Southwest Airlines 2025 Changes: Timeline

Southwest has been in the news lately for making some pretty big changes. There’s a lot of confusion and misinformation out there on what exactly the changes are and when they take effect.

This guide walks you through all the changes, when they take effect, and what exactly this means for travelers.

Quick Hits (Updated July 30)

• We’ve updated our Companion Pass timelines for 2026/2027 to include info on how to use the 100k offer. Find details here. 
• As of July 24, all Southwest credit cards have seen substantial fee hikes and some have lost benefits. See my analysis below.
• Seats will be assigned starting January 27, 2026. These tickets will be on sale starting July 29.
• All Southwest cardholders receive 1 free checked bag for themselves and up to 8 people on their reservation.
• I only recommend booking the Basic fare if you are booking with points

Southwest Card Changes

As of July 24, 2025, all of the Southwest credit cards have higher annual fees for new customers. Existing customers will have the same annual fee through the end of 2025. Any card renewals in 2026 will have the higher annual fee.

Chase is trying to spin these higher fees because the cards have “new benefits!” But the cards are also losing some benefits that were key to making them worthwhile to hold. Overall, I think these updates are more negative than positive. I’ll still be keeping my Southwest card, but begrudgingly.

Strategy Tips: Existing Cardholders

Existing cardholders should not immediately go and cancel their cards.

You will not immediately have to pay the higher annual fees. If you have a card renewal before January 1, 2026, you’re lucky. That’s because your card will renew one more time at the annual fee you currently have. Which means you get an additional year at a lower annual fee.

The following benefits are being dropped from these cards starting in 2026:

• Upgraded Boarding and Early Bird Check In credits. This makes sense since Southwest’s boarding process is changing. Though it still leaves a gap of nearly a month (from January 1-26) where cardholders have neither these previous benefits nor the assigned seating benefits.
• The $75 statement credit for purchases at Southwest.com for the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card ($229 annual fee, Terms Apply). This is straight up a significant devaluation for this card.
• The 365 Wi-Fi credits on the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card ($299 annual fee, Terms Apply). This card was already had an unreasonably high annual fee in my opinion. Now it’s $100 higher and for what?
• The $500/year fee credit for points transfers on the business cards. This benefit also had a way that households could earn an extra 2000 points to help qualify for the Companion Pass.

Overall these are my tips:

1. Keep your card through December 31, 2025 — unless you’re planning to cancel it to reapply and earn a Companion Pass.
2. Use as many benefits in 2025 as you can.
3. When your annual fee renews in 2026 — call and ask for a retention offer and explain that you’re very dissatisfied with these new fees and loss of benefits. The agents might be able to offer you extra points or a partial fee credit to keep the card.
4. Watch and observe. We just don’t know enough about how the assigned seating benefits will work in practice. Will being able to pick assigned seats 48 hours in advance be plenty of time to get seats together as a family? Will it be necessary to pick seats at booking? It’s too hard to judge which benefits are necessary and we can’t even start to know until January. We won’t have a complete sense until it’s been a couple months at least.
5. In 2026, you might decide to keep the card, downgrade your card, upgrade your card — 0r cancel altogether. There are a lot of factors for each person to weigh. We try to make that easier with our benefit calculators in our Southwest Card Guide.

Also note that cancelling cards will now complicate seating. If you book a flight while you hold a Priority card pick your seats — and then cancel the card, your seats will be released. This means that if you’re planning to cancel cards in order to apply again (especially if you’re going to try to earn a Companion Pass) — you’ll need to tread cautiously if you have flights booked with assigned seats.

Strategy Tips: Companion Pass

We’re currently updating all our Companion Pass guides and resources to give you the best and most accurate information for your strategy with all these new factors. The best way to stay informed is to be on our mailing list.

The only silver lining right now is that the newly released 100,000 point offers on the personal cards give a 5 month window for spending to earn the bonus. That means they are usable for trying to earn a 2026-2027 Companion Pass if you can be very careful about your spending timing.

Which Southwest Card Is Best?

Previously I thought the Priority card was clearly the best Southwest card and a great overall value. Somehow Chase has managed to gut this card while raising the annual fee. And it didn’t even get some of the new benefits that the lower fee cards get.

Now I think the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card offer about the same value as each other — with the Premier having a slight edge.

The Plus will give you the lowest out of pocket costs at $99 (terms apply). And on cardmember anniversary you’ll get 3000 anniversary points each year (that’s worth about $45 in flights) and a 10% coupon (not valid on Basic flights). And at least you’ll get to pick Standard seats 48 hours in advance, which puts you ahead of anyone who booked a Basic fare.

