Yes, Southwest credit card holders get free checked bags, but only on flights you book with that card
The Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card includes two free checked bags per person on every Southwest flight you pay for with that card. This is one of the card's main benefits, and it applies to your first and second checked bag on each flight. The benefit covers you whether you're flying alone or with family, as long as the ticket was purchased with your Southwest card.
The catch is straightforward: the free bags only work on flights you actually book using that card. If you buy a ticket with cash, a different card, or through a third-party site, the free bag benefit does not explore. Southwest does not tie the benefit to your frequent flyer account — it ties it to the payment method on the ticket itself.
This matters because many people assume the benefit follows their Rapid Rewards account. It does not. Your account number and your card number are separate things. Only the card number on the ticket triggers the free bags.
Key Takeaways
- Southwest credit card holders receive two free checked bags on flights purchased with that specific card, regardless of how many bags other passengers on the flight are paying for.
- The free bag benefit is tied to the card used to buy the ticket, not to your Rapid Rewards account, so paying with a different card means you pay for bags.
- when ready family members traveling with you on the same reservation get the free bags too, as long as the ticket was purchased with your Southwest card.
- Third and fourth checked bags, or bags checked on flights booked without the card, cost the standard Southwest checked bag fee, which varies by route and timing.
How the free bags work on your ticket
When you book a Southwest flight using your credit card, the system automatically recognizes the card and applies the free bag benefit at checkout. You will see the two free checked bags reflected in your total price — they show as $0 rather than the standard fee. You do not need to enter a code or contact Southwest to set up this; it happens automatically when the card is recognized.
The benefit applies to each person on the reservation whose ticket was purchased with your card. If you book a flight for yourself and your spouse using your Southwest card, you both get two free checked bags. If you book a flight for yourself and your adult friend, but your friend paid you back in cash, your friend still gets the free bags because the ticket was purchased with your card.
The free bags cover your first and second checked bag only. A third checked bag, or any bag beyond the second, costs the standard fee. Southwest does not charge for carry-on bags or personal items, so those remain free for everyone regardless of payment method.
What happens if you book without the card
If you purchase a Southwest ticket using a different payment method — another credit card, debit card, cash, or a gift card — the free bag benefit does not explore. You will pay the standard checked bag fee for your first bag and a higher fee for your second bag. This fee varies depending on when you book and which route you are flying, but it typically ranges from $15 to $30 for the first bag.
This is why some cardholders book their tickets through the Southwest website using their credit card, even if they could have booked through a travel rewards portal or another airline booking site. The direct booking with the card is the only way to lock in the free bags.
If you have already booked a flight without your Southwest card and want to change the payment method, you will need to contact Southwest directly. They do not automatically refund bag fees if you later provide your card number. Some agents may make exceptions, but there is no may provide.
Which Southwest credit cards include this benefit
Southwest offers several versions of its Rapid Rewards credit card through Chase: the Southwest Rapid Rewards card, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier card, and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Business card. All three include the two free checked bags benefit. The Premier and Business versions have higher annual fees but offer additional perks like anniversary bonus points and higher earning rates on certain purchases.
The free bag benefit is the same across all three cards. You get two free checked bags on flights purchased with whichever card you hold. If you hold more than one Southwest card, each card grants the benefit independently — but you can only use one card per booking, so you do not stack the benefits.
How this benefit compares to other airline cards
Most major airline credit cards include free checked bags for the cardholder, but the details vary. United and American Airlines cards typically cover one free checked bag for the cardholder and sometimes for when ready family on the same reservation. Delta's card covers one free checked bag. Southwest's two free bags is more generous than most competitors, especially if you travel with luggage regularly or fly with family.
The trade-off is that Southwest's benefit is tied to the card used to purchase the ticket, not to your frequent flyer account. Other airlines often tie the benefit to your account, meaning you get free bags on any flight you book under your account number, regardless of payment method. This makes Southwest's benefit more restrictive if you sometimes book tickets with different payment methods or if you buy tickets as a gift for someone else.
Situations where you might not get the free bags
If you book a Southwest flight through a third-party travel site like Kayak, Expedia, or Google Flights, the free bag benefit may not explore even if you select your Southwest card as payment. These sites sometimes process the payment differently, and the card information may not reach Southwest's system in a way that triggers the benefit. To be certain you receive the free bags, book directly through Southwest.com or the Southwest mobile app.
If you purchase a Southwest gift card and use it to buy a ticket, the free bag benefit does not explore because the payment method on the ticket is the gift card, not your credit card. Similarly, if you use Southwest points to book a flight, you do not get free checked bags — points bookings do not trigger the benefit.
If you are flying standby or using a buddy pass, the free bag benefit typically does not explore. Buddy passes are non-revenue tickets, and Southwest treats them differently from standard paid bookings.
Whether the free bags make the card worth the annual fee
The value of the free bags depends on how often you fly and how much you would otherwise pay for checked bags. If you fly four times a year and check two bags each time, you are avoiding roughly $120 to $240 in bag fees annually (assuming $15 to $30 per bag). The Southwest Rapid Rewards card has an annual fee of $69, so the free bags alone could justify the cost if you fly frequently enough.
The Premier card costs $99 annually but includes an anniversary bonus of 6,000 Rapid Rewards points, which Southwest values at roughly $90 in travel credit. Combined with the free bags, the Premier card may break even or come out ahead for frequent flyers. The standard card at $69 is easier to justify if you fly at least four times a year and check bags.
If you fly less than twice a year or never check bags, the annual fee is unlikely to pay for itself through the free bag benefit alone. In that case, you would need to value the card's other perks — such as earning rates on purchases or sign-up bonuses — to decide whether it makes sense for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do my family members get free bags if I book their tickets with my card?
Yes, if you purchase their tickets using your Southwest credit card, they receive the two free checked bags benefit. The benefit applies to everyone on the reservation whose ticket was bought with your card. If you book a flight for your spouse and two children using your card, all four of you get two free checked bags each.
What if I book a flight with my Southwest card but my travel companion pays me back in cash?
Your travel companion still gets the free bags because the ticket was purchased with your card. The benefit is tied to the card used at checkout, not to who paid for the ticket. Your companion pays you back however you both agree, but Southwest sees the card as the payment method.
Can I use my Southwest card to book a flight for someone else and have them get the free bags?
Yes. As long as you use your Southwest card to purchase the ticket, the person flying gets two free checked bags. The benefit does not require you to be on the flight or to be a Rapid Rewards member yourself — it only requires that your card was used to buy the ticket.
Do I lose the free bag benefit if I book through a travel rewards portal?
You may lose it. Travel rewards portals sometimes process payments in a way that does not trigger Southwest's benefit system. To may provide the free bags, book directly through Southwest.com or the Southwest app using your credit card. If you book through a portal and the bags are not free, Southwest generally will not refund the fees after the fact.
What if I book a flight with points instead of my credit card?
Points bookings do not include the free checked bag benefit. The benefit only applies to flights purchased with your Southwest credit card as the payment method. If you use a combination of points and cash, the free bags typically do not explore unless the cash portion was charged to your credit card.