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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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10

Southwest Adds $10 Fee to Board Early

Airline with no assigned seats starts charging for first dibs

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(Newser) – Southwest Airlines doesn’t assign seats, but now it will start charging for the privilege of finding the best one, the Dallas Morning News reports. For an extra $10, the new “EarlyBird Check-in” allows passengers to board first, or at least right after the Business Select and Rapid Rewards A-List customers.

Southwest is trying to build a customer base with its "no hidden fees" policy—it's losing out on millions by not charging baggage fees, for example—and says it won't charge a fee for a previously free service. As a result, it's creating fees for new services—such as the EarlyBird Check-in and another that allows customers to carry a small pet in the passenger cabin.

Passengers exit a plane at the Southwest Airlines terminal in Burbank, Calif.
Passengers exit a plane at the Southwest Airlines terminal in Burbank, Calif.   (AP Photo)
The tail of their plane appears outside the window as passengers line up to board their Southwest Airlines flight.
The tail of their plane appears outside the window as passengers line up to board their Southwest Airlines flight.   (AP Photo)
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With EarlyBird Check-in, you no longer need to watch the clock or set your alarm to be one of the first customers to check in for a Southwest flight. - Kevin Krone, Southwest’s vice president of marketing

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10 comments
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guanlob
Sep 2, 09 4:42 PM CDT
Excellent news! Who doesn't like their rates raised? Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
BeatBlaster
Sep 2, 09 4:50 PM CDT
At least they don't force you to pay the way other airlines do. "Thanks for buying a flight to Atlanta! That'll be another $20 to bring your carry on with you." WTF?
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+2
Laura
Sep 2, 09 4:54 PM CDT
Southwest is still cool, though. They're charging for something totally unnecessary. They still let you change your flight for free and don't charge to bring a suitcase. Reply
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+2
lklittle
Sep 2, 09 5:39 PM CDT
I wonder how much earlier the Early Bird charges apply. I wish they'd charge a Late Ass fee instead. Reply
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0
odowd80
Sep 2, 09 5:51 PM CDT
Oh please can I pay an extra ten bucks to have everyone else on the plane bump into me and stand with their sweaty ass in my face for 30 minutes? Reply
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+3

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