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Southwest to begin charging for checked bags
Posted on 3/11/25 at 8:29 am
Posted on 3/11/25 at 8:29 am
Love the boardng process
No issue with open seating
This is a deal breaker when they already werent the cheaper domestic carrier on many routes I travel anyway
No issue with open seating
This is a deal breaker when they already werent the cheaper domestic carrier on many routes I travel anyway
quote:
Today we announced updates to some of our policies and benefits within our fare bundles. Sharing them with you is important to us, as we’re working to offer you more choices to create travel experiences that fit your needs.
Updates to Checked Baggage Policy
We will offer two free checked bags to Rapid Rewards® A-List Preferred Members and Customers traveling on Business Select fares. We will also offer one free checked bag to A-List Members and other select Customers. In addition, Southwest will credit one checked bag for Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers. All remaining Customers will pay to check their first and second bags, and we will continue to charge for the third and fourth checked bags. Changes will apply to flights booked on or after May 28.
Updates to Our Fare Bundles
We're updating the benefits of our fares bundles in phases. Whether you’re looking for a lower price with fewer perks, or more benefits for added flexibility, you’ll have the choice to pick what works best for your trip.
Phase 1: Beginning this month, we increased our Rapid Rewards earn ratio on our Business Select fares and lowered the earn ratio on our Wanna Get Away® and Wanna Get Away Plus™ fares. We will also begin to vary our redemption rates across our fare products on some high- and low-demand travel periods.
Phase 2: Beginning May 28, we will introduce a new Basic fare. This new Basic fare will be our lowest price point and will have less flexibility than other fares. Additionally, we will be adding expiration dates to our Flight Credits, which will vary based on which fare you choose to purchase.
The chart below gives you a full picture of the revised fare products as of May 28, 2025, ranging from most flexible to value-first.
11
Posted on 3/11/25 at 8:50 am to LSUfan4444
Posted on 3/11/25 at 8:53 am to LSUfan4444
Expiring flight credits is another big issue as well
Posted on 3/11/25 at 8:53 am to LSUfan4444
they are trying to become more competitive probably. They are super expensive. maybe they will lower ticket prices and charge for baggage instead of trying to hide the cost of baggage in every ticket.
Posted on 3/11/25 at 9:05 am to diat150
quote:
they are trying to become more competitive probably. They are super expensive.
This all makes them less competitive. In my market (Houston), they were usually priced very similarly to United. The only reason to take SW was if you live near Hobby or because they were cheaper due to no baggage fees. I'm sure these changes will also make it so that if you buy the cheapest fare, you likely end up in the middle seat. It's also likely that I will never fly SW again.
Posted on 3/11/25 at 9:29 am to LaLadyinTx
thats weird because in my experience they were typically almost twice the cost of anyone else. IM talking about a normal booking not one of their special deals.
Posted on 3/11/25 at 9:45 am to slinger1317
I don't think the expiring credits are an issue. If you fly often, you will use them pretty soon. We primarily used SWA in MSY while living in BR because it was both cost-effective and and less total travel time to where we normally go. I wanted to drop the credit card because I didn't think I would be traveling as much as I used to with another baby on the way, but this will likely make me end the credit card before my renewal comes up. Time to start flying out of BTR on a different credit card now.
Posted on 3/11/25 at 10:01 am to BilbeauTBaggins
Sooooooo disappointed.
I have the credit card, so I’ll still get one free bag, but why would SWA even consider doing this? It’s what set them apart from other carriers as well as kept them competitive vs American in D/FW. They were the anti-American. They’ve always been cheaper and no charges for bags going out of Love.
Now, I’ll probably book American more to take a direct flight where I want to go. SWA has also reduced the number of direct flights out of Love significantly.
Who am I kidding? I hate American. Guess I’ll fly Delta and suffer through changes in ATL, DTW, and SLC.
I have the credit card, so I’ll still get one free bag, but why would SWA even consider doing this? It’s what set them apart from other carriers as well as kept them competitive vs American in D/FW. They were the anti-American. They’ve always been cheaper and no charges for bags going out of Love.
