Southwest to Start Charging for Bags and Other Negative Changes
Southwest Airlines has put out a press release today revealing upcoming changes that will not make fans happy. This comes just a few days after the airline slashed earning rates on its most affordable fares.
The airline says that the changes “announced today will reward the airline’s most loyal customers and give all customers more options for a broader range of travel experiences.” Let’s see how that looks.
Two Bags Fly Free… for Some
For tickets purchased on or after May 28, many Southwest customers will have to start paying to check bags, though there will be exceptions. Rapid Rewards® A-List Preferred members and customers traveling on Business Select® fares with get two free checked bags, and A-List members will get one free checked bag. Southwest will also give one free checked bag to Rapid Rewards Credit cardmembers.
Customers who do not qualify for these free bag options will be charged for their first and second checked bags (weight and size limitations apply). Changes will apply to flights booked on or after May 28, 2025, but the exact pricing has not been revealed yet.
New Basic Fare
But there’s more. The airline also said Tuesday that it will launch a new, basic economy fare (which replaces Wanna Get Away), something rivals have offered for years. The new tickets with launch on May 28, 2025.
Southwest says this move is in advance of offering assigned seating and extra legroom options.
Flight Credit Expiration
Flight credits issued for tickets purchased on or after May 28, 2025 will expire one year or earlier from the date of ticketing, depending on the fare type purchased.
For Business Select, Anytime and Wanna Get Away Plus, you will have 12 months and for the new Basic fare you only get 6 months.
Variable Redemption Rates
The carrier’s loyalty program, Rapid Rewards, will also introduce variable redemption rates across higher-demand and lower-demand flights.
Currently the value of Rapid Rewards points is tied to cash prices, with the value varying between 1.2 and 1.4 cents per point. We’ll see how this change will affect award pricing, but considering the direction the airline is going, I’m not too hopeful.
Guru’s Wrap-up
Southwest Airlines is getting rid of everything that made it stand out from the rest. I guess the Companion Pass is the only unique thing they have now, but with their fares getting more and more expensive, it doesn’t have the value it used to.
Let me know in the comments how you feel about these changes, or join the conversation in out Facebook Group.
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