04/28/2025
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 will apply to Wanna Get Away® (Basic), Wanna Get Away Plus® (Choice), and Anytime (Choice Preferred) fares. Business Select® (Choice Extra) fares will continue to receive two free checked bags. Rapid Rewards® A-List Preferred Members will receive their first and second checked bags for free. A-List Members and Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers will only receive their first checked bag for free. Checked bag benefits will not apply on flights booked with a partner carrier. Weight and size limits apply.
For Customers traveling on reservations booked and ticketed prior to May 28, 2025, our current checked baggage policies apply.
When will we know the charges for the first and second checked bags?
Our checked bag fees will align with industry standards, and we will share more details as we approach May 28, 2025.
Tier Members
Will checked baggage benefits of Tier Members apply to any other Passengers on the same reservation?
Yes. The benefit that applies to a Tier Member will apply to the Tier Member and up to eight additional Passengers traveling on the same reservation.
Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers
How will Southwest honor one standard checked bag for Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers and those traveling on the same reservation as the Cardmember?
Starting on May 28, 2025, all Rapid Rewards primary Credit Cardmembers and up to eight additional Passengers traveling on the same reservation are eligible to receive their first standard checked bag free. At time of bag check, the cost of one standard bag will be waived per Passenger on the reservation if the primary Credit Cardmember is on the reservation. Credit Cardmembers who are already exempt from paying the charge for their first checked bag, such as those with A-List status, will not be eligible for this Cardmember benefit as it does not provide an additional free bag. This cardmember bag benefit does not apply on trips booked with partner carriers. Weight and size limits apply.
Will my credit card benefits be updated now that you are moving to assigned seating?
Yes. In addition to receiving your first standard checked bag free (weight and size limits apply), all Rapid Rewards primary Credit Cardmembers will be eligible to receive new seating and boarding benefits on flight with assigned seats.
Companion Pass® Members
If a Companion Pass Member qualifies for a checked baggage benefit, will the benefit apply to their designated Companion when traveling together?
Yes. If a Companion Pass Member qualifies for one or two free checked bags (based, for example, on tier status or the fare purchased), the benefit will apply to their Companion. The Companion will need to pay the applicable fee(s) at the airport, and the fee(s) will be refunded to the original form of payment. The Companion will not need to contact Southwest to receive the refund. We will credit the credit card after travel is completed.
Fares and flight credits
NOTE: Flight credits created on or before May 27, 2025 do not expire.
We're updating our fares in phases.
Phase 1: Beginning in March, we increased our Rapid Rewards earn ratio on our Business Select® fares and lowered the earn ratio on our Wanna Get Away® and Wanna Get Away Plus® fares. We are also varying our redemption rates across our fare products on some high and low demand travel periods.
Phase 2: Beginning May 28, we will introduce a new Basic fare. This new Basic fare will be our lowest price point and will have less flexibility than other fares.
Phase 3: Later this year, Customers will be able to book our new fares, Choice Extra (formerly Business Select®), Choice Preferred (formerly Anytime), and Choice (formerly Wanna Get Away Plus®). Learn more.
Flight credits and Transferable Flight Credits™ created from tickets purchased or changed on or after May 28, 2025 will have a specified expiration date of one year or less depending on the fare purchased. All travel booked with a flight credit or Transferable Flight Credit™ that expires must be completed by that expiration date.
If I choose to receive a flight credit or Transferable Flight Credit™ when canceling a reservation or if I purchased a nonrefundable fare, when will my flight credit or Transferable Flight Credit™ expire?
For tickets purchased on or before May 27, 2025, and not changed/exchanged, a flight credit or Transferable Flight Credit™ issued following a cancellation will not expire.
I have a flight credit that I received prior to May 28, 2025. Does it now expire?
No. Flight credits issued on or before May 27, 2025 do not expire. However, if you apply the flight credit toward a new reservation booked and ticketed and/or changed on or after May 28, 2025, and later cancel the reservation, any flight credit or Transferable Flight Credit™ issued will have a specified expiration date.
Fare product details
The chart below describes our revised fare products as of May 28, 2025. Choice Extra, Choice Preferred, and Choice will be available for purchase later this year. Learn more.
Fare Product Updates as of May 28, 2025
See the Terms and Conditions of our revised fare products as of May 28, 2025.
Rapid Rewards points
What does it mean that Southwest "varies redemption rates"?
Starting March 17, we changed the way we vary our redemption rates, factoring in how much demand exists for the flight along with a few other factors. Flights with lower demand will have lower redemption rates than they did, and flights with high peak demand may have higher redemption rates than they did. Some flights will have the same or a similar redemption rate that they did previously. This update allows us to continue to offer great redemption value and unlimited reward seats. If there is a seat open on the flight, you can redeem Rapid Rewards® points for it. We'll also continue with no blackout dates and issue points that don't expire. All Rapid Rewards rules and regulations apply.
