Latest news with #RapidRewards
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Here's How Much Checked Bags Now Cost With Southwest Airlines — and Who's Exempt From Paying Fees
Southwest Airlines has been an industry disruptor since its formal incorporation in 1967. The low-cost carrier brought innovations such as open seating, free baggage and a famously sunny attitude to the airline industry, attracting legions of followers while helping them save money. Read Next: Learn More: But times have changed since Southwest's heyday, and one of the pillars of its business model — 'bags fly free' — has finally fallen by the wayside. Whether this will ultimately help or hurt the struggling airline remains to be seen. But from a traveler's perspective, here's what you'll need to know in terms of baggage fees and how you might still be able to avoid them. Beginning with flights on May 28 and later, Southwest Airlines will charge $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second. However, these fees are just for the general flying public. There are a handful of ways in which you can save money with the airline and avoid the new baggage fees. Here's how. Find Out: The A-List is Southwest's elite tier. You can become an A-List member by either flying 20 one-way qualifying flight segments or earning 35,000 tier-qualifying points. In addition to providing benefits like priority boarding, priority check-in and a 25% earning bonus, you can also fly your first bag free of charge. Your second checked bag will incur a $35 fee. If you're an A-List Preferred member, which requires 40 one-way qualifying flight segments or 70,000 tier-qualifying points in a single year, your second bag is free of charge as well. In either case, these prices apply to up to eight additional passengers on the same reservation. If you hold the Southwest Airlines Rapid Reward Credit Card, your first checked bag will fly free. However, you must include your Rapid Rewards account number at the time of booking. As with the A-List, up to eight additional passengers on your reservation will enjoy the same benefit. Your second checked bag, however, will cost $45. Another way to avoid the new baggage fees on Southwest Airlines is to fly on a Business Select fare. Unlike with the other two options, the airline's business fare comes with two free bags, not just one. However, as it is a specific fare type, it doesn't apply to any companions on the same reservation unless they also purchase the same Business Select fare. Active-duty military customers with a valid, current military ID can fly with two bags free of charge. The imposition of baggage fees at Southwest Airlines was an unwelcome shock to the airline's flyers. But the famously low-cost airline held out to the very end, as it was the last domestic airline to offer two free checked bags for all customers. Still, there are a number of ways the passengers can avail of free baggage, including by earning status on the airline or buying more expensive fares. Otherwise, you may very well end up paying $35 for your first checked bag and $45 for your second when you fly Southwest. More From GOBankingRates 4 Housing Markets That Have Plummeted in Value Over the Past 5 Years This article originally appeared on Here's How Much Checked Bags Now Cost With Southwest Airlines — and Who's Exempt From Paying Fees Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Southwest Airlines Starts Charging for Checked Bags
Southwest Airlines has implemented their bag policy change that was announced in March, now charging fees for checked bags on flights booked Wednesday or later. This marks the end of the airline's long-standing 'bags fly free' policy, which had set the airline apart from competitors for decades. Southwest revealed to customers on Tuesday that moving forward, it will charge $35 for a first checked bag and $45 for a second, applying the usual weight and size restrictions. Though most passengers will be charged, Southwest will continue to honor its two-free bag policy for select groups, including Rapid Rewards A-List preferred members and those flying Business Select. A-List members and Rapid Rewards credit card holders will receive one free checked bag. There are a few other changes taking effect on Wednesday, according to Southwest's announcement in March, including a basic fare being attached to its lowest-priced tickets, and a rule that portable-chargers be used in plain sight of the flight crew to prevent lithium-ion battery fires. Southwest still has a few changes planned for the future, including phasing out its signature open-boarding system. The airline expects to begin assigning seats to passengers by next year.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Southwest Airlines drop free checked bags after 50 years: Here's how much travelers will have to pay
Southwest Airlines is shaking up its travel policies by eliminating free checked bags, a move aimed at boosting revenue. Announced earlier this year, the change brings the carrier's baggage fees in line with major competitors like Delta and American Airlines, marking a shift in strategy for the low-cost operator. Also Read: Walmart plans to open 5 new stores and one Sam's Club: Check out the new locations Southwest Airlines has announced it to pull back its free checked bags policy after more than 50 years. On Tuesday, May 27, the airlines revealed that the budget airline will now charge $35 for a customer's first checked bag and $45 for their second checked bag. The policy revocation has left travellers disappointed as the free checked bags differentiated the airlines from their competitors, as reported by mLive. However, it continues to offer the perks to guests with A-List Preferred status, or those purchasing a Business Select fare still receive two free checked bags. Additionally, travelers holding a Southwest credit card or A-List status in the Rapid Rewards program are entitled to one free checked bag per flight. Also Read: PlayStation Plus June 2025 games announced early by Sony: See the full lineup According to the Associated Press reports, the company has estimated that the service charge will earn them a revenue of $1.5 billion annually. However, the airlines also noted that it will also face a loss of $1.8 billion in business as customers opt other airlines after the change in policy. The budget airline is set to make even further changes as it will soon begin to assign seats. It means that the open boarding system, which was in place for more than 50 years, will also cease to exist. There has been no announcement as to when the switch will happen. Southwest's Rapid Rewards program is also getting an overhaul, with enhanced perks for travelers who purchase Business Select fares or hold higher-tier status. Meanwhile, members buying lower-cost tickets will see a reduction in the number of rewards points they earn.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Tuesday is the last day to get free checked bags through Southwest Airlines: What you need to know
