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How to Get Free Checked Bags on Southwest Airlines in 2026
July 1, 2025
What's New in 2026
Southwest Airlines just made its baggage situation even pricier. Effective April 9, 2026, Southwest raised checked bag fees by $10 across the board — the second increase in less than a year. The first checked bag now costs $45 (up from $35), the second costs $55 (up from $45), and the third or any additional bag remains $150 each. That means a round-trip flight with one checked bag now runs $90 in bag fees alone, before you've even bought your ticket. For a family of four each checking one bag, that's $360 round trip.
The good news? Several solid ways to avoid these fees still exist — and the credit card workaround is actually more valuable now than it was when the policy first changed.
Southwest's Full Baggage Fee Structure (April 2026)
Here's a complete picture of what Southwest currently charges:
- First checked bag — $45
- Second checked bag — $55
- Third bag or more — $150 each
- Carry-on bag — Free
- Personal item — Free
- Overweight bag (51–70 lbs) — +$100 on top of standard fee
- Overweight bag (71–100 lbs) — +$200 on top of standard fee
- Oversized bag (over 62 linear inches) — +$200 on top of standard fee
One important rule: If you booked your flight before May 28, 2025 and have not modified your reservation in any way, your bags still fly free under the original policy. Any change to the reservation — even a name correction — may void that benefit.
6 Ways to Still Get Free Checked Bags on Southwest
1. Southwest Credit Cards (Best Option for Most Travelers)
The most accessible and flexible workaround is holding a Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards credit card. Every qualifying Southwest co-branded card provides one free checked bag for the primary cardholder and up to eight companions booked on the same reservation — a group coverage benefit that outpaces nearly every competing airline card program on the market.
There are five eligible Southwest cards across personal and business tiers, each suited to a different type of traveler:
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2159", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "Additional Travel Benefits" } ]]
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2161", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "Fantastic Travel Choice" } ]]
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2162", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Southwest Loyalists", "headerHint" : "Generous Benefits and Perks" } ]]
On the business side:
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2163", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "Top Travel Pick" } ]]
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2160", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Business Owners", "headerHint" : "Large Welcome Offer" } ]]
Two rules that apply to every card: First, your Rapid Rewards account number must be linked to the reservation at the time of booking — not just at check-in. Second, the free bag benefit applies to the primary cardholder only, not to authorized users on the same account. You also don't need to pay for the flight with your Southwest card to activate the benefit — any payment method works as long as your Rapid Rewards number is on the reservation.
2. Southwest A-List Elite Status
Southwest's Rapid Rewards loyalty program preserves free bag benefits at both elite tiers, and the savings are automatic once your status is active.
A-List members receive one free checked bag per flight, plus a $10 discount on the second bag — bringing it to $45 instead of $55. To earn A-List status, you need 35 one-way qualifying flights or 35,000 tier-qualifying points in a calendar year.
A-List Preferred members receive two free checked bags per flight. This tier requires 70 one-way qualifying flights or 70,000 tier-qualifying points annually.
Just make sure your Rapid Rewards number is added to every reservation so benefits apply automatically.
3. Book a Choice Extra or Business Select Fare
This one is easy to overlook, but it's worth checking every time you book. Southwest's two premium fare tiers include two free checked bags as part of the bundle:
Choice Extra fare — includes 2 free checked bags plus priority boardingBusiness Select fare — includes 2 free checked bags plus premium perks
Before paying for bags separately, compare the fare upgrade price to what the bags would cost. On shorter or mid-range routes, upgrading to Choice Extra often costs less than the $45 + $55 you'd pay for two bags per direction. Always check the fare selection screen before completing your booking — it takes 30 seconds and can easily save $50 or more per person.
5. Companion Pass Holders
If you hold Southwest's Companion Pass, your designated companion travels with the same baggage benefits as the primary cardholder on shared bookings. When the cardholder also holds a qualifying Southwest credit card, both the cardholder and the companion get their first bag free — making this combination particularly valuable for couples or regular travel partners who fly Southwest together.
6. Pack Smart and Go Carry-On Only
The simplest and cheapest option of all: don't check a bag. Southwest's carry-on allowance remains one of the most generous in the U.S. airline industry.
Every passenger on every fare can bring one full-size carry-on (up to 24 x 16 x 10 inches, with no weight limit) and one personal item such as a purse, laptop bag, or small backpack (up to roughly 18.5 x 8.5 x 13.5 inches) — both completely free. Travel experts consistently note that seven to ten days of clothing fits into a standard carry-on when using compression packing cubes. And if the overhead bins happen to be full at boarding, gate agents will check your carry-on at the gate at no charge.
