It is a difficult news day for Southwest Airlines loyal. We thought the worst had ended when Southwest announced a end your open seat policy Last summer, but we are wrong: Southwest has now announced a end your beloved control bag policy.
The announcement also includes other changes, such as a new “basic” rate option, dynamic prices for prize tickets and the return of flight loans.
This is what we know and what you can do to decrease the blow.
Revised bag rates
The biggest surprise for southwest loyal ones is the end of the airline policy of two free registered bags for all. After May 28, only preferred elite members to list A and those traveling in select business rates will receive two free registered bags.
The members of A-List Elite, credit card holders and “other selected clients” will receive a free reviewed bag, and all the remaining clients must pay their reviewed bags.
Related: Comparison of rapid rewards priority in the southwest, Premier and more credit cards
Basic rates replacements wants to escape
Another important piece of the announcement is that Southwest will add a new basic rate. This will replace the current Wanna Get Away rate and strip the advantages that travelers with budgetary mentality have loved.
Southwest already took a step in this address last week, Reduce rapid rewards In this lowest two -thirds rate. Now, the full details of the new rate are available.
If you buy a basic rate, it will not be eligible for changes, although it can still be canceled for free, provided you do it at least 10 minutes before the exit. In addition, basic travelers will not be eligible for free changes on the same day (currently an option paying any applicable rate difference), nor can they request a courtesy reserve the same day.
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Read more: Southwest Airlines cuts quick rewards: Is it a bad signal for customers?
Flight credits expiration
Southwest was news in July 2022 for being the first airline in Eliminate expiration dates for your flight loansadding one more reason for customers to choose southwest over other airlines.
But now, that customer friendly feature is being returned. The flight credits issued from May 28 or later expire in 12 months for Wank Away Plus, any time and select business rates, and in just six months for the new class of basic rates.
What we don’t know
Even with these changes, it is too early to have all the details of how you will see Southwest in the future. Southwest has not yet shared what it will charge for the reviewed bags or what (if any) additional benefits will be added to the head card holders of the southwest, apart from a free checkered bag.
Southwest has also said that he will add “variable” redemption prices for Rapid Rewards prize flights, but we still don’t know exactly how that will be seen. It is worth noting that redeeming the fast rewards points is already variable, with award rates that increase (and fall) with the price paid of the ticket, so it remains to be seen what this means for customers.
How can you prepare now
Perhaps the silver lining in this announcement is that customers receive more than 2 1/2 months of notification. That gives you time to plan accordingly, so there are some things to consider.
Reserve (or cancel) your trip before May 28
Many of these changes enter into force for trips reserved on May 28 or later, so he has been watching a southwest flight for a trip at the end of this year, try to block those travel plans before that date. Reserved flights before May 28, even for future trips, will still come with two free reviewed bags, and must still be eligible for free changes by reserving a discouragement of discouraging.
In addition, if you need to cancel any trip you have already reserved, do it before May 28. The new expiration policy enters into force for flight credits issued after that date, regardless of when the ticket was bought.
Get a credit card Cobranded Southwest
If you want the option to check a bag free of charge without having to pay a ticket in a higher rate, keeping a credit card is the only insurance you will have in the future. And now it’s a good time to add a Southwest Credit Card To your wallet since they have some solid Welcome offers for limited time.
Related: Win a complementary pass plus 30,000 points with these offers of the southwest card
Share your frustrations with Southwest
If these changes make it reconsider their loyalty to the southwest, share those comments directly with the carrier. We have seen cases in which airlines have delayed the main reviews of their loyalty programs (Delta Air Lines immediately comes to mind), so if sufficient frustrated customers approach, there is the possibility that these changes soften, at least partially.
End
Southwest has announced some important changes, including charges for reviewed bags, more variable prize prices, a new class of basic rates and the expiration of the return credit of the flight. It is a sad day for southwest loyal, but you can take measures by adding a southwest charged card to your wallet and solidify your travel plans before these changes enter into force on May 28.
