Southwest is dropping its 'bags fly free' policy — but here's how you can still check a bag without paying

Southwest Airlines touts itself as the airline that "luvs" its customers — but it's had a change of heart about its "bags fly free" policy.

Southwest has long been the only domestic airline where every passenger — regardless of status, fare class or even the credit cards in their wallet — can check two bags for free. But the Dallas-based airline announced Tuesday that beginning May 28, most passengers will have to pay for checked bags when they fly Southwest.

This is the latest in a string of upcoming changes that also includes assigned seating (bad), a new rewards earning structure (bad) and an international airline partnership (good). It's disappointing, to say the least, but there are still a few ways to avoid paying for checked bags when you fly Southwest.

Here's what you need to know about the new policy, including how to avoid Southwest's new checked bag fees.

Southwest's checked bag policy

For bookings made before May 28, your first two checked bags will continue to fly free if they fit within the allowed weight and size limits. This applies to all fare types.

Related: Southwest baggage tracking tool is officially launched in the app

For bookings made on or after May 28, most Southwest passengers will have to pay to check a bag. Under the new policy, Southwest Rapid Rewards A-List members and Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card holders will get one free checked bag, and Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred members and passengers who purchase a Business Select fare will continue to get their first two checked bags free.

All other passengers will have to pay for checked bags.

Southwest's legendary free bag policy is officially history — here's what changed:

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How to avoid Southwest baggage fees

With these changes, most Southwest passengers will be required to pay for checked bags. Here are a few tips for lessening or avoiding that fee altogether.

Get a Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card

If you hold one of Southwest's cobranded credit cards, you can still get your first checked bag free. This benefit will extend to up to eight guests flying on the same reservation.

Related: Current Southwest card offers

Southwest offers several personal and business cards. If you're looking for a card with a reasonable annual fee, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card (see rates and fees) has a $99 annual fee and comes with additional perks like two free EarlyBird Check-Ins annually (ending on Dec. 31, 2025) and a 3,000-point bonus on every cardmember anniversary.

If you're a frequent Southwest flyer, you may get even more benefits from the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (see rates and fees). This card has a $229 annual fee but comes with a higher earning rate on Southwest purchases, an annual $75 Southwest credit (ending on Dec. 31, 2025), four upgraded boardings per year (ending on Dec. 31, 2205) and a 7,500-point bonus on each cardmember anniversary, among other perks.

Both cards will ensure your first checked bag is free when flying with Southwest.

Earn Southwest A-List or A-List Preferred status

Passengers with elite status will still get at least one free checked bag on Southwest. A-List members will get their first checked bag free, and A-List Preferred members will get two.

The good news for A-List members is that many of Southwest's upcoming changes reward elite status holders. Once Southwest debuts assigned seating and premium seating, A-List members will be able to select standard-legroom seats at booking and extra-legroom seats within 48 hours of departure for no additional cost. A-List Preferred members will be able to select from all seats, including extra-legroom seats, at booking for free.

Related: Southwest A-List status: What it is and how to earn it

To qualify, you must take a certain number of Southwest flights or earn a certain number of tier qualifying points per year. You can earn TQPs on flights or via spending on one of Southwest's cobranded credit cards.

Here's how to qualify for each level:

• A-List: 20 one-way qualifying flight segments or 35,000 tier qualifying points
• A-List Preferred: 40 one-way qualifying flight segments or 70,000 tier qualifying points

A handful of Southwest's cobranded credit cards can also give you a boost of up to 2,500 TQPs toward A-List status for every $5,000 spent annually, with no limit to the number of TQPs you can earn:

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card (1,500 TQPs for every $5,000 spent annually)
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (2,500 TQPs for every $5,000 spent annually)
• Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card (see rates and fees) (2,500 TQPs for every $5,000 spent annually)
• Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card (see rates and fees) (2,000 TQPs for every $5,000 spent annually)

When combined with frequent Southwest flights and/or credit card spending, this can give you a decent head start toward earning A-List status.

