Southwest to start charging for bags

[thanxfornoticin]

Final straw for us. They used to be so great to fly with, and then they opted to keep getting bigger and international - and didn't seem to be able to handle that model. So the things that made them so appealing - low fares, checked bags included, rarely changing flight times after we booked, and even open seating - all gone now. Now they're a no frills airline with the higher prices. So sorry to see this and to almost write them off our list of companies

 

[Weedy]

Booked after May 28th
https://www.businessinsider.com/southwest-airlines-charging-check-bags-first-time-2025-3

 

[ScooterPie]

I always book and keep an eye out in the event point costs go down. Will I now be charged to rebook at the lower point cost?

 

[Disnsyncey]

fares booked that day or later, I was relieved to read

I have a May 24-June 1 trip

 

[RivGirl]

I always book and keep an eye out in the event point costs go down. Will I now be charged to rebook at the lower point cost?

No, I don’t think so. Changes are still free. But the flight credits you receive when you change to lower cost flight will now expire. 6mo for lowest tier (used to be Wanna Get Away, now called “Basic”) and 12 mo for next tier up, Wanna Get Away Plus. Top two tiers are still fully refundable so changes would be refunded in cash instead of flight credits; those haven’t changed.

EDIT: I was wrong - You cannot change a “Basic” fare with these new changes. So you have to book at least one tier up if you want the ability to rebook at lower price.

You can still cancel “Basic” for free, so outright cancelling and rebooking is an option…I suppose that could work out for using your flight credits within 6mo if you immediately rebook (assuming the credits are issued swiftly and there is still room on the flight)…but that just makes the process so much more convoluted than it currently is. I wonder if the main motivation on their end is to create a system that works more seamlessly with IcelandAir and other future partners…

 

[RivGirl]

I’m not happy with these changes, but I *just* earned Companion Pass through the end of 2026, and they’re the best carrier to MCO where I live, unless I want to do Frontier or Allegiant.

 

[lampshadehead]

Have you also noticed how many flights they have for each day from one destination? For the dates I'm keeping an eye on there's like 22 from my airport and half of them are staggered times to the same layover airport and then its all the same flight to the destination airport.
What I notice is as the date gets closer they start dropping the staggered duplicate flights to the layover airport so if you grab the cheapest flights yours is likely to be "changed" and then you can switch to any flight that h as space without being charged to change.
Why not just have less flights to begin with?

So many flights! I assume that they do change or cancel some of them. Not sure about their current rules for free changes. With Jetblue, if its less than three hours, no change for free, only a refund if you don't want to the new time.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Yep. Gotta book my upcoming trips before then. They're also changing their Rapid Rewards program.

 

[deckdmd]

They’ve also been trying to crack down on carryons. Having to pay for checked bags is only going to make the carryon situation worse.

 

[reddog21]

We usually just bring carry-on so it doesn't bother us. REALLY looking forward to the choose your own seating. We are DFW/Love so when we fly it's usually American or Southwest.

I wonder how much longer this won't carry a cost. On my last two flights, they ran out of overhead bin space. There were times when the flight attendant forcibly shoved a bag on top of mine, and I'm glad I didn't have anything breakable in it.

I'm getting close to just having my luggage shipped rather than deal with it on the plane.

 

[beccasmom]

I’m not really surprised at this change, but it is disappointing. We used to fly SWA pretty frequently from our home airport (PHL). However, the fares began to get less competitive and we lost many non-stop flights.

 

[Marrila]

I wonder how much longer this won't carry a cost. On my last two flights, they ran out of overhead bin space. There were times when the flight attendant forcibly shoved a bag on top of mine, and I'm glad I didn't have anything breakable in it.

I'm getting close to just having my luggage shipped rather than deal with it on the plane.

When they run out of space the additional carry ons will be checked. I would be surprised if they charge for this, I'm thinking it will be free.

 

[Suger Mag]

Final straw for us. They used to be so great to fly with, and then they opted to keep getting bigger and international - and didn't seem to be able to handle that model. So the things that made them so appealing - low fares, checked bags included, rarely changing flight times after we booked, and even open seating - all gone now. Now they're a no frills airline with the higher prices. So sorry to see this and to almost write them off our list of companies

us too... i used to book SW only, now I will def shop around as they are eliminating that which I liked for the fares I used

 

[Erica1016]

And adding expiration dates to flight credits.

 

[The Mayor]

Here's some of the other changes on the way. We haven't flown SW as much lately as the benefits of the Jet Blue Credit card and the fact that SW has cut so many non stops out of MHT that we mainly fly JB out of Logan.

• Customers will now earn more points on Business Select® fares.
• Points earned on Wanna Get Away® and Wanna Get Away Plus® fares will decrease.
• Southwest plans to introduce a new Basic fare, offering the lowest prices with fewer benefits.

Flight Credit Policy Changes​

Flight credits issued for tickets purchased on or after May 28, 2025, will now have expiration dates of one year or earlier, depending on the fare type.

More Upcoming Changes​

Southwest is also preparing to introduce:

• Assigned seating and extra legroom options.
• Expanded booking availability through Expedia as part of efforts to reach new customers.
• A partnership with Icelandair, which launched on February 13 alongside Southwest’s first-ever scheduled overnight redeye flights.

These changes may impact travel costs and planning decisions for Walt Disney World visitors who rely on Southwest for direct routes to Orlando International Airport.

 

[jdb in AZ]

And adding expiration dates to flight credits.

I'll be using over $200 in credits this spring. Use 'em or lose 'em.

 

[leebee]

I still can't figure out if I can make a reservation (on points) and change it if a better deal comes out or not. I'm not happy with Southwest and am wondering why I bother driving 2+ hours to get to an airport they service. They are becoming just like the legacy carriers.

 

[Sparrow'sLady]

EDIT: I was wrong - You cannot change a “Basic” fare with these new changes. So you have to book at least one tier up if you want the ability to rebook at lower price.

You can still cancel “Basic” for free, so outright cancelling and rebooking is an option…I suppose that could work out for using your flight credits within 6mo if you immediately rebook (assuming the credits are issued swiftly and there is still room on the flight)…but that just makes the process so much more convoluted than it currently is. I wonder if the main motivation on their end is to create a system that works more seamlessly with IcelandAir and other future partners…

So does this mean if I book with points and it drops 2500 points, I cannot get my points back unless I book WGA+ or higher?

 

[han22735]

So does this mean if I book with points and it drops 2500 points, I cannot get my points back unless I book WGA+ or higher?

Not sure we know this yet...I'm hopeful booking on points we will still get them back if fares drop. If I'm wrong on this then it will really make me have seconds thoughts on whether to keep my SW CC.

 

[Sparrow'sLady]

They’ve also been trying to crack down on carryons. Having to pay for checked bags is only going to make the carryon situation worse.

Leaving MCO, they need to do something about carry-ons. We see family after family boarding with more than the policy allows. Not just families, but couples and singles. We see them get on with a backpack, small carry bag and a 21" suitcase carry-on per person. Or they will have a suitcase. huge backpack they have to put in the overhead bin and a lightsaber. We have never seen the airline gate attendants say a word. Of course, they do not say anything other things that go against policy, so that is probably why. Maybe trying to avoid altercations.