SWA & bag fees

[Pinnochio]

This past weekend I changed my original flight home to Ct. on SWA....The ticket was purchased prior to 5/28.....the change occurred on 6/7......I hit the change link and proceeded to pay the extra dollars associated with the fare change on my phone.....At the airport I proceeded to the kiosk to check my bags and print my boarding pass...... a $35 per bag charge appeared.....I assumed I would not be charged a bag fee since the original purchase was prior to 5/28 and while making the change via my phone there was no mention of a bag charge.....Assumed wrong!.....

So for anyone looking to make changes, don't unless you have to otherwise be prepared for the bag charges....

 

[Simba's Mom]

That's why, after 5/28, I haven't even looked at the SWA sales, as I used to periodically, to see if my fare's gone down for 2 flights I have upcoming, that I originally booked prior to the date. I was afraid of this happening, but I wasn't sure. You just verified it. Thank you, although I'm sorry.

 

[Disnsyncey]

This past weekend I changed my original flight home to Ct. on SWA....The ticket was purchased prior to 5/28.....the change occurred on 6/7......I hit the change link and proceeded to pay the extra dollars associated with the fare change on my phone.....At the airport I proceeded to the kiosk to check my bags and print my boarding pass...... a $35 per bag charge appeared.....I assumed I would not be charged a bag fee since the original purchase was prior to 5/28 and while making the change via my phone there was no mention of a bag charge.....Assumed wrong!.....

So for anyone looking to make changes, don't unless you have to otherwise be prepared for the bag charges....

yeah, every time I used to "change" my flight back in the day, it treated it like it was a new purchase.....sad.....but I squeezed my last points redemption out this last trip so I don't have any more to spend and I don't need to buy any more!

 

[TinkAgainU]

I've looked at flights every day (for January) but have not purchased either cash or add-on points. The new cancellation terms where the cash or points expire 6-12 months after purchase have me too nervous to book I might not even do the trip now.

 

[Sparrow'sLady]

This past weekend I changed my original flight home to Ct. on SWA....The ticket was purchased prior to 5/28.....the change occurred on 6/7......I hit the change link and proceeded to pay the extra dollars associated with the fare change on my phone.....At the airport I proceeded to the kiosk to check my bags and print my boarding pass...... a $35 per bag charge appeared.....I assumed I would not be charged a bag fee since the original purchase was prior to 5/28 and while making the change via my phone there was no mention of a bag charge.....Assumed wrong!.....

So for anyone looking to make changes, don't unless you have to otherwise be prepared for the bag charges....

SWA made it very clear in their language from the announcement date on their website that passengers would be charged bag fees for any changes made on/after 5/28/2025.

https://support.southwest.com/helpcenter/s/article/policy-changes

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

Southwest's checked bag policy​

NOTE: We will not charge standard checked bag fees for your first or second checked bag for any reservations booked and ticketed and/or changed on or before May 27, 2025, regardless of your travel date (weight and size limits apply).


For reservations booked and ticketed and/or voluntarily changed (including name updates or changes to a ticket) on or after May 28, 2025, checked baggage fees apply to Basic, Wanna Get Away Plus®, and Anytime fares. Business Select® fares continue to receive two free checked bags. Rapid Rewards® A-List Preferred Members receive their first and second checked bags for free. A-List Members and Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers receive only their first checked bag for free. Hawaii residents1 traveling between the islands continue to receive two free checked bags. Checked bag benefits will not apply on flights booked with a partner carrier. Weight and size limits apply. Additional allowances, benefits, and/or exceptions may apply.


**Personal comment: if we are giving them more money for a flight, I feel they should continue to waive that bag fee for flights booked prior to 5/28/2025.

 

[stinkpickle]

I noticed our July flights dropped in price quite a bit after 5/28, but not enough to cover the bag fees. They almost caught me.

 

[leebee]

I'm just using up my SW points and then will be done. I'll keep the credit cards only until I am done flying SW. Then? Time to find another airline, preferably at an airport that is closer to home.

 

[Tink3815]

Points do not have an expire date when they go back into your account.

 

[MIChessGuy]

Southwest advised me today that my return flight from Orlando (which I booked under the 'old regime') had a schedule change. They say I can book another flight at no additional cost if the schedule change is unacceptable. But, does that mean only no additional cost to the airfare? They will still get me for baggage fees on the return flight since I am making a change under the new regime? I could not figure out whether this was different from somebody changing their flight just because they feel like it. I would be doing it strictly in reaction to an airline-imposed schedule change. If they will assess a baggage fee, I won't do anything.

 

[Craig Larson]

Southwest advised me today that my return flight from Orlando (which I booked under the 'old regime') had a schedule change. They say I can book another flight at no additional cost if the schedule change is unacceptable. But, does that mean only no additional cost to the airfare? They will still get me for baggage fees on the return flight since I am making a change under the new regime? I could not figure out whether this was different from somebody changing their flight just because they feel like it. I would be doing it strictly in reaction to an airline-imposed schedule change. If they will assess a baggage fee, I won't do anything.

I do think this was the only remaining open question. What happens with red banner changes. I'd assume the itinerary they move you to continues under the old fare rules, but if you change on your own it is voluntary and likely changes to the new rules.

 

[Lewisc]

SWA made it very clear in their language from the announcement date on their website that passengers would be charged bag fees for any changes made on/after 5/28/2025.

SDC to your outbound flight results in being charged baggage fees for your return flight. This wasn't clear to many of us.

 

[EACarlson]

Southwest advised me today that my return flight from Orlando (which I booked under the 'old regime') had a schedule change. They say I can book another flight at no additional cost if the schedule change is unacceptable. But, does that mean only no additional cost to the airfare? They will still get me for baggage fees on the return flight since I am making a change under the new regime? I could not figure out whether this was different from somebody changing their flight just because they feel like it. I would be doing it strictly in reaction to an airline-imposed schedule change. If they will assess a baggage fee, I won't do anything.

My belief is that if you make that change, you will agree to the new terms, including baggage fees. That is what actually triggers the baggage fees. As of now, you haven't agreed to new terms, they've altered the terms. I don't believe we've seen it happen yet so there are no data points out there.

SDC to your outbound flight results in being charged baggage fees for your return flight. This wasn't clear to many of us.

It was entirely logical and the suggestion was certainly made both here and on FlyerTalk that would be the case.

 

[MIChessGuy]

My belief is that if you make that change, you will agree to the new terms, including baggage fees. That is what actually triggers the baggage fees. As of now, you haven't agreed to new terms, they've altered the terms. I don't believe we've seen it happen yet so there are no data points out there.

It was entirely logical and the suggestion was certainly made both here and on FlyerTalk that would be the case.

Thank you, that was my take on this as well. The language in their email about 'no additional charge' if I rebook the return was not particularly reassuring, to say the least.

 

[Pinnochio]

Southwest advised me today that my return flight from Orlando (which I booked under the 'old regime') had a schedule change. They say I can book another flight at no additional cost if the schedule change is unacceptable. But, does that mean only no additional cost to the airfare? They will still get me for baggage fees on the return flight since I am making a change under the new regime? I could not figure out whether this was different from somebody changing their flight just because they feel like it. I would be doing it strictly in reaction to an airline-imposed schedule change. If they will assess a baggage fee, I won't do anything.

no to both....they did this to me as well with no additional charges

 

[Pinnochio]

**Personal comment: if we are giving them more money for a flight, I feel they should continue to waive that bag fee for flights booked prior to 5/28/2025.

agreed

 

[Pinnochio]

I've looked at flights every day (for January) but have not purchased either cash or add-on points. The new cancellation terms where the cash or points expire 6-12 months after purchase have me too nervous to book I might not even do the trip now.

do the trip....have fun

 

[TinkAgainU]

do the trip....have fun

Challenge is knowing what my schedule/life will look like months from now. With better cancellation terms, I feel comfortable adding some extra hotel nights, and flight for a "likely trip" - but have not got the budget to risk on non-refundable options... I miss the days when budgets were not Such a big part of my planning lol.

 

[keishashadow]

My belief is that if you make that change, you will agree to the new terms, including baggage fees.

When looking at rates yesterday, noticed a flight change of a half hour earlier on flight home Dec 12

Not normally an issue, this time we were already cutting it very close flying home same day our cruise disembarks

Called in & noted the change & that we didn't receive the typical email advisory...where you could click thru it & change to a replacement flight (up to 2 times)

Was told:

1. It's months away, may very well change multiple times between now & then

&

2. Since I bought wanna get away seat fares JIK ship ran into fog etc & delayed, could change flights up until 10 min prior to departure

Yes, true! However, I wanted to know what happened if I changed the flight today or prior to the flight

Was told, that would be considered a voluntary flight change & would trigger new rules



Pushed back, rep reiterated u have to wait for email IDK about that???

Also, asked Q re potential luggage charges in that event

Her response: if you make a voluntary change, new rules apply. If u change new flight with different departure time thru the email (no up charge) There would be no luggage fees & trip would fall under old rules

It gets better:

In response to My 3rd Q re booking new flights & luggage charge CC credits:

Passengers need to make sure their SWA/chase branded CC is linked to their RR account

Even if u r an authorized user, with CC in ur own name, on somebody else's account; u qualify for the luggage credit. Even if the cardholder doesn't fly

When u check in bags @ the counter, the agent will verify u r entitled to the complimentary bag. Told a good idea to bring the physical CC along

Also, cardholder is entitled to claim the luggage perk for up to a total of 8 pp, whose tix they purchased

The following comment threw me,
rep insisted:

-u do not have to use a SWA CC to purchase the actual flights in order to get the luggage fee waived upon checkin...as long as u have a SWA CC linked to ur RR account

-also, flights booked with credits, points & point+cash are eligible for the luggage fee waiver for SWA Cc holders

 

[MIChessGuy]

Also, asked Q re potential luggage charges in that event

Her response: if you make a voluntary change, new rules apply. If u change new flight with different departure time thru the email (no up charge) There would be no luggage fees & trip would fall under old rules

So it sounds like responding directly "through" their email is considered an involuntary change that does not trigger bag fees. While that could be true, I have very little confidence that it would go that way at the airport. I envision myself standing there with the bag 4fee showing and then waiting around 45 minutes to be told they won't do anything about it. That's what 40+ years of flying has done to my attitude towards airline customer service.

 

[keishashadow]

While that could be true, I have very little confidence that it would go that way at the airport

My thots in the same boat (plane).

I have nothing in writing to back up the convo Even if rep was accurate, SWA could easily change the new/existing terms down the road to negate any LUV still
Floating about

We have enough points & credits to take us thru good portion of '26 on SWA.

After that will consider flying Allegiant more often. The Mr gets seat assignments & complimentary luggage perks as he was military

Would fly them more, just that every flight we've been on has been late or had equipment issue. When they only fly a couple days a week from our area to SFB that could be a huge issue

not a fan of of their inconvenient flight times & that fog laden AM drive to SFB either

Spirit only other NS option for us into MCO They've cancelled on us multiple times after repeated gate delays @ MCO for afternoon/evening flights to PIT & LBE

It's truly the lesser of the 3 evils at this point lol