Southwest’s checked baggage policy is changing on May 28, 2025 for most tickets, with additional carve‑outs and grace periods that run into early 2026.

Key dates at a glance

  • May 28, 2025
    • New checked bag fees begin for most fares booked or changed on or after this date.
* Southwest’s long‑time “two bags fly free” policy is effectively **ended for new bookings** , except for certain premium tiers and specific customer groups.
  • Through May 27, 2025
    • Tickets booked and ticketed on or before May 27 keep the old “two free checked bags” terms, as long as the reservation is not voluntarily changed later.
  • Group reservations grace period: to January 26, 2026
    • Some official guidance notes that group reservations booked or changed before January 26, 2026 can still be eligible for the former “bags fly free” policy.

What exactly is changing?

  • End of universal “Bags Fly Free”
    • Southwest is no longer giving two free checked bags to everyone on most new tickets; free bags are now tied to fare type and status.
  • Who still gets free checked bags?
    • Business Select passengers: up to two free checked bags.
* **A‑List Preferred** : two free checked bags.

* **A‑List and certain credit cardmembers** : generally **one free checked bag**.

* Some **Hawaii resident** inter‑island itineraries and certain package bookings (e.g., Getaways by Southwest) may still receive two free bags.
  • Who pays bag fees now?
    • Customers on Basic (new lowest tier), Wanna Get Away Plus, and Anytime fares now pay for most checked bags.
* Typical published fees are **about 35 USD for the first bag and 45 USD for the second** , per direction.
  • Carry‑on policy
    • The standard free carry‑on allowance remains , but Southwest has warned of stricter enforcement of size rules as more people try to avoid checked bag fees.

Simple example: how the date affects you

  • If you booked your ticket on May 20, 2025 and never changed it:
    • You should still get up to two free checked bags , because your booking predates the May 28 cutoff.
  • If you booked on June 10, 2025 on a Basic or Wanna Get Away Plus fare:
    • You will likely pay around 35 USD for your first checked bag and 45 USD for your second , unless you qualify for a status or card‑based waiver.
  • If you’re on a group reservation booked before late January 2026:
    • There is still a transition window where some group bookings can receive the old “bags fly free” treatment if they were booked or changed before January 26, 2026.

Quick HTML table for reference

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Item What changes When it applies
Universal “Bags Fly Free” Ends for most new tickets; free bags limited to certain fares/status. Tickets booked/changed on or after May 28, 2025.
Standard checked bag fees Approx. 35 USD for first bag, 45 USD for second on affected fares. For eligible fares booked from May 28, 2025 onward.
Legacy free‑bag protection Up to two free checked bags remain under old terms. Tickets booked on or before May 27, 2025 (and not later changed).
Group reservations grace period Some group bookings remain under old baggage rules. If booked or changed before January 26, 2026.
Carry‑on rules Free carry‑on kept, with stricter enforcement of size limits. Gradual enforcement alongside baggage‑fee rollout in 2025.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.