Only Southwest Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members and Business Select fare passengers will continue to receive two free checked bags. A-List Members and select customers will receive one free checked bag, while Rapid Rewards Credit Card members will receive a credit for one checked bag.

Southwest Airlines will begin charging customers a fee to check bags. It's a significant change for the budget carrier, which built years of advertising campaigns around its policy of letting passengers check up to two bags for free.