---
title: Southwest Announces Updates to Baggage Policy and Fare Bundles
description: Southwest Airlines announced new updates to its baggage policy and fare bundles, which will apply to flights booked on and after May 28.
image: https://blog.atlastravel.com/hubfs/AT%20Blog_The%20Compass/2025%20Images/3.2025%20Hero%20Images_800x418/sw%20baggage.png
---

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# Southwest Announces Updates to Baggage Policy and Fare Bundles

![Mimi Cleary](https://blog.atlastravel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20SME%20Headshots.png?width=120&height=120&name=Blog%20SME%20Headshots.png)

 by [Mimi Cleary](https://blog.atlastravel.com/author/mimi-cleary)

March 11, 2025 12:15 PM

Southwest Airlines announced new updates to its baggage policy and fare bundles, which will apply to flights booked on and after May 28. Read below for details on these changed policies.

Updates to Checked Baggage Policy

Southwest Airlines is revising its checked baggage policy to align with its fare structure and loyalty programs. The carrier’s long-standing complimentary two-checked bags policy will no longer apply to all customers. Instead, the updated bag policy introduces tiered benefits based on fare type and loyalty status:

- **Two Free Checked Bags:** Available to Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members and customers traveling on Business Select fares.
- **One Free Checked Bag:** Offered to Rapid Rewards A-List Members and other select customers.
- **Credit for One Checked Bag:** Provided to Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers.
- **Paid Checked Bags:** All other customers will pay for their first and second checked bags, with additional charges applied to the third and fourth checked bags.

Updates to Fare Bundles

Southwest is also making phased updates to its fare bundles, ensuring customers can select options that match their travel preferences, whether prioritizing cost savings or enhanced benefits.

Phase 1: Beginning already this month, Southwest Airlines increased the Rapid Rewards earn ratio on its Business Select fares while reducing the earn ratio for Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus fares. Additionally, the airline plans to implement variable redemption rates across its fare products, with adjustments based on high- and low-demand travel periods.

Phase 2: Beginning May 28, Southwest Airlines will launch a new Basic fare, offering its lowest price point with reduced flexibility compared to other fare options. In addition, the airline will introduce expiration dates for Flight Credits, which will vary depending on the fare type purchased.

For more information and details on these updates, visit the Southwest Airlines website [here](https://support.southwest.com/helpcenter/s/article/policy-changes).

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![Mimi Cleary](https://blog.atlastravel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20SME%20Headshots.png?width=120&height=120&name=Blog%20SME%20Headshots.png)

Post by [Mimi Cleary](https://blog.atlastravel.com/author/mimi-cleary)  
 March 11, 2025 12:15 PM

 Mimi Cleary is the Vice President of Supplier Relations & Strategic Sourcing at Atlas Travel. In her role, she leads Atlas Travel’s supplier relations and sourcing strategy, specializing in relationship management, contract negotiation and service delivery. She is responsible for developing and fostering partnerships with air, hotel, rental car, limousine and rail vendors throughout the travel industry. After receiving her degree in Communications from Tulane University, Mimi started her career in travel and brings her 40 years of industry experience to Atlas Travel & Technology Group’s Executive Team.

[Follow me on my website](https://atlastravel.com) [Follow me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mimi-cleary-551a9b12/)

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