Dhimistaadkaad Ka Missayo Southwest
Southwest Airlines launched its first-ever checked bag fees in 2025, but that does not mean travelers have to pay full price for everything. From Rapid Rewards credit card perks to elite-status baggage waivers, there are more Southwest discounts hiding in plain sight than most flyers realize. Bill Savior reveals the ones that matter.
Southwest Airlines spent decades positioning itself as the no-fee-friendly airline, so the shift to charging $45 for a first checked bag and $55 for a second came as a shock to millions of loyal customers. But the airline still hands out free baggage benefits to customers who know how to earn them, and it offers dozens of other money-saving programs through Rapid Rewards, co-branded credit cards, and seasonal promotions that rarely get the attention they deserve.