- Southwest Airlines will begin charging some customers for checked bags starting May 28.
- All other customers will be charged for their first and second checked bags.
- Flight credits issued for tickets purchased on or after May 28 will expire one year or earlier from the date of ticketing.
Southwest Airlines is doing away with its longstanding policy of two checked bags for free for all passengers, the company said this week.
The Dallas, Texas-based carrier on Tuesday announced it will begin charging some customers for checked bags.
Southwest had been a one of the last U.S. airlines that didn’t charge for checked bags, allowing customers to check two bags at no cost.
The airline, which also recently changed the number of Rapid Rewards points earned for qualifying flights, is setting an expiration date for flight credits to one year from the date of the ticket purchase.
The announcements follow notification of another big change coming to the airline, the end of open seating in 2026, another thing that has long differentiated the carrier from other airlines.
Why Southwest Airlines is eliminated guaranteed no cost checked bags
The moves, which take effect May 28, allow the company to “reward the airline’s most loyal” customers and improve profits, the company said.
“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,” President and CEO Bob Jordan said in a release.
On May 28, Southwest will introduce a new basic fare on its lowest-priced tickets, in advance of offering assigned seating and extra legroom options.
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Will you have to pay for checked bags on Southwest Airlines?
Under the new bag policy:
- Southwest will continue to offer two free checked bags to Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members and customers traveling on Business Select fares.
- A-List Members and other select customers will get one free checked bag. Southwest will give a credit for one checked bag to flyers who have a Rapid Rewards credit card.
- All other customers will be charged for their first and second checked bags.
Southwest Rapid Rewards changes
The carrier also recently adjusted the number of Rapid Rewards points customers earn on qualifying flights. Customers now earn more points on Business Select fares, but less on the cheaper Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus fares. Southwest Rapid Rewards, the carrier’s loyalty program, will also introduce variable redemption rates across higher-demand and lower-demand flights.
Southwest one-year expiration on flight credits
Flight credits issued for tickets purchased on or after May 28 will expire one year or earlier from the date of ticketing, depending on the fare type purchased.
Where does Southwest fly from in Michigan?
Southwest airlines provides service to and from both Detroit Metropolitan Airport in Wayne County and Gerald R. Ford International Airport near Grand Rapids.