For decades, Southwest Airlines has been known for the fact that all its passengers get two free checked bags, but starting Wednesday, that will no longer be the case. Southwest's offering of checked bags without a fee has been a staple of the airline and has differentiated the company from its rivals. Until now, Southwest was the only major airline in the U.S. that allowed passengers to check two bags with no extra cost. The airline had built years of advertising campaigns around its passengers' ability to check up to two bags for free. The change was first announced in March, and is just one of a number of recent changes made by the airline in an effort to increase revenue and cut costs, according to The New York Times. According to The New York Times, a spokesperson for Southwest said that starting on Wednesday, checking one bag will cost $35 and a second bag will be $45. These fees are in line with other major airlines in the U.S., which on average charge between $35 and $45 for the first checked bag. The checked bag fees will apply to any tickets booked starting on May 28 for Basic, Wanna Get Away Plus and Anytime fares. Free checked bags will still be available for some people. Passengers who have reached the top tier of the Rapid Rewards loyalty program or booked a Business Select ticket will receive a credit for two checked bags, as previously reported by the Deseret News. Passengers who have A-List status with the airline or have a Southwest Airlines credit card will receive a credit for one checked bag. Southwest is one of the major airlines that flies out of Salt Lake City International Airport on a daily basis. Each day, there is an average of 29 Southwest flights out of the airport, according to the airport's website. This is the third-highest number of daily domestic flights for an airline out of Salt Lake City, after Delta Air Lines and SkyWest Airlines. Southwest's most common destinations out of Salt Lake City are Denver with six daily flights, Phoenix with five and Las Vegas with four. The addition of fees for checked bags is just one of a number of changes recently announced by Southwest Airlines. Also starting on Wednesday, all Southwest flight credits will have an expiration date. Before now, all flight credits through the airline were limitless, as previously reported by the Deseret News. Any credits issued before May 28 will be exempt from the new policy. Depending on the ticket purchased, expiration ranges from six to 12 months. Another policy that will take effect on Wednesday is the airline will start requiring passengers to have their portable chargers in plain sight while in use, according to The Associated Press. This is due to concerns about the growing number of lithium-ion battery fires. The airline also announced last year that it will be getting rid of the open-boarding system that it has used for over 50 years, per the AP. It will begin to implement assigned seating on its flights starting in 2026. It will also begin offering more legroom at an extra cost and will begin having red-eye flights.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Tuesday is the last day to get free checked bags through Southwest Airlines: What you need to know
For decades, Southwest Airlines has been known for the fact that all its passengers get two free checked bags, but starting Wednesday, that will no longer be the case. Southwest's offering of checked bags without a fee has been a staple of the airline and has differentiated the company from its rivals. Until now, Southwest was the only major airline in the U.S. that allowed passengers to check two bags with no extra cost. The airline had built years of advertising campaigns around its passengers' ability to check up to two bags for free. The change was first announced in March, and is just one of a number of recent changes made by the airline in an effort to increase revenue and cut costs, according to The New York Times. According to The New York Times, a spokesperson for Southwest said that starting on Wednesday, checking one bag will cost $35 and a second bag will be $45. These fees are in line with other major airlines in the U.S., which on average charge between $35 and $45 for the first checked bag. The checked bag fees will apply to any tickets booked starting on May 28 for Basic, Wanna Get Away Plus and Anytime fares. Free checked bags will still be available for some people. Passengers who have reached the top tier of the Rapid Rewards loyalty program or booked a Business Select ticket will receive a credit for two checked bags, as previously reported by the Deseret News. Passengers who have A-List status with the airline or have a Southwest Airlines credit card will receive a credit for one checked bag. Southwest is one of the major airlines that flies out of Salt Lake City International Airport on a daily basis. Each day, there is an average of 29 Southwest flights out of the airport, according to the airport's website. This is the third-highest number of daily domestic flights for an airline out of Salt Lake City, after Delta Air Lines and SkyWest Airlines. Southwest's most common destinations out of Salt Lake City are Denver with six daily flights, Phoenix with five and Las Vegas with four. The addition of fees for checked bags is just one of a number of changes recently announced by Southwest Airlines. Also starting on Wednesday, all Southwest flight credits will have an expiration date. Before now, all flight credits through the airline were limitless, as previously reported by the Deseret News. Any credits issued before May 28 will be exempt from the new policy. Depending on the ticket purchased, expiration ranges from six to 12 months. Another policy that will take effect on Wednesday is the airline will start requiring passengers to have their portable chargers in plain sight while in use, according to The Associated Press. This is due to concerns about the growing number of lithium-ion battery fires. The airline also announced last year that it will be getting rid of the open-boarding system that it has used for over 50 years, per the AP. It will begin to implement assigned seating on its flights starting in 2026. It will also begin offering more legroom at an extra cost and will begin having red-eye flights.
