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Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Southwest Airlines irks customers by killing another popular policy
Southwest Airlines is putting an expiration date on passengers' flight credits — and travelers are not happy. Last month, the airline announced a slew of changes it will be making this year, which will go into effect on May 28. One major change is that flight credits are being given an expiration date. The airline previously had a 'travel credits don't expire' policy. As noted by Southwest, a 'flight credit is a credit from either a canceled flight or a downgrade in fare that can be used to buy a future flight.' However, with Southwest's new policy, any flight credits issued when you buy a ticket on or after May 28, will expire in one year from the 'date of ticketing.' In some cases, credits could expire within less than a year from the date you bought your plane ticket. All passengers' flight credits will have a specified expiration date. However, if you've earned any flight credits on May 27 or earlier, they will not expire. On social media, many Southwest customers have expressed their anger about the policy change. 'So not only Southwest will have added checked bag fees, no more low fares, seat selection, but now the travel credits have an expiration date. What incentive is there to still fly with them over other airlines now?' one wrote on X, referencing the company's simultaneous decision to end its free checked bag policy. 'Why would I fly Southwest when they follow the same as other airlines,' another tweeted. 'People go where the perks/ amenities rise above, that also have the best price & comfortable seating when picking. Southwest is not the 1st choice anymore.' Other travelers declared that they wouldn't be using the airline anymore. 'They were my go-to airline. Placing customers first made them the obvious prime choice. Now it seems customers are last…digging for every penny they can scrape out of them,' one tweeted. Another agreed: 'No more southwest for me. I will be changing my loyalty credit card too.' Last month, Southwest also announced that starting May 28, customers can't check their first and second bags for free unless they are part of Southwest's A-List loyalty program. Other select customers, A-List members and Rapid Rewards Credit Card will also receive one free checked bag. Or, you can check your bag for free if you are traveling on a business fare. 'We have tremendous opportunity to meet current and future Customer needs, attract new Customer segments we don't compete for today, and return to the levels of profitability that both we and our Shareholders expect,' Bob Jordan, the President, Chief Executive Officer, & Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors at Southwest Airlines, said in a press release at the time. However, Southwest confirmed that those who cannot find a place for their carry-on bag on busy flights would not be charged, even if it has to be checked. 'There will be times when we solicit at the gate for a soon-to-depart full flight bags to check, and of course, there would not be a charge,' the company said in a statement to The Independent. 'If someone is on the aircraft and cannot find a place for their bag, of course, there would not be a charge. The policies and protocols will be spelled out (along with the specific charges) as we approach adding this into our operation.' Southwest was known for offering two free checked bags to all passengers. Each bag could be 62 inches in size and up to 50 pounds, according to the company's policy. If customers had a third bag to check, they would be charged an additional $150. If one of their two checked bags is overweight, they will also be charged an additional $150.
