[News Update📢] Southwest Ends Its Free Bag Policy

Southwest Ends Its Free Bag Policy: What Travelers Need to Know (and Why the Companion Pass Still Makes Sense)🛫🧳

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

Yesterday marked the end of an era in U.S. air travel: Southwest Airlines has officially ended its “Two Bags Fly Free” policy. This defining feature, long celebrated by budget-conscious travelers and frequent flyers alike, is no longer standard.

As of May 28, 2025, anyone booking a new flight with Southwest will now face standard checked baggage fees. Those who were lucky enough to book before May 28th will still get the perk. Here’s a breakdown of the new costs and what it means for you.

💼 New Baggage Fees

• First checked bag: $35

• Second checked bag: $45

• These fees apply to all new bookings made from May 28th forward, regardless of travel date.

For an airline that proudly built its reputation on simplicity and value, this is a significant shift—and for many loyal customers, it may feel like a betrayal of what made Southwest stand out from the pack.\

🎯 Who Still Gets Free Checked Bags?

Not all travelers will be impacted equally. Here’s who still enjoys waived baggage fees:

• Business Select fare holders and Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred members:
  ➤ Two free checked bags

• A-List members and Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card holders:
  ➤ One free checked bag

• Travel companions on the same booking as any of the above also benefit from the same baggage allowance.

If you’re in one of these categories, the changes might not hit you quite as hard. But for the average flyer? Expect to pay up.

🧾 Basic Economy & Assigned Seating — More Changes Ahead

This baggage policy shift is part of a broader overhaul of Southwest’s fare structure and onboard experience:

• New Basic Economy Fares (replacing “Wanna Get Away”):
  ➤ These lower-priced tickets do not allow flight changes, don’t include advance seat selection, and expire if canceled.

• Assigned Seating Coming in 2026:
  ➤ Southwest is moving away from its signature open-seating policy. Passengers will be assigned seats starting early next year.

For fans of Southwest’s laid-back, no-frills boarding process, that’s yet another major change.

✈️ Is Southwest Still Worth It?

For many, this change will be a tipping point — especially for those who loved the simplicity and value of the old model. But if you're a frequent Southwest traveler, especially from one of their major hub airports (like Dallas Love Field, Denver, Phoenix, Las Vegas, or Chicago Midway), there are still some strong incentives to stay loyal.

👉 Personally, I still think having a Southwest credit card is absolutely worth it — especially because of one major perk: the Companion Pass. When you earn it, you can bring a designated companion with you for free (plus taxes and fees) on every flight you take for the rest of this year and the entire next year.

That’s two full years of BOGO flights, which can easily save you thousands if you travel even a few times per year. Pair that with one free checked bag (if you’re a cardholder), and the value still holds up — even with the loss of the two-bag policy.

And if you live near a major Southwest hub and travel with them frequently, the Companion Pass makes even more sense. You’ll likely get more value from that one benefit than any lost perk could take away.

📝 Stay tuned — I’ll be posting a full guide soon on how to earn and maximize the Southwest Companion Pass, including tips, timelines, and the best card options to get you there fast.

🧳 Final Thoughts

There’s no denying this is a big change for Southwest—and for the many travelers who’ve relied on it for affordable, flexible flying. While it’s sad to see a beloved perk disappear, there are still ways to make Southwest work for you, especially if you optimize credit card benefits and take advantage of the Companion Pass.

What do you think? Is this the end of the road with Southwest, or just a sign of the times? Drop your thoughts below. 👇