Flying with Southwest Airlines? You've landed in the right place to understand their baggage fees for 2025 and beyond! While Southwest was once famous for its "Bags Fly Free" policy, things have changed. As of May 28, 2025, most passengers will now encounter fees for checked luggage. But don't worry, this comprehensive guide will break down everything you need to know, step by step, to help you navigate these new policies and potentially save some money.
Understanding Southwest Airlines Baggage Fees: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to get started? Let's dive into the specifics of Southwest's baggage policy.
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| How Much Will The Baggage Fee Be For Southwest Airlines |
Step 1: Identify Your Fare Type and Status – This is crucial!
The amount you pay for baggage on Southwest Airlines now largely depends on the type of fare you purchased and your Rapid Rewards elite status. Don't skip this step! Knowing your fare and status will immediately tell you if you're eligible for any free checked bags.
Sub-heading: Fare Types and Their Baggage Allowances
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Basic, Wanna Get Away Plus®, and Anytime Fares: For flights booked and ticketed on or after May 28, 2025, these fares will incur checked baggage fees. This is the biggest change for many Southwest loyalists.
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First Checked Bag: $35
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Second Checked Bag: $45
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Third or More Bags: $150 per bag
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Business Select® Fares: Good news if you're flying Business Select! These fares continue to include two free checked bags.
Sub-heading: Rapid Rewards Elite Status and Credit Card Holder Benefits
Southwest still offers ways for frequent flyers and credit card holders to avoid or reduce baggage fees.
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Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members: You're in luck! A-List Preferred members will receive their first and second checked bags for free.
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Rapid Rewards A-List Members: A-List members will receive their first checked bag for free. The second checked bag will cost $35.
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Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card Holders: This is a fantastic way for many travelers to save. All Southwest credit cards now provide one free checked bag for the primary cardholder and up to eight companions on the same reservation. This can easily offset the annual fee of some cards if you check bags even occasionally.
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Military Personnel: Active duty military personnel traveling on orders are generally exempt from checked, overweight, and oversized bag fees, provided the bags do not exceed 100 pounds and 80 inches. Always confirm with Southwest directly for the most current military policy.
Step 2: Know Your Bag's Dimensions and Weight – Avoid surprises at the airport!
Even with the new fees, there are still strict limits on the size and weight of your bags. Exceeding these limits will result in additional charges, regardless of your fare type or status.
Sub-heading: Standard Checked Bag Limits
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Weight Limit: Each checked bag must not exceed 50 pounds (23 kg).
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Size Limit: The total linear dimensions (length + width + height) of each checked bag must not exceed 62 inches (158 cm). Remember to include wheels and handles in your measurements!
Sub-heading: Overweight Baggage Fees
If your checked bag weighs more than 50 pounds, you'll face an overweight baggage fee.
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51 to 70 pounds: $150 per bag
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71 to 100 pounds: $200 per bag
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Bags exceeding 100 pounds are generally not permitted as checked baggage.
Sub-heading: Oversized Baggage Fees
If your checked bag exceeds the 62-inch linear dimension limit, you'll incur an oversized baggage fee.
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Greater than 62 inches, up to 80 inches: $200 per bag
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Bags exceeding 80 inches are generally not permitted as checked baggage.
Important Note: Overweight and oversized fees are cumulative. For example, if your bag is both overweight and oversized, you'll pay both applicable fees.
Step 3: Understand Carry-On and Personal Item Allowances – Pack smart, fly light!
Southwest Airlines still allows one carry-on bag and one personal item for free. This is a key way to avoid checked bag fees if you can pack efficiently.
Sub-heading: Carry-On Bag Limits
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You are permitted one piece of carry-on baggage.
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Maximum Dimensions: 24 x 16 x 10 inches (approximately 61 x 40 x 25 cm). This bag should fit in the overhead bin.
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Southwest Airlines does not have a specified weight restriction for carry-on items, but you must be able to lift it into the overhead bin yourself.
Sub-heading: Personal Item Limits
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You are permitted one small personal item.
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Maximum Dimensions: 18.5 x 8.5 x 13.5 inches. This item should fit under the seat in front of you.
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Examples include: a purse, briefcase, laptop bag, small backpack, or a neck pillow.
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Pet carriers count as either your personal item or carry-on, and a fee of $125 (one-way) is levied for each pet carrier.
