Southwest Airlines will start charging for checked bags on tickets purchased on or after 5/28/25

[buzglyd]

We've had the companion pass between us almost 4 years. I only like Southwest for shorter flights. Alaska has so many non stops out of San Diego that I fly it almost exclusively. Being MVP Gold helps with that decision. We're Gold for life on United so Southwest will get relegated to 3rd or 4th place now that Alaska has AA as a partner.

 

[GTLINZ]

Wanna Get Away fares have never been refundable. They have always resulted in a flight credit. Though currently that credit has no expiration date. In the future it will have a 6-month expiration which is a huge downgrade.

I have been able to get my points back on a cancellation or do a change. My big question is will you still get your points back on a cancellation with points for the cheapest fares.

 

[Luanne]

This may be the end of my flying on SW. I do have the credit card and would like to know if the one free bag applies to those flying with you.

 

[chosshaul]

1 free bag applies to credit card.

Southwest is going to have to reorganize all their fares now. I don’t think they that competitive anymore once seat assignments and bags fees are included. I wonder if the investment group is angling for a buyout or something because I only fly sw because it was cheap—- and lately it hasn’t been that cheap

 

[davidvel]

We've had the companion pass between us almost 4 years. I only like Southwest for shorter flights. Alaska has so many non stops out of San Diego that I fly it almost exclusively. Being MVP Gold helps with that decision. We're Gold for life on United so Southwest will get relegated to 3rd or 4th place now that Alaska has AA as a partner.

Agree. SWA used to be the go to in San Diego, especially for CA and surrounding states. Now, Alaska is usually the better option overall. More than a decade ago, SWA's fares were significantly lower to most places, but they crept up to match or surpass others.

The one criticism I don't get is the anti-seat assignment folks. Open seating was never a convenience. It was solely for the benefit of the airline. Glad that era is gone.

Interestingly, the execs said they would lose money overall if they charged for bags. We'll see if they or their overlord Elliot were right.

 

[Luanne]

Also very confusing as to whether the baggage fee will apply just to flights booked after May or those taken after May. I have a flight already booked on SW for June.

 

[PigsDad]

Do you really need any brand differentiation? As long as you offer non-stop flights people will book your airline. A nonstop flight on Spirit is far better than a connecting flight on another airline.

Strongly disagree. I will never fly Spirit.

Kurt

 

[rickandcindy23]

I just checked the SW credit card offers on my account, and updates need to be made because the offers aren't showing free checked bag for this card or that card.

Not a good plan for SW to kick off a bag check fee without changing the credit card terms.

We have over $1,000 in travel credits each. I assume we will still be able to use those credits as always. We rarely checked two bags each, so that is not a real concern.

 

[jwalk03]

I just checked the SW credit card offers on my account, and updates need to be made because the offers aren't showing free checked bag for this card or that card.

Not a good plan for SW to kick off a bag check fee without changing the credit card terms.

We have over $1,000 in travel credits each. I assume we will still be able to use those credits as always. We rarely checked two bags each, so that is not a real concern.

Southwest hasn't even provided any of the specific details yet of the bag policy- so no way on earth Chase can update any of the credit card terms until SWA has actual details.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Southwest hasn't even provided any of the specific details yet of the bag policy- so no way on earth Chase can update any of the credit card terms until SWA has actual details.

Yes, I agree. Southwest needs to get its ducks in a row before an announcement like this one.

 

[BingoBangoBongo]

In 2024, I was finding better fares on United and occasionally JetBlue. It was getting harder to justify using points on Southwest, so I cancelled my SW Chase Business card with the thought that maybe I'd try to get the Companion Pass in 2026 or beyond. Moving into 2025, I decided to move all our personal spending to a United card (that offers two free checked bags) so we could accumulate some more United points, as it has become our primary airline. I did use Jet Blue to fly non stop to MCO in January and that worked out great. I fell in love with Terminal C at MCO, completely avoiding the scrum at Terminal A/B.

It's been a good 20 year run for me with Southwest, but life goes on.

 

[TolmiePeak]

Strongly disagree. I will never fly Spirit.

