Southwest Baggage Fees Start Tomorrow

Southwest has always offered two free checked bags with their “Bags Fly Free” policy on all their flights regardless of which fare you booked. Last year they announced major changes were coming with the addition of extra legroom seating, being able to assign seats and getting rid of their annoying boarding process. They also announced in March of this year that they would be doing away with free checked bags but they did not actually let anyone know how much checked bags would cost!

Southwest will start charging $35-$45 for checked bags

Southwest Checked Bag Fees

We now know that flights purchased on or after tomorrow, May 28th, you will now be charged $35 for your first checked bag and $45 for your second which is in line with the rest of the industry.

If you booked your flight before May 28th, your bags will still fly free.

There are a few ways you can avoid these checked bag fees, however.

• Southwest Business Select fares (most expensive) will get 2 free checked bags.

• Southwest A-List Preferred members will get 2 free checked bags

• Southwest A-List members will get 1 free checked bag

• Southwest co-branded credit card holders will get 1 free checked bag

For elite members and credit card holders, the baggage allowance will apply to up to 8 companions booked on the same reservation.

Southwest Business Select fares get 2 free bags

Wrapping Up

Southwest will be charging between $35 and $45 for checked bags on new reservations starting tomorrow May 28th. This does not apply to flights booked before then. There are a few ways to avoid these fees like having elite status, a co-branded credit card as well as purchasing a Business Select fare.