The information for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Pay for your luggage with a travel rewards card

Certain travel rewards credit cards can help you cover the cost of travel-related expenses, including checked bag fees. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees): Sapphire Reserve cardholders receive up to a $300 travel credit each year. You can apply this credit to anything that codes as travel, including checked bag fees. The offsetting statement credits will usually automatically appear on your account a few days after you make a qualifying purchase.
• The Platinum Card® from American Express: Each year, Amex Platinum cardholders can designate one airline to apply up to $200 in airline fee credits. This credit can be applied toward incidental purchases with the designated airline, including seat assignments, lounge passes and checked bag fees (enrollment is required).
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Venture Rewards cardholders can apply Capital One Miles to recent travel purchases. If you log in to your account and click "Cover travel purchases," you will have the option to apply miles to any recent, eligible travel purchases.
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card: This card comes with an up-to-$100 annual airline incidental fee statement credit that can be applied to checked bag fees.

Related: The best credit cards with airline fee credits

Pack everything in a carry-on

With Southwest's carry-on guidelines, you are allowed up to one carry-on bag and one small, personal item — all for no extra fee. Southwest counts pet carriers as your personal item or carry-on, and you'll also need to pay an extra pet-in-cabin fee.

Your carry-on item can be stored in the overhead compartment on the plane and must be no larger than 24 inches long by 16 inches wide by 10 inches tall.

Personal items include purses, briefcases, backpacks, camera bags, laptop bags, blankets and pillows (excluding neck pillows). These smaller items can be stored under the seat in front of you and should be no larger than 16.25 inches long by 13.5 inches wide by 8 inches tall (as that is the size of the space underneath Southwest seats).

Related: Keep calm and carry on: TPG shares its favorite travel carry-on bags

There are some items that Southwest doesn't count as personal items or carry-on items. In addition to your personal and carry-on items, you can also bring the following on board for no extra cost:

• A child restraint system
• Assistive/mobility devices for individuals with a disability (there's no limit to the number of assistive/mobility devices you can bring on board)
• Outer garments or other wearable articles of clothing
• Food in disposable packaging
• Walking canes or umbrellas

Southwest checked bag size and weight limits

When flying Southwest, each checked bag should weigh 50 pounds or less and be 62 inches in size (the sum of the bag's length, width and height) or smaller.

The airline does have specific guidelines for sporting equipment and oversize or overweight items, but these will change May 28. Here are the current guidelines:

Sporting equipment

Southwest allows skis, golf bags and even surfboards to fly as checked bags as long as they do not exceed the height and weight requirements. For snow equipment, you are allowed one pair of skis or one snowboard, a set of poles, and one pair of ski/snowboard boots. You can pack these into one or two bags and it will still only count as one checked bag.

If your sporting equipment weighs more than 50 pounds or is larger than 62 inches, it will be subject to Southwest's overweight and oversize baggage fees.

Overweight and oversize Southwest baggage fees

If your bag is heavier or larger than allowed, Southwest will charge you $150 per bag each way for bags between 51 and 70 pounds, and $200 per bag each way for bags between 71 and 100 pounds. Bags between 63 and 80 inches in total size will incur a fee of $200 per bag.

There are two times when Southwest will waive the overweight or oversize baggage fee:

• You are a member of the military traveling on active duty or permanent change of station orders.
• You are checking large media camera equipment.

However, you must ship any bag weighing more than 100 pounds or exceeding 80 inches (the sum of the bag's length, width and height) as cargo. Also, no passenger (including active-duty military members) can check more than 20 pieces of baggage per flight.

Related: Southwest's new fare type is here. What to know about 'Wanna Get Away Plus'

Bottom line

Since its inception, Southwest has had one of the best baggage policies by far — until now. Beginning May 28, most travelers will be stuck paying for checked bags. But these tips can help alleviate the out-of-pocket cost (and the emotional sting), and some can even net you additional travel perks.

Related reading:

• These 26 credit cards can get you free checked bags
• Airline baggage fees: Here's how much it costs to check a bag on major US airlines
• How to track your luggage with Apple AirTags
• How to avoid checked baggage fees on major domestic airlines