The period of free baggage on Southwest Airways is over … sort of. The airline now expenses bag charges for all flights, an unlucky change for Southwest and finances flyers who loved two free checked baggage on all flights.
In the event you verify a bag as a rule and Southwest is your service of selection, we advocate making use of for one of many airline’s cobranded playing cards (which had been refreshed in July of 2025).
This fashion, 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 complete enterprise mannequin in 2025 by including bag charges, extra-legroom seats, new fare courses and seat choice.
These modifications make being a Southwest cardholder that rather more useful 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 supply a free checked bag for Southwest flights embody:
The data 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 occasions 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 simple to verify a bag on all Southwest flights with out paying a hefty annual payment, the entry-level card additionally supplies commonplace seat choice 48 hours earlier than departure (when accessible).
If you need further advantages past a free checked bag — similar to deciding on a most popular seat on the time of reserving — take into account different playing cards just like the Southwest Precedence or the Southwest Efficiency Enterprise.
Elite standing
One other strategy 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 baggage.
In the event you’re a frequent Southwest flyer, elite standing will repay when it comes to baggage allowance. Simply make certain 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 special non-Southwest card to pay for a flight whereas nonetheless making the most of the free checked bag perk by guaranteeing their Speedy 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 precise elite standing) can nonetheless get you free checked baggage.
Finally, when you’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 may also help you save tons of of {dollars} a 12 months.
Associated: Greatest Southwest Airways bank cards
