Post all SW questions concerns, etc. here...

[eticketplease]

It has been verified as accurate.

Can't find it on SW site but have seen it on usa today and CBS

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/southwest-airlines-new-checked-bag-fee-35/

 

[disneylover81]

For clarity… are seats able to be chosen for flights booked for next year until 1/26/26 or is the only thing starting tomorrow the changes with the expiration dates/baggage fees going into effect? It says on their website, the next release date is 7/29/25 for flights through 3/4/26. I’m assuming that’s still correct? I will be booking flights for early February when available, but if anything is going to affect me tomorrow, I’ll be sure to get up early so I can pick a seat up front.
I also have to figure out which SWA card serves us best to use in the future to get the best benefits. We have 3 of them between DH and I. I am glad for the assigned seating, but I don’t like having to figure out changes in ways I am used to doing things.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

For clarity… are seats able to be chosen for flights booked for next year until 1/26/26 or is the only thing starting tomorrow the changes with the expiration dates/baggage fees going into effect? It says on their website, the next release date is 7/29/25 for flights through 3/4/26. I’m assuming that’s still correct? I will be booking flights for early February when available, but if anything is going to affect me tomorrow, I’ll be sure to get up early so I can pick a seat up front.
I also have to figure out which SWA card serves us best to use in the future to get the best benefits. We have 3 of them between DH and I. I am glad for the assigned seating, but I don’t like having to figure out changes in ways I am used to doing things.

No assigned seating tomorrow. We still don't have a firm date for that yet.

I assume that it's planned to be with the 7/29 drop but they haven't made it official.

 

[dobball23]

At first glance, fares seem to be about the same today (of course, that doesn't factor in an additional $35 for a bag).

 

[EACarlson]

I got an alert from Google Flights yesterday that my September flight went down. I ended up getting $70 back, I was shocked when that was the result.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

At first glance, fares seem to be about the same today (of course, that doesn't factor in an additional $35 for a bag).

Agreed, looks exactly the same to me. No significant movement on any of my stuff.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Not seeing much change in fare, but the verbiage in each fare category has me confused. To be safe I'd probably book the next higher fare after basic. You get more points at least.

 

[eticketplease]

Not seeing much change in fare, but the verbiage in each fare category has me confused. To be safe I'd probably book the next higher fare after basic. You get more points at least.

Yes and the credit expires 6 months later than the basic one and is transferable if you can't use it.

 

[EACarlson]

Yes and the credit expires 6 months later than the basic one and is transferable if you can't use it.

And is changeable. Your only option with the basic is to cancel. Not a great idea if you've purchased EBCI or paid for seats when that becomes available.

 

[BrightMorningStar]

Can't find it on SW site but have seen it on usa today and CBS

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/southwest-airlines-new-checked-bag-fee-35/

https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/travel-fees.html

 

[eticketplease]

https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/travel-fees.html

Thanks link was not live yesterday with updated info. It just had stuff about 3rd bag, overweight bags etc but still had mentions of the 2 free bags.

 

[eticketplease]

Interesting Hawaiian residents continue to receive free bags between the islands.

 

[Craig Larson]

Did WGA+ upgrade price change as well? I could have sworn it was only $20 before and now it's $40. So, not only did the "cheap" fare stay the same, the next option up went up on top of having to pay for baggage? The value is absolutely gone.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Interesting Hawaiian residents continue to receive free bags between the islands.

Hawaii has shown there's issues there with staying competitive with even Hawaiian Airlines having issues. I think it's in their best interests if they want to maintain a foothold there to make allowances due to the geographic and logistical uniqueness there.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Did WGA+ upgrade price change as well? I could have sworn it was only $20 before and now it's $40. So, not only did the "cheap" fare stay the same, the next option up went up on top of having to pay for baggage? The value is absolutely gone.

I haven't looked myself but unfortunately that would make sense if that is now across the board. As with other airlines that have basic or basic-like fare classes you have to actually differentiate the cost enough so that the true price sensitive passenger will pick the basic and actually see something tangible (the cost) to do it.

While we continued to book WGA (in points though) for our flights my husband would often book WGA+ when he would travel for work "because it's only a bit more" and his work was paying for it and that mentality isn't going to serve the airline enough on having a basic or basic-like fare. Making the price difference higher between the two would mean the more casual customer of SWA could be more likely to book that. For us who have enough points left I don't think we'll book Basic (formerly WGA) ever again as it's limitations are too limited.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

I only imagine the overhead bins will now be at maximum capacity for sure. The bins already seem full.

 

[focusondisney]

I only imagine the overhead bins will now be at maximum capacity for sure. The bins already seem full.

They need to enforce the carry on restrictions. Stop the oversized bags & people with 3 disney souvenir bags.

 

[EACarlson]

Did WGA+ upgrade price change as well? I could have sworn it was only $20 before and now it's $40. So, not only did the "cheap" fare stay the same, the next option up went up on top of having to pay for baggage? The value is absolutely gone.

That actually happened last week. I'm sure it was in preparation for this.

 

[EACarlson]

Yes in this case the flight credit will expire based on the fare types you purchased and as @focusondisney found it will also be when you purchased it.

From your link “ Flight credits and Transferable Flight Credits™ created from tickets purchased or changed on or after May 28, 2025 will have a specified expiration date of one year or less depending on the fare purchased. All travel booked with a flight credit or Transferable Flight Credit™ that expires must be completed by that expiration date.”

The PP was asking about cancellation of tickets after May 28th which would be a change in my eyes therefore making the credit expire based on the other rules which incorporates the fare type is the way I was reading it. I would be happy if it is incorrect and a non expiration flight credit is issued.

Reports on FlyerTalk is that I was correct. Cancellation yesterday of a pre 5/28 booked WGA flight returned a travel credit with no expiration date.

 

[eticketplease]

Reports on FlyerTalk is that I was correct. Cancellation yesterday of a pre 5/28 booked WGA flight returned a travel credit with no expiration date.

Good to hear!!