The Flight Check-In Mistake That Could Cost You Your Seat, According To A Travel Expert

Key Points

Checking in early can secure a better seat, help avoid being bumped, and give first dibs on last-minute upgrade deals.

Delaying check-in risks losing your seat on full flights and reduces your chances of sitting with travel companions.

Early check-in also helps ensure your luggage gets on the flight and gives you more breathing room for any airport hiccups.

For some travelers, checking in for a flight is a simple pre-departure task—something to do routinely while making coffee, scrolling through emails, or packing. Others are more inclined to ignore that "It's time to check in!" email altogether, opting instead to do it at the airport and skip the step.

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But that simple step in the travel-prep process holds more power than most people realize: When you check in can influence everything from your seat assignment to whether you make it on the flight at all.

“Checking in early gives you more control over your travel experience,” according to Jesse Neugarten, the founder and CEO of Dollar Flight Club. And if you’ve ever faced a canceled flight, last-minute gate change, or the dreaded middle seat in the back row, you know that a little bit of control can go a long way.

The Risks Of Waiting Too Long To Check In

Many travelers—especially those flying domestically—assume it’s fine to check in a few hours before a flight, maybe even while en route to the airport. But that assumption can be costly. “If you wait too long, especially on full or overbooked flights, you might lose your seat altogether,” Neugarten says. “Airlines often start bumping passengers who haven’t checked in by a certain time.”

In other words: If your name isn’t on the manifest early, you’re more vulnerable to being bumped from the flight if the airline is forced to make such a move. And once the gate agent starts calling for volunteers or selecting passengers to deny boarding, late check-ins are often at the top of the list.

Early Check-In Comes With Perks

Beyond protecting your seat, early check-in offers other subtle benefits that make a big difference. Neugarten explains that airlines often release updated seat maps when the check-in window opens, typically 24 hours before takeoff. “If someone cancels or changes seats at the last minute, those better spots open up,” he says. “If you check in early, you’ve got first dibs.”

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That can be especially important for travelers flying basic economy, where advance seat selection isn’t guaranteed. “The earlier you check in, the better your odds of avoiding a middle seat or getting separated from your travel companions,” he adds.

While elite status and fare class usually determine upgrade priority, early check-in can still play a role, particularly when it comes to last-minute upgrade deals. “Some airlines offer paid upgrades during the check-in process, and those can go fast,” Neugarten says. “I’ve seen upgrades offered at check-in for up to 80 percent less than they’d cost ahead of time.”

If you’re hoping to score a better seat in first or business class, or just looking to stretch out with extra legroom, it pays to check in early and see what’s available.

What About Checked Bags?

You might think timing matters less if you’re checking a bag, but Neugarten says the opposite is true. “You have to check in early enough to meet the bag drop cutoff, which is usually 45 minutes before departure for domestic flights and longer for international.” But that’s just the baseline.

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“Checking in early gives you time to get through bag drop, security, and unexpected delays without the stress,” he explains. It can also help ensure your bag gets on the plane with you. “Late check-ins mean less time for your luggage to make it through the system.”

Neugarten’s best advice is simple: Set a reminder to check in exactly 24 hours in advance. Most airlines open their check-in windows right on the dot, and doing it early gives you access to more seats, more upgrade opportunities, and more peace of mind.

“People underestimate how much power they have with small travel habits,” he says. “Checking in early is one of those things that costs nothing and can save you from a whole lot of hassle.”

So next time your airline sends you that push notification or reminder email, don’t ignore it. A five-minute online check-in could make the difference between a smooth travel day and one you’d rather forget.

Read the original article on Southern Living