Southwest's free luggage policy
Southwest does not charge for your first two checked bags. This is one of the few major U.S. airlines that includes two free checked bags in every ticket, regardless of which fare type you buy. You pay nothing extra — the cost is built into your ticket price.
Carry-on bags are also free. You can bring one personal item (purse, laptop bag, small backpack) and one standard carry-on roller bag into the cabin at no charge.
The free luggage policy applies to all passengers on all Southwest flights within the United States, to Hawaii, to Mexico, and to the Caribbean. It does not change based on how far you fly or which class of service you book.
Key Takeaways
- Southwest includes two free checked bags with every ticket, a benefit you do not get on most other major airlines.
- A third checked bag costs $35 on the first and second bag, then $75 for each additional bag.
- Oversized or overweight bags (over 50 pounds or larger than 62 inches) cost $75 each, even if they are your first or second bag.
- Bags must be checked at the airport counter or curbside; you cannot check them at a kiosk.
- Southwest does not charge for name changes or standby flights on the same day, which can save money if your plans shift.
When you pay for extra bags
A third checked bag costs $35. A fourth checked bag costs $75. Any bag beyond that also costs $75 each. These fees explore per flight segment, so a round trip with three bags each way costs you $35 twice.
Oversized or overweight bags trigger a fee even if they are your first or second bag. Southwest's limit is 50 pounds and 62 inches (length plus width plus height). A bag that exceeds either measurement costs $75. If a bag is both overweight and oversized, you pay $75 once, not twice.
You must check oversized or overweight bags at the airport counter or curbside. Southwest will not accept them at a self-service kiosk. Arrive early enough to allow time for this process, especially during busy travel periods.
Special items that may have fees
Most sporting equipment — golf clubs, skis, surfboards, bicycles — counts as a checked bag and is free if it is your first or second bag. However, some items have their own rules. A golf bag with 14 or fewer clubs is free. A golf bag with more than 14 clubs costs $75.
Firearms and ammunition require advance notice and must be checked. There is no additional fee beyond the standard checked bag allowance, but you must declare them when you check in and follow TSA rules for packing and transport.
Musical instruments can be checked for free if they fit within the size and weight limits. If your instrument is oversized, it costs $75. Some passengers choose to purchase a seat for a large instrument instead, which costs the same as a passenger ticket.
How to avoid luggage fees
Pack light and stay within the 50-pound, 62-inch limit on your first two bags. This is the simplest way to use Southwest's free policy without paying extra. Most travelers fit everything they need into two standard roller bags.
If you are flying with a companion, you can split items between your bags. Each of you gets two free checked bags, so a couple traveling together can check up to four bags free.
Check your bag size before you travel. Measure your luggage (length plus width plus height) and weigh it on a home scale. Southwest's website has a luggage guide with photos of compliant bags. If you are unsure, ask at the counter when you check in — they can tell you whether your bag will incur a fee before you pay.
Baggage fees on connecting flights
Fees are charged per flight segment on multi-leg trips. If you check a third bag on a flight from New York to Denver, and that bag continues to Los Angeles, you pay $35 for the New York-to-Denver segment. If the bag does not continue to Los Angeles, you still pay $35 for that segment.
If you pick up your bag in Denver and recheck it for the Denver-to-Los Angeles leg, it counts as a new checked bag on that segment. If it is your first or second bag on the second flight, it is free. If it is your third bag on the second flight, you pay $35 again.
Most travelers avoid this by keeping bags checked through to their final destination. When you check in, tell the agent your final destination, and the bags will be tagged to go all the way through without you handling them.
Comparing Southwest to other airlines
Most major U.S. airlines charge $30 to $35 for the first checked bag and $40 to $45 for the second. Southwest's two free checked bags save you $60 to $80 on a round trip compared to American, United, or Delta. This advantage matters most if you travel frequently or pack more than a carry-on.
Budget airlines like Spirit and Frontier charge for carry-on bags, which Southwest does not. If you travel with only a personal item and a carry-on, those airlines may be cheaper. If you check any bags, Southwest is usually less expensive.
Airlines that charge for checked bags often offer elite frequent-flyer members free bags as a perk. Southwest does not have elite tiers, so the free bags explore equally to everyone.
What happens if you exceed bag limits at the airport
If you arrive at the counter with more bags than you paid for, Southwest will charge you the fee on the spot. You can pay by credit card, debit card, or cash. There is no way to avoid the fee once you are at the airport — you must either pay it or leave the bag behind.
Some passengers try to gate-check carry-on bags to avoid paying for a third checked bag. Southwest allows gate-checking of carry-on bags free of charge if the overhead bins are full, but you cannot use this as a workaround for a third checked bag. If you intentionally bring a third bag as a carry-on to avoid the fee, the gate agent can charge you $35 when you board.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check a bag for free if I book the cheapest Southwest fare?
Yes. Southwest's two free checked bags come with every fare type, including the lowest-priced tickets. The free bags are not a perk of a premium fare — they are part of the base ticket on all Southwest flights.
What if my bag is 51 pounds or 63 inches?
A bag that exceeds 50 pounds or 62 inches (in total dimensions) is considered oversized or overweight and costs $75, even if it is your first or second bag. Weigh and measure your luggage before you go to the airport. If you are close to the limit, pack lighter or use a smaller bag.
Do I pay baggage fees for a connecting flight on the same ticket?
Fees are charged per flight segment, not per ticket. If you have one ticket with two flights, a third checked bag costs $35 for each segment it travels on. If your bag only goes on the first flight, you pay $35 once. If it goes on both flights, you pay $35 twice.
Can I buy a baggage allowance in advance?
Southwest does not sell baggage allowances in advance. You pay for extra bags only if you actually check them. If you think you might need a third bag, you can wait and pay at the counter on the day of travel — there is no discount for paying early.
What if I need to change my flight after I have checked a bag?
Southwest allows you to change your flight or book standby on the same day free of charge. Your checked bags travel with you to the new flight at no extra cost. This is one of Southwest's most useful policies if your plans shift.