OLCI - do you have too?

Hi all,

Flying out Saturday to Mexico, just wondering if you need to check in online. Outbound I would be able to complete if necessary, but won't have any access to a computer when in mexico. We're PE on the way out and UC on the way back, don't know if that makes any difference. Don't fly very often, would appreciate any advice.

Thanks in advance

Neil

You don't have to, no.

Thanks, any benefits or drawbacks?

Benefits would be:

- Reduced time queuing to check in. Although, if you're dropping bags you'll have to go to the desks anyway. This only really becomes a problem if you're in Economy, queues for PE/UC would be very small.
- It acts as confirmation to VS that you're definitely coming, and so reduces any risk to you in the event the flight is oversold.

It just acts as a time-saver mostly, particularly if you're planning on minimising your time at the airport. The only drawbacks to not doing it would be the consequences of the above.

Arguably doing OLCI and, crucially, issuing your boarding pass (even if you can't physically print it) leaves you less likely to be bumped in the event of an oversold flight, and less likely to be moved to make way for a group who want to sit together as once your boarding pass has been issued it makes it much harder (although not impossible) for them to move you.

Remember you don't have to print your own boarding pass when you do OLCI - you can always check in on your mobile or tablet if you have one, issue your BP to lock down your seat then collect it at the airport.

Even if you can't do OLCI yourself, some hotels will do it for you. You just need to give them the booking reference and your name(s). In the USA (not sure about Mexico) they often have internet connected terminals where you can just do flight check-in.
As others have noted, there is no need to print the boarding pass - they will always be able to do that at the airport. In most cases, when I have dropped my bags at the UC desk - even when I have my printed BP - they tear it up and print a new one.

Thanks all. From what I've been reading VA don't over book holiday routes so hopefully will be ok. However. Is the first time we've upgraded so don't want to be downgraded, so will try and OLCI at the hotel. Think there is free wifi in the lobby. Was not going to take any technology with me, a complete get away!