Southwest Rebrands Fare Options and Adds Perks for Elites and Cardholders
Southwest Airlines has revealed more news about its upcoming changes. The airline has now announced new fare products, as well as new benefits for its Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers and Tier Members.
The new fare bundles, which include seating, checked bag and boarding options, will be available for booking starting sometime in the third quarter for flights scheduled to depart in 2026.
The new fare products will be named Choice Extra, Choice Preferred, and Choice (formerly Business Select, Anytime, and Wanna Get Away Plus). The Wanna Get Away fare class will become Southwest’s Basic fare, beginning May 28.
Southwest is also offering new benefits to Southwest Rapid Rewards Cardmembers who will have the opportunity to select a seat, regardless of fare type purchased, receive earlier boarding and their first checked bag free (for up to eight additional passengers traveling on the same reservation).
Southwest is also adding additional benefits to A-List and A-List Preferred Tier Members, including preferred seating, checked bags (for up to eight additional passengers traveling on the same reservation), earlier boarding, and other inflight experience enhancements.
All checked bag benefits for Tier Members and Credit Cardmembers begin on May 28, and seating and boarding benefits will roll out when Southwest begins selling and operating with assigned seating.
As a reminder, the airline said earlier this year that it will end its “bags fly free” policy beginning May 28.
