How Far in Advance to Check bags? No Express Baggage

[Katt]

I know I can check-in online early, but if an airport does not offer Express Baggage Check-in, how far in advance can Southwest travelers check luggage?  I have heard and read anywhere from 2-24 hours.  Thank you. 

[franktravel · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Checking of Baggage (1) Carrier will not accept or hold Baggage from a Passenger on day of travel at Carrier’s airport ticket counter or curbside check-in locations (where available) if tendered to Carrier earlier than four hours in advance of flight departure time. (2) Where available, Baggage may be accepted at an earlier time at authorized offsite Baggage check-in facilities. (3) Baggage must be checked at Carrier’s airport ticket counter or curbside check-in locations (where available) at least 45 minutes prior to the flight’s scheduled departure time, See Section 8 for additional requirements for international travel. (4) Baggage checked in less than 45 minutes prior to a flight’s scheduled departure time is subject to Section 7h(8). (5) Baggage for international flights will not be accepted if presented to Carrier less than 60 minutes (less than 75 minutes for flights departing from Aruba) prior to scheduled departure. Passengers cannot voluntarily separate from luggage on international flights.

The information was found here.

https://www.southwest.com/assets/pdfs/corporate-commitments/contract-of-carriage.pdf

[Katt]

Thank you so much.  When I called SWA Customer Service, the phone representative said "about two hours."  The use of "about" confused me.  I really appreciate the link and summary.

[dell59]

What is section 7h (8).

[chgoflyer]

Short answer: 4 hours.  😉

[brikeyes]

in ATL on MAY 2018  , my wife is waiting to  Drop off a checked bag , at least at Atlanta Hartfield is is

4 HOURS BEFORE your flight DEPARTS 

[Zeht]

If SW won't let me check bags early then leash they could do is have seats besides the floor to sit and wait. We had a pile 9f bags and equipment from camp that we didn't want to further haul around so we sat on the floor waiting to get our bag tags BC you should arrive at the airport early (or like us got done with camp & arrived at the airport early) but don't expect help early. I think its a bad policy. Thank goodness we weren't stuck waiting in ATL like security lines. The baggage lady was rude too.