EarlyBird Check-In positions are assigned based on the date of EBCI purchase. The earlier, the better. EBCI positions will always come after Business Select (A1-15), then A-Listers (A16+). Southwest places no limit on the number of EBCIs it will sell per flight, meaning that people get B and sometimes even C positions even after paying the extra fee. EBCI isn't refundable, unless Southwest cancels the flight. But it is transferrable. As long as you use the "change flight" function, not cancel and rebook. As long as the confirmation number stays the same, the EBCI should transfer to the new reservation. The date of that transfer becomes the effective "purchase date" for determining your EBCI position on the new flight. Many, many, many people buy EBCI. In 2015, Southwest earned over $240 million on EBCI fees alone.
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