The Premier card costs you $149 each year (terms apply). But on your cardmember anniversary you’ll get 6000 anniversary points — that’s worth about $90 in flights. You’ll also get a 15% off coupon on your anniversary (not valid on Basic fares). And then you’ll get the additional option of picking Preferred or Standard seats 48 ours in advance. Effectively when you value the anniversary points, I think the Premier card costs $5 more — and I think that $5 is worth it for having more seats to pick from.

The Priority card is now $229 (terms apply) and is now only worth it if you really value being able to pick your seats right at the time of booking and want to hope for Extra Legroom seats 48 hours in advance. Oddly the Priority card doesn’t include any anniversary coupon like the lower annual fee cards do!

Fare Classes: Rolling out July 29

Southwest partially rolled out new fare classes on May 28 and these will roll out further on July 29.

Key Changes to Basic/Wanna Get Away

Wanna Get Away has transitioned to a Basic fare. We don’t recommend people book a Basic fare if you’re booking with cash. With points, it can be ok.

Not changeable, just cancelable

One difference is that Basic fares can only be cancelled, not changed. That means that it’s harder to reprice your flight and get a refund if prices drop. Instead of logging in and being able to “change” your flight to the same ticket at a lower price — you instead need to cancel your flight and then rebook.

This makes round trip changes even more laborious. If one leg of a round trip flight drops in price, you’d need to cancel that leg. Then rebook it at the new price as a one-way.

Flight Credits Expire After 6 Months

Previously flight credits didn’t expire. Now the flight credits from a Basic fare expire just 6 months after booking. This makes it really hard to use.

This is one reason booking with points is so superior for a Basic fare. If you cancel a Basic fare that you booked with points, the points are redeposited in your account and don’t expire. If your flight drops in price and you cancel and rebook, any additional points are likewise still available for your use with no expiration date.

But if you booked with cash, any of these credits will expire after just 6 months

No Assigned Seating Benefits

Seats will be assigned at check in — it doesn’t even seem like you’d be able to try to change them or that they would necessarily prioritize families seating together.

Assigned Seating (Book starting July 29)

Starting January 27, 2026, Southwest’s open seating policy is going away. The good news is, you won’t have to check in exactly 24 hours ahead and cross your fingers to hope for a good boarding position anymore!

See all the details and fine print on Southwest’s site here.

The switch to assigned seating means you’ll know exactly where your seat is before you get on the plane.

Book Assigned Seats Starting July 29 (For Jan 27)

Starting July 29, you can book assigned seats for tickets on Southwest that depart January 27 or later.

Basic Fares — you can’t choose your seat

Seat is not included for “basic” fares. If you book basic, standard seats in the back section of the plane will be automatically assigned at check-in. At this point it appears you will not necessarily have the option to change these seats without paying to upgrade.

Southwest Cardholders: Assigned Seat Benefits

We have a full guide to Southwest cards here where you can see detailed benefits as well as benefits calculators to help walk you through which one makes sense for you.

Best Benefits On These Two Cards

Two cards stand out when it comes to assigned seating benefits.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card ($229 annual fee, Terms Apply) and Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card ($299 annual fee, Terms Apply).

Both of these give you the option to select a “Preferred” seat at the time of booking for yourself and up to 8 Companions.

You could also upgrade to Extra Legroom 48 hours before departure if available.

The official blurb says: “Select a Standard or Preferred seat at booking, on any fare, when available. Upgrade to Extra Legroom within 48 hours of departure on any fare, when available.”

It’s important to note that if you book a flight while you have these cards and then go on to cancel the card — any seat assignments you have will be lost.

Moderate Benefits on the other cards

It’s hard to say exactly how useful these benefits will be on the other cards, but it’s better than nothing as we like to say in our house.

I say I don’t know how useful they will be because it’s unclear how many seats will be available to select 48 hours before flights. At that point will it be easy for a couple or a family to get seats together? Or not? Maybe it will just depend on how crowded the flight is?

New Seat Categories

Standard Seats

These are the seats at the back of the plane. Previously these had a seat pitch of 31-32″ depending on the plane. These will all now have 31″ seat pitch.

Preferred Seats

These are mostly the seats just in front of the wings. They are “Preferred” because they are towards the front of the plane. Previously these had a seat pitch of 31-32″ depending on the plane. These will all now have 31″ seat pitch.

Extra Legroom Seats

These are the first rows on the plane (exact number will depend on plane type). And also includes some exit row seats. These will now have 34″ to 36″ seat pitch, depending on the plane.

