Southwest Airlines is implementing a new round of changes — including charging travelers to check their bags. According to a release, the new initiatives reward the airline's most loyal customers while giving all customers more options.

Checked bags
Southwest will continue to offer two free checked bags to Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members and Customers traveling on Business Select® fares, and one free checked bag to A-List Members and other select Customers. Southwest will credit one checked bag for Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers. Customers who do not qualify for these free bag options will be charged for their first and second checked bags (weight and size limitations apply). Changes will apply to flights booked on or after May 28, 2025.

Rapid Rewards
The carrier recently adjusted the number of Rapid Rewards points Customers earn on qualifying flights. Customers now earn more points on Business Select fares while earning less on Wanna Get Away® and Wanna Get Away Plus® fares. Southwest Rapid Rewards, the carrier's loyalty program, will also introduce variable redemption rates across higher-demand and lower-demand flights.

A new Basic Fare
These strategic moves, aimed to deepen and reward loyalty between Southwest and its most engaged Customers, create new opportunities to reach consumers who value fare above everything else. To align with these changes, Southwest will introduce a new, Basic fare on our lowest priced tickets purchased on or after May 28, 2025, in advance of offering assigned seating and extra legroom options.

Southwest continues to widen its distribution channels to reach new customers, with flights now available to book through online travel agency Expedia, beginning last month.

Flight credits issued for tickets purchased on or after May 28, 2025 will expire one year or earlier from the date of ticketing, depending on the fare type purchased.

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.

"We have tremendous opportunity to meet current and future customer needs, attract new customer segments we don't compete for today, and return to the levels of profitability that both we and our shareholders expect," said Bob Jordan, President, Chief Executive Officer, & Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors at Southwest Airlines. "We will do all this while remaining focused on what's made us strong — our people and the authentic, friendly, and award-winning customer service only they can provide."