Southwest's famous "two bags fly free" era is over. As of May 28, 2025, Southwest charges for checked bags on most fares, and that pricing carries into 2026. Here's the short version: unless you hold a Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred status, a Business Select fare, or a qualifying Southwest credit card, you now pay for your first and second checked bag—roughly in line with the $35/$45 range you'd see at other domestic carriers. If you booked expecting free bags, check your fare type before you get to the airport, because a surprise at the counter is the worst place to learn about a $70 round-trip cost you didn't budget for.
What actually changed in 2025–2026
For decades, Southwest's biggest selling point was that every passenger got two free checked bags. That policy applied to new bookings made on or after May 28, 2025. Bookings made before that date generally kept the old free-bag benefit for travel on those tickets, but any new reservation now follows the paid structure.
Here's how the free checked-bag benefit breaks down now:
- Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred members: two free checked bags.
- Business Select fare passengers: two free checked bags.
- A-List members: one free checked bag.
- Qualifying Southwest co-branded credit cardholders: typically one free checked bag for the cardholder (check your specific card's terms).
- Everyone else: pay per bag.
Southwest also restructured its fare lineup, adding a basic-economy-style tier. That matters because your fare class now determines a lot more than it used to—seat selection, change flexibility, and boarding position, not just bags. If you're a habitual Southwest flyer, the mental model of "it's all the same, bags are free" no longer holds.
Current baggage fees and limits
Fees vary slightly by route and booking channel, but this is the general 2026 structure for standard fares without a free-bag benefit:
| Item | Typical fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First checked bag | ~$35 | Waived with A-List, Business Select, or qualifying card |
| Second checked bag | ~$45 | Free only for A-List Preferred and Business Select |
| Third+ checked bag | $150 each | Steep on purpose—consolidate |
| Overweight (51–100 lbs) | $100–$125 | Bags over 100 lbs not accepted |
| Oversize (63–80 linear in.) | ~$150 | Over 80 linear inches usually refused |
Standard limits still apply: checked bags up to 50 lbs and 62 linear inches (length + width + height) avoid overweight and oversize charges. Your carry-on and personal item remain free—Southwest still allows one carry-on (up to 24" x 16" x 10") plus one personal item, and that hasn't changed with the new fee structure.
Pay for bags online during check-in when you can. Airport counter and app pricing is usually the same at Southwest, but locking it in ahead of your travel day removes a variable from an already stressful morning.
What Southwest owes you when a bag is lost, delayed, or damaged
Now that you're paying for bags, it's worth knowing your rights. US Department of Transportation rules set a liability cap on domestic checked baggage: up to $3,800 per passenger for lost, damaged, or delayed bags. That's a maximum, not an automatic payout—you have to document your loss and file a claim, and the airline reimburses your actual proven losses up to that ceiling.
Key things to do fast:
- Report it before you leave the airport. Go straight to the Southwest baggage service office and file a report. Get a reference number. Waiting until you get home weakens your claim.
- Keep your bag tag and receipts. The claim-check stub proves the bag was checked, and receipts prove value.
- Ask about interim expenses. If your bag is delayed and you need essentials, airlines generally reimburse reasonable interim purchases. Keep those receipts too.
- Demand the bag fee back. If your bag is delayed or lost, you're entitled to a refund of the checked-bag fee you paid for that bag under the 2024 DOT rule—airlines must refund fees for services you paid for and didn't receive.
That last point is new leverage travelers didn't have when the bag was free. If Southwest charged you $35 and then failed to deliver your bag on the same flight, ask for that fee back. If they stonewall you, you can escalate—see our guide on how to file a DOT complaint against an airline.
Fees for special and oversized items
Southwest handles a range of specialty items, some free and some not. Here's where 2026 stands:
- Strollers and car seats: still fly free and don't count against your bag allowance. This is a genuine perk for parents—if you're traveling with little ones, pair it with our tips on flying with a baby or infant.
- Assistive devices (wheelchairs, mobility aids): free and required by law to be transported.
- Sports equipment (golf clubs, skis, bikes): counts as a checked bag; standard fees apply, plus overweight/oversize if it exceeds limits. Bikes are generally accepted as regular checked bags at Southwest, which is more generous than several competitors.
- Pets: Southwest allows small cats and dogs in the cabin for a Pet Fare per one-way trip (around $125). Only in-cabin pet carriers are accepted—no cargo pet transport. Review the full rules in our guide on flying with a pet.
How to avoid or minimize bag fees now
The playbook has shifted. A few practical moves:
- Reconsider the credit card math. If you check a bag a few times a year, a Southwest co-branded card's free-bag benefit plus points can offset the annual fee. Run your actual trip count before deciding.
- Pack carry-on only. Southwest's carry-on and personal item are still free, and the size allowance is generous compared to basic-economy tiers at other airlines. For a weekend trip, you may not need to check anything.
- Compare true total cost when booking. Southwest's fare might have looked cheaper when bags were free. Now, add the bag fees to both Southwest and its competitors before you decide who's actually cheapest for your route.
- Watch your fare tier. Business Select gets two free bags and better boarding. If you were going to pay for two bags plus early boarding anyway, the upgrade can wash out.
- Don't overpack toward the 50-lb line. Overweight fees ($100+) dwarf the base bag fee. A luggage scale at home pays for itself in one trip.
If your flight is cancelled or you get bumped
Baggage aside, know your broader rights. If Southwest cancels your flight or makes a significant schedule change and you choose not to travel, the 2024 DOT refund rule requires an automatic cash refund to your original payment method—not just a travel credit. That includes any bag fees you paid for that cancelled trip.
If you're involuntarily denied boarding (bumped) on an oversold flight, federal rules require compensation: up to 200% of your one-way fare (max $1,075) for a domestic delay of one to two hours, and up to 400% (max $2,150) beyond that. Southwest historically oversells less aggressively than some carriers, but it happens. We break down the details in denied boarding compensation explained. And if the delay causes you to miss a connection or your flight entirely, act quickly at the gate or app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Southwest still offer any free checked bags in 2026?
Yes, but only for specific travelers: A-List Preferred members and Business Select fares get two free bags, A-List members and qualifying Southwest credit cardholders typically get one. Standard-fare passengers now pay per bag, roughly $35 for the first and $45 for the second.
Can I get my checked-bag fee back if my bag is delayed?
You should be able to. Under the 2024 DOT refund rule, airlines must refund fees for services you paid for but didn't receive. If your bag was delayed and not delivered on your flight, request a refund of the bag fee. If Southwest refuses, file a DOT complaint.
What's the maximum Southwest will pay for a lost bag?
For domestic flights, DOT sets the liability cap at up to $3,800 per passenger. This covers your proven losses—you must document the contents and value. Report the loss before leaving the airport and keep your bag tag and receipts.
Are strollers and car seats still free on Southwest?
Yes. Strollers, car seats, and assistive devices like wheelchairs continue to fly free and don't count toward your checked-bag allowance. That policy survived the 2025 fee changes and remains one of Southwest's better family-friendly features.