Latest news with #RapidRewardsCreditCardmembers
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Southwest Airlines Announces First Ever International Partnership
On May 28, Southwest Airlines instituted its new bag policy that was previously announced in March. "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. Just a few days before the start of its new bag policy, Southwest revealed the first checked bag will cost $35 while a second bag will cost $45. Fast forward a few more days and Southwest has even bigger news to come. On June 2, the airline revealed it's in discussion with China Airlines Group, a Taiwan-based carrier, to create an interline partnership in early 2026, with published connections expected to go on sale later this year. The two carriers met in India at the International Air Transport Association 2025 Annual General Meeting to jointly announce the first trans-Pacific airline partnership for Southwest. 'We're on a journey to bring more choices to our Customers. This initial work to partner with Taiwan-based China Airlines would allow for seamless trans-Pacific journeys across the Southwest network, furthering the reach of our Vision and Purpose—to connect People with important moments in their lives,' Andrew Watterson, Chief Operating Officer at Southwest Airlines said in a statement. 'As the largest carrier of domestic Passengers in the United States, we also carry more people to, from, and within California than any other airline1 and expect Southwest Customers could benefit immediately from having access to connections overseas through China Airlines.' Just a few months ago Southwest launched a partnership with Icelandair that connects those traveling from the U.S. and Europe on dual-carrier itineraries through gateway airports Baltimore/Washington, Denver, and Airlines Announces First Ever International Partnership first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 2, 2025 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
6 days ago
- 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
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
All Bags Will No Longer Fly Free on Southwest Airlines, Starting Tomorrow
Southwest Airlines will end its decades-long "two bags fly free" era for new bookings beginning tomorrow. The new fees of $35 for a first checked bag and $45 for a second will apply to Southwest's Basic, Wanna Get Away Plus, and Anytime fares. Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members and customers traveling on Business Select or Choice Extra fares will still receive two free checked bags. Standard A-List Members and Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers will get one free bag. The change is one of a series Southwest has announced over the past year amid activist investor Airlines' (LUV) decades-long "two bags fly free" era is coming to an end tomorrow. The carrier will begin charging certain customers $35 for their first checked bag and $45 for their second on flights booked starting Wednesday, a company spokesperson said in a statement. The change—which brings Southwest in line with domestic competitors Delta Air Lines (DAL), United Airlines (UAL), and American Airlines (AAL)—comes amid pressure from activist investor Elliott Investment Management to raise revenue. In addition to the bag fees, Southwest on Wednesday is introducing a basic economy ticket option, which the airline describes as its lowest price point but least flexible tier. The new bag fees apply to Southwest's Basic, Wanna Get Away Plus, and Anytime fares. Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members and customers traveling on Business Select or Choice Extra fares will still receive two free checked bags. Standard A-List Members and Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers will get one free bag. Southwest last summer announced it would be ending its famed open seating policy, later adding that "reservations for flights with assigned seats are expected to start in the second half of 2025 for flights operating in 2026." Shares of Southwest rose 3% soon after markets opened Tuesday. The airline's stock has fallen about 5% in 2025. Read the original article on Investopedia
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Southwest Airlines serves 11 Florida airports. When 2 free checked bags deal ends (it's soon)
If a trip sounds pretty good right about now, there's something you should know: Southwest Airlines will stop offering free checked bags. If getting that perk affects your decision to fly Southwest, you'll need to book your flight soon. The new bag policy — the first time the airline has charged for checked bags in its 54 year history — is just one of many the company announced earlier this year, including bringing assigned seating and a new priority boarding procedure. ➤ What to know about Southwest Airlines' new fare bundles, from Choice Extra to Basic Here's what you should know. Southwest Airlines has not posted on its website how much checked bags will cost, saying, "Our checked bag fees will align with industry standards, and we will share more details as we approach May 28, 2025." Current checked bag policies at Southwest Airlines are: Size: 62 inches, measuring length, width and height Weight: up to 50 pounds each Prices: Three+ bags: $150 per bag Oversize bag: $200 per bag with maximum of 80 inches Overweight bag: $150 per bag weighing 51 to 70 pounds or; $200 per bag weighing 71 to 100 pounds American for travel within the U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands: 1st checked bag: $40, $35 if paid online 2nd checked bag: $45 Delta for domestic flights within the U.S.: 1st checked bag: $35 2nd checked bag: $45 United for domestic flights: 1st checked bag: $40, $35 if paid online at least 24 hours before flight 2nd checked bag: $50; $45 if paid online at least 24 hours before flight ➤ What is the cutoff time for checked baggage? Critical deadlines for major airlines Southwest will begin charging for checked bags for reservations booked on or after May 28, 2025. The fees will apply to all tickets booked starting May 28 and applies to Anytime, Wanna Get Away plus and Basic customers. No charges will be applied for any reservations booked on or before May 27, "regardless of your travel date." Weight and size limits still apply. Here's how to continue to get free checked bags (or a bag) if you book a reservation after the May 27 deadline: Business Select fares will continue to receive two free checked bags. Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members will receive their first and second checked bags for free. A-List Members and Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers will receive their first checked bag for free. Hawaii residents traveling between the islands will continue to receive two free checked bags. Note that checked bag benefits will not apply on flights booked with a partner carrier. As of May 21, 2025, Southwest said serves 117 airports across 11 countries. Southwest also serves 11 Florida airports: Destin/Fort Walton Beach, VPS Fort Lauderdale, FLL Fort Myers, RSW Jacksonville, JAX Miami, MIA Orlando, MCO Panama City Beach, PNS Pensacola, PNS Sarasota/Bradenton, SRQ Tampa, TPA West Palm Beach, PBI This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Southwest Airlines free checked bags deal in Florida ends soon
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
When will Southwest start charging for bags? What to know about Southwest policy changes
One of America's most popular airlines, known for its affordability and open-seating policy, is making some big changes that will affect its customers experience. Southwest Airlines has announced it will no longer offer two free checked bags for every ticket-holder, and will eventually offer assigned seating at different price points. Here's what we know about when these changes will take effect. Starting May 28, 2025, checked baggage fees will apply to Basic, Wanna Get Away Plus and Anytime fares. This is the first time in the airline's 54 years that it will charge for customers' first and second checked bags. Business Select fares and A-List Preferred Members will still receive two free checked bags. A-List Members and Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers will receive one free checked bag. While Southwests hasn't announced its checked bag fees, the airline said they will align with industry standards. The policy change is part of Southwest's efforts to boost profits and cater to the airlines most loyal customers, USA TODAY reported. The days of checking in 24 hours in advance for your Southwest flight, in order to score an early boarding spot and therefore better seats on your flight, will soon be gone. Southwest will begin offering reservations with assigned seats in the second half of 2025, which will be for flights taking off in 2026. There will be three seat options to choose from: Standard, Preferred and Extra Legroom. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: When will Southwest start charging for bags, end open-seating policy?
