This week has been “Southwestaggedon” for Southwest customers, as the airline officially ended its long-standing and much-loved two free bags policy. What used to be free could now cost two people $160 in each direction.
Southwest has made a slew of negative program changes over the past few months, not only ending the free bag policy but also gutting earnings on paid flights, adding expiration dates to travel credits, and much more.
Yesterday AwardWallet noticed yet another, unadvertised nerf: A-list and A-list Preferred members no longer get free same-day changes on Wanna Get Away basic economy fares.
The News
- Southwest A-list and A-list Preferred members are no longer able to make same-day changes for free on basic economy (previously Wanna Get Away) fares:
For reservations booked and ticketed and/or changed on or after May 28, 2025, free same-day change is only available for Business Select®, Anytime, or Wanna Get Away Plus® fares. Basic fares, and Rapid Rewards® A-List Preferred and A-list Members will no longer be eligible for free same-day change unless the Member purchases a qualifying fare.
Quick Thoughts
Previously, Southwest elite members could change their flights on the day of travel with no change fee AND with no fare difference. This allowed folks to book a cheaper fare than what they intended to travel on, then change flights the day of, assuming that there was still space. It also provided incredible flexibility in the event that travel plans changed or flat tires struck.
That’s no longer the case, now. Going forward, only more-expensive Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime or Business Select fares will be eligible for the benefit.
Although Southwest has taken away free same-day changes, elite members are still able to do same-day standby, allowing them to change to a flight on the same date/origin/destination, but without a seat guarantee. They’re then only able to board if there’s space. Obviously, this isn’t near as useful and could leave you stuck if there’s no space available on a late flight.
The hits just keep on coming for Southwest loyalists. I’d have a hard time thinking of the last time that a travel brand of any sort did so much damage to itself in so short a time.
Maybe “LUV” is the new “Bonvoy?”
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Yeah Southwest has almost completed eliminated any perk of being a list or preferred buy doing away with open seating and tie other changes. Just another airline now same as the others.
Fortunately there is one good domestic airline left, which is…uh…well… (Looks at notes.)
Luv hurts
I went all in to get Alist preferred last year, and have only flown SWA once this year because of all of the negatives. This is a huge devaluation that honestly costs them so little to allow for their loyalists…
Going to give SWA credit – they are going all in to devalue their brand and alienate loyal customers. I will write the Private Equity short sightedness case study in a couple years after bankruptcy.
this came out of the blue- I had multiple discussions with SWA- reservations agents as well as customer relations and was assured at every step that this would not be changing.
Anyone know a good class action attorney?
Let’s say the class action wins. The class as a whole gets $500 million. The attorneys get 40 percent of that. Each customer gets $100. But, then, SW has to cover the $500 million and it raises its prices or cuts another benefit. While you get $100, the average customer is who is actually paying you . . . which might include yourself if you continue to fly SW.
They need to change their stock ticker symbol and all the heart labeling. They clearly do NOT “LUV” their customers anymore. Clearly they’ve forgotten that they’re not the only choice.
I don’t even bother searching southwest flights any more. They used to be the best cheap way to get from A to B. Then they were about the same price but with free baggage. Now they are just another airline with less comfortable seats.
Can’t wait to see all the videos of people who don’t follow travel blogs try to fist fight SW employees when they get told they have to pay to check their bags
To keep terminology consistent, shall we say that Southwest members have been Bonvoyed? 🙂