Back to Basics: Checking in From Home
November 26, 2007 by Mary Jo Manzanares
Filed under Air Travel, Travel Tips
A good rule of thumb to remember is that it’s much easier to do something from the comfort of your home or office, taking all the time that you need to do it, than it is to to try to do that same task in an airport with lots of people crowding and pushing around you.
Checking in for your flight is the first step in your journey, and you can put yourself ahead of the curve by checking in before you ever leave for the airport.
Most airlines allow you to check in online up to 24 hours in advance. With access to a computer, you can go to the airline website and click through the prompts until you get to the page that allows you to check in. Follow the steps and then print out your boarding pass, That’s all there is to it!
Here’s how it works, using Delta Airlines as an example:
From the Delta home page, navigate to “Itineraries and Check in.” Enter your first and last name, and confirmation number. If you have forgotten, or lost, your confirmation number, there is an alternate process to go through.
You can also check in using a mobile phone. Once into the system, you can double check your seat assignment, make changes if you need to, and list how many bags you will be checking. When everything is ready to go, just print out your boarding pass.
Nearly all of the airlines use a system like this one, or something very similar. Look for the words “check in” and keep clicking at the prompts as you work your way through the process.
If you don’t have a computer, or aren’t computer literate, try a public library or internet cafe and ask for help. Most people would be happy to help you. And if you are a little reluctant to ask for help, keep in mind that asking for a little help in a more relaxed atmosphere will save your time, energy, and anxiety later on at the airport.
Tomorrow: Getting to the Airport
Photo credit: flickr
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You are so right! Checking in from home saves time and stress.
I’ve noticed some airline check-in kiosks in hotels and convention centers, which are very helpful. We were able to check into our American flight from the lobby of the Maui Hyatt in September, which saved us loads of time and the possibility of missing our flight. We ended up just barely making our flight. Most airlines cut off check-in within 30 minutes of departure. If we hadn’t been able to check-in at the Hyatt earlier in the day, we would have definitely missed the 30 minute cut off window.
I had no idea this was available. Thanks for the heads up!
I need to remind myself to do that more often. I’ve known about that option, but I always forget about it. Of course, I don’t remember until we’re well on our way to the airport, kicking myself and thinking of all the time we could be saving.
Its hard to imagine the extra stress not having this option used to bring. Great site and Great tips!
Sheila: Good tip about checking in at hotels or conference centers. I just did that returning home from Hawaii. It saves so much time!