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

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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.