Confirming Flights

I'm planning a trip for next year and wanted to get some insight into confirming flight for return trip, since i had no idea i should do that.

Last year when we were leaving AOA i went to check in at their airport desk and was told there was an issue and couldn't check my bag there, i would have to do that at the airport.
well i get to the airport and check in and when i get to the gate i find they over-booked and we were bumped along with one other family.
the husband made a HUGE fit, i didnt really mind things happen.

My concern for next time is how to avoid this? should i check in online through the airline directly the day before?

I have never had that happen to me. What airline did you fly with?

I almost always fly Southwest and I pay extra to have them check me in early before everyone else. I would check in at the 24 hr window that most of the airlines provide. That may help.

I would hope that the airline made it up to you since they bumped you off.

Did you leave contact information with the airline? I've left my e-mail address and have gotten notices that my flight times have changed and things like that. I usually check the airline flight schedule before going to the airport to check to see if my flight is on time but this certainly wouldn't help in the situation you describe. If the airline only had your home phone number, that might not have helped either.

i booked air tran through expedia.

they gave me tickets good through nov of this year but like i said i understand things happend but i just want to avoid that in the future.

i was also thinking of booking through SW and paying for early check in for the return trip

If you have a smartphone, check in at the earliest time available on the airline's app if they have one (I use SW almost exclusively), we just had to print out boarding passes and check in our bags when we got to MCO.

We have never had an issue with hotel airline check-in. But if I was in a similar situation I would have asked for a computer to use and checked in online right then.

Does Expedia let you reserve a seat? When we flew AirTran we booked directly with them and paid the extra money to reserve our seats.

I'd like to add to what others have said about checking in for your flight right when the window opens up. I know for a fact that American Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Southwest airlines decide who to bump based on when you checked in, not when you bought your ticket or whether or not you have a reserved seat. With Southwest it's obvious as if you hold a boarding position toward the end of the C group there might not be a seat for you. I saw an article about a man that was bumped from an American Airlines flight, he was in his CONFIRMED seat and airline employees came on the plane and removed him as he was one of the last to check in. Spirit airlines (an airline I've been using a lot lately), is an airline notorious for overbooking, they specifically state that's who they bump, the last to check in. Truth be told though, there will always be people who check in when they get to the airport so as long as you do it a few hours in advance you should be fine. Remember, all you need to do is "check in", you can print your boarding pass/check bags at the airport.

Definitely check in for your flight, regardless of what airline you are flying. Most airlines have a mobile app these days if you have a smart phone.

If they need to bump people off, they will start with people who have not yet checked in for the flight. So, to avoid that in the future, check in as soon as you are able.

You don't need to "confirm" your flight these days, just need to check in.

It also helps to sign up for email or text alerts from the airline regarding your itinerary. They can notify you of delays or changes to the schedule that occur at the last minute.

I had this happen one time when staying at POP. Once I got to the airport there was no problem. Not sure why it was a hassle at the resort. Every other time getting our boarding passes at the resort was quick and easy.

For our return trip I always get an outgoing flight that is early in the day. Since flights are booked so full I want to make sure I have plenty of options if the original flight has a problem. I do appreciate the fact ME is scheduled 3 hours before your departure. Sometimes it has taken the 3 hours to get to the gate ( between resort stops and security checks). And if there is a need, you can get your boarding pass at the airport.

i hadn't flown in about 10 years and had no idea i needed to check - in.
i will definitely do that from now on.