Which Southwest Credit Card Should You Choose?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card is best for occasional flyers who want to cover bag fees with minimal commitment. The Premier Card makes sense for moderate flyers building toward elite status. The Priority Card rewards frequent flyers the most, with travel credits and upgraded boardings that bring the effective annual cost down considerably. The Performance Business Card is the top pick for business travelers loyal to Southwest.
For any of them, the math works quickly at the new $45 per bag rate — a family of four checking one bag each on two round trips saves $720 against an annual fee.
How Much Can You Save? (Updated for New $45 Fee)
- Solo traveler, 2 round trips, 1 bag — $180 saved annually
- Couple, 2 round trips, 1 bag each — $360 saved annually
- Family of 4, 2 round trips, 1 bag each — $720 saved annually
- Business traveler, 6 one-way trips, 1 bag — $270 saved annually
Even the most expensive Southwest credit card pays for itself within a single family trip.
What About Non-Southwest Travel Cards?
If you already hold a premium general travel card, it may cover Southwest bag fees through annual travel credits — no co-branded card required.
Other alternatives include:
[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["510", "106", "1066"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["High-Value Perks", "Serious Points on Flights", "High Earning Rates"]} ]]
A Note for Hawaii Residents
If your primary Rapid Rewards mailing address is in Hawaii and you're flying Southwest between Hawaiian islands, you receive two free checked bags on inter-island routes as a longstanding carve-out in Southwest's policy. Non-Hawaii residents flying inter-island routes pay reduced bag fees compared to mainland rates. This benefit applies regardless of which fare you book.
Tips for Maximizing Your Southwest Card Benefits
Following the rules closely is what separates travelers who consistently get the free bag from those who are surprised at check-in.
Always link your Rapid Rewards number at booking, not check-in. The benefit only activates when your number appears on the reservation at the time it's created.
Book all companions on the same reservation. The benefit covers up to 8 companions, but only when they're all on a single booking. Separate reservations do not qualify, even for the same flight.
You don't need to pay with your Southwest card. Use whichever card earns you the best rewards for the purchase — the free bag follows your Rapid Rewards number, not your form of payment.
Check the Choice Extra fare price before paying for bags. On many routes, the fare upgrade costs less than the bags themselves.
Apply before your next trip. First-year bag savings on a Southwest card regularly exceed the annual fee several times over, especially for families.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do existing Southwest credit cardholders automatically get the free bag benefit?
Yes — if you already hold a qualifying Southwest credit card, the benefit is automatic as long as your Rapid Rewards number is attached to the reservation. No opt-in is required.
Does the free bag benefit apply to authorized users?
No. The benefit is exclusive to the primary cardholder's Rapid Rewards number. Authorized users on the same account do not independently qualify.
Do companions need to be on my exact reservation?
Yes. The benefit covers the primary cardholder plus up to 8 companions, but everyone must be on the same reservation. Separate bookings — even on the same flight — forfeit the benefit.
Can I use a Southwest business card for personal travel?
Yes — both personal and business Southwest credit cards include the first free checked bag benefit for the primary cardholder and up to 8 companions on the same reservation, regardless of whether the travel is for business or personal use.
What if I have both A-List status and a Southwest credit card?
Per Southwest's policy, if your elite status already covers your first free bag, you are not eligible to stack the credit card benefit on top of it. The higher benefit (A-List Preferred's two free bags) takes precedence.
What happens if I cancel my Southwest credit card?
You lose the free bag benefit immediately upon cancellation — even mid-year.
Are bag fees going up again?
Southwest raised fees most recently on April 9, 2026. There is no announced future increase as of this writing, but it's always worth confirming the current fee structure at Southwest's official travel charges page before your trip.
The Bottom Line
Southwest's "Bags Fly Free" era is over, and the April 2026 fee increase makes the situation more expensive than when it first changed less than a year ago. But the workarounds remain strong. For anyone flying Southwest more than once or twice a year with checked bags, a Southwest co-branded credit card is one of the best-value travel cards available today — particularly for families and groups where the 8-companion benefit multiplies the savings dramatically.
If a new card isn't right for you, checking the Choice Extra fare upgrade price or packing everything into Southwest's generous carry-on allowance are both solid zero-cost strategies worth evaluating before every booking.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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