Better to check in closer to flight date?

Tryingtoassist

I read some while ago that it's safer to check in close to your flight date, rather than as soon as check in opens. This is because an airline refused to refund a passenger for their flight after they became ill and couldn't fly - the airline said that having checked in, they had entered a contract to take the flight.

Last week I saw MSE advising passengers to check in with Ryanair as soon as you could, to ensure you sat near your carry-on bag.  Have things changed now?

thanks.

Isthisforreal99

Most flights booked these days are non-refundable anyway and that's what travel insurance is for - to payout if you are too ill to travel.

la531983

Tryingtoassist said:

This is because an airline refused to refund a passenger for their flight after they became ill and couldn't fly - the airline said that having checked in, they had entered a contract to take the flight.

Link??????

Exodi

Tryingtoassist said:

I read some while ago that it's safer to check in close to your flight date, rather than as soon as check in opens. This is because an airline refused to refund a passenger for their flight after they became ill and couldn't fly - the airline said that having checked in, they had entered a contract to take the flight.

Last week I saw MSE advising passengers to check in with Ryanair as soon as you could, to ensure you sat near your carry-on bag.  Have things changed now?

I'd imagine this is total nonsense.

Most airlines let you check in a day or two before the flight. I can't imagine any would give you a refund if you decided to cancel hours before your flight, just because you didn't check in.

If you became ill and couldn't fly, that would be a matter for your travel insurer.

FWIW, I suspect checking in earlier would be better for several reasons. 1. I'm aware over-booking is a profit strategy for airlines, and I would imagine checking in later might increase your odds of being bumped. 2. If you haven't pre-booked seats, you're more likely to get desirable positioning (e.g. I'd imagine there's a higher chance of a couple checking in at the last minute to be sat in two odd seats at opposite ends of the plane, as all other seats have been taken - especially on airlines that allow you to pick your seat during check in).

But I doubt there's much in it. I just like being prepared so check in as soon as it opens, download boarding passes, relax.

I didn't understand the bit about sitting near your carry-on? Surely your carry on always goes in the overhead locker above your seat? (Never flown with Ryanair).

la531983

Exodi said:

Tryingtoassist said:

I read some while ago that it's safer to check in close to your flight date, rather than as soon as check in opens. This is because an airline refused to refund a passenger for their flight after they became ill and couldn't fly - the airline said that having checked in, they had entered a contract to take the flight.

Last week I saw MSE advising passengers to check in with Ryanair as soon as you could, to ensure you sat near your carry-on bag.  Have things changed now?

I'd imagine this is total nonsense.

Most airlines let you check in a day or two before the flight. I can't imagine any would give you a refund if you decided to cancel hours before your flight, just because you didn't check in.

If you became ill and couldn't fly, that would be a matter for your travel insurer.

FWIW, I suspect checking in earlier would be better for several reasons. 1. I'm aware over-booking is a profit strategy for airlines, and I would imagine checking in later might increase your odds of being bumped. 2. If you haven't pre-booked seats, you're more likely to get desirable positioning (e.g. I'd imagine there's a higher chance of a couple checking in at the last minute to be sat in two odd seats at opposite ends of the plane, as all other seats have been taken - especially on airlines that allow you to pick your seat during check in).

But I doubt there's much in it. I just like being prepared so check in as soon as it opens, download boarding passes, relax.

I didn't understand the bit about sitting near your carry-on? Surely your carry on always goes in the overhead locker above your seat? (Never flown with Ryanair).

If you are near last on any plane (not just Ryanair) you might find overhead space at a premium, but this has nothing to do with the order people check in.

Exodi

la531983 said:

Exodi said:

Tryingtoassist said:

I read some while ago that it's safer to check in close to your flight date, rather than as soon as check in opens. This is because an airline refused to refund a passenger for their flight after they became ill and couldn't fly - the airline said that having checked in, they had entered a contract to take the flight.

