Unexpected Instances Where Checking In For Your Flight Early Might Actually Be A Bad Call

When it comes to air travel, the rule of thumb is to always be early in, well, nearly everything. Airlines have long extolled the importance of getting to the airport long in advance, especially if you're taking off from, say, one of the world's most hated airports. The general guideline is to arrive two hours early for domestic flights and three hours if you're jetting off to another country. It's also advised to check in online — assuming you don't have checked baggage — so you can breeze past long queues and head straight to security. But while you're generally free to check in around 24 hours before takeoff, waiting until you get to the airline's counter can sometimes pay off. Sure, delaying seems like a rookie mistake first-time fliers only make, but it can work in your favor if you're holding a basic economy ticket.

Basic economy tickets often don't allow you to select your seat ahead, potentially leaving you sitting on the worst row on the plane. If you don't want to spend on an upgrade, playing the waiting game might score you a better spot. "My strategy is, if you're traveling in basic economy — those deeply discounted, restricted tickets — it could make sense to wait to check in," travel editor Zach Honig told Real Simple. "If you wait until all of the seats are assigned, the airline could end up assigning you an extra legroom seat." 

Who knew being fashionably late has its perks?

Scoring extra legroom is sweet, but landing a seat in a classier cabin? That's another level of victory. If you want to try your luck getting upgraded to a first or business class seat, consider holding off on checking in until you're face-to-face with the airline staff at the counter. You may have little luck asking flight attendants for upgrades, but counter staff often have the authority to offer last-minute discounted upgrades and deals.

TikTok user @voyagerguru shares that sometimes, all it takes is the courage to ask. "Lots of airlines have lucrative upsell opportunities that may just get you bumped to business," she said, noting that Air France is usually generous when it comes to these things. Another TikToker, @thesmithskitchen, managed to get bumped from economy to business for only 750 AED (roughly 204 USD) on an Etihad Airways flight from Abu Dhabi to Kathmandu. "That's how we got upgraded, by asking," they wrote. Travel site The Points Guy also reported that one of their own lucked out with a first-class upgrade for just $90 at the counter, which is a steal compared to the $70 they would have paid just for baggage via the app.

This trick may not always work, as airlines can also be unpredictable when it comes to upgrades. It can be a bit of a gamble, but if you're feeling lucky, why not try and roll the dice?

If snagging a better seat is not your priority, you may want to check in online up to a day before your flight, especially if you're flying during a busy season like Christmas and Thanksgiving. You may have likely already heard horror stories of passengers waiting in line for hours, and you don't want to be stuck among them. Unless you have TSA PreCheck, Clear, or Global Entry, it pays to be the early bird.

For those flying with airlines that have a more unique boarding process, like Southwest Airlines, early online check-in is particularly crucial. If you haven't resorted to the sneaky trick for priority boarding, securing a favorable boarding position hinges on how quickly you check in online. "That first-come, first-serve is determined by what time you checked in for your flight," travel expert Scott Keyes explained to Travel and Leisure. "So, if you check-in for your flight, even five or 10 minutes after that 24-hour mark, you're going to likely get put into the B or C-section groups, which means your odds of sitting together as a group or getting an aisle or window seat are not great. Especially if it's a packed flight."

Another benefit to checking in early? If you have access to an airport lounge, an early check-in allows you to maximize your time relishing in its amenities. Why rush when you could be sipping a cocktail (or two) before your flight?