Latest news with #RapidRewardsA-ListPreferred
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Southwest Airlines Finally Reveals How Much Baggage Fee Will Cost
In March 2025, Southwest Airlines announced the controversial decision to ends its decades-old "two bags fly free" policy for checked luggage. "For reservations booked and ticketed or changed on or after May 28, 2025, checked baggage fees will apply. We will offer two free checked bags to our Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members and Business Select Customers, and one free checked bag to A-List Members and other select Customers. Southwest will credit the first checked bag for Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers," the airline said in a statement at the time. After announcing the move two months ago, Southwest Airlines chose not to announce how much the new bag fee would cost - until now. On May 26, CNBC reported the airline will start charging $35 for the first checked back and $45 for the second. While most travelers will have to pay, Southwest is still offering its two free bag policy for Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members and passengers traveling in Top-tier fare class, formerly Business Select. A-List Members and Southwest credit card holders will also get one free checked bag. Passengers will be allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item per flight. Rules stipulate checked bags must weigh no more than 50 pounds and measure no more than 62 inches in total dimensions. In addition to bag fees, Southwest Airlines is also doing away with its normal boarding process. "These changes add to the initiatives already underway at Southwest, including the forthcoming implementation of assigned seating and extra legroom options and an initial industry-standard airline partnership with Icelandair that began on February 13, the same day the carrier's first-ever scheduled overnight redeye flights launched," the company Airlines Finally Reveals How Much Baggage Fee Will Cost first appeared on Men's Journal on May 27, 2025
CBS News
18-03-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Frontier offers free checked bag promotion to entice angry Southwest customers
Frontier Airlines is introducing a free checked bag promotion in an effort to poach former Southwest passengers frustrated by the airline's decision to ditch its longstanding "bags fly free" policy. Called "Your New Love," the limited-time deal includes a free carry-on plus a free checked bag with use of a promo code. Seat selection and flight changes are also free, according to Frontier. "We've always had heart," Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle said in a statement Tuesday. "Some airlines are walking away from what travelers love, but we're running towards it. Think of this as the ultimate 'divorce your old airline' deal. If travelers show us the love, we'll make these perks permanent." The deal is valid for flights departing May 28 — the same day Southwest says it will start charging customers to check in their bags — through Aug. 18. To take advantage of the deal, bookings must be made by March 24, using the promo code FREEBAG. Biffle said that while the deal is temporary for now, it could become permanent if it proves to be a hit. Frontier's pitch to travelers comes days after Southwest announced it would start making customers pay for checked bags , ending its free checked bags policy for the first time in the airline's 54-year history. Beginning May 28, only Southwest's most elite Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred members and Business Select passengers will be able to check two bags for free. Frequent flyer A-List Members, Southwest-branded credit card holders and other select customers will be allowed one free checked bag. All other passengers will have to pay to check in one or more bags on flights booked on or after May 28, according to the carrier. Many Southwest loyalists lamented the move, which they say set the airline apart from its competition. "Why would we still fly Southwest, because now they're just going to be same as every other flight," Southwest customer Howie Baker told CBS Colorado . "So whichever one is going to be cheaper and first is the one that we'll choose." Budget airlines like Southwest and Frontier have struggled to appeal to customers following the pandemic, as consumer preferences shift toward more premium offerings.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Southwest Airlines slammed as ‘tone deaf' for social media joke