Last week I saw MSE advising passengers to check in with Ryanair as soon as you could, to ensure you sat near your carry-on bag.  Have things changed now?

I'd imagine this is total nonsense.

Most airlines let you check in a day or two before the flight. I can't imagine any would give you a refund if you decided to cancel hours before your flight, just because you didn't check in.

If you became ill and couldn't fly, that would be a matter for your travel insurer.

FWIW, I suspect checking in earlier would be better for several reasons. 1. I'm aware over-booking is a profit strategy for airlines, and I would imagine checking in later might increase your odds of being bumped. 2. If you haven't pre-booked seats, you're more likely to get desirable positioning (e.g. I'd imagine there's a higher chance of a couple checking in at the last minute to be sat in two odd seats at opposite ends of the plane, as all other seats have been taken - especially on airlines that allow you to pick your seat during check in).

But I doubt there's much in it. I just like being prepared so check in as soon as it opens, download boarding passes, relax.

I didn't understand the bit about sitting near your carry-on? Surely your carry on always goes in the overhead locker above your seat? (Never flown with Ryanair).

If you are near last on any plane (not just Ryanair) you might find overhead space at a premium, but this has nothing to do with the order people check in.

Yes indeed, but as you say, it's nothing to do with checking in - more a free-for-all determined by who boarded earlier.

Pollycat

Exodi said:

Tryingtoassist said:

I read some while ago that it's safer to check in close to your flight date, rather than as soon as check in opens. This is because an airline refused to refund a passenger for their flight after they became ill and couldn't fly - the airline said that having checked in, they had entered a contract to take the flight.

Last week I saw MSE advising passengers to check in with Ryanair as soon as you could, to ensure you sat near your carry-on bag.  Have things changed now?

I didn't understand the bit about sitting near your carry-on? Surely your carry on always goes in the overhead locker above your seat? (Never flown with Ryanair).

Flew with TUI a couple of weeks ago.
Chaos as people tried to find space for their hand luggage in the overhead bins.
Lots of people stowing them 5 or so seats away from their own seats.
Having said that, a lot of people were carrying 3 or 4 bags instead of the 10kg limit for one piece plus a handbag or laptop bag that must go under the seat in front.

We carry a single piece of hand luggage each.
Less to keep an eye on.

Exodi

Pollycat said:

Exodi said:

Tryingtoassist said:

I read some while ago that it's safer to check in close to your flight date, rather than as soon as check in opens. This is because an airline refused to refund a passenger for their flight after they became ill and couldn't fly - the airline said that having checked in, they had entered a contract to take the flight.

Last week I saw MSE advising passengers to check in with Ryanair as soon as you could, to ensure you sat near your carry-on bag.  Have things changed now?

I didn't understand the bit about sitting near your carry-on? Surely your carry on always goes in the overhead locker above your seat? (Never flown with Ryanair).

Flew with TUI a couple of weeks ago.
Chaos as people tried to find space for their hand luggage in the overhead bins.
Lots of people stowing them 5 or so seats away from their own seats.
Having said that, a lot of people were carrying 3 or 4 bags instead of the 10kg limit for one piece plus a handbag or laptop bag that must go under the seat in front.

We carry a single piece of hand luggage each.
Less to keep an eye on.

I regret how I worded my reply - it was in response to be "I saw MSE advising passengers to check in with Ryanair as soon as you could, to ensure you sat near your carry-on bag" - I should have just said I don't understand what checking in has to do with sitting near your carry on bag, and your carry on bag generally goes wherever it can (though hopefully above your seat) - irrelevant of anything to do with checking in.

But yes, I've seen it a hundred times over. People take the big jacket off, and their partners, into overheard storage, then the two enormous carry-on bags that you still can't believe got past security, then the backpack, the partners canvas bag and lastly the carrier bag of stuff bought from the airport (all laid flat to take up maximum space).

I've flown so many times, I'm nonchalant now about picking up other peoples bags and coats and stacking them better.

