Southwest Airlines Baggage Fees and How To Avoid Paying Them

Southwest Airlines eliminated free checked bags for all in May 28, 2025. Going forward, most passengers will pay $35 for the first checked bag, $45 for the second, and $150 for the third bag

However, the airline continues to offer free checked bags for A-List elites, co-branded cardholders, and those who book Business Select fares.

Here’s an in-depth look at Southwest’s new baggage policy and the fees you can expect to pay in 2025 and beyond:

Southwest Carry-On Allowance

• 1 personal item: Free
• 1 standard carry-on bag: Free

Size Restrictions

• Personal: 16.25 x 13.5 x 8.5 inches (41 x 34.3 x 22 centimeters)
• Standard: 24 x 16 x 10 inches (60.9 x 40.6 x 25.4 centimeters)

Lap Infant Carry-On Policy

• A bag containing a breast pump or breast milk can be brought on board in addition to the adult’s standard carry-on 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 maximum weight of 50 pounds (23 kilograms) and maximum linear dimensions of 62 inches (158 centimeters).

Southwest used to provide 2 free checked bags for all fares, but that’s no longer the case. If you don’t qualify for a checked bag waiver (more on that later), you can expect to pay the following fees:

• First Bag: $35
• Second Bag: $45
• 3 or More Bags: $150

Additional and Excess Baggage Fees

• Overweight Fee: $150 per bag (51 to 70 pounds) or $200 per bag (71 to 100 pounds)
• Oversized Fee: $200 per bag larger than 62 inches, up to 80 inches

Sporting Equipment

Some special sporting items used to fly free but are now subject to the same fees as checked luggage (subject to certain restrictions). These items must not exceed 50 pounds or 62 inches. Otherwise, excess weight and size charges may apply.

• Archery equipment
• Baseball and softball equipment
• Boogie and kneeboards
• Bowling bags
• Bicycles
  • Hard-sided bicycle box falling within the 62-inch and 50-pound limits
• Fishing rod and tackle box
  • Limited to 91 inches in length, 3 inches in diameter
  • Counts as 1 item even if packed separately
• Golf bag
  • Hard-sided golf bag
  • Excess size charges waived; excess weight charges may apply
• Hockey and lacrosse sticks
  • Up to 2 bags can count as 1 item, even if packed separately
• 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
• Skateboards
  • Carry-on or checked
• Snow ski equipment
  • Up to 2 bags (1 set of equipment) count as 1 item, even if packed separately
  • Excess size charges waived; excess weight charges may apply
• Surfing equipment
  • Excess weight and size charges apply (excluding flights between the islands of Hawaii)
  • May be subject to a limited release of liability
• 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.

Exclusions and Waivers

Even though Southwest Airlines no longer provide 2 free checked bags for every passengers, it continues to offer waivers for select passengers.

• Military personnel: Military personnel traveling on active duty or permanent change of station orders are not charged checked, overweight or oversized bag fees, providing the bags do not exceed 100 pounds and 80 inches.
• A-List member: Rapid Rewards A-List members receive 1 free checked bag.
• A-List Preferred members: Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred members receive 2 free checked bags.
• Co-branded credit cardholders: Southwest credit card holders receive 1 free checked bag.
• Business Select travelers: Travelers who book the more expensive Business Select members get 2 free checked bags.

Can I Prepay for Baggage?

Southwest Airlines does not let passengers prepay for luggage. This means passengers must pay at the ticketing counter at the airport.

Credit Cards That Reimburse You for Overweight and Oversized Bag Fees

The Capital One cards below can eliminate some of your overweight or oversized bag fees when flying on Southwest. Simply use your Capital One miles to pay for your travel statement charges (e.g. baggage fees) within 90 days of purchase at a rate of 1 cent per mile.

TOP PICK

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Apply Now(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

75,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,350

Annual Fee

$395

APR

Purchases: 19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Excellent (740-840)

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles per $1 on flights and vacation rentals purchased through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• $395 annual fee (rates & fees)
• Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

 

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Apply Now(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

75,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,350

Annual Fee

$95

APR

Purchases: 19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent Credit (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x miles per $1 on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
• Up to a $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• Limited elite benefits

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.

Apply Now(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

The card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.

Welcome Offer

Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel.

20,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$360

Annual Fee

$0

APR

Purchases: 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; variable 19.24% - 29.24% thereafter

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

Interested in a travel rewards credit card without one of those pesky annual fees? Then say hello to the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.

In addition to no annual fee, the Capital One VentureOne card offers no foreign transaction fees.

But is this card worth its salt, or is it merely a shell of the more popular Capital One Venture card?

Pros & Cons

Pros

• No annual fee (rates & fees)
• No foreign transaction fees (rates & fees)
• Ability to use transfer partners

Cons

• Weak earn rate at 1.25x miles per $1 spent on all purchases
• No luxury travel or elite benefits

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
• Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
• Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.24% - 29.24% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; variable 19.24% - 29.24% thereafter
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

To see more airline baggage fees and policies, click here.