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Southwest Airlines

Southwest Gets Rid of Free Checked Bags, Introduces Basic Economy

DDG
DDG

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Major Southwest Changes Coming Soon

Major Southwest Changes Coming Soon

Southwest Airlines revealed on Tuesday it would start charging for checked bags, ending a unique policy that is well loved by customers.

The airline is also making other changes aimed at boosting profitability, such as introducing a Basic fare, flight credit expiration, and variable redemption rates.

No More Free Checked Bags for Everyone

After 54 years, Southwest will stop offering free checked bag for everyone.

For tickets purchased on or after May 28, many Southwest customers will have to start paying to check bags, but exact pricing has yet to be revealed.

There are some exceptions. Rapid Rewards® A-List Preferred members and customers traveling on Business Select® fares with still get their two free checked bags, and A-List members will get one free checked bag.

Southwest Rapid Rewards cardmembers will also get one free checked bag.

Wanna Get Away Becomes Basic

Southwest will offer a new, basic economy fare which replaces Wanna Get Away. This is a fare class that rival airlines have offered for years, and Southwest will start selling these  tickets on May 28, 2025.

a table with a list of flights

So what does a basic fare look like? These tickets will earn 2X points (previously 6X), and you do not get free changes.

Other Changes

  • Flight credits issued for tickets purchased on or after May 28, 2025 will expire one year (6 months for Basic fares) from the date of ticketing.
  • Southwest Rapid Rewards, the carrier’s loyalty program, will also introduce variable redemption rates across higher-demand and lower-demand flights.

Conclusion

Southwest has now taken away almost everything customers ever loved about the airline. They’re no longer a low cost carrier and they don’t offer may of the unique benefits they used to have. Yes the Companion Pass is still there, but for how long?

Shocked? No surprised at all? Let us know in the comments!

Disclosure: Miles to Memories has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Miles to Memories and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

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DDG
DDGhttp://dannydealguru.com
Based in NYC. Points/miles enthusiast for years and actively writing about it for the last 6+ years at Danny the Deal Guru. I'm always looking out for deals. Making a few bucks is always nice, but the traveling is by far the best part of this business.

Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

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At Miles to Memories we share the best tips, tricks and deals plus travel rants, musings, hotel, airline and loyalty program reviews and a lot more! Our goal is to help people save money so they can get out there and travel the world! Through our various blog posts, podcasts & videos we teach others how to maximize loyalty rewards, hotel & airline programs and credit cards to achieve amazing things.

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