Now, I’ll probably book American more to take a direct flight where I want to go. SWA has also reduced the number of direct flights out of Love significantly.
Who am I kidding? I hate American. Guess I’ll fly Delta and suffer through changes in ATL, DTW, and SLC.
This post was edited on 3/11/25 at 10:05 am
Posted on 3/11/25 at 10:30 am to LSUfan4444
Southwest consistently has 30-40 minute turns on some of their routes. I'm curious to see how bad their on time departures become with 10-30 people needing to last minute check their luggage due to no remaining overhead space. Unless they add more turnaround time for their scheduling, this is going to turn into rolling delays throughout the day. At least AA and DL usually have 50 minutes to an hour for turns (excluding the regional jets) so they at least have time buffered in
Posted on 3/11/25 at 10:30 am to bluestem75
quote:
I hate American. Guess I’ll fly Delta and suffer through changes in ATL, DTW, and SLC
Direct flights on the Kirby'd AA, vs 2 hour flights to connect to where you want to go? Hell, why not fly United via IAH?
Posted on 3/11/25 at 10:58 am to LSUfan4444
This is a very questionable business decision on their part, Southwest was known for no change fees, free bags, open seating, usually among the cheapest and was just good at what it was.
They are no down to no change fees, and that's about it, they have eroded just about everything else they did well/differently than the other big players.
They are no down to no change fees, and that's about it, they have eroded just about everything else they did well/differently than the other big players.
Posted on 3/11/25 at 11:51 am to PistolPete45
quote:
They are no down to no change fees, and that's about it, they have eroded just about everything else they did well/differently than the other big players.
and that's the biggest factor in why I usually fly SW for business so I can book a late return flight but hop on an earlier one if business wraps earlier
when we're flying as a family is when I try to book SW for the (formerly) free checked bags
Posted on 3/11/25 at 12:28 pm to diat150
quote:
maybe they will lower ticket prices and charge for baggage instead of trying to hide the cost of baggage in every ticket.
The way Elliott capital is driving the bus, there will be no reduction in fares except maybe this new basic option
Posted on 3/11/25 at 12:31 pm to LSUfan4444
1) what are they doing with carryons? Still one free?
2) if you have the CC is it one free bag per account? Per person on the confirmation? Per cardholder? Can i add my wife and kids as authorized users and they get a free bag?
2) if you have the CC is it one free bag per account? Per person on the confirmation? Per cardholder? Can i add my wife and kids as authorized users and they get a free bag?
Posted on 3/11/25 at 2:41 pm to LSUfan4444
Assuming a trip already purchased that starts after the 28th will still have free bags? I never fly southwest but bought 6 tickets for a wedding. Only reason I bought was because they will be bringing a lot of luggage. Actually we fly out the 29th.
Posted on 3/11/25 at 3:04 pm to LSUFanHouston
Very much seems like Elliott is putting makeup on Southwest to take her to market in a few years. More consolidation!
Posted on 3/11/25 at 3:26 pm to LSUFanHouston
Yep. Activist investor bumping up revenue to reap a benefit down the line.
Posted on 3/11/25 at 7:00 pm to LSUfan4444
Activist investors bought into them and this is the result…
Goodbye SW, no reason to fly on you compared to others at this point.
Devaluing points and charging for bag, who the frick thought this was a good idea.
Goodbye SW, no reason to fly on you compared to others at this point.
Devaluing points and charging for bag, who the frick thought this was a good idea.
Posted on 3/11/25 at 8:08 pm to bluestem75
quote:
Guess I’ll fly Delta and suffer through changes in ATL, DTW, and SLC.
I love all three of those airports. No suffering
Posted on 3/11/25 at 9:41 pm to LSUfan4444
Glad I sold my LUV a few months back. Now they're just like all the other airlines except with shittier service and more delays. I get that not everyone liked what made southwest unique, but at least it was something different that gave them a niche clientele to keep coming back.
I'm more concerned about the change process. So the wanna get away fare used to be very easy to change flights. That seems to be going away?
I'm more concerned about the change process. So the wanna get away fare used to be very easy to change flights. That seems to be going away?
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