Southwest Airlines Just Made a Big Change to Its Points System—What to Know

Southwest Airlines' Rapid Rewards program is experiencing some turbulence — and other airlines have taken notice. Frontier Airlines recently took aim at Southwest with a limited-time "divorce your old airline" deal, which includes both a free checked bag and an economy bundle add-on (plus a sizable helping of shade).

Which U.S. airline has the most customer-friendly bag policies? For years, it's been an easy question to answer: Southwest Airlines, with two free bags for every traveler on every fare.

Coming on the heels of Southwest Airlines unpopular benefit changes, like ending free checked bags, Frontier Airlines sees an opportunity. 

It's a season of savings amid the spring break travel season. Alaska Airlines recently launched the 'You're Going Places' fare sale, with one-way deals from $49. Best of all, travelers can also redeem Alaska Air Mileage Plan frequent flyer miles for the one-way deals on select flights as low as 4,500 miles.  From the Seattle, WA (SEA) hub, the airline has discounted fares from $49 to Walla Walla, WA (ALW), and fares from $79 to Bozeman, MT (BZN), San Francisco, CA (SFO), Oakland, CA (OAK), Reno, NV (RNO).

It's not just the bag fees. Southwest Airlines' shake-up goes far beyond its stunning reversal of its longtime "bags fly free" ethos.

A swarm of mild earthquakes that saw thousands of residents and visitors leave Santorini, Greece, on flights and ferries appears to have petered off, according to experts. 

Spirit Airlines said on Wednesday that it had successfully emerged from bankruptcy, exiting a major corporate restructuring five months after first filing for bankruptcy.

"The Day Southwest Died."

Southwest Airlines is ending its long-standing “two bags fly free” policy, marking the end of an era for the airline beloved by American travelers for its value and flexibility. The announcement follows Southwest’s decision last year to end its open-seating policy, with the first assigned seat tickets going on sale later this year.

Avelo Airlines, a low-cost airline, announced 13 new routes and three new destinations for its network, including Nassau, Bahamas, Grand Rapids, and Long Island. This comes on the heels of their recent announcement of two new routes from Charlotte to Nashville and Daytona Beach beginning in April.

It's a tough news day for Southwest Airlines loyalists. We thought the worst was over when Southwest announced an end to its open-seating policy last summer, but we were wrong — Southwest has now announced an end to its beloved free-checked-bags policy.

It’s the end of an era for one of the biggest perks at a popular low-cost airline. Southwest Airlines announced it is ending its free checked bag policy for most of its fare types, ending a perk that saved customers millions of dollars in bag fees. For all flights booked on or after May 28, passengers will have to pay for their checked luggage, however, the airline didn’t disclose how much the amount would be.