Step 4: Special Baggage and Sports Equipment – Planning to bring your gear?
Many special items, including sports equipment, are generally accepted as part of your checked baggage allowance, provided they meet the standard weight and size limits. However, some may incur additional fees.
Tip: Be mindful — one idea at a time.
Sub-heading: Common Special Items and Considerations
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Golf Bags: Often treated as one checked bag. Excess weight charges may apply if over 50 lbs. Excess size charges are typically waived for standard golf bags.
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Skis/Snowboards: Often treated as one checked bag (a ski bag with skis, boots, and poles, or a snowboard bag with a snowboard and boots, counts as one item). Excess size charges are typically waived; excess weight charges may apply.
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Bicycles: Must be in a hard-sided bicycle box that falls within the 62-inch and 50-pound limits to be considered a standard checked bag. Otherwise, excess weight and size charges will apply.
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Musical Instruments: Can be carried on if they fit under the seat or in the overhead bin. Larger instruments may require purchasing an additional seat. If checked, standard baggage policies and fees apply.
Always check Southwest's official website or contact their customer service for specific details on your particular special item, as policies can vary and are subject to change.
Step 5: Payment Methods and Airport Procedures – Be prepared!
Southwest Airlines does not allow you to prepay for checked luggage online. All baggage fees must be paid at the airport.
Sub-heading: Where and How to Pay
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Self-Tagging Kiosks: At many airports, you can use self-tagging kiosks to print your bag tags and pay any applicable fees. This can save you time.
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Ticket Counter: You can also check your bags and pay fees at the Southwest Airlines ticket counter with a Southwest Agent.
Sub-heading: Tracking Your Bags
Southwest offers digital bag tracking, allowing you to monitor the status of your checked luggage.
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Related FAQ Questions:
How to avoid Southwest Airlines baggage fees? The best ways to avoid Southwest baggage fees are to:
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Hold a Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card (offers one free checked bag for the cardholder and up to 8 companions).
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Achieve Rapid Rewards A-List or A-List Preferred status (A-List gets one free bag, A-List Preferred gets two).
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Book a Business Select fare (includes two free checked bags).
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Pack light and only bring a carry-on and personal item.
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Be active duty military traveling on orders.
How to determine if my bag is oversized for Southwest Airlines? To determine if your bag is oversized, measure its length, width, and height, and add those three measurements together. If the sum is greater than 62 linear inches, it is considered oversized.
How to weigh my luggage before going to the airport for Southwest? You can weigh your luggage at home using a bathroom scale. Weigh yourself, then weigh yourself holding your packed bag, and subtract your weight to find the bag's weight. Alternatively, purchase a portable luggage scale for accurate measurements.
How to check my bag for free on Southwest if I have a credit card? Ensure your Rapid Rewards number, linked to your Southwest credit card, is included in your reservation. The free first standard checked bag benefit will then apply automatically when you check in your bag at the airport.
How to check a pet on Southwest Airlines? Small domesticated cats or dogs can be carried into the cabin on domestic flights, provided they are in an approved carrier that fits under the seat. A fee of $125 (one-way) is levied for each pet carrier, and it counts as your carry-on or personal item. Southwest does not check pets into the cargo hold.
How to track my checked bag on Southwest Airlines? Southwest Airlines provides digital bag tracking services. You can typically track your bags through their mobile app or website once they have been checked in at the airport.
How to pay for overweight baggage on Southwest Airlines? Overweight baggage fees must be paid at the airport, either at a self-tagging kiosk or at the Southwest Airlines ticket counter with an agent, when you check in your luggage.
How to pack efficiently to avoid Southwest baggage fees? To pack efficiently, consider rolling your clothes, using packing cubes, wearing your heaviest items, and maximizing the space in your carry-on and personal item. Only bring essentials to avoid needing a checked bag.
How to change my Southwest flight without affecting my baggage allowance? Changes to your flight typically don't affect your baggage allowance for existing bags, but if you change to a fare type that has different baggage inclusions (e.g., from Business Select to Basic), the new fare's baggage policy will apply for any new or additional bags. Always review the new fare details carefully.
How to find the most current Southwest baggage policy? The most current and official Southwest Airlines baggage policy details can always be found on their official website (Southwest.com) or by contacting their customer service directly. Policies can change, so it's always best to verify before your trip.
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