After years of promises that the benefit would remain, Southwest Airlines is dropping their policy of allowing two free checked bags for most fares.
It’s the end of an era in the aviation industry, after Southwest Airlines did the unthinkable.
The Dallas-based airline announced several changes to “drive revenue growth and reward its most loyal customers,” including the elimination of two free checked bags for most fares.
Eliminating Checked Bags Part of Strategy to “Reward the Airline’s Most Loyal Customers”
The changes will take effect for flights purchased on or after May 28, 2025. While Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred members and Business Select travelers will continue to get two free checked bags on their flights, all others may be paying for at least one piece of luggage.
Rapid Rewards A-List members, Rapid Rewards credit cardholders, and “other select customers” will all get one free checked bag when flying with Southwest. All others will be forced to pay for their first and second checked bag, subject to weight and size limitations. Southwest did not announce the price for the first and second checked bags, or what the weight and size limitations would be.
“We have tremendous opportunity to meet current and future customer needs, attract new customer segments we don’t compete for today, and return to the levels of profitability that both we and our shareholders expect,” said Bob Jordan, president and CEO of Southwest. “We will do all this while remaining focused on what’s made us strong — our people and the authentic, friendly, and award-winning customer service only they can provide.”
On the same date, Southwest will launch their Basic economy option and put an expiration date on new flight credits. Credits from all tickets purchased on or after May 28 will expire one year or earlier from the date of ticketing, while credits from basic tickets will expire six months after the ticketing date.
Southwest’s changes come after the carrier cut the amount of Rapid Rewards points flyers earn when traveling with the airline. While Business Select flyers are earning more points, those on the lower Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away+ fares earn fewer frequent flyer points.
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Feature image courtesy: Southwest Airlines
