Southwest Airlines has always chosen to do things differently, from its love-it-or-hate-it open seating policy to its no-fee flight changes and free checked bags perk. However, many of the most notable features of the airline changed in 2025.
The airline announced in March 2025 that its open seating policy would change to assigned seating, similar to other airlines. Another Southwest first — new premium seating — includes extra legroom.
But, the biggest change from the airline was the end of its free checked bag benefit, which had long applied to the first two checked bags per customer on every flight they take. This perk came to a screeching halt, and flyers now have to pay for checked baggage for most flights as of May 28, 2025. Note that the airline’s more expensive Business Select fares will still come with two free checked bags per customer, and that Rapid Rewards® A-List Preferred Members will also maintain this benefit.
Key takeaways
- Southwest Airlines ended its long-standing policy of two free checked bags for all customers as of May 28, 2025.
- Despite the new baggage fees, eligible Southwest credit cardholders (and up to eight companions on the same reservation) will receive their first checked bag free.
- This new perk for cardholders aims to maintain the value of Southwest credit cards, potentially making them even more valuable for those who check bags.
Are Southwest credit cards still worth the annual fee?
While Southwest was once considered a discount airline, more of its flights have been priced competitively with premium airlines over the last few years. Many frequent flyers have long flocked to Southwest anyway, often due to its free checked bag benefit and innovative perks like the Southwest Companion Pass.
Southwest credit cards have also been popular since they let users earn tier-qualifying points toward Companion Pass status, which lets the account holder fly a companion with them for free on every flight they take. Not only that, but Southwest credit cards have long offered perks like anniversary points for cardmembers, Early Bird check-in, discounts on in-flight purchases and more.
But, are Southwest credit cards still worth it now that the airline’s free checked bag policy has ended? Considering all credit cards from this issuer charge an annual fee that is not waived the first year, this question is definitely worth asking.
Fortunately, Southwest announced that some changes are coming to its credit cards at the same time other updates were implemented. According to the airline, Southwest A-list members and primary cardmembers of Southwest credit cards will receive their first checked bag free with the airline. This means the Southwest credit card value after bag fees will be higher, and that cardmembers will actually save money each time they fly with the carrier.
Maximizing Southwest rewards after fee changes
While the free checked bag benefit for Southwest cardholders is only for one bag instead of two, the airline is extending this benefit to other travelers on their itinerary. A Southwest press release that outlines all of the company’s changes says the following:
“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.”
Further, Southwest says that its credit card members will be “eligible to receive new seating and boarding benefits on flight with assigned seats.”
Flyers using the Companion Pass to fly with their dedicated companion will also see the free checked bag benefit applied to their traveling companion if they have a Southwest credit card.
All of this means that maximizing Southwest rewards after fee changes becomes easier if you have a Southwest credit card. After all, card membership gets you a free checked bag for yourself and up to eight other people on your itinerary. If Southwest winds up charging $35 per bag, which is common for other competing airlines, this means cardholders can save up to $315 one-way for itineraries that have eight companions.
Bottom line
While Southwest will started charging for checked baggage for the first time in 2025, having one of its co-branded credit cards can help you escape this added cost. The free checked bag benefit will only give you one free checked bag, although the perk applies to up to eight companions on the flight itinerary with the primary cardholder.
This means the value of Southwest credit cards will be even greater after this charge, particularly for those who fly with the airline often.
