Southwest Ends Free Checked Bags: $160 Round Trip?
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Southwest Airlines, after over five decades of offering free checked bags, has implemented new baggage fees. Starting May 28, 2025, for flights booked and ticketed on or after that date, passengers will be charged for checked bags unless they possess a Southwest credit card or A-List status. The cost is set at $35 for the first bag and $45 for the second, totaling $160 for a round-trip journey with two checked bags. This policy change significantly impacts travelers who previously enjoyed the benefit of complimentary baggage allowance. The new fees apply to both mainland and interisland Hawaii flights booked after the specified date. However, the airline clarifies that those with a Companion Pass and qualifying status will still receive their free checked bags, and this benefit will extend to their companion traveler. This change marks a considerable shift in Southwest's baggage policy, potentially impacting travel costs for many passengers. The airline emphasized that flights booked before May 28, 2025 retain the previous two free checked bags policy. This sudden change raises questions about the airline's long-term financial strategy and its potential impact on customer loyalty and travel affordability, especially for families or individuals traveling with significant luggage. The implementation of these fees aligns Southwest more closely with other major airlines that have long charged for checked bags, ending an era of a distinctive and much-appreciated perk for Southwest flyers.
(Source: https://dannydealguru.com/southwest-reveals-new-checked-bag-fees/)
