The period of free baggage on Southwest Airways is over … form of. The airline now costs bag charges for all flights, an unlucky change for Southwest and price range flyers who loved two free checked baggage on all flights.
In the event you test 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 will get free checked baggage as an alternative 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 whole enterprise mannequin in 2025 by including bag charges, extra-legroom seats, new fare lessons and seat choice.
These modifications make being a Southwest cardholder that rather more beneficial 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 data 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 supplied by the cardboard issuer.
In the event you fly Southwest a few instances a 12 months, the $99 annual charge Southwest Plus card could also be sufficient for you. By checking a bag 3 times a 12 months, you will utterly offset the price of this card.
Reward your inbox with the TPG Each day e-newsletter
Be a part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s specialists
Along with making it simple to test a bag on all Southwest flights with out paying a hefty annual charge, the entry-level card additionally supplies commonplace seat choice 48 hours earlier than departure (when obtainable).
If you need extra advantages past a free checked bag — akin to deciding on a most popular seat on the time of reserving — contemplate 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 Fast Rewards elite standing. A-Listing members will get one free checked bag, and A-Listing Most well-liked members will nonetheless get two free checked baggage.
In the event you’re a frequent Southwest flyer, elite standing will repay when it comes to baggage allowance. Simply ensure so as to add your Fast Rewards loyalty quantity when making your reservation to make sure your tier-related advantages kick in.
In actual fact, Southwest cardholders may use a unique non-Southwest card to pay for a flight whereas nonetheless benefiting from the free checked bag perk by making certain their Fast Rewards quantity is hooked up 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 baggage.
Do not let these modifications discourage you. Being a Southwest cardholder (or having the best elite standing) can nonetheless get you free checked baggage.
In the end, for those who’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 can assist you save tons of of {dollars} a 12 months.
Associated: Greatest Southwest Airways bank cards
