Southwest Airlines to Introduce Checked Bag Fees Starting May 28, 2025
Southwest Airlines to Introduce Checked Bag Fees Starting May 28, 2025
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News Southwest Airlines to Introduce Checked Bag Fees Starting May 28, 2025
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DisneyDreamer08
Well-Known Member
We’ve been cardholders for about 10 years and exclusively fly Southwest. This is all so disappointing. Charging for checked bags, charging to pick your seats and now flight credits expire 
I got an email this morning and it’s all so confusing. Multiple fares for the same flight depending on which “perks” you want. Not looking forward to these changes at all.
I got an email this morning and it’s all so confusing. Multiple fares for the same flight depending on which “perks” you want. Not looking forward to these changes at all.
Ayla
Well-Known Member
I haven't even gotten an email, yet. I've been a cardholder for 12 years and we usually fly 1st on Delta or United, but use SW for what used to be cheap, quick flights. No more. We're using up our current points and canceling our cards.We’ve been cardholders for about 10 years and exclusively fly Southwest. This is all so disappointing. Charging for checked bags, charging to pick your seats and now flight credits expire
HoustonHorn
Premium Member
/ranton
I have been a Southwest fanboy/defender since the mid-90s when I started flying. Have earned companion passes in the past, been A-list or A-list preferred for more than 20 years.
I'm now actively searching for a new preferred carrier, because I cannot stomach any of these changes.
Southwest hasn't been "budget" for more than a decade. They are regularly more expensive from Houston than United and others. But the Southwest difference was always worth it to me - the ease with which you could change flights, the stress-free included bags, the lack of nickel-and-diming, and if you had status or flew business select, the ability to board early and have the seat you wanted. All of that is now going away.
To me, there are so many parallels with WDW that it's scary. Both have developed uber-loyal followings based on service, friendliness, perceived value and goodwill. And both seem like they are in a death spiral where they are actively trying to destroy all of that.
One example is like WDW's issue with DAS, and Southwest has a terrible problem with preboarders. There is a reason the "Southwest Miracle" is a thing (people who require assistance to preboard receive a miracle during the flight and are able to dance a jig while deplaning). Disney has seemingly fixed theirs, Southwest has not. While there is no doubt that some people need the service, the abuse is rampant and obvious to anyone who flies regularly.
This is not the Southwest I grew to love. And for that, I mourn.
/rantoff
I have been a Southwest fanboy/defender since the mid-90s when I started flying. Have earned companion passes in the past, been A-list or A-list preferred for more than 20 years.
I'm now actively searching for a new preferred carrier, because I cannot stomach any of these changes.
Southwest hasn't been "budget" for more than a decade. They are regularly more expensive from Houston than United and others. But the Southwest difference was always worth it to me - the ease with which you could change flights, the stress-free included bags, the lack of nickel-and-diming, and if you had status or flew business select, the ability to board early and have the seat you wanted. All of that is now going away.
To me, there are so many parallels with WDW that it's scary. Both have developed uber-loyal followings based on service, friendliness, perceived value and goodwill. And both seem like they are in a death spiral where they are actively trying to destroy all of that.
One example is like WDW's issue with DAS, and Southwest has a terrible problem with preboarders. There is a reason the "Southwest Miracle" is a thing (people who require assistance to preboard receive a miracle during the flight and are able to dance a jig while deplaning). Disney has seemingly fixed theirs, Southwest has not. While there is no doubt that some people need the service, the abuse is rampant and obvious to anyone who flies regularly.
This is not the Southwest I grew to love. And for that, I mourn.
/rantoff
DisneyDreamer08
Well-Known Member
So much of this true. Like you said, what I loved about Southwest was that there was no nickel & diming. The price you saw was the price you paid. We had to fly United once recently because we couldn’t find a SW flight that matched the timing we needed. We thought we got a good deal but then the add ons started. Want to pick your seats? $$ extra. Want to bring a carry on? $$ extra. Want to check luggage? $$ extra. We always chose SW for the simplicity but it seems that is ending which is really sad.
DisneyDreamer08
Well-Known Member
Ayla
Well-Known Member
You can blame Elliot Investment Management for the greed and negative changes. I hope they lose every penny of that $1.9 billion they invested in SW.
