Want to delay paying Southwest Airlines for check bag fees as long as possible? You may want to book a trip from now until Tuesday.
Starting May 28, Dallas-based airlines will officially put their highly-watched bag charges online. But here’s what might be helpful for summer travelers: new fees will apply to travel Booking Starting from May 28th.
This means that those travelers who have already booked their summer flights with Southwest will owe any bag fees on this trip. This also means that customers who locked fares at the end of Tuesday night, May 27 will not owe these travel expenses whenever they set out.
Yes, that means if you book your year-end holiday flight now, your luggage will also fly freely. In fact, Southwest Airlines’ booking channel currently offers flights until mid-January 2026.
Read more: Cheaper flights and reward prices: Why summer 2025 can bring air travel deals
Southwest Airlines Bag Fee
Southwest announced it drastically shifted its long-term policy, which offered customers two free check bags per fare type in March, citing the need to increase its sagging profits.
The move ended one of the most customer-friendly policies that major U.S. airlines still offer, and executives insisted last year that they would remain in place even if airlines made wholesale changes.
Starting May 28, Southwest passengers will have to pay for all check bags when flying on the ticket course above:
- Basically, it will replace the fare that has long wanted to escape the fare
- Want to escape
- at any time
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Read more: Best Southwest Airlines Credit Cards
How much will Southwest Airlines check bag cost?
When I wrote this story, Southwest hasn’t said how much it would be charged for their first (or second) checked baggage, although it’s worth noting that on some airlines, the largest carriers in the United States each charge about $35 for about $35.
Southwest does say its fees “will meet industry standards” and we hope to hear more in the coming days.
How to get free bags in the Southwest
Even after the fee is charged, passengers can get free bags in several ways.
- Business Choice Fares will still be equipped with two free bags
- A-list preferred elite identity members will receive two free bags
- A-list members will receive a free bag
- All common Southwest credit card holders will also receive a free bag
It is worth noting that the southwest is no What United Airlines does with its basic economic fare requires passengers to bring full-size carry-on bags to the boat.
Related: What will each Southwest Airlines get from May 28
More changes are coming soon
This is not the last wave of changes for airlines. As I reported last month, the Southwest will rename all of its fare products later this year and update each fare product after it starts selling its 2026 seats.
At the same time, though, if I wanted to fly the Southwest sometime this year, I would consider ending now until Tuesday. At the very least, it can effectively delay the start of paid bags until later in 2025.
Remember: You can lock these bookings with cash or fast bonus points bookings. And if you don’t have quick bonus points, you can transfer them from Chase Ultimate Rewards and start this month.
Just make sure your plan is set on the stone: Southwest does point out that fares after May 27 will be charged for baggage fees.
What if you have to cancel?
If you have to cancel your reservation made before May 28, you can still claim full fare credit without an expiration date. However, the upcoming flight credit line is coming, ending another leniency policy.
If you make a booking on or after May 28 and then have to cancel, the flight credit you will receive will come with a one-year expiration date, which is the base fare for six months.
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