I know a lot of us fly Southwest, so I wanted to make sure folks got the policy change email today. No more 2 free checked bags for all. The email reads ‘We will offer two free checked bags to Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members and Customers traveling on Business Select fares. We will also offer one free checked bag to A-List Members and other select Customers. In addition, Southwest will credit one checked bag for Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers. All remaining customers will pay to check their first and second bags. Changes will apply to flights booked on or after May 28.’
I had been shifting more to JetBlue anyways due to the price and I love flying into and out of Terminal C, but this is just another reason to keep to JetBlue for me.
Oh its even worse than bag fees. Credits now expire again like they did before COVID, but basic fares expire after just 6 months (others are 12 months). Basic fares also cant “change”, so no rebooking for cheaper.
I’m not happy with these changes. I always book early to get the flights I want and then constantly modify to get points back or money back in the form of a flight credit. DH and I recently went on a cruise and checked three bags between the two of us. One was a full size bag and the other two were carryon sizes. One of the carryons had our two bottles of wine to take on the cruise so we couldn’t have just carried it on. When we travel with the kids, we usually check at least three bags.
I wonder what the cost will be to check bags. I’ve seen Spirit and Allegiant be $60 to $75 each way.
I flew Southwest in February after over a year hiatus with JetBlue. I had points to use, so we went with them. I purchased literally a half hour after the flights became available and purchased the Early Bird check in because of the anxiety I feel with boarding. When I checked in the night before, we were in boarding group B.
Do you know if the expiration dates on the travel credits will apply to existing credits that are already in your RR account? Or, is it just on new flight credits earned going forward? I have a LOT of flight credits that I was counting on no expiration for! Unless I missed it, the email does not specify.
There was a transportation industry specialist on the AM news who thinks these changes are going to prompt the demise of SWA. The current policies on rebooking, non-expiring flight credits, and free baggage are some of the reasons we always fly SWA.
It’s been a while since Southwest seemed like a real “low cost carrier.” If their prices stay the same AND bag fees are assessed, other lines are going to look a lot better.
I was excited when they announced assigned seating because not knowing if I’ll be able to sit with my kids or not would always stress me out, but this? This is very disappointing.
I hope it is much less than competitors. I don’t check bags but the typical nickel and dime scheme is why many people choose SW over other carriers. The WGA+ fare has traditionally only been about $20 more per ticket. So I would have to choose that if I’m booking early to lock in my ticket.
But let’s suppose it’s $20 vs $50 - are you going to choose one or the other based on $60 savings?
IDK I tend to look at the whole picture - convenience, schedules, fare, fees, what it will cost me to get to/park at a particular airport - and not just one thing or another like bag fees.
While I agree this is a big change and I don’t like it any more than anyone, it really just makes Southwest the same as everyone else, so wouldn’t it make sense to check all of the airlines when choosing a fare vs stomping our feet to say “never SW because they charge for bags now”? IDK It just feels a little silly. I’ve already been doing that for a while - checking all - because SW fares are just not that special anymore. Sometimes SW wins, sometimes they lose.
But for me it’s a whole picture thing. Maybe I’m unique that way.
A lot of people will book SW if the fare is reasonable without even checking competitors. The all in pricing model is convenient and easy. Once SW goes the way of other airlines they will lose that advantage. I rarely check bags so it won’t effect me as much. But I have been happy with SW and I hope this doesn’t negatively impact the company. If their baggage fees are minimal that will help to keep them competitive. Since they are doing something they said the wouldn’t (charge for bags) if that baggage fee is a fraction of others it will go along way with retaining some loyalty.
That’s my opinion anyway. When the new pricing model rolls out, if there is a lot of nickel and diming, I’ll get back to checking competitors more often.
SW has an advantage at my home airport though. They have a lot of direct flights to the places I want to go. And direct will always be a priority if we can help it.
Oh for sure - I know that’s the case now but, after they’re charging for bags too and it’s apples to apples (more or less) I don’t know how it makes sense to axe them from consideration simply for this change.
I probably asked that in a really convoluted and confusing way. Sorry about that.
I know a few that are ready to not fly SW at all because of these changes. Not that it’s rational. But it’s an optic that I hope SW has considered. People don’t like change, lol.
I took it to mean what the difference between 20 and 60. A charge is a charge and it’s all relative. Because the total price is what matters. And that’s very true. But people are people, lol. And if SW only charges say $25 for a bag when competitors charge more, they “look” like they are still budget friendly.
I mean there’s that too - as part of the evaluation of “value” when comparing fares going forward.
You should see the math I’ve done to figure out what’s what. For me, in my location, and my airline industry market, at least 7/10 times it works out that - regardless of bags or no bags - Southwest works best for me. I can’t imagine not considering them for making change that puts them in line with the rest. To me, it’s cutting off your nose to spite your face
