone check-in and get them to check them in whilst i wrote out a boarding pass!
Would it be inappropriate to ask which carrier/ground handler you work for ? Your set up sounds pretty 3rd World, or is it the norm ? Here we are developing 21st century customer management systems with RFID and optical scanners and every bell and whistle imaginable, and it sounds like the ground handling community is just as happy with a green PNL printout and a black marker !
MANmatt From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2004, 969 posts, RR: 6 Reply 21, posted (7 years 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 8929 times:
I work for SAS, handling KL at MAN. I think its mainly the airport's fault because they haven't kept the equipment up to date. Transfers is sorted now so thats fine, the scanners are ok at security, but the gate ones don't read, Apart from that, everything else works fine!
JGPH1A From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 22, posted (7 years 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 8920 times:
Quoting MANmatt (Reply 21): Transfers is sorted now so thats fine, the scanners are ok at security, but the gate ones don't read, Apart from that, everything else works fine!
They use scanners at security ? Not the Mark 1 Eyeball ? Doesn't that slow things down ?
MANmatt From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2004, 969 posts, RR: 6 Reply 23, posted (7 years 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 8903 times:
Quoting JGPH1A (Reply 22): They use scanners at security ? Not the Mark 1 Eyeball ? Doesn't that slow things down
Nah its just a case of the security officer scanning the bar-code with a reader and if it flashes green they are able to go through. If not, they are sent back to check-in to be issued with proper ones, which is why sometimes we reprint them anyway when they drop bags off just to save any hassle!
Christeljs From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2005, 533 posts, RR: 5 Reply 24, posted (7 years 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 8873 times:
Quoting MANmatt (Reply 6): unless you fly FR then they charge £14 to reprint
That's a disgrace!
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25 MANmatt: Thats Ryanair for you, just another way for them to make money!
26 AirplanePeanut: I've done the same thing on FL, checked-in but didn't print out a boarding pass. Just say you couldn't get the pass, they will give you one. Peanut
27 ContnlEliteCMH: Oh, I guess being apart makes the joy of reunion somewhat sweeter. How do you think I achieved platinum status on Continental? I travelled a looooot.
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