Southwest ended its broadly available two-free-checked-bag benefit for most reservations booked, ticketed, or changed on or after May 28, 2025. For U.S. mainland trips booked, ticketed, or changed on or after April 9, 2026, standard checked-bag fees are $45 for the first bag and $55 for the second on Basic, Choice, and Choice Preferred fares. Some fares and eligible travelers still get free checked bags, and carry-ons remain free.
What changed—and when
Southwest’s change took effect May 28, 2025, for reservations booked, ticketed, or changed on or after that date. The airline ended the general two-free-checked-bag benefit for most lower fare types but retained exceptions, including two free checked bags with the then-named Business Select fare. The announcement also said standard carry-ons and personal items would remain free. Southwest’s 2025 announcement explains the original change.
Southwest subsequently renamed its fare products: Basic replaced Wanna Get Away, Choice replaced Wanna Get Away Plus, Choice Preferred replaced Anytime, and Choice Extra replaced Business Select. The current fare names and associated benefits are described on the airline’s assigned-seating and fare information page.
Current standard checked-bag fees for U.S. mainland travel
For travel booked, ticketed, or changed on or after April 9, 2026, Southwest’s current U.S. mainland fee table lists the following one-way charges for standard checked bags:
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| Fare or eligibility | First checked bag | Second checked bag |
|---|---|---|
| Basic, Choice, or Choice Preferred | $45 | $55 |
| Choice Extra | Free | Free |
| A-List | Free | $35 |
| A-List Preferred | Free | Free |
| Eligible Rapid Rewards credit-card member | Free | Standard fee applies |
These amounts come from Southwest’s Optional Travel Charges table. The credit-card first-bag benefit requires the passenger’s Rapid Rewards account number at booking. Southwest’s fare information says qualifying tier and cardmember checked-bag benefits may extend to up to eight additional passengers on the same reservation, subject to conditions; check the specific benefit terms and itinerary rather than assuming every companion qualifies.
Who can still check bags free?
- Choice Extra passengers: The current mainland table lists the first and second checked bags as free.
- A-List Preferred members: The table lists two free checked bags.
- A-List members: The first checked bag is free; the listed charge for the second is $35.
- Eligible Rapid Rewards credit-card members: The first checked bag is free when the account number is included at booking. The second bag is not listed as free under this benefit.
- Active-duty military travelers: Southwest lists active-duty military customers as exempt from standard checked-bag fees.
- Eligible Hawaii residents on interisland trips: Southwest lists two free interisland checked bags for residents whose Rapid Rewards account has a qualifying Hawaii address.
Benefits depend on eligibility and itinerary details, and other restrictions may apply. “Free checked bag” does not necessarily cover excess, overweight, or oversized baggage; separate charges may apply.
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Carry-ons are still free
Southwest continues to allow one carry-on and one personal item without charge. The stated maximum external dimensions for a carry-on are 10 × 16 × 24 inches. Check the airline’s current fee page for its baggage rules and any additional restrictions before relying on a bag’s listed size.
Check your total before you book or change a trip
The U.S. mainland rates do not apply to every Southwest itinerary. Hawaii interisland travel has a separate fee schedule, and route, fare, booking or change date, loyalty tier, card eligibility, and bag size and weight can affect the amount due.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →- Open Southwest’s Optional Travel Charges page and select the schedule that applies to your route.
- Check when the ticket was booked, ticketed, or changed. The $45 and $55 mainland rates apply to travel booked, ticketed, or changed on or after April 9, 2026.
- Confirm the fare and each traveler’s qualifying tier or card benefit, including whether the Rapid Rewards number was attached at booking.
- Count the bags you plan to check and check their weight and dimensions for possible extra charges.
- Compare the total trip price with bags included—not just the fare—when evaluating options.
Why Southwest made the change
In its March 2025 announcement, Southwest said the change was part of an effort to meet customer needs, attract customer segments it did not then compete for, and return to expected profitability. That is the company’s stated business rationale, not evidence by itself that the policy achieved those aims. The Associated Press reported the later $10-per-bag increase effective April 9, 2026; the airline’s fee table is the controlling source for current charges. Associated Press coverage.
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