Earlier this month I got an email as a member of Southwest Rapid Rewards announcing a bunch of changes for 2025. Living in Phoenix I end up flying Southwest quite a bit, but I’ve never liked the open seating which is one of the changes–Southwest’s website states assigned seating can be booked for flights in 2026.
While that’s a change I like, I’m not at all happy that the earning rate is substantially reduced on the Wanna Get Away fare I typically book (and that name is going away in favor of Basic Economy). Those fares are now just two points per dollar instead of six. Over the years I’ve gotten used to loyalty program devaluations, but I was surprised that flight credits once again expire (Southwest changed it in 2022 so credits no longer expired). That’s one I took advantage of as Southwest will often have cheap sale flights that I book speculatively knowing I can easily cancel and use the credit later. Now I’ll have six months on the Basic Economy or a year for all others to use the credit. That’s not terrible, but I really enjoyed the previous flexibility.
The change that seems to have many upset is the end of getting two free checked bags. Now only A-List Preferred and Business Select will receive that perk. Credit card holders will get one free bag. I’ve never made use of this one as I usually take long weekend trips that I only bring a carryon for, but I’m betting overhead bin space will be much fuller as people opt to bring a carryon size bag on board rather than check for a fee.
