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Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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I just changed my airline loyalty — here's how the United Quest Card sealed the switch
Stephanie Stevens is an associate writer with TPG's credit cards team. She focuses on creating timely credit cards content for TPG readers.
November 12, 2025 • 9 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick summary
Southwest Airlines has introduced significant changes to its baggage, boarding and fare policies, including ending its longstanding two free checked bags benefit.
Flight credits with Southwest now have expiration dates, reducing the flexibility that once set the airline apart for travelers who valued easy cancellations and changes.
Assigned seating has replaced Southwest's open-seating model, and seat selection for the lowest fares now incurs an extra charge.
Switching to another major airline provided the author with similar or improved perks, such as complimentary checked bags, priority boarding and annual travel credits.
What to consider
Southwest's new baggage fees apply to reservations made on or after May 28, with the first and second checked bags now costing $35 and $45 respectively.
Flight credits for most Southwest fares now expire after 12 months, while the lowest fare tier credits expire in six months and are more restrictive regarding changes.
Boarding priority and seat selection policies differ between airlines, with some offering earlier boarding and guaranteed seats as part of their benefits.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of how shifting airline policies and loyalty strategies can impact your travel experience and wallet.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
For years, Southwest Airlines was my go-to airline. Affordable fares, flexible policies and (most importantly) two free bags made it a no-brainer for me. Hot take: I love a checked bag, and Southwest's two free bags policy has saved me hundreds (dare I say thousands) of dollars over the years.
But after Southwest rolled out wide-ranging policy changes affecting baggage, boarding and fare structures, the once-simple airline started to feel complicated. Combine that with my recent move to a new city (and a need for more route options), and I realized it was time to rethink my airline strategy.
Here's what I lost with Southwest's new policies and how my United Quest℠ Card (see rates and fees) has stepped in to fill the gaps.
When I heard Southwest was phasing out its free two-bag policy, I thought I was in a fever dream.For as long as I'd flown Southwest, "bags fly free" had been its calling card.
Now (for new reservations made on or after May 28), the first checked bag costs $35 and the second $45. That's about average in the airline world, but it's still a painful change for travelers used to packing freely.
ANCHIY/GETTY IMAGES
Thankfully, the United Quest Card helps me keep that perk alive. The card includes two complimentary checked bags for both the cardholder and one companion on every United Airlines flight, a benefit worth up to $440 round-trip.
For me and my partner, who travel with ski bags at least once every winter, that easily covers more of the card's $350 annual fee on its own.
One of my favorite things about Southwest used to be its generous flight credit policy: Cancel a flight, and your credit never expired. That flexibility not only saved me from losing valuable points over the years but also took the stress out of booking. I could plan trips freely knowing I could change or cancel without much risk.
Unfortunately, that policy has changed.
Following a recent overhaul of its fare structure, the airline now limits how long customers can use their flight credits:
12 months for most fares
Six months for its lowest tier, called "Basic" (formerly “Wanna Get Away”)
Even more restrictive, travelers who book Basic fares can no longer change their flight to a different time or date unless they first upgrade to a higher fare class. What was once one of the most flexible low-cost airline policies in the U.S. has now become far more limited.
For travelers like me who loved Southwest's "book now, figure it out later" flexibility, this change marks a big shift.
For years, Wanna Get Away fares were my go-to because they struck the perfect balance of affordability and freedom to adjust my plans without penalty. It was simple, transparent and traveler-friendly, which made Southwest stand out in an increasingly rigid industry.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Fortunately, this is where the Quest Card helps fill the gap.
United's policy is similar to Southwest's in that flight credits from canceled trips typically expire after 12 months. But the Quest Card offsets that limitation with generous ongoing perks, including a $200 annual United TravelBank credit and a 10,000-mile anniversary award flight discount each year, just for being a cardholder.
I used to love Southwest’s no-expiration flight credits, which saved me from losing valuable points over the years. Now, I get guaranteed value each year through these Quest Card benefits, which are credits and miles I can actually plan around.
While it doesn’t bring back the ability to cancel freely and reuse credits indefinitely, these annual perks help replace much of the flexibility and value I lost when Southwest changed its policy.
And, in some ways, I might be even better off now since I get extra money each year to put toward flights I’d book anyway.
Another major Southwest policy rollout that drew mixed reactions was its introduction of assigned seating, which includes seating fees for Basic fares. For years, the airline was known for its open-seating policy, where your boarding position was determined by when you checked in or if you paid a little extra for priority boarding.
And I have to admit, I didn't mind it. In fact, it used to be part of the fun: Check in early, grab your favorite seat and enjoy the open-seating adventure.
So, when I first heard about Southwest's seating changes, I was disappointed, mainly because selecting a seat for the cheapest fare now meant paying extra for something that was previously free.
URBAZON/GETTY IMAGES
But here again, the Quest Card comes to the rescue. Cardholders receive automatic Group 2 boarding, giving me plenty of time to find overhead bin space and settle in without the stress. It's a small perk that makes a big difference in how relaxed I feel at the gate.
After a few months of adjusting to United's assigned seating, I've come to appreciate the predictability it brings. Knowing my seat ahead of time removes the last-minute scramble I used to feel with Southwest’s open-seating process, and that’s a trade-off I can live with.
Changes to bags, flexibility with cancellations, flight credits and open seating were all key factors in my decision to make the switch from a Southwest loyalist to a United cardholder. But there are some additional perks that make the change even sweeter.
For example, I recently redeemed just 6,000 United miles to book a flight from Switzerland to Slovenia via Swiss, a redemption that simply wouldn't have been possible with Southwest's network.
A United Airlines aircraft on the ground in Palermo, Sicily. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
While Southwest has announced plans to expand to additional international destinations in the future, its current reach is best suited for domestic routes and a handful of locations in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.
The broader flexibility that United allows just makes more sense in my pursuit of traveling the world. And since I recently moved to San Francisco (one of United's major hubs), it just makes even more sense for me to fly (and earn) with United.
Here's how the two cards compare among popular categories:
Feature
United Quest Card
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card
Annual fee
$350
$229
Checked bags
Two complimentary bags for the cardholder and one companion on the same reservation
Free first checked bag for cardholder and up to eight passengers traveling on the same reservation.
Boarding
Priority Group 2 boarding on United flights
Priority Group 5 boarding on Southwest flights (for flights in 2026 and beyond); those with A-List status can board with an earlier group
Earning rates with the airline
10 total miles per dollar spent on eligible United flights
4 miles per dollar spent on all other eligible United purchases
4 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases
Travel credits
Annual $200 TravelBank credit and one 10,000-mile anniversary award
Annual $75 travel credit: can be used on most Southwest purchases, including tickets (excluding upgraded boardings and inflight purchases; this credit will end Dec. 31)
Southwest cards do still have their perks and can be a great option for those who are loyal to the airline. But for someone like me who values two free checked bags, generous perks and flexibility, the Quest Card clearly provides more bang for my travel buck.
When Southwest stopped feeling simple, a United credit card started feeling smart.
I never expected to switch airline loyalty — or to find a credit card that aligned so perfectly with how I actually travel — but the United Quest Card's combination of travel credits, complimentary bags and strong earning rates has made it feel more rewarding (and less stressful) than my old setup ever was.
Sometimes, the right card is hiding in the most unexpected place.
