179 | Southwest Airlines Ends Free Checked Bags + Other MAJOR Changes: What You Need to Know…

Southwest ends free checked bags and announced other MAJOR changes recently, including a new “Basic” fare. While much of these changes are very disappointing, in reality, they only requires a few minor adjustments for those of us flying Southwest using travel rewards. I explain the changes and what shifts you need to make in this episode.

After recording this podcast, Southwest did confirm that they will “introduce variable redemption rates across higher-demand and lower-demand flights.” My best guess is that points will be worth less for higher demand flights, pushing the points prices higher, and points will be worth more for lower demand flights, pushing the points price lower. I think it means more variability in the value of the points, so it will cost more points to book high-demand routes and less points for low-demand routes.