#southwest airlines checked baggage fees

Southwest Airlines Checked Baggage Fees Just Changed—Here’s Exactly What It Will Cost You in 2025

Hot Trendy News
southwest airlines checked baggage fees
The end of “Bags Fly Free”: Southwest introduces first-ever checked baggage fees Key points • Effective May 28 2025, passengers will pay $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second on most new tickets, ending Southwest’s 53-year “two bags free” policy. • Oversize items (over 62 linear inches) will cost $200; overweight bags (51-70 lb) remain $150 and 71-100 lb rise to $200. • Fees apply to tickets booked or changed on or after May 28; existing reservations keep the old two-bag allowance. Why the change now? Southwest reported a $149 million Q1 loss and said charging for bags could add more than $1 billion in annual revenue, putting it in line with competitors that already collect billions from ancillary fees. Analysts note that every $5 increase in average fare revenue per passenger could swing the carrier back to profitability. Who is exempt? • A-List Preferred and Rapid Rewards Premier cardholders still receive two free checked bags. • Military on active duty and travelers connecting from international partner airlines keep current allowances. • Wheelchairs, child-safety seats, and strollers remain free to check. Money-saving strategies for travelers 1. Book before May 28 if your travel dates are firm; the legacy allowance stays attached to your record. 2. Use a co-branded Rapid Rewards® credit card to offset fees via statement credits. 3. Pack in a larger carry-on (Southwest still permits one 24 in × 16 in × 10 in carry-on plus one personal item for free). 4. Split gear: golf clubs and skis count as one checked bag; share a travel bag with a companion to stay under 50 lb. 5. Join loyalty status challenges—earning A-List in just three round-trips waives the new fees for 12 months. How Southwest’s new prices compare • Delta/United: $35 first bag, $45 second on domestic economy. • American: $40 first bag if paid at airport, $35 online. • Frontier/Spirit: dynamic pricing can exceed $90 per bag at the gate. Even with the fee, Southwest continues to undercut most rivals on a two-bag itinerary by $40–$70 round-trip. Customer reaction and what’s next Social media sentiment is mixed: frequent fliers decry the end of a brand hallmark, while investors welcomed the stock’s 6 % pre-market jump after the announcement. Travel advocacy groups predict fee hikes across the industry as airlines test consumer tolerance. Bottom line Southwest’s checked bag fee marks a historic pivot for the once fee-averse airline. Travelers booking summer and holiday trips should factor the new charges into vacation budgets and explore credit card perks or status shortcuts to keep costs in check.

Share This Story

Twitter Facebook

More Trending Stories

a1Y3qSbKCAM948hMZubSqK2VQ3mZ2gVRpQ9rl1arA9quCHgwKZARAAoPT2Jquo6U.png
#iphone 17 6/7/2025

iPhone 17 Leak: Release Date, Price, and Game-Changing Features Revealed

Apple’s 2025 iPhone 17 lineup is already generating buzz thanks to a flood of early leaks and analyst reports. Below is a concise roundup of everythin...

Read Full Story
9kTmXMXOVMF9v7HVRNXp1pfkTFuKgGvg0062uksxzMwsUSnUg0ooPSDsuszbJsqs.png
#capcom resident evil requiem 6/7/2025

Capcom’s Resident Evil Requiem: Release Date Rumors, Gameplay Leaks & Official Trailer Breakdown

Capcom just pulled back the curtain on Resident Evil Requiem, the next mainline entry—informally Resident Evil 9—and survival-horror fans already have...

Read Full Story
eib1h6wBWILm5XHnGvED401rG48vG5mNuF5GTpG9otcvVLF7WMimgdelKwTz4RVx.png
#thomas frank 6/6/2025

Thomas Frank’s Next Move: Brentford Manager Plots Bold Transfers After Historic Premier League Season

Tottenham Hotspur have opened preliminary talks with intermediaries representing Brentford manager Thomas Frank as they prepare for the possibility of...

Read Full Story