Southwest Quietly Raises Heavy, Oversized, and Excess Baggage Fees

Updated: November 9, 2024, 3:22am CST

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Southwest Increases Baggage Fees
How To Avoid Checked Bag Fees
Final Thoughts

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Southwest Airlines is famous for allowing passengers to check up to 2 pieces of luggage at no additional cost (for now, at least), but heavier, oversized, and additional baggage beyond the current allowance will now face increased fees.

Here’s what you need to know.

Southwest Increases Baggage Fees

Southwest Airlines offers flyers a very generous baggage policy, allowing customers to check up to 2 bags for free, in addition to permitting 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item.

In contrast to many other U.S. carriers that impose fees for carry-on baggage and have checked bag rates that can significantly impact your budget, Southwest’s baggage policy is unique in the industry.

The complimentary checked bag allowance remains intact. However, Southwest has opted to raise its fees for heavy, oversized, and excess baggage.

Southwest flyers can anticipate the following fees for heavy, oversized, and excess baggage:

$150 for a checked bag that exceeds 51 pounds
$200 for a checked bag that exceeds 71 pounds
$150 for each additional checked bag beyond the 2 complimentary bags
$200 for oversized bags measuring 63 to 80 inches

How To Avoid Checked Bag Fees

Southwest passenger checking in bag — A Southwest agent helps a passenger check their bag. Image Credit: Stephen M. Keller via Southwest Airlines

With Southwest’s already accommodating baggage policy, which permits all customers to check 2 bags at no additional cost, this rise in baggage fees will primarily affect those who require more than 2 checked bags or have particularly heavy or oversized luggage. One might suggest that with the right strategy, it’s possible to steer clear of these excessive fees entirely.

However, if there’s no way to avoid paying extra baggage fees with Southwest, consider credit cards that can help cover those costs. For instance, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardInformation collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One. and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit CardInformation collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One. let you use your Capital One miles to offset travel statement charges, including baggage fees, within 90 days of purchase at a rate of 1 cent per mile.

Several cards offer credits that reimburse you for incidental travel expenses upon enrollment. These include The Platinum Card^® from American Express, the Bank of America^® Premium Rewards^® Elite Credit Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve^®, among others.

Bottom Line:

Southwest will now charge customers more for additional bags or overweight/oversized items, with charges starting at $150 per bag for excess baggage.

Final Thoughts

It is unfortunate news for Southwest Airlines customers as the carrier has announced an increase in baggage fees for those with excess or overweight luggage. Nonetheless, as outlined above, there are methods to offset bag fees using the right travel credit card.

The information regarding the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Bank of America^® Premium Rewards^® Elite Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card^® from American Express, click here.