Delta early check-in

Your flight is booked, bags are packed, and you're ready to roll on your next great vacation. Everything's set for your journey to the airport — but hang on.

Did you check into your flight? If you haven't already, stop reading this story, go check in immediately and come back when you're done. We'll wait.

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You're back? Phew. That was close. Because, according to Scott Keyes, founder of Scott's Cheap Flights and author of Take More Vacations, you should always check into your flight the second the option becomes available.

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"There are a few instances where it is quite important to check in early — and the earlier, the better," Keyes shares with Travel + Leisure.

According to Keyes, if you're flying with certain airlines, this can matter just a bit more.

For a prime example, he points to Southwest, as the airline assigns seats based on a first-come, first-serve basis.

"That first-come, first-serve is determined by what time you checked in for your flight," he says

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