Southwest Airlines is raising checked bag fees by $10 starting April 9, 2026, for all tickets booked on or after that date. This marks another significant shift for the airline that once proudly marketed "Bags Fly Free," though savvy travelers can still avoid these fees entirely.
Key Points
- Southwest is increasing fees for first and second checked bags by $10 each, bringing the first bag fee to $45 and second bag to $55.
- The fee increase applies to tickets booked on or after April 9, 2026, regardless of when you actually fly.
- Multiple strategies exist to avoid these fees completely, including holding a Southwest credit card or achieving elite status.
Introduction
Southwest Airlines is joining the industry-wide trend of increasing baggage fees, announcing a $10 hike for checked bags on April 9, 2026. This change represents the latest evolution in Southwest's baggage policy, which has undergone dramatic shifts in recent years.
For points and miles enthusiasts, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. While casual travelers will pay more, those who understand the system can still check bags for free through strategic credit card selection or elite status earning.
What's Changing on April 9
Southwest will implement the following fee increases for tickets booked on or after April 9, 2026:
First checked bag: $35 → $45 (+$10)Second checked bag: $45 → $55 (+$10)
Third checked bags remain at $150, and overweight/oversized bag fees stay the same. The key date is when you book, not when you fly. A ticket booked on April 8 maintains the old pricing structure even for flights months later.
This follows Southwest's May 28, 2025 decision to end complimentary checked bags for most passengers, abandoning their longtime "Bags Fly Free" policy that differentiated them from competitors.
Industry Context: Southwest Joins the Crowd
Southwest isn't raising fees in isolation. Delta, United, and JetBlue all announced similar increases in 2026, citing rising jet fuel costs. The airline industry has historically moved in lockstep on baggage fees, treating them as ancillary revenue rather than competitive differentiators.
What makes this particularly notable is Southwest's historical positioning. For decades, they built brand loyalty around free checked bags while competitors charged fees. That competitive advantage eroded in 2025, and now they're following standard industry pricing.
The timing matters too. By implementing changes in April rather than peak summer season, Southwest likely hopes to minimize customer backlash while still capturing increased revenue before heavy travel periods.
How to Avoid Southwest Baggage Fees
Several straightforward strategies let you skip these fees entirely:
Southwest Credit Cards: The most accessible option for regular travelers. All three Southwest personal cards (Plus, Premier, and Priority) provide a free first checked bag for the cardholder plus up to eight companions on the same reservation. This benefit alone can justify the annual fee if you fly Southwest more than once or twice annually.
The math is simple: If you and one companion each check a bag on just two round trips per year, that's $180 in saved fees (4 bags x $45). The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card costs $99 annually, creating $81 in net value before considering any points earned.
For business travelers, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Card and Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Card offer the same checked bag benefit with enhanced earning rates on business expenses.
A-List Status: Earning A-List status requires 25 one-way flights or 35,000 tier qualifying points in a calendar year. Members receive one free checked bag for themselves and up to eight companions. A-List Preferred members (50 one-way flights or 70,000 tier qualifying points) get two free checked bags with the same companion benefit.
Choice Preferred Fares: Southwest's most expensive fare class includes two free checked bags. However, these fares typically cost significantly more than lower fare classes, making this option sensible only when flexibility and priority boarding justify the premium.
Active Military: Active-duty military members continue receiving two free checked bags as a thank you for their service.
Strategy for Budget-Conscious Travelers
If you're not ready to commit to a Southwest credit card or elite status chase, consider these alternatives:
Pack lighter and use only carry-on luggage. Southwest allows one personal item and one carry-on bag at no charge. A well-packed carry-on can handle a week-long trip for most travelers.
If you must check bags, book before April 9 for any future travel to lock in current pricing. Southwest's fare calendar extends months into the future, allowing strategic booking.
Compare total trip costs across other airlines. While Southwest historically won on baggage fees, narrowing price gaps may make competitors more attractive when including all ancillary charges.
The Companion Pass Advantage
Southwest Companion Pass holders gain additional value from baggage fee exemptions. The pass already lets one designated companion fly free on all Southwest flights. When combined with a Southwest credit card, both travelers check bags free, maximizing savings on every trip.
