Best Travel Credit Cards, Southwest Policy Changes, and Disneyland Deals
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What are the latest changes in Southwest's policies?
I know it's falling apart. So for starters, the airline announced yesterday that customers will no longer get two free checked bags for all flights booked on or after May 28th, 2025, save for a few exceptions like customers who hold a Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card, A-list elite status, or if they buy business select fares. Now those travelers get either one or two free checked bags depending on their fare class or status. And I have to say, I rarely check bags, but even I'm bummed about this news because I'm just worried it'll slow down boarding as people try to stuff their roller bags that they otherwise would have just checked, but instead they're stuffing them in the overhead bins.
It's really going to slow things down. And everyone for the most part used to be treated the same on Southwest. But the free checked bags are now only for a select few. Southwest is also renaming want to get away to basic. It's actually basic economy now. Gross. Basic fares are not going to allow changes or standby, and they now earn two points per dollar instead of the previous six points per dollar.
And that's not the only bummer for Southwest. So now Southwest flight credits will expire within one year for all fares, except once again, Basic just gets that low class status. Their flight credits will expire within six months from the ticketing date. Again, this is so rough. Southwest has always stood out to me because its flight credits had no expiration date. So I find this so frustrating.
I feel like a lot of people flew Southwest for the flexibility and knowing that they could make changes. But now you can't make changes on basic fares, your flight credits you have to use within a certain time period. Let's point out, though, there are a lot of things we still don't know, like what impact these changes will have on Southwest's famous companion pass and what the cost of checking a bag will be.
And then Southwest had previously said they would end their free-for-all seating style this year as well. That is one thing we don't have details yet on if this will actually go into effect. If so, when?
I can imagine what it's going to be like. This is really sad to see. Southwest is becoming like all these other airlines. Southwest is also going to start using dynamic pricing. They used to consistently offer high value points. It was one that I transferred to semi-often. But it's hard to imagine that these points are going to be worth as much with all of these changes.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
What are the latest changes in Southwest's policies?
1:21–5:05
2
How can you get Disneyland ticket deals this summer?
5:05–7:01
3
What are the best cruise deals during wave season?
7:01–9:17
4
Which travel credit card should you choose?
9:17–14:43
5
What makes Chase Sapphire Preferred a top travel credit card?
14:43–20:08
6
How does Chase Sapphire Reserve compare to Sapphire Preferred?
20:08–28:32
Speakers
2 identifiedMore from Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways
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