Let the lesson be learned, social media managers: There is a time and place for jokes. This apparently was not one of those times. Southwest Airlines has been catching heat for its recent policy reversal. 'Allowing bags to fly free' has been a marketing tool of the company for years, but as announced earlier this week, that will no longer be true for customers purchasing the lowest-priced plane tickets. The change begins on May 28. The airline will continue to offer two free checked bags to Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members as well as passengers flying on Business Select fares. One free checked bag will be allowed for A-List Members, while one checked bag will be credited for Rapid Rewards Credit Card members. It's not clear how much it'll cost to check bags. While customers reacted to the policy change, the Dallas-based airline took a shot at its hometown NBA team. 'It's not like we traded Luka,' an Instagram post from the Southwest Airlines account reads. That swipe is in reference to last month's shocking NBA trade between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers that sent superstar Luka Doncic to L.A. The trade, much like the new Southwest policy, was not well received by fans in the Dallas area. And now, the airline, which has also announced mass layoffs in the last month, is taking some punishment online. 'This is incredibly tone deaf,' a comment reads from Instagram user gkrisanic. 'I've been a loyal Southwest customer and a RR cardholder for years, but now I'm going to be exploring other options after all of these policy changes. There is really no reason to fly SW now, especially when I can find a more convenient direct flight on another airline. Super disappointed in y'all.' 'Taking a screenshot of this as it will be the thumbnail for the Harvard business review case study of destroying a brand and an entire company,' said user rappid_exposure. 'Air balling a joke like this after laying off [nearly 1,800] people is crazy,' said adamchernandez. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
13-03-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Southwest Airlines takes shot at Luka trade, trying to cool backlash over ending free checked bags policy
Dallas-based Southwest Airlines took a shot at the Mavs in an effort to deflect from the backlash it's currently facing over ending its free checked bag policy. In an Instagram post, the airline said: "It's not like we traded Luka…" (insert eyeball emoji). Former Mavericks star Luka Doncic is a very sensitive topic among Dallas fans following his trade to Los Angeles Lakers just last month. But the branches are out -- the shade has been thrown. Is it funny, tone deaf or petty? No matter what you decide, it's created quite the social media buzz not only among public figures and athletes, but also a national food chain. And you can guess which one. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Southwest Airlines (@southwestair) Texas-based Whataburger' response is among the nearly 8,000 comments: "Do Whataburger bags still fly free?" The Atlanta Falcons also dropped their opinion: "Delta Airlines >>>" Former NFL star wide receiver Terrell Owens just responded with laughing emojis. Southwest ends two free checked bags policy Earlier this week, Southwest dropped a bombshell. Beginning on May 28, passengers will be charged for their first and second checked bags. The move comes as Southwest, the nation's fourth-largest airline, has been under intense pressure from an activist investor to improve its financial performance after struggling to keep pace with changing customer preferences post-pandemic. The airline said only its Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred members and passengers who book their Business Select fares will still receive two free checked bags. A 54-year history broken. Just last September, Southwest CEO Bob Jordan said the policy would remain in place. Many who fly Southwest expressed their feelings of betrayal and sadness. "The free bags have always been a reason to go Southwest," a customer told CBS News Texas. "I'm going to have to shop around now." More policy changes for Southwest The airline also recently announced its first-ever layoffs, launched its first redeye flights, and intends to end its long-running open seating policy next year. Instead, the airline will offer seat assignments and sell extra legroom seats for an additional fee. On May 28, Southwest will add a heavily discounted basic economy fare class that will guarantee a flyer a seat on a plane but will likely come with restrictions similar to other carriers' basic economy offerings. But Southwest remains hopeful that customers are still going to love flying with its airline due to its hospitality.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Southwest is eliminating free checked bags — Here's how you can still get the perk
Southwest Airlines announced it will no longer offer two free checked bags for every passenger starting May 28, 2025. The airline will only allow one free checked bag to Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred members and passengers on Business Select fares. Luckily, there's another way to secure a free checked bag: You'll get the perk as a Southwest credit cardholder. But that's not all these cards offer. In fact, now is one of the best times of the year to consider a Southwest credit card. Here's how you can choose the right Rapid Rewards card for your travels and what to know ahead of the policy change:Southwest's 'Two bags fly free' policy has long been a major money-saver for frequent Southwest flyers — especially when two checked bags on a domestic flight with other airlines could cost as much as $100 one-way. You do still have some time to take advantage of the perk if you're flying Southwest in the near future. The airline will not charge for checked baggage for flights booked before May 28, 