How to still get free checked bags in the southwest after completing politics star-news.press/wp

Southwest airlines were published on Tuesday that they would complete their long-term free-checked policies for most passengers – significant changes for air-known practice.

This policy change is set for entry into force for flights that are reserved on or after 28. May, the Southwest Plant closer to other main airlines that have already applied similar costs.

Newsweek Special for southwestern airlines for comment by email on Tuesday.

Why is it important

The decision on the beginning of the billing bags indicates a shift for the southwest for southwestern airlines as adapted to a challenging economic environment and strives to increase their income. Change follows other recent aircraft adjustments, including the end of open seating and adding a premium seat.

Although the move could improve the financial performance of the southwest state, it can also change its perception of the brand and the customer base. Long-term customers who favored the southwest for their generous luggage policies can reconsider their loyalty.

“I think that there are some customers who (chose southwest) because of that, and now these customers for catching,” Glen Hauenstein, President Delta Air Lines, told the investor conference on Tuesday.

What to know

According to the new policy, standard passengers will now pay for their first and other checked bags, although the correct cost is not detected. However, the highest frequences and those purchasing tickets for higher prices will still enjoy some level privileges of free checked baggage.

This change marks a significant departure from the long-term practice of the southwest state to provide two free checked bags.

“The Southwest Decision to start the billing for checked bags is controversial that could withdraw,” Ted Rossman, a higher industry analyst in Bankrat, said Newsweek. “Internal internal research, divided throughout the day in their investor, projected 1.5 billion per year in bags for bags (if they started charging), but a $ 1.8 billion loss in a market share.

How much will the bags in the southwest check?

Southwest Airlines has not yet discovered accurate fees for proven bags under new policy. However, it is typical whether American airlines are filled with anywhere from 30 to $ 50 for the first checking bag.

How to get free checked bags on the southwest airline

There are still several strategies passengers can use to avoid checked fees for bags in the southwest.

The southwest offers two layers of elite status: a affordable list of IA lists. According to the new policy, the southwestern airline will continue to offer two free tested fast-prized bags on the list of preferred members, and the Fast Rewards Members will now get one free bag.

You can reach the status and the census by completing 20 one-way southwest flights or earning 35,000 TIER qualification points (TQP) in one calendar year. If you shoot two free checked bags via the preferred list, you will need to complete 40 one-way flights or earn 70,000 TQP in the calendar year.

Each southwest flight reserved through the southwest side will earn you TQPs, although you stand to earn more qualified points by buying higher levels.

Another unchanged aspects are travelers who book business Bilecs in the southwest will continue to enjoy two free checked bags.

Business selection is the highest cost price, although you earn extra perks, such as faster reward points per flight, free internet and priority boarding, especially in the A1-A online group.

The owners of cards that possess a credit card in the southwest will be entitled to one free check. The south-west currently offers three credit cards for consumers and two business credit cards. Yearly fees for the Southwest Consumer Credit Cards range from 69 to 149 dollars.

“For the southwestern loyalist, with a southwestern credit card could make a lot of sense to avoid checked bag fees, and also to get other perks”, Rossman said Newsweek. As for additional perks, he showed that he benefits like free flights, early flight tickets and reduced prices on embedded purchases like food and drink.

By opening a credit card brand with southwest, you can also work on higher elite status if you are interested in securing two free checked bags via a list of preferred elite status.

Four of five of the southwestern credit card credit cards offer 1,500 elite status of TQP for every $ 5,000 consumed on the card. But you will need to earn 35,000 TQP in one calendar year to reach the lowest elite status consumption just there is no good strategy for ELIT status.

General travel credit cards can also offer travel loans that effectively compensate for passengers for checked fees for bags. These loans usually apply to a wide range of travel-related costs – although cards that have them can come to a higher annual cost.

Rossman recommends American Express Platinum Credit Card, which offers various travel loans and perks for an annual fee of $ 695.

“… their annual billing loans in the amount of $ 200 is especially for things like checked bags and seat tasks,” he said.

Alternatively, Chase Sapphire Reserve charges a small lower annual fee in the amount of $ 550 and offers a flexible reporting loan in the amount of $ 300.

What do people say

Ted Rossman said, a senior industry analyst in Bankrat, said Newsweek: “My personal opinion is that the checks for bags across the industry are that the market is not significant. If other factors are, etc.), you don’t think too much people will leave the southwest just because it will now leave the southwest.

Quite every other airline for checked bags and this is one of those hidden benefits for which people must not think much until they have already booked a flight. “

Bob Jordan, president and executive director of southwestern airlines, said in the public statement: “We have a huge opportunity to meet the current and future customer needs, attract new segments of customers who do not compete today and return to the level of profitability that we and our shareholders expect.

We will do it all as we stay focused on what made us strong – our people and authentic, friendly and award-winning customer service alone can only provide those who can provide only those who can provide. “

Andrew Watterson, COO from the southwestern airline, said CNBC: “What has changed that we came to realize that we need more revenue to cover costs. We believe that these changes today we announce lead to less that shift in the share than it would be the case otherwise.”

What happens next

While new luggage fees are departure from the traditional business model of southwest, airline provides several passengers for travelers to still receive free checked bags. Time will say how a change can affect previously southwestern loyal customers.