Bags will no longer fly FREE on Southwest Airlines unless you are an elite member or hold one of their credit cards!

In a move that will disappoint many loyal travelers, Southwest Airlines is making a major change to one of its most beloved policies—free checked bags. Despite previous assurances from CEO Bob Jordan in late 2024 that the airline would remain committed to its core model of offering two free checked bags, it turns out that promise came with fine print.

Starting May 28, 2025, only select elite members and Business Select fare passengers will continue to enjoy this perk, while most travelers will now have to pay for checked baggage.

What’s Changing?

For years, Southwest has stood out among U.S. airlines by allowing all passengers to check two bags for free, a policy that made it a preferred choice for budget-conscious travelers and families. However, with this upcoming shift, free baggage benefits will be significantly scaled back:

• Two Free Checked Bags: Only Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred members and passengers booking Business Select fares will retain the perk of two complimentary checked bags.
• One Free Checked Bag: A-List members, Southwest-branded credit card holders, and other select customers will be entitled to one free checked bag.
• Paid Checked Bags: All other passengers who do not qualify under these categories will have to pay for both their first and second checked bags on flights booked on or after May 28, 2025.

This is a seismic shift for Southwest, a carrier that built its brand on customer-friendly policies, including the unique perk of two free checked bags for everyone.

More Changes to Come…

Basic Economy Coming to Southwest

Southwest also plans to introduce an additional “Basic” fare class, with tickets going on sale May 28, 2025. While details are still unclear, basic economy fares on other airlines typically come with significant restrictions, such as no flight changes, no seat selection, and boarding last. If Southwest follows the industry trend, these discounted fares could come with trade-offs that make them less appealing for frequent travelers.

More Dynamic Pricing for Award Tickets

There was also major news on the loyalty front. Southwest announced that it will switch to a more “variable” redemption setup for Rapid Rewards, meaning the number of points required for an award ticket will fluctuate based on demand.

Historically, when airlines shift to dynamic pricing, it tends to mean higher redemption rates for popular flights, making it more expensive for travelers to book award flights. While some flights may cost fewer points, this typically means you’ll need more points for the same flights that were previously bookable at a fixed rate.

Flight Credits Will Now Expire

Adding to the frustration, Southwest has reintroduced expiration dates on flight credits:

• For most fares: Flight credits will now expire 12 months from the date of issue.
• For Basic fares: Flight credits will expire after just 6 months.

This reverses Southwest’s previous policy, which allowed credits to be valid indefinitely. Now, travelers will have to keep a close eye on their flight credits or risk losing them entirely.

Southwest’s Other Recent Devaluations

This baggage policy overhaul is not the only recent change that has upset customers. Just last week, Southwest quietly reduced the number of Rapid Rewards points customers earn per dollar spent—without any prior notice.

This stealth devaluation means loyal passengers will now earn fewer points for their flights, making it harder to redeem rewards for free travel.

These adjustments are part of a broader strategy to increase revenue and compete with other major carriers while still offering select perks to its most frequent flyers. However, for many longtime Southwest fans, the changes feel like a step in the wrong direction.

Why This Change Matters

Southwest’s “bags fly free” policy was a major factor in travelers’ booking decisions for years. Even when fares were slightly higher than those of competitors like American Airlines or Delta, the savings on baggage fees often made Southwest the better deal. However, now that Southwest’s free baggage policy is restricted to certain elite members and credit cardholders, travelers must reconsider whether it remains the best option.

As someone who was once a loyal Southwest flyer, I find this disappointing. The baggage policy was a huge incentive, and with Southwest’s limited international routes, I had already started shifting my loyalty. I’ve been able to leverage elite status with American Airlines, where I’ve booked domestic flights for as little as 4,500 miles, something that Southwest’s points system would never allow. Plus, as an Executive Platinum member and AA credit cardholder, I enjoy benefits like three free 70lb checked bags, priority boarding, complimentary upgrades, and more.

In fact, 2024 was the least I’ve flown on Southwest in over a decade, and I even let my Companion Pass expire without much regret. With these new baggage fees and now flight credits expiring, I expect even more travelers will start looking at other airlines for better value.

What Do You Think?

This is undoubtedly a sad day for Southwest’s most loyal customers. Will this change affect your loyalty to the airline? Will you continue flying Southwest, or will you start exploring alternatives?

For full details, you can read Southwest’s official press release here.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments!