The period of free baggage on Southwest Airways is over … form of. The airline now expenses bag fees for all flights, an unlucky change for Southwest and funds flyers who loved two free checked baggage on all flights.
In the event you examine a bag as a rule and Southwest is your service of alternative, we suggest making use of for one of many airline’s cobranded playing cards (which had been refreshed in July of 2025).
This fashion, you may 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 entire business model in 2025 by including bag charges, extra-legroom seats, new fare courses and seat choice.
These adjustments make being a Southwest cardholder that rather more priceless since cardmembers now obtain one checked bag freed from cost. This perk additionally applies to as much as eight companions touring with the principle cardholder on the identical reservation.
Eligible bank cards that provide a free checked bag for Southwest flights embrace:
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 offered by the cardboard issuer.
In the event you fly Southwest a few instances a yr, the $99 annual charge Southwest Plus card could also be sufficient for you. By checking a bag thrice a yr, you may utterly offset the price of this card.
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Along with making it simple to examine a bag on all Southwest flights with out paying a hefty annual charge, the entry-level card additionally offers commonplace seat choice 48 hours earlier than departure (when obtainable).
In order for you further advantages past a free checked bag — comparable to choosing a most well-liked seat on the time of reserving — think about different playing cards just like the Southwest Precedence or the Southwest Efficiency Enterprise.
Elite standing
One other approach to get a free checked bag or two is with Southwest Rapid Rewards elite status. A-Record members will get one free checked bag, and A-Record Most well-liked 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 be certain that so as to add your Rapid Rewards loyalty quantity when making your reservation to make sure your tier-related advantages kick in.
In reality, Southwest cardholders may also use a special non-Southwest card to pay for a flight whereas nonetheless profiting from 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 adjustments discourage you. Being a Southwest cardholder (or having the precise elite standing) can nonetheless get you free checked baggage.
Finally, if you happen to’re dedicated to Southwest however aren’t a cardholder, it is best to use for a Southwest bank card. In the event you fly usually or as a household, a Southwest bank card might help you save tons of of {dollars} a yr.
Associated: Best Southwest Airlines credit cards