The period of free luggage on Southwest Airways is over … type of. The airline now fees bag fees for all flights, an unlucky change for Southwest and finances flyers who loved two free checked luggage on all flights.
In the event you examine a bag most of the time and Southwest is your provider of alternative, we suggest making use of for one of many airline’s cobranded playing cards (which have been refreshed in July of 2025).
This manner, you may get free checked luggage as a substitute of getting to pay $35 for the primary bag and $45 for a second one.
1 free checked bag with Southwest bank cards
Southwest overhauled its entire business model in 2025 by including bag charges, extra-legroom seats, new fare lessons and seat choice.
These adjustments make being a Southwest cardholder that rather more precious since cardmembers now obtain one checked bag freed from cost. This perk additionally applies to as much as eight companions touring with the principle cardholder on the identical reservation.
Eligible bank cards that supply a free checked bag for Southwest flights embody:
The knowledge for the Southwest Fast Rewards Premier Credit score Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
In the event you fly Southwest a few occasions a 12 months, the $99 annual price Southwest Plus card could also be sufficient for you. By checking a bag 3 times a 12 months, you may fully offset the price of this card.
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Along with making it straightforward to examine a bag on all Southwest flights with out paying a hefty annual price, the entry-level card additionally supplies normal seat choice 48 hours earlier than departure (when obtainable).
In order for you further advantages past a free checked bag — similar to choosing a most popular seat on the time of reserving — think about different playing cards just like the Southwest Precedence or the Southwest Efficiency Enterprise.
Elite standing
One other option to get a free checked bag or two is with Southwest Rapid Rewards elite status. A-Record members will get one free checked bag, and A-Record Most popular members will nonetheless get two free checked luggage.
In the event you’re a frequent Southwest flyer, elite standing will repay by way of baggage allowance. Simply be certain that so as to add your Rapid Rewards loyalty quantity when making your reservation to make sure your tier-related advantages kick in.
In actual fact, Southwest cardholders can even use a unique non-Southwest card to pay for a flight whereas nonetheless profiting from the free checked bag perk by guaranteeing their Fast Rewards quantity is connected to the reservation.
Backside line
The day is lastly upon us, and Southwest has joined the ranks of all the opposite legacy carriers in charging for checked luggage.
Do not let these adjustments discourage you. Being a Southwest cardholder (or having the precise elite standing) can nonetheless get you free checked luggage.
Finally, if you happen to’re dedicated to Southwest however aren’t a cardholder, it is best to use for a Southwest bank card. In the event you fly usually or as a household, a Southwest bank card may help you save tons of of {dollars} a 12 months.
Associated: Best Southwest Airlines credit cards
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