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

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.