Southwest Airlines Might be Ditching Its Biggest Perk (Sort of)

Airline travel is often fraught with hidden fees, long lines, and unexpected delays that can overshadow the joy of any trip, whether for business or leisure.

While a stressful journey can diminish the benefits of a vacation for leisure travelers, an unpredictable flight can disrupt work for those traveling on business.

So it comes as no surprise that, for years, Southwest Airlines has been a favorite for travelers seeking simplicity, reliability, and big savings on travel.

Known for its generous "bags fly free" policy, among other flyer-friendly perks, the airline has cultivated a loyal following — but now, Southwest is considering changes that could alter some of its signature perks.

Recently, the airline began surveying select loyalty members and customers about hypothetical scenarios involving new baggage fees for lower-cost fares, sparking speculation about whether this could signal the end of its unique free checked bag policy.

While the airline says there are no immediate plans to change its baggage policy, Southwest is under pressure to balance customer preferences with its stakeholders, including powerful investors who have called for a business overhaul.

With no changes officially announced yet, here are 10 reasons Southwest is still one of the best ways to fly. 

Let’s say you fall in love in Belize and want to stay an extra two weeks (we can dream), or something comes up at work and you can’t take that weekend trip you had planned. Things happen in life you don’t expect, and the Southwest Airlines flight change policy reflects that fact.

While other major airlines might charge up to $150 to change your ticket to another date, Southwest will never charge a change fee. You might pay a difference in the cost of the fare, but you’ll never have to pay more than that to change your ticket.

Another great feature of Southwest’s change policy is that you can rebook your ticket if the fare price drops. You’ll receive the difference in credit toward a future flight. This allows you to book your flight well in advance and still take advantage of last-minute deals.

Southwest has never cut pay rates or laid off any employees, and the company regularly shares profits with workers in the form of bonuses. What does this mean for you? It means you can support a company that treats its employees well.

It also means Southwest staff are generally satisfied with their jobs, which shows in the way they treat customers. You’ll find unusually friendly airline attendants, a pilot who cracks jokes over the loudspeaker, and a feeling of being cared for throughout your flight.

There are few greater travel disappointments than finding a cheap ticket only to be hit with exorbitant bag fees. But when you fly Southwest Airlines, you can bring one personal item that fits under your seat, stow a carry-on in the overhead compartment, and check two bags without paying any additional fees.

Just make sure to check Southwest’s bag size and weight restrictions before you travel, since oversized baggage will still incur a fee.

Southwest regularly features promotions on its website. You won’t find Southwest flights on third-party travel websites, though, so always be sure to check the Southwest website for prices and take into account the free baggage when deciding on the best option for your budget.

Many airlines select your seat for you, and others charge extra for seat selection. But on Southwest, you’re free to pick any available seat as soon as you board the plane. And you can even switch after you’re seated. If a group of rowdy travelers is celebrating a bit too loudly next to you and you were hoping to get some shut-eye, you can simply move seats.

When you purchase Southwest’s EarlyBird Check-In, you’ll pay $15 to $25 each way and get automatic check-in, which means you won’t have to worry about logging in 24 hours prior to your flight. This also means you’ll have a good chance of snagging an “A” boarding pass, which allows you to be among the first to board the plane and select your seat. EarlyBird Check-In is super convenient, and you’ll almost always get your pick of an aisle or window seat.

If you fly on Southwest frequently and earn enough points to get the Southwest Companion Pass, you’ll be able to bring someone with you for free for the remainder of the calendar year and the following year.

This unparalleled benefit is available to travelers who book 100 one-way flights on Southwest in a year or earn 110,000 Rapid Rewards Points in a year. Choose the right Southwest credit card, and you’ll rack up points even faster (more on that next).

There are a number of Southwest travel rewards credit cards that can help you earn Rapid Rewards Points faster. And there are often additional perks you can get when applying for different Southwest credit cards. It is worth taking a look and deciding for yourself which ones might work best for you and your family.

If you travel frequently for work, Southwest also has two of the best travel credit cards for business that can help you earn some impressive travel rewards. The Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card is worth a look, as is their Rapid Rewards Performance Business credit card.

When you fly Southwest, you’ll also get goodies like free pretzels and additional snacks on longer flights, enjoy more comfortable seats compared to some other airlines, and have access to free entertainment options like movies and live TV. You can even get inflight Wi-Fi for just $8.

There’s a lot to love about flying Southwest, so join the cult of dedicated Southwest travelers and start enjoying a less-stressful travel experience.