Southwest Announces New Fare Classes, Credit Card Perks, and More

Updated: April 28, 2025, 3:22pm CDT

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New Southwest Benefits Rolling Out Starting May 28
Southwest’s Busy — And Controversal — 2025
Final Thoughts

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Southwest Airlines announced on April 28 its new fare products, plus new benefits for Southwest cardholders and elite status members.

There’s a lot to cover, so let’s take a look at the news.

New Southwest Benefits Rolling Out Starting May 28

Southwest Airlines has announced its 3 new fare classes: Choice Extra, Choice Preferred, and Choice (formerly Business Select, Anytime, and Wanna Get Away Plus). The new fare classes will be available for booking in the third quarter of 2025 for flights beginning in 2026.

However, on May 28, Wanna Get Away fares will completely disappear and be replaced with a basic fare class — to stay competitive with other major airlines that have adopted the basic economy pricing model.

Seats on a Southwest plane — Southwest will introduce 3 new fare classes starting on May 28. Image Credit: Katie Seemann

The airline is introducing some new benefits for flyers with a Southwest Rapid Rewards card. Regardless of their fare, these customers can choose a seat for free, board earlier, and receive a free checked bag.

Finally, Southwest A-List and A-List Preferred members will receive preferred seating, complimentary checked bags (for up to 8 additional passengers on the same reservation), early boarding, and more under the new loyalty program.

You can take a look at the complete list of details at this link.

“With new choices like seat selection and Extra Legroom, our enhanced fare bundles let customers customize their trip while still enjoying our industry-leading reliability and hospitality,” said Tony Roach, Southwest’s executive vice president of customer and brand.

Bottom Line:

Southwest says checked bag benefits for Rapid Rewards members and credit cardholders will begin on May 28. Full implementation will begin when the airline begins assigned seating.

Southwest’s Busy — And Controversal — 2025

It’s been a busy year for the Dallas-based Southwest Airlines, but not all of it has been good for customers.

In March, the airline made some of the most significant changes in its history. It announced that it would charge most passengers for checked bags and switch to assigned seating. But that wasn’t all: Southwest also announced its intention to introduce a new “basic” fare class.

It would also change its popular Rapid Rewards loyalty program to align with dynamic pricing, a move several mainline carriers have already adopted.

Southwest Airlines landing at Los Angeles LAX — Image Credit: Daniel Ross

These moves didn’t sit well with customers, and other airlines have come swooping in to lure away disgruntled Southwest customers.

For instance, Southwest A-List status holders can status match to American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum, while Southwest A-List Preferred members can status match to AAdvantage Platinum Pro status. Delta Air Lines and JetBlue have also offered similar promotions to woo discontented Southwest flyers.

Final Thoughts

Southwest has announced more details about its new loyalty program, including benefits for elite members, new fare classes, and more. Some of these changes will take place beginning in May, while others will begin later this year.

It is premature to determine how Southwest flyers will respond to the new fare classes, assigned seating, and other perks. But the move will be a big change for Southwest loyalists who have grown accustomed to a travel experience that is very different from other airlines.