Today is a challenging day for loyal Southwest Airlines customers. While we hoped the worst was behind us after the airline ending its open-seating policy last summer, a new announcement has brought further disappointment: Southwest will be discontinuing its cherished free-checked-bags policy.
The airline’s announcement also outlines several significant changes, including a new “Basic” fare option, dynamic pricing for award tickets, and the reintroduction of expiration dates for flight credits.
Here’s what we know and how you can mitigate the impact of these changes.
Checked Bag Fees
The most startling news for Southwest loyalists is the discontinuation of the airline’s long-standing policy allowing two free checked bags for all passengers. Starting May 28, only A-List Preferred elite members and travelers flying on Business Select fares will enjoy complimentary checked bags.
A-List elite members, credit card holders, and “select Customers” will be entitled to one free checked bag, while all other passengers will need to pay for their checked baggage.
Related: A comparison of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority, Premier, and Plus credit cards
New Basic Fare to Replace Wanna Get Away
Another significant change is the introduction of a Basic fare option that will replace the popular Wanna Get Away fare, effectively eliminating the benefits that budget-conscious travelers have appreciated.
This shift began last week when Southwest reduced Rapid Rewards earnings by two-thirds for this lowest fare tier. The full details regarding the new fare are now available.
The Basic fare will not allow any changes after purchase, although it can still be canceled for free if done at least 10 minutes prior to departure. Additionally, Basic fare travelers will not have access to free same-day changes or complimentary same-day standby options.
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Read more: Has Southwest Airlines’ reduction of Rapid Rewards earnings indicated a troubling trend for customers?
Expiration of Flight Credits
In July 2022, Southwest made headlines by eliminating expiration dates for flight credits, enhancing its appeal among customers. However, this customer-friendly feature is now being revoked. Flight credits issued on or after May 28 will expire within 12 months for Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, and Business Select fares, and will have a much shorter six-month life for the new Basic fare class.
What We Don’t Know Yet
Despite these announcements, many specifics about the future of flying with Southwest remain unclear. The airline has yet to disclose the fees for checked bags or additional benefits (if any) for Southwest credit card holders beyond the free checked bag.
Furthermore, Southwest plans to introduce “variable” redemption pricing for Rapid Rewards award flights, but the exact implications of this change are still unknown. Currently, the redemption of Rapid Rewards points fluctuates based on the ticket’s paid price—how this will change remains to be seen.
How to Prepare Now
The silver lining in this situation is that customers are being given more than two and a half months’ notice. This provides an opportunity to adjust your plans accordingly. Here are a few strategies to consider:
Book (or Cancel) Travel Before May 28
Many of these changes will take effect for travel booked after May 28. If you have been considering a Southwest flight for an upcoming trip, try to finalize your travel plans before this date. Reservations made before May 28—including those for future travel—will still include two free checked bags, and you can benefit from free changes by choosing a Wanna Get Away fare.
If you need to cancel any currently booked trips, ensure that this is done before May 28, as the new expiration policy will apply to flight credits issued after that date, regardless of when the original ticket was bought.
Consider a Southwest Co-Branded Credit Card
If you want to check a bag for free without upgrading to a higher fare class, holding a co-branded credit card is your best option moving forward. Now is an ideal time to consider a Southwest credit card, especially with attractive limited-time welcome offers available.
Related: Earn a Companion Pass plus 30,000 points with these Southwest card offers
Express Your Concerns to Southwest
If these changes are prompting you to reassess your loyalty to Southwest, make your feedback known to the airline. We’ve seen airlines reverse significant changes to their loyalty programs in response to customer feedback—Delta Air Lines is a notable example—so if enough dissatisfied customers reach out, there’s potential for adjustments to these changes.
Conclusion
Southwest Airlines has announced significant changes, including implementing fees for checked bags, introducing a new Basic fare class, more variable award pricing, and reinstating flight credit expirations. While this is disappointing news for Southwest aficionados, there are steps you can take, such as obtaining a co-branded credit card and finalizing your travel plans before the May 28 cutoff.