People shouldn't put bags that are supposed to go under the seat in them, but I still see most people do - most airlines don't enforce anywhere near strictly enough (basically not at all unless people complain they have no-where to put their bags).

I fortunately haven't had any major dramas with my bag at the other end of the plane, though I have been asked a couple of times if I wouldn't mind putting my bag with the hold luggage, I usually decline and loudly assert that instead of my single cabin bag they could consider asking the owners of the jackets, handbags, laptop bags, etc in the lockers.

MyRealNameToo

Tryingtoassist said:

I read some while ago that it's safer to check in close to your flight date, rather than as soon as check in opens. This is because an airline refused to refund a passenger for their flight after they became ill and couldn't fly - the airline said that having checked in, they had entered a contract to take the flight.

Last week I saw MSE advising passengers to check in with Ryanair as soon as you could, to ensure you sat near your carry-on bag.  Have things changed now?

thanks.

No, obviously varies by airline but generally checking in earlier gives you more chance of getting the seats you want if you arent prepared to pay for them. It's why one of the perks of most airlines regular customer scheme when you take the first step up is being able to check in online earlier. 

Being ill is an issue for your insurance not your flight. Checking in may make a difference to the flight if you buy are cancelable ticket but you could still claim on your travel insurance. Vast majority of flights booked are non cancelable so checking in makes no difference. 

Pollycat said:

Exodi said:

Tryingtoassist said:

I read some while ago that it's safer to check in close to your flight date, rather than as soon as check in opens. This is because an airline refused to refund a passenger for their flight after they became ill and couldn't fly - the airline said that having checked in, they had entered a contract to take the flight.

Last week I saw MSE advising passengers to check in with Ryanair as soon as you could, to ensure you sat near your carry-on bag.  Have things changed now?

I didn't understand the bit about sitting near your carry-on? Surely your carry on always goes in the overhead locker above your seat? (Never flown with Ryanair).

Chaos as people tried to find space for their hand luggage in the overhead bins.
Lots of people stowing them 5 or so seats away from their own seats.

I personally dont get it, last couple of flights I've had people are dumping their bags in the first space they can find so often they were 30 or more rows away as they put their bag in Business but then sat at the opposite end of the plane. 

Its one thing if you are one of the last to board and are struggling to find space but something else when all the bins are empty or nearly empty as your one of the first economy passengers on but you still dont take your bag to your seat. 

Thankfully we normally travel with just one carry on bag and most the time can fit it in near by but have been tempted to take other's bags out when clearly they've intentionally put it no where near their seat. 

GibbsRule_No3.

Rather confused (unless it is due to just doing long haul flights) I usually get an invite to check-in on line as soon as the previous days flight leaves, never checked in before 24 hours. Not sure what check-in early does towards where my small overhead bag goes. All the 1st, BC and people with young children or disabilities usually get boarded first, so are they the ones stuffing bags where they should not?

MyRealNameToo

GibbsRule_No3. said:

Rather confused (unless it is due to just doing long haul flights) I usually get an invite to check-in on line as soon as the previous days flight leaves, never checked in before 24 hours. Not sure what check-in early does towards where my small overhead bag goes. All the 1st, BC and people with young children or disabilities usually get boarded first, so are they the ones stuffing bags where they should not?

Most flights it opens 24 hours before, irrespective when any other flights go. Not sure what happens in your idea if it's just a weekly flight or a Mon, Wed, Thurs flight so there won't have been one the day before. 

Main benefit of early check in is being able to select your seats if you haven't paid to select them at booking. Some airlines link this to membership status too though like BA Bronze you can select them a week in advance whereas Silver and Gold can do so at point of purchase. 

Generally its the long line of everyone else rather than small number with priority boarding. If you dont want to be queuing a long time before your flight the 150+ people in the queue before you could have already taken the bins above your seats despite them sitting no where near to you and the bins over their seats being empty.