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

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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:

• How to quickly earn the Southwest Companion Pass
• Southwest A-List status: What it is and how to earn it
• Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• How to change or cancel a Southwest Airlines flight