Southwest Airways might have ended its “two baggage fly free” coverage — a perk that outlined the airline for many years — however that does not imply you are robotically caught paying baggage charges.
There are nonetheless a number of dependable methods to test a bag free of charge when flying with Southwest.
This is how.
Associated: These 27 credit cards can get you free checked bags on your next flight
Get a free checked bag with a Southwest bank card
When Southwest rolled out sweeping coverage adjustments in 2025, complimentary checked baggage had been one of many airline’s most notable perks to vanish. Southwest now fees $35 for the primary checked bag and $45 for the second for passengers with out a qualifying bank card, elite standing or eligible fare class.
Nonetheless, one strategy to nonetheless rating a free checked bag on Southwest flights is thru bank cards.
A number of of Southwest’s Speedy Rewards shopper and enterprise bank cards supply one free checked bag for the first cardmember and as much as eight vacationers on the identical reservation — a precious profit for households or anybody who regularly travels in teams.
Eligible bank cards that provide a free checked bag for Southwest flights embrace:
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The knowledge for the Southwest Speedy Rewards Premier Credit score Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.
These adjustments make being a Southwest cardholder extra precious than ever since cardmembers now obtain one checked bag freed from cost. Remember that your Southwest Rapid Rewards account quantity have to be hooked up to the reservation for the profit to use, and the free baggage profit doesn’t apply to approved customers.
This perk can shortly add up in financial savings. For instance, in case you fly Southwest a few occasions a yr, you would possibly take into account carrying the Southwest Speedy Rewards Plus Credit score Card, which comes with a $99 annual payment, in your pockets. By checking a bag simply 3 times a yr, you will fully offset the price of this card.
Along with serving to you keep away from baggage charges, the entry-level card additionally gives commonplace seat choice 48 hours earlier than departure (when accessible).
If you’d like extra advantages past a free checked bag — equivalent to deciding on a most popular seat on the time of reserving — take into account different playing cards just like the Southwest Speedy Rewards Precedence Card or the Southwest Speedy Rewards Efficiency Enterprise Card, which have an annual payment of $229 and $299, respectively, and supply enhanced journey perks.
Associated: Expanded Southwest benefits: The Southwest Plus, Premier and Priority go head-to-head
Elite standing
One other strategy to get a free checked bag — or two — is with Southwest Rapid Rewards elite status. A-Listing members get one free checked bag, and A-Listing Most well-liked members get two free checked baggage.
In the event you’re a frequent Southwest flyer, elite standing can shortly repay in baggage financial savings. Simply be certain so as to add your Speedy Rewards loyalty quantity when reserving so your advantages apply robotically.
Notably, Southwest cardholders can even use a unique non-Southwest card to pay for a flight and nonetheless obtain their free checked bag, so long as their Speedy Rewards quantity is hooked up to the reservation.
Associated: Complete guide to airline status matches and challenges in 2026
Backside line
Whereas baggage not fly free for each Southwest passenger, there are nonetheless dependable methods to keep away from baggage charges in your subsequent flight.
Being a Southwest cardholder — or incomes elite standing — can nonetheless unlock the coveted advantage of free checked baggage.
In the event you frequently fly Southwest, particularly with household or checked baggage, carrying one of many airline’s cobranded bank cards can simply prevent tons of of {dollars} annually.
Associated: Best Southwest Airlines credit cards
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