A month after killing off its marquee free luggage policy – and entire brand identity along with it – and announcing it would introduce a stingy basic economy fare, Southwest on Monday unveiled new names for its four types of fares as well as some new perks for co-branded credit card holders.
Sometime later this year, the airline's signature “Wanna Get Away” fare branding will officially disappear. A stripped-down basic economy fare will take its place with the name … you guessed it: “Basic.”
- Basic fares will be the cheapest, charging extra for a checked bag, boarding last, banning changes, and giving flyers just six months to use flight credits if they cancel a ticket
- Choice fares replace the relatively new “Wanna Get Away Plus” tickets, still charging for even a first checked bag but boarding earlier than Basic passengers, including a free seat selection, and giving them 12 months to use flight credits – still a far cry from the airline's current policy with no expiration whatsoever
- Choice Preferred takes the place of the airline's previous “Anytime” fully refundable fares, still charging for a checked bag but boarding even earlier and giving them Priority security access
- And the airline's top-of-the-line “Business Select” fares will disappear, becoming Choice Extra with early boarding, up to two complimentary premium drinks, and free inflight Wi-Fi
Wanna Get Away fares will be replaced by Basic fares May 28 – the same day the airline's new checked baggage policy takes effect. Other fare changes as well as some new perks for cardholders won't kick in until sometime in the third quarter of the year – the same time the airline begins selling seat assignments.
After decades of doing things differently, it's just the latest instance of Southwest joining the rest of the herd. But by killing off its beloved “Wanna Get Away” branding in favor of a bland “Basic” fare, Southwest isn't just shooting itself in the foot … but straight through the heart of the airline.
Once beloved by both Wall Street and everyday travelers alike for posting consecutive profits while offering consumer-friendly policies, the airline has been struggling financially in the post-pandemic travel boom. And an activist investor, Elliott Management Group, has pushed Southwest's leadership to make changes that will make them more money … by doing what its competitors have been doing for years.
After holding out for decades, the airline finally began listing its fares on sites like Google Flights, KAYAK, and Expedia. It's in the process of installing extra legroom seats and will do away with its controversial open-seating policy as it begins charging for seats in the months to come.
But most of all, the airline is ending its hallmark “Bags Fly Free” policy effective May 28. Any tickets purchased before that date will still get two free bags. After that, luggage will cost you.
Southwest still hasn't announced what it'll charge for checked bags. Executives have indicated they'll be in line with the rest of the U.S. airline industry – all major U.S. airlines now charge $35 each way for a checked bag after a series of increases last year.
Cardholders Get Free Bags, Special Seats
Part of Southwest's motivation for gutting its free baggage policy is to encourage flyers to grab (and spend on) one of its co-branded Chase credit cards. The airline is adding more perks to those cards to sweeten the appeal.
Starting May 28, cardholders will get a slew of new benefits. And Southwest says additional perks are on the way in the months to come.
- All Southwest credit cards will get a first checked bag free … plus a free bag for up to eight total passengers booked on the same reservation. Importantly, you won't have to purchase your flights with that card in order to get that benefit – it's simply attached to your Southwest Rapid Rewards account so long as you have a card open.
- Travelers with the *southwest plus* (and a small business version) can select a standard seat for free within 48 hours of departure and an automatic earlier boarding benefit
- The *southwest premier* gets a boarding benefit plus the ability to select a standard or preferred seat closer to the front of the plane within 48 hours of departure
- With the *southwest priority* or *southwest premier biz*, you can pick from a standard or preferred seat when you book, then upgrade to an Extra Legroom seat within 48 hours of departure when available
Like many of the changes to Southwest fares, these additions for cardholders won't take effect until sometime in the third quarter of 2025 for flights in 2026 and onward. Southwest is also teasing cardholders about “new ways to earn” Rapid Rewards points, but provided no additional detail.
Travelers who have worked their way up to Southwest status will get some new perks, too.
- A-List flyers can get their first checked bag for free, while A-List Preferred customers get two bags complimentary
- Both tiers can pick preferred seats at the time of booking
- Top A-List Preferred flyers will also be able to pick an Extra Legroom seat for free at booking, while A-List members can bump up within 48 hours of departure when available
More Perks, No Negative Changes (Yet…) to Companion Pass
It's the question on every diehard Southwest flyers' mind: After all these monumental changes, what will Southwest do with the invaluable Companion Pass?
The airline isn't unveiling any changes to its unique, buy-one-get-one pass – at least not yet. Instead, Southwest is clarifying how some benefits will pass down to travel companions.
Namely, companions will be able to select a seat for free even after Southwest begins charging for seat assignments. And anyone who has both a Companion Pass and status with the airline will pass down the benefits of that status to their companions when traveling together.
Cardholders will continue to get an automatic 10,000-point boost each year – a nice head start on the 135,000 points required to earn a year or more of BOGO flights.
Bottom Line
Pour one out for Wanna Get Away fares.
The writing was on the wall from the moment Southwest said it would introduce basic economy tickets, but the airline is rebranding all its fares. It's out with old and in with the new … if by “new,” you mean “looks and sounds exactly like every other airline.”
