Southwest Updates Elite Status & Credit Card Perks For Bags, Seats

Southwest Airlines is currently undergoing a major transformation, whereby basically everything is changing. The airline is introducing assigned and extra legroom seating, will start charging for checked bags, and more.

Southwest has today revealed details of how it plans to overhaul its fare classes, replacing the “Wanna Get Away” concept with “Basic” and “Choice.” Along similar lines, the airline has also revealed how it plans to update its seating and baggage policy for both A-List elite members and Rapid Rewards credit card members.

A-List & Rapid Rewards credit card assigned seating perks

In the third quarter of 2025, Southwest will start selling assigned seating, for travel as of 2026. As part of this, the airline will introduce extra legroom seating (at the front of the plane), preferred seating (in the middle of the plane), and standard seating (in the back half of the plane).

So, what can elite members and those with an eligible co-branded credit card expect when it comes to seating perks? Here’s what Southwest has revealed:

• A-List Preferred members can select any seat at the time of booking, including extra legroom seating
• A-List members can select extra legroom seats within 48 hours of departure, or preferred or standard seats at the time of booking
• Members with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card or Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Card can select extra legroom seats within 48 hours of departure, or preferred or standard seats at the time of booking
• Members with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card or Southwest Rapid Reward Premier Business Card can select preferred or standard seats within 48 hours of departure
• Members with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card or Southwest Rapid Reward Premier Business Card can select standard seats within 48 hours of departure

I’d say that this is roughly what you’d expect, and if anything, it’s nice that those with a premium credit card will be able to select extra legroom seats close to departure. These rules also apply to Basic fares.

A-List & Rapid Rewards credit card checked bag perks

As of May 28, 2025, Southwest will start charging for checked bags, which is a major departure from the carrier’s current policy of giving all passengers two free checked bags. Fortunately for those with elite status or a co-branded credit card, some sort of free bag benefit will still apply. Here’s what Southwest has revealed:

• A-List Preferred members will receive two free checked bags
• A-List and all Southwest Rapid Rewards card members will receive one free checked bag

Bottom line

With Southwest moving to assigned seating and introducing checked bag fees, the airline has also revealed what elite and credit card members will receive in terms of perks. As you’d expect, free seat assignments and checked bags are being introduced as perks for eligible travelers.

I’d say Southwest’s execution here is roughly what you’d expect, if not a bit more generous than other airlines. For those with high tier elite status or a premium credit card, the Southwest flying experience might just be better than before.

What do you make of Southwest’s planned elite and credit card perks for assigned seats and bags?