2025. The airline hasn't yet given details on the cost you'll pay to check your first or second bag after this date. The checked baggage cost is just one of several changes Southwest is rolling out, including a new assigned seating program expected later this year. For one, the airline announced a new Basic fare, making up the lowest-cost tickets starting on the same date, though there aren't yet details on how the new fare will differ from Southwest's existing fare classes. It also recently updated its Rapid Rewards program, changing the number of points you can earn when purchasing different fare types on a qualifying flight. Without A-List boosts, you'll earn 14 points per dollar spent on qualifying flights in Business Select (the same fare class that will still get a free checked bag), 10 points per dollar spent on qualifying flights with a refundable Anytime ticket, 6 points per dollar on Wanna Get Away+ fare, and 2 points per dollar on Wanna Get Away without A-List Preferred Rapid Rewards status or a Business Select ticket, you can still get one free checked bag with a Southwest credit card. If you typically travel with a lot of luggage, keep in mind that you'll now only get your first checked bag free as a cardholder. We don't yet know exactly what Southwest will charge for baggage, but you'll likely save a significant amount on baggage fees if you fly with the airline a few times each year. As a comparison, JetBlue charges $35 off-peak and $40 during peak season flights, while American Airlines charges $40 for your first checked bag on domestic flights — though costs can differ depending on status and fare class. Assuming Southwest's future baggage fees are similar to other U.S. airlines, this benefit can quickly help you recoup the annual fee cost of a Southwest Rapid Rewards card. If you prefer flying Southwest and want to prepare for the changes coming later this year, now is a great time to consider opening a Southwest Rapid Rewards card. After you're approved for any of Southwest's three consumer credit cards and spend at least $4,000 within the first three months, you'll earn a valuable two-part welcome bonus: Companion Pass through Feb. 28, 2026 30,000 bonus points You must fly 100 one-way qualifying flights or earn 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points in a calendar year to earn the pass otherwise. With it, you can bring a companion along with you on Southwest flights for free (not including taxes and fees). To earn the limited-time Companion Pass bonus, you must apply by March 31, a look at each of the Southwest Rapid Rewards cards to help determine which is right for you: Why we like it: The Rapid Rewards Plus card has the lowest annual fee among Southwest's credit cards at $69 and offers slightly lower rewards on Southwest purchases. But it still has some valuable benefits alongside the free checked bag perk starting in May. You'll get access to EarlyBird Check-Ins twice each year; 3,000 points on your cardmember anniversary; 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points each year; and 25% back on eligible in-flight purchases. Combined with rewards you can use toward future flights, this card can make a great option if you prefer flying Southwest but aren't a frequent we like it: The Rapid Rewards Priority card is the most premium Southwest credit card with a $149 annual fee — though it's also the only card to offer a $75 annual travel credit for Southwest spending. You'll get some elevated perks, including 7,500 points each cardmember anniversary and four Upgraded Boardings (positions A1-A15) per year. Otherwise, the Rapid Rewards Priority card is similar to the Rapid Rewards Premier: 1,500 tier-qualifying points for every $5,000 you spend; 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points each year; 25% off in-flight purchases; and no foreign transaction fees. This card is a solid option if you fly frequently and Southwest is your preferred airline. You can quickly recoup half the card's fee when you use the annual travel credit alone. Plus, Upgraded Boarding costs typically start at $30; if you fly at least four times each year and use this annual benefit, you can get more than $100 in added we like it: With a Rapid Rewards Premier card, you'll boost your rewards on Southwest purchases to 3x per dollar for a slightly higher $99 annual fee. This card also has some increased benefits, like 6,000 points each year on your cardmember anniversary and the ability to earn 1,500 tier qualifying points toward A-List status for every $5,000 in purchases. Beyond that, you'll get the same 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points annually, 2 Early Bird Check-Ins, and 25% off in-flight spending as the Rapid Rewards Plus. The Rapid Rewards Premier also charges no foreign transaction fees, so it could be a better option if you plan to travel abroad with your Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. All opinions belong solely to the Yahoo Finance and are not those of any other entity. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank's website for the most current information. This site doesn't include all currently available offers. Credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