COProgressFan
Well-Known Member
Unfortunately, their likely plan is to squeeze out every penny they can from the investment in the short term, and then move on to their next victim. If the company is in shambles (or if it exists at all), that's not their problem to deal with at that point.
COProgressFan
Well-Known Member
Wholeheartedly agree about the parallels with Disney. While Southwest seems to be intent on destroying itself rather quickly, WDW has gone through a long, slow decline.
I don't think WDW is on the verge of self-destruction (currently) but I absolutely fear it happening at some point in the future, and that saddens me. I hope it doesn't, but the people in charge today (with all their faults, and there are plenty) won't be in charge a few years or decades from now and there's no saying who will think they can make more money selling WDW for parts or turning it into something other than the WDW we've all known and loved.
It's a shame to see companies built on decades of being different/special/unique rather than "just another company" do this to themselves.
G&CsMom
Member
I agree with so much that has been said already. We were huge SW fans after we switched over when Midwest Express ceased operations. During the pandemic, we started flying Delta on certain trips and realized we were getting much more for our money and more flight options and destinations.
We used up most of our RR points in January and happy we did so. I am not a SW CC holder but I did get a Delta AMEX a few years ago and enjoy the perks offered.
In the future, I will only consider flying SW if it's a nonstop flight not offered by Delta.
We used up most of our RR points in January and happy we did so. I am not a SW CC holder but I did get a Delta AMEX a few years ago and enjoy the perks offered.
In the future, I will only consider flying SW if it's a nonstop flight not offered by Delta.
SingleRider
Premium Member
With all of these changes I see no reason to stay loyal to SW. I’ll definitely look at other airlines for my trips going forward.
Meeko77
Well-Known Member
I am a cardholder, too - where I got lost was the comment where if you paid for the checked bag with the Southwest Visa, they would reimburse you...BUT what they neglected to clarify was - is this every flight? Every leg of the flight? Once a year? I know with Early Bird check-in we get 2 free check-ins a year, so that's what makes me concerned. In my opinion, it had better be every flight! I only fly Southwest (and rarely as it is these days), but I have a ton of points and have always been loyal to them. These changes are super disappointing for sure.We’ve been cardholders for about 10 years and exclusively fly Southwest. This is all so disappointing. Charging for checked bags, charging to pick your seats and now flight credits expire
RememberWhen
Well-Known Member
We’ve been loyal SW flyer for years (decades?!) even with slowly increasing prices. Even when they were a bit more than other options it was worth it for the simplicity. And the flight credits that didn’t expire meant I was always going to come back. Now? I won’t never fly them again, but they’ll just be an option, like all the other airlines. As was said above, no reason to be loyal.
DisneyDreamer08
Well-Known Member
We get two free early bird check ins a year!?! I literally did not know this. I’ve never used the feature but I certainly would have it was free.
Supertech65
Active Member
I'm going to assume that even though I purchase my flights for my September trip in Dec (when checked bags were free, already paid for eb check-in) i will be paying for my bags? It's confusing because a lot of what they're saying online is stating that since you purchase your tickets prior to this policy change that you would not have to pay for your bags but looking at what they sent me in an email doesn't seem like that's the way it's gonna go. Though I am a rapid rewards member (not in A-lister) and have the Southwest card I'm wondering if I still get at least one free checked bag.
Attachments
DisneyDreamer08
Well-Known Member
I think you are good for now. At the beginning of the email it says “Changes will apply to flights booked on or after May 28.”
So I think any flights booked prior to 5/28 are still free.
Supertech65
Active Member
Thank you though wished my email said that. When you read mine it actually states if traveling on or after May 28th that anyone booked under those particular categories would be paying for their luggage.
Meeko77
Well-Known Member
Yup! You HAVE to pay with your Southwest Visa, and then you get the money refunded! If you have the Plus or the Premier Visa, you get 2 Early Bird Check-In credits per year. Make sure you check the perks on the Chase site, because they have other deals going on as well (i.e. I will get 10% back for paying for my lunch today at Shake Shack - every little bit helps). There are other perks for streaming services, your cable and phone bills, etc. that earn you more points.