Southwest Airlines Baggage Fees & How To Avoid Paying Them!
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Southwest Airlines has the single most clear-cut (and cheapest!) baggage policy of any airline. Thank You, Southwest!
Your first two checked bags are FREE with any fare, and the extra/excess fees are a simple $75 each.
Southwest is one budget airline where you definitely won’t get stuck with hidden baggage fees.
Table of contents
Table of Contents
Southwest Carry-On Allowance
1 personal item: FREE
1 standard carry-on bag: FREE
Size Restrictions
- Personal: 18.5 x 13.5 x 8.5 inches (47 x 34.3 x 22 cm)
- Standard: 24 x 16 x 10 inches (60 x 40.6 x 25.4 cm)
Lap Infant Carry-On Policy
- Lap infants are not permitted a carry-on so any items would need to be included in the accompanying adult’s allowance.
Stroller Check Policy
- Southwest allows strollers and car seats to be checked at the curb, ticket counter, or gate free of charge.
Southwest Checked Baggage Allowance
All checked bags must adhere to a max weight of 50lbs and must adhere to max linear dimensions of 62 inches.
Southwest is the only Airline that provides TWO FREE CHECKED BAGS for all fares.
1st Bag: FREE
2nd Bag: FREE
3rd+ Bags: $75
Additional / Excess Baggage Fees
Overweight Fee: $75
Oversized Fee: $75
Can I Pre-pay for Baggage?
Southwest Airlines does not allow passengers the ability to pre-pay for luggage.
Unfortunately, this means passengers must pay at the ticketing counter at the airport.
Credit Cards That Reimburse You For Checked Bag Fees
Unlike Spirit Airlines, Southwest has a generous checked bag policy that allows two bags per person. If you are taking a big trip and need additional checked bags, you can use one of the cards below to offset the cost.
| Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card - This no annual fee card comes with a 20,000 mile welcome bonus (worth $200) once you spend $1,000 within the first 3 months. When you use your card for travel purchases (e.g. baggage fees), use your miles to pay off all, or part of, your statement! This is why we like this card. |
| Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card - The "big brother" card to the VentureOne® with a larger 50,000 welcome bonus (worth $500), when you spend $3,000 within the first 3 months. |
Exclusions & Waivers
Military traveling on active duty or permanent change of station orders: 3+ bags FREE and no charge for overweight/ oversized bags.
No charge for overweight/ oversized large media camera equipment.
Plus, some special sporting items fly free as well! (subject to certain restrictions)
“Any of the items listed below may be checked in substitution of one piece of the free checked baggage allowance for each Passenger at no charge on a one-item-for-one-bag basis. If the item of sporting equipment exceeds 50 pounds in weight or 62 inches in size (outside length plus height plus width), excess weight and size charges may apply.”
- Archery Equipment
- Baseball/Softball Equipment
- Boogie/Knee Board
- Bowing Bag
- Bicycles
- hard-sided bicycle box falling w/in 62″/50lb limits
- Fishing Rod & Tackle Box
- limited to 91″ in length, 3″ diameter
- counts as ONE item even if packed separately
- Golf Bag
- hard-sided golf bag
- excess size charges waived; excess weight charges may apply
- Hockey/Lacrosse Sticks
- Up to two bags allowed to count as ONE item, even if packed separately
- Kiteboard
- Knives, Dress Sabers, Swords
- checked bags only
- Parachutes
- carry-on or checked bag
- may not be worn in flight
- Scuba Equipment
- air tanks must be empty
- Skateboard
- carry-on or checked
- Snow Ski Equipment
- Up to 2 bags (one set of equipment) allowed to count as ONE item, even if packed separately
- excess size charges waived; excess weight charges may apply
- Water Ski Equipment
- excess size charges waived; excess weight charges may apply
For other baggage fees related to special luggage (sporting equipment, musical instruments, etc.) please refer to Southwest Airlines’ policy here.
Great service with free baggage, but what about seating – does one have to pay for any seating – special or normal? Thanks, Tom
Hi Thomas, in short, a normal seat is no charge. Have you flown with Southwest before? They don’t do “special” seating like other airlines, the only way to get a seat you may prefer over another is to board earlier.
The only way to board earlier is to purchase a Business Select fare, be an A-List/Preferred flyer or purchase Early Bird Check-in.
Please see our other Southwest pieces here for more details:
– What Is Southwest Early Bird Check-In® & Do I Really Need It?
– Southwest Airlines Review – Amenities, Baggage Fees, Seats, Customer Service, & More
Is it two free checked bags per person?
Hi Ashlea. Yes, it is two free bags per ticket purchased. Thanks for your question.
How strict is Southwest on the measurements of checked bags? I have a suitcase that is 31.5″ x 19.5″ x 13.2″ so 64.2″ total. Would they charge for this bag?
Hey Emily, this is a tough question to answer as it really depends on the ticketing agent you get. Some are a bit more lenient and some can be pretty strict. Even though this is only 2.2″ over the limit, they could techhhhnically charge you but I can’t promise they would/wouldn’t.
Sorry to not be of more help here!
Hi. Is the free 2 checked in baggage per passenger or per booking? What if we are 4 passengers in 1 booking. So we can have 2 bags each free? Thanks
Hi Luisa,
Southwest’s checked baggage allowance is 2 bags per ticketed passenger. Each bag must not exceed 50 lbs and 62 inches (L+W+H).
