Book soon: How to avoid Southwest bag fees on summer, holiday 2025 flights
Want to delay paying checked bag fees on Southwest Airlines for as long as possible? You may want to book a trip between now and Tuesday.
Starting May 28, the Dallas-based carrier will officially bring its much-maligned bag fees online. But here’s the catch that could prove helpful for summer travelers: The new fees will apply to trips booked from May 28 onward.
That means travelers who already booked a summer flight on Southwest won’t owe any bag fees on that trip. It also means customers who lock in their fares between now and the end of the night on Tuesday, May 27 wouldn’t owe fees on those trips, either — regardless of when their flight departs.
Yes, that means if you booked end-of-year holiday flights now, your bags would fly free then, too. In fact, Southwest's booking channels currently offer flights all the way into mid-January, 2026.
Read more: Cheaper flights and award pricing: Why summer 2025 could bring air travel bargains
Southwest Airlines bag fees
Southwest announced its dramatic shift away from its longstanding policy that offered customers two free checked bags on every fare type back in March, citing a need to boost its sagging profits.
The move ended one of the most customer-friendly policies still offered by a major U.S. airline — and one that executives last year insisted they’d keep in place even as the airline underwent wholesale changes.
Beginning May 28, Southwest passengers will have to pay for all checked bags when flying on the following fare classes:
- Basic, which will replace the longstanding Wanna Get Away fare as of May 28
- Wanna Get Away Plus
- Anytime
Read more: Best Southwest Airlines credit cards
How much will checked bags cost on Southwest Airlines?
As I write this story, Southwest has not yet said how much it’ll charge passengers for their first (or second) checked bag — though it’s worth noting the largest U.S. carriers each charge around $35 for the first bag, subject to certain terms on some airlines.
Southwest did say its fees "will align with industry standards," and we expect to hear more in the coming days.
How to get free bags on Southwest
There are a couple of ways passengers will be able to score a free bag even after the fees launch.
- Business Select fares will still come with two free bags
- A-List Preferred elite status members will get two free bags
- A-List members will get one free bag
- All cobranded Southwest credit cardholders will get one free bag, too
Notably, Southwest is not charging passengers to bring a full-size carry-on bag on board, something United Airlines does on its basic economy fares.
Related: What you'll get with each Southwest Airlines fare starting May 28
More changes coming
This isn’t the last wave of changes at the airline. As I reported last month, Southwest later this year will rename all of its fare products and update the benefits of each once it starts selling assigned seats for 2026.
In the meantime, though, if I were thinking of flying Southwest at some point this year, I’d consider booking a flight between now and the end of Tuesday. It could effectively delay the start of paid bags — for you, at least — until much later in 2025.
Remember: You can book with cash or Rapid Rewards points to lock in those bookings. And if you don’t have a stash of Rapid Rewards points, you can transfer them from both Chase Ultimate Rewards and, as of this month, Bilt.
Just make sure your plans are set in stone: Southwest does note that fares changed after May 27 will be subject to bag fees.
What if you have to cancel?
If you have to cancel a booking made before May 28, you'll still be able to claim full fare credit with no expiration date. However, expiring flight credits are coming, ending another lenient policy.
If you make a booking on or after May 28 and then have to cancel, the flight credit you'll get will come with a one-year expiration date, or six months for basic fares.
Related reading:
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
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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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.