Southwest Airlines Changes Just Went Live—Here’s How I’m Adjusting
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We were all waiting to see if Southwest would actually follow through on the big changes they announced—and as of today, May 28, 2025, they did.
For families (especially big ones), this matters. I know I’m not the only mom who leans hard on Southwest for flexible bookings, checked bags, and low-stress flying with kids- ESPECIALLY when I hold 2 companion passes. So when that starts shifting, you know I’m paying attention.
If you’re just getting started with points, my Beginner’s Guide is a great place to start. It walks you through the whole system that lets my family of six travel for (almost) free.
What Changed With Southwest (As of Today)
Free Checked Bags No Longer Come Standard
Unless you have a Southwest credit card, A-List status, or you’re booking a higher fare class (like Choice or Choice Extra), you’ll now pay for checked bags.
Southwest hasn’t shared final pricing yet, but we’re expecting it to fall in line with what other airlines charge: $30 to $40 per bag each way.
If you qualify for a free bag (through a card or status), your Companion also gets a bag fee refund—but they will need to pay it upfront and get reimbursed later.
Basic Fares Are More Limited Than Ever
Wanna Get Away is now called “Basic,” and the new name fits.
- You can’t make same-day changes or fly standby.
- You can’t pick your seat once assigned seating starts later this year.
- And if you cancel a Basic fare paid with cash, your flight credit will expire in 6 months.
However, if you cancel a Basic fare booked with points, you’ll get all your points back—and they never expire.
Assigned Seating Is Coming (Later This Year)
Open seating is officially on the way out.
Once Southwest switches to assigned seating (expected late 2025):
- Basic fares will get an automatically assigned seat at check-in.
- Premium seats (extra legroom, front of the plane) will be tied to fare class or elite status.
- Some credit cards will also offer seat selection perks—stay tuned for details there.
Flight Credits Now Expire
This is a big shift for families who regularly cancel or change flights.
- Basic fare credits: expire after 6 months
- Other fare class credits: expire after 12 months
Until now, Southwest credits didn’t expire at all. So this is one more reason I’m leaning even more into award bookings.
What I’m Doing to Keep Flying With Kids as Simple as Possible
1. Booking With Points Whenever I Can
Points bookings are still the most flexible. If I cancel a points booking (even on a Basic fare), I get all my points back, no fees, and no expiration.
But here’s what hasn’t changed: booking with points doesn’t get around the Basic fare restrictions.
You still can’t make same-day changes, and you still won’t be able to pick your seat once that rolls out. So now, when I book with points, I’m checking the fare class and making sure the extra cost (in points) is worth the added flexibility.
If we have a tight turnaround, unpredictable weather, or a child with a dance recital we might need to get home early for—I go with a higher fare class.
2. Keeping a Southwest Credit Card Open
This is one of those times when a travel credit card pulls serious weight.
With the right card, we get:
- A free checked bag for everyone on our reservation (up to 8 people!)
- Refunds on bag fees for my Companion
- Future seat selection perks
See some of my favorite cards for flexible travel rewards; especially for families.
I track everything in Travel Freely so I don’t miss renewal dates or annual fees.
3. Earning (and Using) the Companion Pass
The Companion Pass didn’t change today—and that’s a huge win.
One person flies free (plus taxes) every time you fly. We keep one pass going at all times, and it’s a big reason we can afford family travel even as airlines cut back perks.
You can read more about how we earn two passes for our family right here.
If you just earned your pass, don’t miss this guide.
I used to always book the cheapest Southwest fare without thinking twice. But with the new changes rolling out, I’m shifting how I book—especially when traveling with kids.
If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I cancel and rebook flights more than I care to admit. It’s never the plan, but it happens. So now I’m being more thoughtful about the fare class I choose.
I’ve started booking Wanna Get Away Plus instead of the basic Wanna Get Away. Not because I plan to use the standby perk (I don’t), but because it gives me same-day confirmed changes and more flexibility if plans change.
And here’s a big reason: If you cancel a basic fare that you booked with cash, the flight credit will expire in just 6 months. But if you book Wanna Get Away Plus or higher, you’ll get 12 months before it expires. That alone makes it worth the small points upgrade for me.
If you’re trying to stretch your points but still want options, check out this post on positioning flights. It’s all about having a backup plan that doesn’t break the bank.
Tips to Work Around the Changes
- Use points if you think your plans might shift. Even Basic fares booked with points are fully refundable.
- Watch for expiring credits. Especially if you cancel a Basic fare paid with cash. Put a reminder in your phone!
- If you fly with a Companion, pay attention to how their bag refund works. You’ll likely pay at the airport and be reimbursed later.
- Choose the right fare class for flexibility. Basic fares come with shorter expiration dates, no changes or refunds, baggage fees, and fewer points—less flexibility and more limitations all around.
Want to stay on top of the newest airline changes and travel strategies? Follow me on Instagram or join my email list where I share tips I don’t always post publicly.
Final Thoughts
I’m not thrilled about these changes. But they don’t mean the end of family travel. With the right cards, a few strategy shifts, and some updated fare awareness, Southwest can still be one of the easiest airlines to fly with kids.
Want to keep your costs down and flexibility high? These are my go-to cards for earning free travel.
And if you’re brand new to this world, download my free beginner guide. It’s the best place to start.
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