I found out how much Upgraded Boarding costs on Southwest by pure accident during one of my business trips last year. I was flying from Dallas to San Jose for a conference and completely forgot to check in 24 hours before my flight — rookie mistake! By the time I remembered, I was stuck with a C boarding position, which basically meant I’d be sitting in the middle seat at the back of the plane.
When I got to the airport, I asked the gate agent if there was any way to move up in line, and that’s when I learned about Upgraded Boarding. The price varies depending on the route and availability, but on that trip, it was $50 per person to upgrade to the A1–A15 boarding group. I decided to go for it, and it was totally worth it. I got to board early, pick my aisle seat in the front row, and even had plenty of overhead bin space left — which is a big deal if you’re traveling with a carry-on.
Since then, I’ve noticed that Upgraded Boarding usually costs between $30 and $80 each way, depending on the flight length and demand. I only pay for it when it really matters — like long flights or when I’m traveling for work and need to deplane quickly. Otherwise, I just stick with EarlyBird Check-In, which is cheaper but doesn’t guarantee an A group spot.
Overall, it’s one of those add-ons that feels pricey at first but pays off in comfort and convenience when you really need it.
