Is Southwest still offering free checked bags?
Key Takeaways. Southwest no longer offers two free checked bags to all travel tiers. Some travelers, like A-List Preferred or Business Select members, still qualify for waived fees. New fees apply to lower fare classes like Basic, Wanna Get Away Plus, and Anytime, while higher-tier fares still include two checked bags. Anyone who checks a third bag (or more) will pay $150 per bag except for active-duty military members. A customer can check as many as 20 bags as long as there is not an embargo for that specific flight or destination for weight or number of bags. You can check the Southwest website for a list of these restrictions.Starting May 28, Southwest Airlines will end its blanket “two bags fly free” policy and charge $35 for a first checked bag and $45 to check a second, with some exceptions. May May27 27 EFFECTIVE EFFECTIVE(MAY (MAY 28), .For southwest baggage information and pricing, please visit the optional travel charges page. Maximum weight is 50 pounds and maximum size is 62 inches (length + width + height) per checked piece of luggage.Fees will start at $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second bag. The policy ends more than half a century of two bags fly free for all passengers. Travelers with Southwest credit cards or who book in the highest classes of service can still check bags without paying a fee.
What is the new baggage policy for Southwest?
Previously, Southwest was unique as the only major U. S. Now, its new policy brings it in line with competitors such as American, Delta, and United Airlines, each charging between $35 and $40 for a first checked bag and $45 to $50 for a second. Checked Baggage Policy: Southwest charges $35 for a first checked bag and $45 for a second checked bag (weight and size limits apply).Southwest recently began selling on third-party sites for the first time. From this, CEO Bob Jordan said the airline found that customers were picking tickets based on fare, not perks like free checked bags, hence the decision to change the policy.Choice Extra fares, Rapid Rewards® A-List Preferred members, and Getaways by Southwest™ Customers receive two free checked bags. A-List members and Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers only receive their first checked bag for free. Checked bag benefits will not apply on flights booked with a partner carrier.
How to avoid Southwest bag fees?
Elite status members and certain fare types will still receive at least one free checked bag, while top-tier elites and premium fares retain two. Passengers can avoid or offset baggage fees through elite status, specific travel rewards cards, or by packing within carry-on limits. Southwest Airlines (WN) allows 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item (purse, briefcase, laptop bag) per passenger fee free.Choice Extra fares, Rapid Rewards® A-List Preferred members, and Getaways by Southwest™ Customers receive two free checked bags. A-List members and Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers only receive their first checked bag for free. Checked bag benefits will not apply on flights booked with a partner carrier.Southwest recently began selling on third-party sites for the first time. From this, CEO Bob Jordan said the airline found that customers were picking tickets based on fare, not perks like free checked bags, hence the decision to change the policy.Southwest no longer offers two free checked bags to all travel tiers. Some travelers, like A-List Preferred or Business Select members, still qualify for waived fees.New checked bag fees will apply to flights booked on or after May 28, 2025. However, for flights booked before that date, you will still be able to check two bags free of charge. Southwest said Tuesday that it will be charging $35 for a first checked bag and $45 for a second checked bag.
How long before a Southwest flight can I check bags?
Checked baggage will be accepted at the ticket counter no earlier than four hours ahead of your flight’s scheduled departure time. To check bags more than four hours ahead of your flight’s scheduled departure time, take advantage of an additional bag drop. Located in Terminal B, Level 1 by bus spaces B20-22. Without paying for early check-in, it’s usually the case that the earlier you check in for a Southwest flight, the better your boarding spot will be. That’s why many passengers check in at the earliest possible moment: precisely 24 hours before the flight’s scheduled departure.You can pay for bags starting 24 hours and up to 2 hours before your scheduled departure. You can’t pay for bags online if you’re waitlisted, standing by for another flight, or had a flight disruption and you haven’t confirmed your new flights.Online check-in begins 24 hours prior to original scheduled departure. You may also check in and/or get a boarding pass upon arrival at the airport at a self-service kiosk (where available), the Skycap podium (in select locations), the Southwest Airlines® Ticket Counter, or at your departure gate.To check bags or check in at the airport, you must be there a certain amount of time before scheduled departure: Within the U. S. To or from destinations outside the U. S.
How many baggage can I check in Southwest?
Southwest Airlines’ (WN) standard checked baggage / hold luggage policy details follow: 2 bags standard, up to 10 bags maximum. Maximum dimensions: 62 inches or 157 centimeters (length + width + height) Maximum weight: 50 pounds or 23 kilograms. Southwest allows one piece of carry-on luggage with a maximum size of 10 x 16 x 24 inches but no weight limit. You should be fine as long as your carry-on fits into the measurement bins near the check-in desk and under the seat in front of you.Note that both your personal item and carry-on bag (referred to as hand baggage) combined must not weigh more than 26 pounds if you’re traveling economy. The weight limit is 40 pounds for premium economy and other higher-class cabins.If your ticket’s baggage allowance is piece-based (known as piece concept), you will be charged for any additional piece beyond the allowance specified in your ticket. Each piece has a weight allowance of 23 kg/ 50 lb beyond which you will be charged for overweight pieces.Maximum weight is 50 pounds and maximum size is 62 inches (length + width + height) per checked piece of luggage. For the cost of each additional Bag, Overweight Baggage, and Oversize Baggage, please visit the Optional Travel Charges page. Any item weighing more than 100 pounds must be shipped as Air Cargo.
How do I add baggage to my Southwest flight?
You can check your bags and pay applicable baggage fees at the airport using our self-tagging kiosks (where available) or with a Southwest ® Agent at the ticket counter. You must pay for any fees with a physical credit card—we do not accept tap to pay/contactless pay/mobile payments at the airport. While most Customers are eligible to use a self-service kiosk, you may also check bags at the airport ticket counter with a Southwest ® Agent. You must pay for any fees with a physical credit card—we do not accept tap to pay/contactless pay/mobile payments at the airport. You can also track your bags digitally .You can check your bags and pay applicable baggage fees at the airport using our self-tagging kiosks (where available) or with a Southwest ® Agent at the ticket counter. You must pay for any fees with a physical credit card—we do not accept tap to pay/contactless pay/mobile payments at the airport.Typical fees for checked baggage range from $35 to $50 per bag, depending on the airline and route. Additional fees apply for overweight or oversized bags.Carry-on bag Carry-on bags are only free on flights* to South America, across the Atlantic or to international destinations across the Pacific. On all other flights, you must pay to check your bags in the airport lobby. The bag fee starts at $35.