The era of free bags on Southwest Airlines is over…sort of. The airline now charges baggage fees for all flights, an unfortunate change for Southwest and budget travelers who enjoyed two free checked bags on all flights.
If you check a bag more frequently and Southwest is your preferred airline, we recommend applying for one of the airline’s co-branded cards (which were refreshed in July 2025).
This way, you’ll get free checked bags instead of having to pay $35 for the first bag and $45 for the second.
1 free checked bag with Southwest credit cards
Southwest renewed its entire business model in 2025 adding baggage charges, seats with extra legroom, new fare classes and seat selection.
These changes make being a Southwest cardholder much more valuable, as cardholders now receive one free checked bag. This benefit also applies to up to eight companions traveling with the primary cardholder on the same reservation.
Eligible credit cards that offer free checked bags for Southwest flights include:
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card information has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
If you fly Southwest a couple of times a year, the Southwest Plus card with a $99 annual fee may be enough for you. By checking a bag three times a year, you will completely offset the cost of this card.
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In addition to making it easy to check bags on all Southwest flights without paying a hefty annual fee, the basic card also offers standard seat selection 48 hours before departure (when available).
If you want additional benefits beyond a free checked bag, such as selecting a preferred seat at the time of booking, consider other cards like Southwest Priority or Southwest Performance Business.
elite status
Another way to get one or two free checked bags is with Southwest Rapid Rewards Elite Status. A-List members will get one free checked bag, and A-List Preferred members will still get two free checked bags.
If you travel frequently on Southwest, elite status will pay off in terms of baggage allowance. Just make sure to add your Quick rewards loyalty number when making your reservation to ensure your tier-related benefits are activated.
In fact, Southwest cardholders can also use a different non-Southwest card to pay for a flight while still taking advantage of the free checked baggage benefit by making sure their Rapid Rewards number is attached to the reservation.
In a nutshell
The day has finally come and Southwest has joined the ranks of all other traditional carriers in charging for checked baggage.
Don’t let these changes discourage you. Being a Southwest cardholder (or having the appropriate elite status) can still get you free checked bags.
Ultimately, if you’re committed to Southwest but aren’t a cardholder, it’s best to apply for a Southwest credit card. If you fly frequently or as a family, a Southwest credit card can help you save hundreds of dollars a year.
Related: Best Southwest Airlines Credit Cards
