Southwest does not give every passenger free checked bags in 2026. As of September 16, 2026, most Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred passengers pay $45 for the first checked bag and $55 for the second bag each way on United States mainland travel. Two standard bags remain free with a Choice Extra fare, A-List Preferred status, eligible Getaways by Southwest vacation bookings and the active-duty military exemption. A-List members and eligible primary Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cardmembers receive one standard checked bag free.
Southwest checked bag fees for mainland travel
Southwest’s current mainland fees depend on the fare or passenger benefit and the date the reservation was ticketed or changed. Charges are per passenger and per one-way journey, so a round trip normally incurs the fee twice.
| Passenger or fare | First bag | Second bag |
|---|---|---|
| Basic, Choice or Choice Preferred | $45 | $55 |
| Choice Extra | Free | Free |
| A-List member | Free | $35 |
| A-List Preferred member | Free | Free |
| Eligible primary Rapid Rewards credit cardmember | Free | $55 |
| Active-duty military passenger | Free | Free |
The April 9, 2026 effective date matters. For mainland reservations ticketed or voluntarily changed on or after April 9, the standard fees are $45 for the first bag and $55 for the second. An existing reservation ticketed before April 9 generally retains the previous fees of $35 and $45 unless the passenger voluntarily changes it on or after that date.
Before changing an older booking, compare the fare difference and any effect on baggage charges. For example, a flight taking place in December 2026 could still have the earlier baggage prices if it was ticketed before April 9 and has not been voluntarily changed.
The costs can add up quickly. One passenger checking one bag in both directions pays $90 round trip under the current mainland schedule. Checking two bags in both directions costs $200. A family of four checking one bag each pays $360 round trip, before any overweight or oversized charges.
Passengers who still receive free checked bags
Free checked luggage has not disappeared completely. The number of complimentary bags depends on the passenger’s fare, Rapid Rewards tier, eligible credit card or other exemption.
- Choice Extra passengers: The first and second standard checked bags are free.
- A-List Preferred members: Two standard checked bags are free for the member and up to eight additional passengers on the same reservation.
- A-List members: The first standard bag is free for the member and up to eight additional passengers on the same reservation. The current mainland charge for a second bag is $35 per eligible passenger.
- Eligible Rapid Rewards credit cardmembers: The primary cardmember and up to eight additional passengers on the same reservation receive their first standard checked bag free. The primary cardmember’s Rapid Rewards number must be included in the reservation.
- Active-duty military passengers: The first and second checked bags are free with a current, valid military identification card.
- Getaways by Southwest vacation passengers: Each person included in an eligible vacation booking receives two standard checked bags free.
The credit card benefit belongs to the primary cardmember. Authorized users and employee cardholders on Rapid Rewards Business Credit Card accounts do not qualify through their card status alone. The account must be open and not in default. Southwest advises newly approved cardmembers to allow up to 14 days for their card status to appear in their Rapid Rewards account.
When an A-List member, A-List Preferred member or eligible primary cardmember shares a reservation with other passengers, the applicable allowance can extend to as many as eight of those passengers. A qualifying checked bag benefit also applies to the designated Companion of a Companion Pass holder.
Benefits do not stack to produce additional free bags. An A-List member who also has an eligible Rapid Rewards credit card still receives one free standard bag rather than two. A Choice Extra fare or A-List Preferred status provides the stronger allowance of two free bags.
Different fees apply to Hawaii interisland flights
Southwest uses a separate baggage schedule when a flight both begins and ends in Hawaii. For an interisland reservation ticketed or voluntarily changed on or after April 9, 2026, a non-Hawaii resident without another qualifying benefit pays $30 for the first bag, $40 for the second and $50 for the third.
On these flights, nonresident A-List Preferred members receive two free standard bags for themselves and up to eight additional passengers on the same reservation. A-List members receive the first bag free and pay $15 for the second. Eligible primary Rapid Rewards credit cardmembers receive the first bag free and pay $40 for the second. Active-duty military passengers receive the first two bags free.
Rapid Rewards members whose primary mailing address establishes Hawaii residency receive their first and second standard bags free on eligible Southwest interisland travel. Their Rapid Rewards number must be included in the booking, and the account must contain a valid United States Postal Service Hawaii mailing address. This resident benefit does not cover travel between Hawaii and the continental United States.
For an eligible interisland reservation ticketed before April 9, 2026 and not voluntarily changed on or after that date, the earlier standard nonresident charges are $15 for the first bag and $20 for the second.
Southwest fare, tier and credit card baggage benefits do not apply to flights booked with a partner carrier. If an itinerary includes another airline, check which carrier’s policy controls each part of the journey before paying for or checking baggage.
Bag sizes and steps to take before departure
Every ticketed Southwest passenger may bring one carry-on bag and one personal item without charge. The carry-on bag must go in the overhead bin and may measure no more than 24 by 16 by 10 inches, including wheels, handles and attachments. The personal item, such as a purse, laptop case or small backpack, must fit under the seat in front of the passenger. A pet carrier counts as either the carry-on bag or the personal item.
A standard checked bag may measure no more than 62 linear inches, calculated by adding its length, width and height. Wheels and handles count when measuring. It may weigh up to 50 pounds. A free-bag benefit removes the standard charge only; it does not automatically waive fees for overweight, oversized or additional luggage.
On mainland travel, a bag weighing 51 to 70 pounds has a $100 surcharge, while a bag weighing 71 to 100 pounds has a $200 surcharge. A bag measuring 63 to 80 linear inches costs $200 in addition to the standard fee. When the same bag is both oversized and overweight, Southwest applies one $200 surcharge plus the applicable standard baggage charge. A third or subsequent mainland bag costs $150 before other surcharges.
For interisland Hawaii travel, the surcharge is $35 for a bag weighing 51 to 70 pounds or measuring 63 to 80 linear inches. A bag weighing 71 to 100 pounds has a $70 surcharge. If it is both oversized and overweight, the combined surcharge is $100 plus the standard fee. Special rules may apply to sports equipment, musical instruments and media equipment.
Use this checklist before leaving for the airport:
- Determine whether the reservation was ticketed before April 9, 2026, or on or after April 9, 2026.
- Check whether a reservation originally ticketed before April 9 was voluntarily changed on or after that date.
- Confirm each passenger’s fare, particularly whether anyone purchased Choice Extra.
- Make sure A-List or A-List Preferred status appears correctly in the Rapid Rewards account.
- For a credit card benefit, verify that the primary cardmember’s Rapid Rewards number is attached to the reservation.
- Confirm that additional passengers are on the same reservation as the qualifying member or cardmember.
- Review the operating carrier and baggage rules for any partner flight.
- Weigh and measure every bag, including its wheels, handles and outer pockets.
- Add checked bags online after checking in, if eligible. Digital bag check is available from 24 hours before departure until 60 minutes before a domestic flight or 90 minutes before an international flight.
- Allow enough time at the airport to print and attach bag tags and meet the applicable baggage drop deadline.
If you want to monitor your suitcase, read whether you can put an AirTag in checked luggage. Spare lithium batteries and portable chargers must not go in checked baggage. For guidance on carrying one safely, see the article about using a power bank on a plane.