Extra legroom Seats Available Now on Select Flights

On May 1, 2025, Southwest began adding retrofitted planes with the new extra legroom seats back into service. That means passengers will have a chance to snag one of these seats before assigned seating goes into effect.

We’ve yet to see one of these planes but certainly as January draws closer we’d expect to see these on most planes.

Assigned Seating FAQs

Will I be able to pay to upgrade my seat?

Southwest indicates you’ll be able to pay to select a better seat (like extra legroom) if that seat is not included in your fare class.

They have not announced whether or not passengers who book a “Basic” fare will have the option to pay a fee to select a seat before check-in.

If I have a companion pass, will my companion get a free seat?

Yes, you will be able to select a seat for your designated companion. Tier seating benefits will extend to your companion as well. If you have seating benefits, these should extend to your Companion.

What seating benefits will be available to Southwest cardholders?

All cards give you some sort of benefit but only the higher-tier cards give you access to assigned seats at the time of booking. See our card guide here.

What kind of seating options do A-list and A-list Preferred status members have?

A-list status members have the option to select seats for free, regardless of what fare class is booked.

Flight Credit Now have Expiration Dates

Before May 28, flight credits didn’t have expiration dates. Any flight credit created on or before May 27, 2025 does not expire.

Starting May 28, 2025, any flight credits issued now have an expiration date. The expiration date varies depending on the fare class booked. If you book a “basic” level fare, flight credits will expire 6 months after issue. For all other fare classes, flight credits expire 12 months after issue.

Fare Class Changes

Frankly I think the fact that it takes such a long graphic to explain all the differences means it’s too cumbersome.

Key Tips

• Booking with cash? I generally recommend booking Choice. That way if your flight drops in price, at least your new credit will last 12 months. The 6 month flight credits you’d get with Basic are too restrictive for most travelers to find any use in them.
• Booking with points? You could book the Basic fare but watch out for seating benefits.
  • If you hold the Priority ($229 annual fee, Terms Apply) or the Performance Business ($299 annual fee, Terms Apply) — you have good seating benefits so booking Basic should be fine.
  • If you don’t have any Southwest card >> you might want to book Choice to get seating benefits at time of booking to really make sure you have seats together
  • If you have a lower annual fee Southwest card >> book Basic if you don’t care about assigned seats or if you’re flying off-peak. If you’re flying at peak times, you might want to book Choice if you want to ensure you get seats together.

Previous Fare Classes:

Starting July 29, fare classes

It’s still a bit of a rollout as the assigned seats are not fully in effect until January.

Frequently Asked Questions about Fare Classes

What if I book basic and I want to change my flight?

Changes are not allowed with basic so you would have to cancel and rebook.

If you booked with points, any points would be refunded to you. If you booked with cash, you would get a flight credit for the cancellation that would only be valid for 6 months.

What if my flight goes down in price, will I still be able to change it to the lower price and get the difference back?

For all fare classes other than basic, yes. If your flight drops in price, you can get the difference back in points or flight credit (or a refund if you booked a refundable fare). If you booked basic and the price goes down, you would have to cancel and rebook to get the new price.

Flight credits from fare changes will only be valid for 12 months.

Checked Baggage Changes: May 28, 2025

For flights booked on or after May 28, 2025, checked bags are no longer free.

The price is $35 for the first bag and $45 for the second bag. This is around the same price that other airlines charge, so it’s in line with industry standards.

The good news is, there are a few ways you can still get a free checked bag (or two).

How to Get Free Checked Bags

Flights Booked Before May 28

Any flights booked before May 28 will not be subject to the new bag policy, even if the flight takes place after May 28.

Note: If you make any changes to your flight after May 28, you’ll loose the free bags.

Southwest Credit Cardholders

All Southwest credit cardholders will get one free checked bag for each member in their party who is booked on the same reservation (up to 8 people).

A-list Elite Status Members

Passengers with A-list elite status will get one free checked bag for each member in their party who is booked on the same reservation (up to 8 people).

A-list Preferred Status Members

Passengers with A-list Preferred status will get two free checked bags. This applies for the member and up to 8 people booked on the same reservation.

Choice Extra Fares (Formerly Business Select)

Passengers who book a Choice Extra fare will get two free checked bags. This benefit does not extend to others in your party, unless they have booked the same fare class.

Companions of people with a checked bag benefit

If you qualify to receive a free checked bag through holding a Southwest credit card, having A-list elite status, or another reason, that benefit will also extend to your companion. The companion will have to pay any applicable bag fees at the airport, but those fees will be automatically refunded.

