The period of free luggage on Southwest Airways is over … form of. The airline now prices bag charges for all flights, an unlucky change for Southwest and price range flyers who loved two free checked luggage on all flights.
In the event you examine a bag as a rule and Southwest is your service 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 fashion, you will get free checked luggage as a substitute 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 complete enterprise mannequin in 2025 by including bag charges, extra-legroom seats, new fare courses and seat choice.
These adjustments make being a Southwest cardholder that rather more invaluable since cardmembers now obtain one checked bag freed from cost. This perk additionally applies to as much as eight companions touring with the primary cardholder on the identical reservation.
Eligible bank cards that provide a free checked bag for Southwest flights embody:
The knowledge for the Southwest Speedy 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 payment Southwest Plus card could also be sufficient for you. By checking a bag thrice a 12 months, you will utterly offset the price of this card.
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Along with making it straightforward to examine a bag on all Southwest flights with out paying a hefty annual payment, the entry-level card additionally offers commonplace seat choice 48 hours earlier than departure (when obtainable).
In order for you further advantages past a free checked bag — comparable to deciding on a most well-liked seat on the time of reserving — think about 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 Speedy Rewards elite standing. A-Listing members will get one free checked bag, and A-Listing Most popular members will nonetheless get two free checked luggage.
In the event you’re a frequent Southwest flyer, elite standing will repay by way of baggage allowance. Simply be certain that so as to add your Speedy Rewards loyalty quantity when making your reservation to make sure your tier-related advantages kick in.
In truth, Southwest cardholders can even use a unique non-Southwest card to pay for a flight whereas nonetheless profiting from the free checked bag perk by making certain their Speedy Rewards quantity is connected 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 luggage.
Do not let these adjustments discourage you. Being a Southwest cardholder (or having the suitable elite standing) can nonetheless get you free checked luggage.
Finally, 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 typically or as a household, a Southwest bank card will help you save a whole bunch of {dollars} a 12 months.
Associated: Finest Southwest Airways bank cards
