Southwest Airlines Shifts Baggage Policy: What Travelers Need to Know

Southwest Airlines announced on Tuesday that it will be departing from its 54-year tradition of allowing customers to check bags for free.

Starting on May 28, coinciding with the busy summer travel season, only the airline’s most elite frequent flyers—Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred members—and passengers who book the premium Business Select fares will be entitled to check two bags at no additional charge.

For other tiers of frequent flyers, such as A-List Members and holders of Southwest-branded credit cards, one free checked bag will still be allowed. However, for all other passengers, fees will be introduced for the first and second checked bags if they purchase tickets on or after May 28. Specific fee amounts have not yet been disclosed, but travelers should prepare for these additional costs when planning their trips.

In a statement reported by CNBC, Ryan Green, Southwest’s former chief transformation officer, indicated in September that the airline’s analysis suggested that the revenue generated from bag fees would be eclipsed by the potential losses incurred if customers chose to fly with competing airlines due to the new baggage policy.

Additionally, the Dallas-based airline revealed it will introduce a new category of basic economy fares, which typically come with stricter limitations regarding changes and cancellations. Alongside this, Southwest is revising its Rapid Rewards program: customers will now earn more frequent flyer miles based on the total amount spent on tickets rather than simply based on distance flown. This new approach aims to incentivize higher spending, while the redemption rates for accumulated miles will vary depending on the demand for specific flights.

Moreover, flight credits for fares purchased on or after May 28 will have a more limited validity; they will expire within one year or earlier, depending on the specific fare type, further impacting travelers’ flexibility in using their credits for future travel.

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I’m Joshua A. Vinson

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