Earning Companion Pass requires 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year, achievable through strategic credit card applications and category spend bonuses. We've covered 3 clever ways to earn Companion Pass that combine credit card bonuses with strategic spending.
The combination of free companion flights plus free checked bags creates substantial value for couples or frequent travel partners.
What This Means for Points Strategies
This fee increase actually strengthens the value proposition for Southwest credit cards. When baggage fees were $35, the first-bag benefit saved $140 annually on two round trips for two people. At $45, that same scenario saves $180, increasing the card's effective value by $40 per year.
For travelers deciding between airline credit cards, Southwest's checked bag benefit now competes more favorably against cards from Delta, United, or American. The math works especially well for travelers who don't fly frequently enough to justify premium cards with higher annual fees but still want basic perks.
The Southwest Priority card at $149 annually becomes more compelling. Beyond the checked bag benefit, it includes 7,500 anniversary bonus points ($105 value based on 1.4 cents per point redemption), four upgraded boardings per year, and in-flight WiFi credits.
If you're comparing options, our comprehensive guide to the best Southwest credit cards breaks down which card makes sense for different travel patterns and spending habits.
How Southwest Compares to Other Airlines
Southwest's new $45 first bag fee matches United and Delta's pricing for non-elite members. American Airlines currently charges $40 for the first checked bag, making Southwest slightly more expensive.
However, Southwest maintains advantages in other areas. They don't charge change or cancellation fees, points don't expire, and travel credit cards with Southwest offer some of the lowest annual fees among co-branded airline cards.
For travelers who frequently fly multiple carriers, flexible points currencies from Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards provide options to transfer points to various airline partners based on the best redemption value.
Booking Strategy for Upcoming Travel
If you have Southwest flights planned for later in 2026 or beyond, booking before April 9 locks in current baggage fees regardless of travel date. Southwest's flexible change policy means you can modify flights later without rebooking fees, preserving the lower baggage rates.
For families or groups, the eight-companion benefit on Southwest credit cards becomes increasingly valuable. A family of four checking two bags each on a round trip would pay $360 under new pricing ($45 x 8 bags). One cardholder with a $99 annual fee Southwest card eliminates those charges entirely.
This represents a $261 net savings on just one trip, before accounting for points earned from the card's welcome bonus and ongoing spending.
Maximizing Value Through Credit Card Strategy
The baggage fee increase makes Southwest credit cards more valuable in the broader ecosystem of travel rewards strategies. Here's how to think about card selection:
Occasional Southwest Travelers (1-2 trips annually): The Southwest Plus Card at $99 pays for itself if you check one bag on two round trips. The 50,000-point welcome bonus (worth $700 in flights) provides additional value.
Regular Southwest Travelers (3-5 trips annually): The Southwest Premier Card at $99 offers higher earning rates and 6,000 anniversary points. For travelers spending enough to justify the upgrade, this card maximizes both baggage savings and points accumulation.
Frequent Flyers or Companion Pass Seekers: The Southwest Priority Card at $149 includes all benefits plus upgraded boarding and WiFi credits. This card particularly shines for Companion Pass holders who travel with a designated companion regularly.
For business owners, the business versions of these cards provide the same baggage benefits while separating business expenses and potentially qualifying for higher credit limits. Our guide to business credit cards explains the strategic advantages beyond just travel perks.
Bottom Line
Southwest's baggage fee increase reflects industry-wide pricing pressure rather than isolated policy changes. While disappointing for occasional travelers, strategic credit card selection or elite status pursuit easily circumvents these fees.
The $10 increase actually enhances the relative value of Southwest-branded credit cards, making them more competitive against premium travel cards for budget-conscious frequent flyers. If you fly Southwest twice or more annually with checked luggage, a Southwest credit card pays for itself while providing additional perks.
Book any planned Southwest travel before April 9 to preserve current baggage fees, and consider whether earning Companion Pass or opening a Southwest credit card aligns with your travel patterns. The changed landscape rewards strategic planning over passive acceptance of fee increases.
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