Baggage Changes FAQS

I booked my flight before May 28, will I have to pay for bags?

No. Any flights booked before May 28, 2025 have two free checked bags included for all passengers. Even if your flight is not until later in the year, or even early next year.

What if I booked my flight before May 28, but I have to change it later?

If you make any changes to your flight after May 28, you will be subject to the new baggage policy. This means you will have to pay for checked bags, unless you have a Southwest credit card, A-list status, or another method that qualifies you for free checked bags.

Will there be a charge for carry-on bags?

No. Southwest has not announced any plans to charge for carry-on bags. This could always change in the future, but for now, all passengers (no matter the fare class booked) are still allowed to bring one carry-on bag and one personal item for free.

What if I have A-list elite status and a Southwest credit card?

The benefits do not stack. You would still only get one free checked bag, unless you booked a Choice Extra fare (or have A-list Preferred status), which qualifies you for two free bags.

What if I have a Companion Pass? Does my companion get a free checked bag?

If you qualify to receive a free checked bag through holding a Southwest credit card, having A-list elite status, or another reason, that benefit will also extend to your companion. The companion will have to pay any applicable bag fees at the airport, but those fees will be automatically refunded.

For those who qualify, how do I get a free checked bag?

For most people — the fee will be waived at bag check. Up to eight passengers traveling on the same reservation will have the fee waived on their first standard bag.

For Companions: The process is different for a Companion flying with a Companion Pass. Because the Companion has their own reservation with their own confirmation number, they’re not considered on the “same reservation.” The companion will have to pay for their bag up front, but that fee will be refunded if the companion pass holder qualifies for a free checked bag.

Earning Rapid Rewards Points on Flights

If you book a cash fare rather than an award flight, the amount of points you can earn for your flight has recently changed. These are the current earning rates multiplied by the fare paid:

Business Select/Choice Extra: 14x

Anytime/Choice Preferred: 10x

Wanna Get Away+/Choice: 6x

Wanna Get Away/Basic: 2x

You don’t earn any points for flights that are booked with points. This hasn’t changed; that’s always been the case. For people using points to fly with Southwest, this particular change isn’t that big of a deal, because most of the time you’re not earning points on your flights anyway!

Variable Pricing for Point Redemptions

Southwest has always used variable (also called dynamic) pricing, in that the points price for any given flight changes regularly, just like cash fares do.

What’s different now is that the points price used to be tied more directly to the cash price, but that isn’t always the case anymore.

Now, point prices will vary depending on demand. If there is a lot of demand, point prices may be higher. If there is not much demand, point prices may be lower.

In some cases, you might find that it takes fewer points to fly to a given destination than it did before, but point prices could also be much higher.

For people who like to calculate cents per point, Southwest used to have a fairly fixed value of 1.3-1.5 cents per point when compared to the cash rate for the same flight. Now, you might find that your points are worth only 1 cent per point for some redemptions, but 1.7 or more cents per point for other redemptions.

Redeye Flights

Southwest is adding redeye flights to 20 routes in early 2025. This opens up more options for passengers, especially to and from Hawaii, where the flights are quite long.

Partnership with Iceland Air

Southwest announced a partnership with Iceland Air in January of 2025. This partnership allows passengers to book flights with Iceland Air that include connections operated by Southwest. The partnership is rolling out slowly with limited options, but they are planning to expand.

As of right now, you can’t redeem Rapid Rewards points on these flights. This is expected to change in 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Iceland Air Partnership

Is Southwest flying to Europe?

No, Southwest does not fly any of its planes to Europe, but the partnership with Iceland air will allow you to book a flight to Europe with a segment operated by Southwest.

Can I book a flight to Iceland (or Europe) through Southwest?

No, as of right now, these flights have to be booked through Iceland Air.

Can I earn Rapid Rewards points on Iceland Air flights?

You can only earn Rapid Rewards points on the segments that are operated by Southwest. You cannot earn Rapid Rewards points on Iceland Air flights. We hope to see this roll out soon!

Is Southwest Still Worth Flying?

Though it can be disappointing to see changes like this, Southwest is still a good choice for a lot of travelers.

The biggest reason I’ll keep flying Southwest is my Companion Pass and good routing options from my home airport (Chicago).

The companion pass is still one of the best deals out there. Being able to get BOGO flights for an entire year or more can save you hundreds of dollars (or thousands of points).

We hope this breakdown helps you navigate the changes and still make the most of using Southwest in your points and miles strategy. If you’re just getting started with points, be sure to check out my 3 year plan for how to earn over a million points!