'Wanna Get Away,' no more: Southwest Airlines to ditch hallmark fare, revamp benefits as part of shake-up
It's not just the bag fees. Southwest Airlines' shake-up goes far beyond its stunning reversal of its longtime "bags fly free" ethos.
Aside from the new fees — which will debut in the coming months — the Dallas-based carrier is reimagining its entire menu of fare categories and perks. That includes ditching its long-standing “Wanna Get Away” tickets in favor of a new “Basic” category. Additionally, travelers on many fares will see reduced flexibility for itinerary changes and same-day standby rights, not to mention a new cap on their ability to use outstanding flight credits.
That's to say nothing of the slashed earnings rates for Southwest Rapid Rewards points on many tickets and dynamic pricing for redemptions that's set to take effect soon.
Southwest bag fees: ‘Slaying of the sacred cow,’ says United CEO
Together, it's a seismic shift for an airline long known for its simple, fee-free, customer-friendly policies — one that's garnered a scourge of criticism from travelers and industry insiders alike.
Here’s what to know about Southwest’s revamped fare types, starting May 28, including what you'll get, what's excluded and what's different from the choices the airline has long offered travelers.
Southwest Airlines ticket types and benefits
The most noticeable change to Southwest’s fare ladder as of May 28 is the end to its standard Wanna Get Away option — a fare so synonymous with the airline that it doubled as the catchphrase of long-running commercials for the carrier.
In its place, Southwest will debut a Basic fare reminiscent of other airlines' no-frills basic economy offerings.
And the changes don’t stop there.
| Fare product benefits (as of May 28) | Business Select | Anytime | Wanna Get Away Plus | Basic (replaces Wanna Get Away) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Checked bag | Two free | Costs extra | Costs extra | Costs extra | All travelers previously got two free checked bags.
Rapid Rewards A-List and credit card holders will get one free bag beginning May 28. A-List Preferred members will get two free bags. |
Rapid Rewards earnings | 14 points per dollar | 10 points per dollar | 6 points per dollar | 2 points per dollar | Significant changes, including slashed earnings for the two lowest-level fares and higher earnings rates for Business Select passengers, have already been rolled out in recent weeks. |
Flight credit expiration | 12 months | 12 months | 12 months | Six months | Flight credits previously did not expire. |
Transferable flight credit | √ | √ | √ | - | No change. |
Fully refundable | √ | √ | - | - | No change. |
Free changes, fare difference notwithstanding | √ | √ | √ | - | Wanna Get Away passengers could make itinerary changes without a fee; Basic customers will be barred from changes. |
Fee-free cancellations | √ | √ | √ | √ | There will be no change here, but there will be new limits on how long Wanna Get Away Plus and Basic passengers have to use flight credits (see "flight credit expiration" above). |
Same-day change/standby | √ | √ | √ | - | Wanna Get Away passengers were eligible; Basic customers will not be. |
Priority Boarding | A1-15 boarding position | EarlyBird Check-In | Pay extra for Upgraded Boarding or EarlyBird | Pay extra for Upgraded Boarding or EarlyBird | No change. |
Free inflight entertainment | √ | √ | √ | √ | No change. |
Priority/Express Lane access | √ | √ | - | - | No change. |
Complimentary premium drink inflight | √ | - | - | - | No change. |
Complimentary inflight Wi-Fi | √ | - | - | - | No change. |
Sweeping changes
Together, these changes mark a clear effort by Southwest to incentivize customers to buy up to higher-priced tickets — or to carry one of its cobranded credit cards since its cardholders will earn a free checked bag, among other perks.
We should also point out that these fare benefits are likely to continue evolving over the coming months as the carrier prepares to roll out its assigned seating model.
Stunning reversal: What we know about the shocking changes from Southwest — and what you should do now
Assigned seating will bring another shake-up
Last week, Southwest CEO Bob Jordan said the carrier expects to start selling its assigned (and extra-legroom) seats by the final three months of 2025.
Southwest has already detailed a handful of policy changes that will take effect once assigned seating begins.
A-List Preferred elite status members will be able to select any seat on the aircraft — including extra-legroom seats — for free at booking. A-List members will be allowed to select extra-legroom seats within 48 hours of booking.
On the flip side, the carrier last year said travelers flying on its most basic fares wouldn’t be able to select a seat for free under its new model.
Boarding benefits to see changes, too
Additionally, the carrier’s boarding benefits are likely to continue evolving as part of the changes.
In January, executives told TPG that the airline’s future boarding process will resemble its existing one but with tweaks to account for assigned seating; expect the airline to grant early boarding privileges to elite status members and travelers flying on a higher-category fare, for instance.
That would presumably include some sort of replacement for Southwest's current priority boarding products — EarlyBird and Upgraded Boarding — which are tailored to the current open-seating model.
Plus, Southwest still owes customers a full rundown of its future credit card benefits after the company said it recently reached a revamped deal with Chase for its suite of cards.
Bottom line
With all that said, expect Southwest’s changes to its fares, perks and loyalty program to continue at a rapid pace in the coming months.
And, at this point, we'd be remiss not to caution: Don’t be surprised if the breadcrumbs the carrier has left about its future plans continue to evolve.
After all, just months ago, Southwest said it wouldn’t dare devalue its Rapid Rewards program or add checked bag fees. Both will be a reality by summer.
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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- 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.
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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
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
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.