Kurt

Ok, I admit that was an extreme example. How about American non-stop versus Delta connecting in Atlanta if the price was the same?

 

[TolmiePeak]

I was a bit surprised Southwest never got much traction in Seattle. They came in with big fan fare but never managed to expand that much. They don't even fly non-stop to Southern California. We never tried them because I didn't want to get separated from my kids. Getting boarding spot A1 does you no good if your inbound connecting flight runs late.

 

[geist1223]

Baggage Fees are pure gravy for Airlines. Fees that Airlines pay Airports is in part based upon their ticket sales for that Airport. Baggage fees are not used in this calculation.

 

[Luanne]

Just read somewhere that SW will lose more money with customers defecting to other airlines than they will make with baggage fees.

 

[dioxide45]

Just read somewhere that SW will lose more money with customers defecting to other airlines than they will make with baggage fees.

I would think that is a calculation they would have made. They have certainly taken away any competitive advantage they had except for price. Now they are just like the rest and there is no reason for someone to fly with them unless they are cheaper.

 

[jwalk03]

I would think that is a calculation they would have made. They have certainly taken away any competitive advantage they had except for price. Now they are just like the rest and there is no reason for someone to fly with them unless they are cheaper.

They did make that calculation and draw the same conclusion just 6 months ago. The CEO gave a presentation that said they would lose more money than they would make on bag fees!! So it’s incredibly crazy that just 6 months later they are going to do it anyway!! Will be interesting to see if the CEO keeps his job…

 

[Cornell]

Open seating was never a convenienc

I like it. I'm often times a solo flyer so open seating is advantageous to us. Usually I'm in B group and that gives me an aisle seat which is my preference. I like getting on the plane and getting to choose who I want to sit next to . I can avoid young kids, people encroaching into my seat, etc.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Southwest should have first taken away the second bag flies free and left one bag flies free. Transitions are better.

Rick and I have so many credits to use. I was buying the SW credit cards and booking airfare and cancelling to load into our account. It worked over having gift cards to keep track of.

 

[dioxide45]

Southwest should have first taken away the second bag flies free and left one bag flies free. Transitions are better.

Rick and I have so many credits to use. I was buying the SW credit cards and booking airfare and cancelling to load into our account. It worked over having gift cards to keep track of.

At least those current credits won't expire. Unless you book something with them after 5/28 and cancel or make a change.

 

[rickandcindy23]

But now I have to use the credit to pay for airfare and for checked bags? I have the credit card. I wonder if I can charge the $5.60 segment fee to that card and have our bags checked free because I paid the segment fee on the card. Will they let me do it?

This is a terrible change but it was bound to happen.

 

[davidvel]

They did make that calculation and draw the same conclusion just 6 months ago. The CEO gave a presentation that said they would lose more money than they would make on bag fees!! So it’s incredibly crazy that just 6 months later they are going to do it anyway!! Will be interesting to see if the CEO keeps his job…

It is the activist investor making these demands. Of course, CEO will be blamed if it backfires.

 

[x3 skier]

I used to drive to CVG or CMH from the Dayton area to fly on SWA. No more. Not worth it for just another airline.

 

[davidvel]

But now I have to use the credit to pay for airfare and for checked bags? I have the credit card. I wonder if I can charge the $5.60 segment fee to that card and have our bags checked free because I paid the segment fee on the card. Will they let me do it?

This is a terrible change but it was bound to happen.

Most airline CC give the free bag if traveling on any type of fare, including miles.

 

[dioxide45]

But now I have to use the credit to pay for airfare and for checked bags? I have the credit card. I wonder if I can charge the $5.60 segment fee to that card and have our bags checked free because I paid the segment fee on the card. Will they let me do it?

This is a terrible change but it was bound to happen.

We don't know how it will be implemented. Some airlines give the free checked bag just by having the card where some require you to pay for the airfare with the card. Paying the taxes with the card is the same as paying for the fare with the card and the baggage fee is waived. So few actual details out of SWA on this, it is anyone's guess on how they will implement it.