{"id":201363,"date":"2025-03-11T13:01:54","date_gmt":"2025-03-11T13:01:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=201363\/"},"modified":"2026-04-08T14:11:02","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T14:11:02","slug":"southwest-adds-basic-fares-bag-fees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/news\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/southwest-adds-basic-fares-bag-fees\/","title":{"rendered":"The Days of ‘Transfarency’ Are Over: Southwest to Add Bag Fees, Basic Fares, Dynamic Pricing"},"content":{"rendered":"

The changes below have taken effect, and this post is no longer being updated. Here is our archive of major updates<\/a> from card issuers and loyalty programs.<\/em><\/p>\n

Nearly a decade ago, Southwest Airlines poured millions into TV ads, billboards, and social media campaigns promoting its commitment to “Transfarency.”<\/a> Even if you didn\u2019t live near an airport served by Southwest, you might recall the ads boasting no hidden fees, two free checked bags, and transparent pricing.<\/p>\n

But those days are over.\u00a0The webpage that once championed these values\u00a0now leads to an “Error 404: Page Not Found”<\/a> \u2014 a near-perfect metaphor for the airline\u2019s now-abandoned values.\u00a0Checked bag fees, basic economy, and dynamic award pricing are officially on the way.<\/p>\n

For Southwest loyalists, this might feel like doomsday. But according to the airline\u2019s press release issued on March 11, 2025<\/a>, it\u2019s just business as usual. Here\u2019s a breakdown of what\u2019s changing with Southwest.<\/p>\n

Southwest to Start Charging for Checked Bags, Add Basic Economy, and Implement Dynamic Pricing<\/span><\/h2>\n

Ever since Southwest Airlines began bending the knee to an activist investor, changes have been coming nonstop at the Dallas-based airline \u2014 long known for customer-friendly policies, great service, and, yes, \u201cTransfarency.\u201d These values once set it apart from its competition.<\/p>\n

But as of March 11, 2025, it\u2019s hard to argue these values still exist. Over the next few months, Southwest will introduce checked bag fees, restrictive basic economy fares, and dynamic award pricing \u2014 all coming on the heels of gutting the Rapid Rewards earning rates on its Wanna Get Away fares<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Southwest<\/p>\n

Checked bag fees<\/span><\/h3>\n

Southwest will officially start charging for checked bags for flights booked starting May 28, 2025<\/strong>. Unless you have a Rapid Rewards credit card<\/a> or elite status<\/a>, you'll have to pay to check a bag.<\/p>\n

The number of bags you can check for free depends on a couple of factors:<\/p>\n