Southwest increases charge for 3rd bag, overweight bags

[Tara]

Lastly, we are increasing the charge to check a third bag and heavy bags onboard our aircraft. Don’t worry, you can still check two pieces of luggage for free on Southwest Airlines-- that has not changed--but beginning June 17, Southwest will increase the amount currently charged to check overweight bags weighing 51 to 70 pounds and excess luggage from $25 per bag to $50 per bag. All other checked baggage policies and charges remain the same.

They are also going to charge a $25 administrative fee each way for unaccompanied minors.

 

[ms.ojo]

We are a family of 4 and usually travel w/ 3 checked bags. They have never charged us for the 3rd as I assume they "credit" 2 bags to dh and 1 bag to me so we are under the limit of 2 bags/person. Is that still the case?

As for the weight....is 50lbs the std "overweight" fee??? I could have sworn that kicked in at 60lbs before. My friend was over and had to do some last minute repacking to get under the limit in both of her cases.

Thanks for the heads up!

 

[kevgraub]

We are a family of 4 and usually travel w/ 3 checked bags. They have never charged us for the 3rd as I assume they "credit" 2 bags to dh and 1 bag to me so we are under the limit of 2 bags/person. Is that still the case?

As for the weight....is 50lbs the std "overweight" fee??? I could have sworn that kicked in at 60lbs before. My friend was over and had to do some last minute repacking to get under the limit in both of her cases.

Thanks for the heads up!

It is 2 bags per person that has a ticket. So for your family of 4 (assuming there are no lap children), you can check in 8 bags before you are faced with the excess baggage fee.

As for the weight, I think 50 lbs is pretty much the standard anymore on checked bags. Be glad, in China it is 42 pounds!

 

[ms.ojo]

Thank you!

 

[n2mm]

Yes 50 lbs is the standard on most airlines. 2 weeks ago I weighed in at Jetblue at 50.1 and the rep said she'll let it go. They are very strict on the bag weight.

 

[sorul82?]

And they are allowing pets....I posted the link in another thread.

 

[61292cna]

Before my last trip my bag felt really heavy, so the afternoon before my flight I went to the local UPS store & they weighed it for me turned out to be only 43 pounds, lucky me!!!

 

[CarolA]

Hmm... the beginning of the end of "no fees"?

 

[WillCAD]

Hmm... the beginning of the end of "no fees"?

I doubt it. SWA has always charged a fee for the 3rd bag and for overweight bags.