The Independent
15-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Southwest Airlines irks customers by killing another popular policy
Southwest Airlines is putting an expiration date on passengers ' flight credits — and travelers are not happy. Last month, the airline announced a slew of changes it will be making this year, which will go into effect on May 28. One major change is that flight credits are being given an expiration date. The airline previously had a 'travel credits don't expire' policy. As noted by Southwest, a 'flight credit is a credit from either a canceled flight or a downgrade in fare that can be used to buy a future flight.' However, with Southwest's new policy, any flight credits issued when you buy a ticket on or after May 28, will expire in one year from the 'date of ticketing.' In some cases, credits could expire within less than a year from the date you bought your plane ticket. All passengers' flight credits will have a specified expiration date. However, if you've earned any flight credits on May 27 or earlier, they will not expire. On social media, many Southwest customers have expressed their anger about the policy change. 'So not only Southwest will have added checked bag fees, no more low fares, seat selection, but now the travel credits have an expiration date. What incentive is there to still fly with them over other airlines now?' one wrote on X, referencing the company's simultaneous decision to end its free checked bag policy. 'Why would I fly Southwest when they follow the same as other airlines,' another tweeted. 'People go where the perks/ amenities rise above, that also have the best price & comfortable seating when picking. Southwest is not the 1st choice anymore.' Other travelers declared that they wouldn't be using the airline anymore. 'They were my go-to airline. Placing customers first made them the obvious prime choice. Now it seems customers are last…digging for every penny they can scrape out of them,' one tweeted. Another agreed: 'No more southwest for me. I will be changing my loyalty credit card too.' Last month, Southwest also announced that starting May 28, customers can't check their first and second bags for free unless they are part of Southwest's A-List loyalty program. Other select customers, A-List members and Rapid Rewards Credit Card will also receive one free checked bag. Or, you can check your bag for free if you are traveling on a business fare. 'We have tremendous opportunity to meet current and future Customer needs, attract new Customer segments we don't compete for today, and return to the levels of profitability that both we and our Shareholders expect,' Bob Jordan, the President, Chief Executive Officer, & Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors at Southwest Airlines, said in a press release at the time. However, Southwest confirmed that those who cannot find a place for their carry-on bag on busy flights would not be charged, even if it has to be checked. 'There will be times when we solicit at the gate for a soon-to-depart full flight bags to check, and of course, there would not be a charge,' the company said in a statement to The Independent. 'If someone is on the aircraft and cannot find a place for their bag, of course, there would not be a charge. The policies and protocols will be spelled out (along with the specific charges) as we approach adding this into our operation.' Southwest was known for offering two free checked bags to all passengers. Each bag could be 62 inches in size and up to 50 pounds, according to the company's policy. If customers had a third bag to check, they would be charged an additional $150. If one of their two checked bags is overweight, they will also be charged an additional $150.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Southwest Airlines slammed as ‘tone deaf' for social media joke
Let the lesson be learned, social media managers: There is a time and place for jokes. This apparently was not one of those times. Southwest Airlines has been catching heat for its recent policy reversal. 'Allowing bags to fly free' has been a marketing tool of the company for years, but as announced earlier this week, that will no longer be true for customers purchasing the lowest-priced plane tickets. The change begins on May 28. The airline will continue to offer two free checked bags to Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members as well as passengers flying on Business Select fares. One free checked bag will be allowed for A-List Members, while one checked bag will be credited for Rapid Rewards Credit Card members. It's not clear how much it'll cost to check bags. While customers reacted to the policy change, the Dallas-based airline took a shot at its hometown NBA team. 'It's not like we traded Luka,' an Instagram post from the Southwest Airlines account reads. That swipe is in reference to last month's shocking NBA trade between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers that sent superstar Luka Doncic to L.A. The trade, much like the new Southwest policy, was not well received by fans in the Dallas area. And now, the airline, which has also announced mass layoffs in the last month, is taking some punishment online. 'This is incredibly tone deaf,' a comment reads from Instagram user gkrisanic. 'I've been a loyal Southwest customer and a RR cardholder for years, but now I'm going to be exploring other options after all of these policy changes. There is really no reason to fly SW now, especially when I can find a more convenient direct flight on another airline. Super disappointed in y'all.' 'Taking a screenshot of this as it will be the thumbnail for the Harvard business review case study of destroying a brand and an entire company,' said user rappid_exposure. 'Air balling a joke like this after laying off [nearly 1,800] people is crazy,' said adamchernandez. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Milwaukee's largest airline will no longer offer two free checked bags to most passengers
