Southwest Airlines no longer offers two free checked bags per passenger — the airline only allows two free checked bags for Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred members and passengers on Business Select fares and one free checked bag for A-List members. Fortunately, there’s another way to secure a free checked bag: You’ll get the perk as a Southwest credit cardholder.
But that’s not all these cards offer. In fact, now is one of the best times of the year to consider a Southwest credit card. Here’s how to choose the right Rapid Rewards card for your travels and what you need to know before changing your policy:
Related: The best airline credit cards for 2026
Southwest’s “Two bags fly free” policy has long been a major money saver for frequent Southwest fliers — especially when two checked bags on a domestic flight on other airlines could cost up to $100 round trip. Southwest flyers now have to pay $35 for their first checked bag and $45 for their second.
The checked bag fee is just one of several changes Southwest has introduced, including a new assigned seat program that went into effect earlier this year.
First, the airline announced a new base fare, making up the lowest-cost tickets from the same date. It also updated the number of Rapid Rewards points you can earn when you buy different types of fares on an eligible flight.
Without A-List boosts, you’ll earn 14 points per dollar spent on eligible flights in Business Select (the same fare class that will still receive a free checked bag), 10 points per dollar spent on eligible flights with an Anytime refundable ticket, 6 points per dollar on the Wanna Get Away+ fare, and 2 points per dollar on the Wanna Get Away flight.
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Even without A-List or A-List Preferred Rapid Rewards status or a Business Select ticket, you can get a free checked bag with a Southwest credit card.
If you usually travel with a lot of luggage, please note that you will now only receive your first checked bag for free as a cardholder.
You’ll still save a significant amount on baggage fees if you fly the airline a few times each year. By comparison, JetBlue charges $35 off-peak and $40 during peak season flights, while American Airlines charges $40 for the first checked bag on domestic flights — though costs can vary by status and fare class.
Assuming Southwest’s bag fees are similar to other US airlines, this benefit can help you quickly recoup the cost of a Southwest Rapid Rewards card’s annual fee.
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Here’s a look at each of the Southwest Rapid Rewards cards to determine which one is right for you:
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Annual fee
$99
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Welcome offer
Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
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Reward rate
- 2x on Southwest purchases
- twice at gas stations and grocery stores with the first $5,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year
- 1x on all other purchases
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BENEFITS
- 3,000 bonus points after card anniversary
- The first checked bag is free for you and up to 8 additional passengers in the same booking
- Standard seat selection 48 hours before departure when available
Why we like it: The Rapid Rewards Plus Card has the lowest annual fee of any Southwest credit card at $99 and offers slightly lower rewards on Southwest purchases. But it still has some valuable benefits alongside the free checked baggage perk. You will receive 3,000 points on your card anniversary; 10,000 Companion Pass Qualifying Points each year; and 25% back on eligible in-flight purchases. Combined with the rewards you can use on future flights, this card can be a great option if you prefer to fly Southwest but aren’t a frequent flyer.
Read our full review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card
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Annual fee
$229
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Welcome offer
Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
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Reward rate
- 4x on Southwest purchases
- 2x at gas stations and restaurants
- 1x on all other purchases
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BENEFITS
- 7,500 bonus points after card anniversary
- First checked bag free for you and up to 8 additional passengers on the same booking, plus unlimited upgrades to a seat with extra legroom when available
- 10,000 Companion Pass® qualification points increase each year
Why we like it: The Rapid Rewards Priority Card is Southwest’s most premium credit card, with an annual fee of $229. You’ll get some high-end perks, but the Rapid Rewards Priority card is similar to the Rapid Rewards Premier: 2,500 qualifying points for every $5,000 you spend; 10,000 Companion Pass Qualifying Points each year; 25% discount on in-flight purchases; and no foreign transaction fees.
This card is a solid option if you fly frequently and Southwest is your airline of choice. You can quickly recoup half of your card fee when you use only the annual travel credit. Additionally, upgraded boarding costs typically start at $30; if you fly at least four times a year and use this benefit annually, you can get more than $100 in added value.
Read our full Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card review
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Reward rate
- 3x points on Southwest purchases
- twice at grocery stores and restaurants for the first $8,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year
- 1x points on all other purchases
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BENEFITS
- Earn 6,000 points every year on your account anniversary
- The first checked bag is free for you and up to 8 additional passengers in the same booking
- Get 25% back on onboard purchases
- 10,000 Companion Pass® qualification points increase each year
Why we like it: With a Rapid Rewards Premier card, you’ll boost your rewards on Southwest purchases up to 3x per dollar for a slightly higher annual fee of $149. This card also has some added benefits, such as 6,000 points each year on your card anniversary and the ability to earn 1,500 A-List Qualifying Points for every $5,000 in purchases. Plus, you’ll get the same 10,000 annual Companion Pass qualifying points and 25% off in-flight spending as Rapid Rewards Plus. Rapid Rewards Premier also doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, so it might be a better option if you plan to travel abroad with your card.
Read our full review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card
All information about the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card has been independently collected by Yahoo Finance. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Card is no longer available through Yahoo Finance.
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