How my Amex Platinum is helping me navigate Southwest's big changes
Southwest Airlines was my preferred airline for most of my adult life. The fares were low, bags flew free and the open seating policy meant my family could easily find seats together.
About a year ago, Southwest announced the first of many operational changes. The first blow was the end of open seating, which the airline announced last September and will go into effect in January 2026.
I was worried these changes would affect my "luv" for my favorite airline, but I'm slowly coming around.
One thing that has helped is my secret weapon to avoid paying baggage fees when I fly Southwest — The Platinum Card® from American Express.
Southwest's new baggage fee
Before I share my secret, let's dig into Southwest's new baggage policy.
Prior to this change, Southwest flyers could check two bags free of charge. For bookings made May 28 onward, Southwest now charges $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second. There are a few exceptions for top-tier elite status members, those flying on higher-priced fares and select Southwest cardholders.
I don't fall into any of those categories, but I have three children, and sometimes checking a bag is a must. We can get away with one or two carry-on bags for shorter trips — but for longer vacations, we would need more carry-ons than I trust my kids to keep up with.
But I also don't want to pay for checked bags, especially given I've grown so accustomed to Southwest's generous policy.
Related: These 27 credit cards can get you free checked bags on your next flight
Amex Platinum airline fee credit
My Platinum Card comes with an annual up-to-$200 airline fee statement credit each calendar year (enrollment required).
At the start of each year (by Jan. 31), you can select your desired airline on the Amex website in order to be reimbursed for eligible charges made with your designated airline.
In years past, I've used the airline fee credit to cover onboard snack purchases and lounge guest passes for my aforementioned kids (who are always in need of a snack, I might add).
But you can also use it for things like seat assignments, change fees and checked baggage fees.
Though not expressly stated, if you want to change your airline mid-year or forget to designate a new airline at the start of the year, I've learned Amex is pretty generous with allowing changes as long as you haven't yet used any of the credit.
If you have used some of the credit, you'll have to wait until the following calendar year to make the change.
Related: 10 things to do when you get the Amex Platinum
Amex Platinum to the rescue
I recently booked a Southwest flight for a four-day family trip to Zion National Park, and I didn't want to lug several carry-on bags full of outdoor gear through the airport. I had already designated my airline for the year with Amex, but I hadn't used it yet, so I reached out to Amex via chat to see if I could change my airline to Southwest.
They made the change, and I started packing.
We ended up with two checked bags in total. The customer service agent charged one bag to my ticket and one to my husband's, so we each paid the $35 fee rather than one person paying $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second.
The total came out to $70, which was posted to my Amex account the same day; by the following day, my statement credit had posted. We checked the bags on our return journey and the same was true.
All told, we saved $140 by using the Platinum Card airline statement fee credit — and I still have an additional $60 to cover checked bags on future trips through the rest of 2025.
TPG Tip: If you want to try Clear and sign up using TPG's special offer, you can save $50 on the first year's membership.
Bottom line
Change is hard, but the airline fee credit that comes with my Amex Platinum made this particular change much easier.
That is in addition to the several other perks that improve air travel, including the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit ($120 for Global Entry every 4 years or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck every 4½ years) and up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year on your Clear+ membership (enrollment required, subject to auto-renewal) that help my family breeze through the airport.
To learn more, check out our full review of the American Express Platinum Card.
Related reading:
- What we know about the shocking changes from Southwest — and what you should do now
- The best credit cards with airline fee credits
- How to maximize benefits with the Amex Platinum Card
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.