Does the 62″ checked baggage limit include the wheels and handle?
Hi Al – yes, as a general rule, all airlines include wheels and handles in their baggage limit measurements.
HI there,
I am flying southwest in August and I am planning on bringing along fishing poles and tackle. I have a travel case that extends to 88” as well as has a diameter of 4.5” Is there an extra size baggage fee I will have to pay because it is bigger than 3”? Also is it allowed to put all of my other fishing gear in my checked bag or carry on bag (lures, hooks, reels etc?)
Hi Jonathan,
We advise you contact Southwest directly with your inquiry. As per their checked baggage terms and conditions your luggage would not be compliant, but it’s always worth giving them a call to check your options.
Can I pay cash for an additional luggage at the counter when I arrive at the airport?
Hi Stephanie,
You sure can!
If I only have 1 checked bag, will I be charged if say, the bag is 55 pounds, which is still a lot less weight than what 2 bags would weigh?
Hi Susan!
Yes, if your bag is 55 pounds you will be charged extra. All checked bags must be under 50 pounds, even if you are only bringing one.
Thanks for reading!
My suit case has a measurement of 30”x 20” x 12” which equals to 62 linear inches. Is this acceptable ?
Hi Ray,
Yes, that will be acceptable!
Thanks for reading!
Does two checked bags for FREE mean a carry on and a suitcase? I just needed to know because I leave in a few days and I need to make sure what it specifically means.
Hi Rebecca,
With Southwest Airlines you can bring both a carry-on and two checked bags for free!
Thanks for reading!
Do all three bags have to be 50 pounds each? If we don’t have a scale at home and we go to the airport how do we know if it even is 50 pounds?
Hi Sonia,
Each bag has to be less than 50 pounds. When you arrive to the airport they will weigh your bags at the baggage check desk.
Thanks for reading!
If doing a 3rd suitcase, is it $75 for a round trip or $75 each way for a total of $150?
Hi Donald,
The charge is per one-way, so $150 total for a 3rd checked bag. Thanks for reading!
Hi!
We have a boxed bassinet that is a gift for our daughter. If it meets the size and weight requirements, can it be counted as a checked item?
Thank you
Hi Donna,
Yes, it should be able to be checked if it meets the size and weight requirements.
Thanks for reading!
Bringing back a lightsaber from Disney they say it’s 3 ft long will I get charge extra for this?
Hi Charles,
Will the lightsaber fit in your luggage? How are you planning to bring it on the plane?
My fishing rod case is 48″x 4.5″x 4.5″ = 57″ It would qualify as a second bag, but exceed the diameter for a fishing rod case. Would I be charged extra for this case?
Hi Noel,
We cannot say definitively as we do not represent Southwest Airlines. I would contact their customer service team directly.
Thanks for reading!
Does Southwest allow a fourth checked bag?
Hi Chantel,
Southwest should allow you to check a fourth bag, but the cost to do so should be $75.
Thanks for reading!
What is meant when it says limited release? That is in the Golf Clubs section.
Also, a set of golf clubs starts out at 50 inches high, meaning it will certainly exceed the 62 inch limit. (H plus W plus D).
Would that mean that they can or will allow you to exceed the 62 inch limit as long as you keep it under the 50 pound weight limit?
And does that only apply to hard shell cases, or will a softside case fit these guidelines.
Thanks
Hi Craig,
Southwest asks that it be a hard-sided golf bag. Their terms state that a golf bag can be checked in place of one of your standard bags and that if an item of sporting equipment exceeds 50 pounds in weight or 62 inches in size (outside length plus height plus width), excess weight and size charges may apply.
Thanks for reading!
I am trying to purchase a 3 piece luggage set with the spinner wheels, but the large suitcase with wheels is 63 inches when adding W×L×H. I always fly southwest but they can be hard on canvas luggage. Is this the stardard sizes for spinner wheeled suitcases(large 28in, Medium 24in , Small 22in)? If not, do you have any recommendations on affordable options that meet southwest standards? The wheels are important, too, as I am disabled and travel solo.
Hi CR,
We actually have an entire post filled with some of our favorite pieces of luggage – all of which are hard-sided or hard-shelled. I think you’ll find many great options there that would work well for you! All of them should fit within the Southwest guidelines as well!
I am wondering if they allow combined baggage. If me and my 3 children use one large bag as one check in? Can the size allowance be added all together for a free check in??
Hi Kristina,
Your first 2 checked bags are free. So, if you’re flying with 3 children, you would be able to check 2 bags each, for a total of 8 bags. You can’t however check a huge, overweight bag and have them count it as 2.
Is there a different carry on size luggage for international flights?
Hi Keri,
No, the allowable carry-on size is the same for both Domestic and International flights.
I am traveling for a school trip and I have a carry-on duffel that’s 22in x 11in x 10.5in, would I be charged for the extra .5 inches or will they still accept it? Also, online says if it doesn’t fit dimensions, they’ll have to check it at gate, will that cost?
Hi Josie,
Whether a bag is accepted can depend entirely on the ticketing assistant on the day. If your bag is oversized and checked at the gate, then you will be charged the cost of a checked bag.