Southwest Airlines, the largest carrier serving Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, will soon end its tradition of offering two free checked bags to all passengers. Beginning May 28, only Southwest Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members and Business Select fare passengers will get two free checked bags. A-List Members and select customers will receive one free checked bag, while Rapid Rewards Credit Card members will receive a credit for one checked bag. All other passengers will have to pay for their first and second checked bags, with weight and size restrictions still in place. "We recognize these changes may be a disappointment to some, but know we're committed to building a Southwest that will continue to offer you low fares, convenient flights to destinations you want, and a travel experience that is rewarding," Southwest said in an email sent to customers Tuesday morning. In addition to baggage fees, Southwest is adjusting its Southwest Rapid Rewards loyalty program, offering more points for Business Select fares while decreasing rewards for lower-tier Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus tickets. In a news release Tuesday, the airline said these moves aim to "deepen and reward loyalty between Southwest and its most engaged Customers." Southwest will also introduce a new Basic fare for the most budget-conscious travelers, along with assigned seating and extra legroom options, for tickets purchased on or after May 28. Tuesday's announcements are the latest in a series of changes for Southwest. Last month, the airline, which previously required customers to book directly through its channels, began allowing travelers to book tickets on the travel booking site Expedia. According to the Milwaukee airport, Southwest offers 18 nonstop flight destinations from MKE, including service between Milwaukee and Austin, which launched March 6. Southwest is also adding service between MKE and San Diego this fall. More: Frontier Airlines launches new nonstop flight starting today to Tampa from Milwaukee More: What's being built near Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport? This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Southwest ends free checked bags for most people; what it means at MKE
The Independent
11-03-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Southwest Airlines will start charging for checked bags amid slew of firsts for low-cost flyer
Southwest Airlines is ending a major perk for travelers. The low-cost airline announced on Tuesday that customers cannot check their first and second bag for free. The new rule will take effect on May 28, unless passengers are part of Southwest's A-List loyalty program or are traveling on a business fare. Only Southwest passengers who are Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members and traveling on Business Select fares can get two free checked bags, the airline confirmed. Other select customers and A-List members will receive one free checked bag. The airline will also credit one checked bag for Rapid Rewards Credit Card members. However, customers who do not qualify for the free bag options will be charged for their first and second checked bags on flights. Southwest has not yet shared how much customers will be charged for bags. 'We have tremendous opportunity to meet current and future Customer needs, attract new Customer segments we don't compete for today, and return to the levels of profitability that both we and our Shareholders expect,' Bob Jordan, the President, Chief Executive Officer, & Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors at Southwest Airlines, said in a press release. 'We will do all this while remaining focused on what's made us strong—our People and the authentic, friendly, and award-winning Customer Service only they can provide,' he added. In a statement to The Independent, Southwest confirmed that those who cannot find a place for their carry-on bag on a busy flight would not be charged, even if it has to be checked. 'There will be times when we solicit at the gate for a soon-to-depart full flight bags to check, and of course there would not be a charge,' the statement read. 'If someone is on the aircraft and cannot find a place for their bag, of course there would not be a charge. The policies and protocols will be spelled out (along with the specific charges) as we approach adding this into our operation.' Southwest was known for offering two free checked bags to all passengers. Each bag could be 62 inches in size and up to 50 pounds, according to the company's policy. If customers had a third bag to check, they would be charged an additional $150. If one of their two checked bags is overweight, they will also be charged an additional $150. When it comes to in-flight luggage, passengers are allowed to have one carry-on bag, which would go in the overhead bin. They can also each have one small personal item to put under their seats. The airline revealed the update to its bag policy amid some major changes. Last month, Southwest announced that it was laying off 15 percent of its corporate workforce, eliminating 1,750 jobs. 'This decision is unprecedented in our 53-year history, and change requires that we make difficult decisions. We are at a pivotal moment as we transform Southwest Airlines into a leaner, faster, and more agile organization,' a spokesman said in a statement. 'I arrived at this decision thoughtfully and carefully, knowing how hard it will be to say goodbye to colleagues who have been a significant part of our Southwest Culture and accomplishments.' The company also noted that the layoffs will save Southwest about $210m this year and nearly $300m in 2026. In November, Southwest said it was offering 'voluntary separation and extended time off' to certain employees at airports, to avoid overstaffing in certain locations. These buyouts were made to customer service agents, baggage handlers, and cargo workers at 18 airports across the U.S., according to the Associated Press. Southwest announced some other changes in its latest press release, including introducing 'a new, basic fare on [its] lowest priced tickets purchased on or after May 28, 2025.' The airline will also be offering assigned seating and extra legroom options.
