Southwest Airlines Ends Free Checked Bags: What Travelers Need to Know

Southwest's "Bags Fly Free" Policy Ends

• ✈️ Southwest Airlines has ended its long-standing "bags fly free" policy, with new bookings now incurring checked bag fees.
• 💰 The new fees are $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second checked bag, with standard size and weight limits applying.
• 📅 This change applies to flights booked from May 28th onwards; flights booked before this date will still honor the free checked bag policy.

Exceptions and Elite Status Benefits

• 💳 Rapid Rewards credit card holders will receive credit for one free checked bag.
• 🌟 Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred members will continue to receive two free checked bags.
• 🎟️ Only passengers who purchase the premium Choice Extra fare will receive two free checked bags.

Other Southwest Policy Changes

• ⚠️ Southwest is also implementing a new rule requiring portable chargers to be kept in plain sight during flights due to concerns about lithium-ion battery fires.
• ✈️ The airline will also introduce a new, more restrictive basic tier later in the year, renaming existing ticket tiers to Choice and Choice Preferred.

Traveler Reactions and Competitor Changes

• 🗣️ Some travelers, like one interviewed, are considering switching to other airlines like United due to the loss of the free bag benefit.
• ⏱️ In related news, United Airlines is changing its check-in policy, requiring domestic passengers to check in at least 45 minutes before takeoff (previously 30 minutes).
• 🌍 International flyers on United will need to check in an hour before departure.