How to Get Upgraded Boarding on Southwest

[zohii]

How to Get Upgraded Boarding on Southwest

 

[AskMe]

I actually learned about upgraded boarding on Southwest the hard way during a last-minute trip to Denver. I booked my flight pretty late and ended up with a Group C boarding position, which basically meant middle seats all the way. On the way back, I decided to plan a little smarter. A friend told me that you can either purchase upgraded boarding at check-in or sometimes right at the gate if there are A1–A15 spots available. I called 844-734-0813 before my return flight to see what my options were — it’s honestly the fastest way I’ve found to get help with any Southwest booking, change, or cancellation. The rep was super friendly, walked me through how to add upgraded boarding to my reservation, and even helped me adjust my flight time in one quick call.


When I got to the airport, I boarded early, snagged a window seat, and actually had room for my bag — a total game-changer. Now, whenever I’m flying Southwest, I check in early, but if plans change or I need help upgrading, I don’t even bother with the app anymore. I just call 844-734-0813 and let them handle it — saves me time and stress every single time.

 

[laiba]

I actually learned how to get Upgraded Boarding on Southwest by accident during a trip to Las Vegas last spring. I was flying out of Nashville, and since I’d forgotten to check in right at the 24-hour mark, I ended up with a boarding position in the C group — basically the last people to get on the plane. I wasn’t thrilled about sitting in the middle seat, so I asked the gate agent if there was anything I could do. That’s when I found out about Upgraded Boarding.


She told me that, depending on availability, I could purchase one of the remaining A1–A15 boarding spots right there at the gate. It cost around $50 for that flight, but I decided to go for it. Totally worth it. I boarded early, grabbed a window seat up front, and had plenty of overhead bin space for my carry-on. I didn’t have to stress about finding a spot or sitting apart from my travel buddy.


Since then, I’ve made Upgraded Boarding my go-to option when I need a little extra convenience. You can also request it in the Southwest app or at check-in if you prefer to handle it yourself. And if you fly often, some Southwest credit cards even reimburse a few Upgraded Boardings per year, which is a nice perk. For me, it’s one of those little add-ons that really improves the travel experience — especially on busy routes.