Southwest baggage fees

Bags Fly Free® is not current for most fares — checked fees began May 28, 2025. Carry-on + personal item remain free on all fares. U.S. Mainland checked (booked/ticketed/changed on/after Apr 9, 2026): Basic / Choice / Choice Preferred $45 / $55; Choice Extra 2 free; 3rd+ $150 each. Standard checked bag ≤50 lb and ≤62 in (L+W+H); no prepaid discount published. Free checked paths: Choice Extra, A-List Preferred (2), A-List & Rapid Rewards® card (1st), active-duty military (2), Getaways.

CURRENT default — U.S. Mainland booked & ticketed and/or changed on/after April 9, 2026 (one-way; same at digital check-in / kiosk / counter):

Always free: 1 carry-on (24 × 16 × 10 in) + 1 personal item on every fare (Basic through Choice Extra).

Paid checked (mainland, post–Apr 9, 2026): Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred — $45 first / $55 second. 3rd+: $150 each (even when the first two are free, unless a higher published allowance applies).

Free checked: Choice Extra (2); A-List Preferred (2); A-List (1st); Rapid Rewards® credit cardmembers (1st); active-duty military with valid ID (2); Getaways by Southwest™ (2 each person).

Fare names: lowest product is Basic (not Wanna Get Away® on the current fees table). Treat Basic as the Wanna Get Away successor for bag rules.

• SERP trap: “Bags Fly Free®” legacy copy. Checked fees have applied to most products since May 28, 2025.
• Change date trap: voluntarily changing a pre–Apr 9 ticket can move you onto the $45 / $55 table.
• No AA-style $5 online prepaid discount is published — don’t invent one.
• A-List 2nd bag still $35 on the post–Apr 9 table — not raised to $55.
• Oversize + overweight: one $200 + standard fee (≤100 lb) — don’t double-stack $200+$200.
• Bags >80 in (non-sports/instruments) or >100 lb are generally not accepted as standard.
• Hawaii interisland uses a different schedule — don’t apply mainland $45 / $55 blindly.

1. Fly with carry-on + personal item only when possible.
2. Book Choice Extra if you need two free checked bags.
3. Keep your Rapid Rewards® # / A-List status on the reservation; use an eligible co-brand card when it covers the 1st bag.
4. Stay ≤50 lb / ≤62 in to avoid overweight and oversize add-ons.
5. Use military / Getaways benefits when eligible.
6. Avoid unnecessary itinerary changes that re-ticket onto the newer fee table.

No Amazon product cards on this page (amazon: none). For published cabin dimensions, see Southwest carry-on size (24 × 16 × 10 in) and Southwest personal item (under-seat; no published L×W×H). Measure including wheels and handles before you fly.

Does Southwest still offer Bags Fly Free?

Not for most fares. Checked fees began May 28, 2025. Choice Extra, A-List Preferred, military, Getaways, and (1st bag) A-List / Rapid Rewards® card still get free checked bags. Carry-on remains free for everyone.

How much is a checked bag on Southwest in 2026?

U.S. Mainland for tickets booked/ticketed and/or changed on/after Apr 9, 2026: $45 first / $55 second on Basic, Choice, and Choice Preferred; $150 each for 3rd+. Choice Extra includes two free. Older mainland tickets may still be $35 / $45 until voluntarily changed.

Does Southwest charge for carry-on?

No — one carry-on (24 × 16 × 10 in) plus one personal item are free on all fares.

Is there a prepaid discount on Southwest bags?

No separate prepaid vs airport price is published on the fees page — same amounts apply at digital check-in, kiosk, or counter.

Who gets free checked bags on Southwest?

Choice Extra (2); A-List Preferred (2); A-List (1st); Rapid Rewards® credit cardmembers (1st); active-duty military with valid ID (2); Getaways packages (2 per person).

What is Southwest’s checked bag size and weight limit?

Standard: ≤50 lb and ≤62 linear inches (wheels/handles included). Overweight/oversize add-ons apply on top of the piece fee.

Fees and rules change; confirm on the southwest.com travel-fees page before travel. BagRule is not affiliated with Southwest Airlines.