Major U.S. airlines have hiked bag fees to generate more revenue amid the Iran war.
By Jordan Parker
Staff Writer
Dallas Morning News
airlines there are still ways to avoid
check-baggage fees.
Credit: Tom Fox/Staff Photographer
The next time you travel through North Texas airports you shouldn’t be surprised to see the price of checked bags has spiked.
The four major airlines in the U.S. raised their baggage fees amid the Iran war, which sent fuel prices sky-high and forced airlines to find other ways to recoup a suddenly burdensome expense. American Airlines and Southwest Airlines, both based in D-FW, each raised their bag fees by $10 last month.
American is based in Fort Worth and operates its central hub at DFW International Airport. Southwest is headquartered at Dallas Love Field, adjacent to the airport where it operates out of 18 of the 20 gates.
There are still several ways for North Texas travelers to earn free bags when traveling on Southwest and American. Here is what you need to know.
Southwest (first checked bag: $45, second checked bag: $55)
Premium fares: Southwest customers who purchase a Choice Extra Fare, which also comes with the airline’s new extra legroom offering, receive two free checked bags. Lower level fares such as Choice Preferred, Choice and Basic are not eligible for free checked bags.
Rapid Rewards Credit Card: If you’re a Rapid Rewards credit cardholder you’re in luck. You can receive your first bag free, a benefit that extends to up to eight people on the same reservation.
Rapid Rewards Loyalty: Southwest’s most loyal customers who are A-List or A-List Preferred members receive their first checked bag free. A-List Preferred members also receive their second bag free.
Active military: Two checked bags for free
Getaways by Southwest: Booking Southwest’s new vacation package product gets customers two free checked bags for every person on their reservation.
American (first checked bag: $50, second checked bag: $60)
Citi Credit Cards: Customers with select co-branded Citi credit cards get their first bag free on American Airlines domestic itineraries.
Destination Perks: American offers customers a free checked bag on travel to Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Haiti, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Qatar, South Korea, Trans-Atlantic, Uruguay and Venezuela. Note: This may exclude basic economy tickets. Check aa.com for more details.
Status: Holding a certain loyalty status can get you as many as three free checked-bags on American Airlines.
One checked bag free: For AAdvantage Gold, GOL Diamond Smiles members and Oneworld Ruby
Two checked bags free: AAdvantage Platinum, Oneworld Sapphire members.
Three Checked Bags Free: AAdvantage Executive Platinum, AAdvantage Platinum, Oneworld Emerald
Premium Customers: Domestic First Class, Business and Premium economy customers get their two first checked bags free. Flagship First and Flagship Business Plus receive their first three checked bags free.
Active military: Receive first three checked bags free with identification. Active members traveling on orders receive five checked bags free of charge.
Aviation Reporter
Jordan Parker is the aviation beat reporter for The Dallas Morning News. He covers how air travel affects North Texas and much of his time is spent chronicling the impact Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, DFW International Airport and Dallas Love Field Airport are having on the region.
Prior to his arrival in Texas, Jordan had a three-year stint as a breaking news reporter at the San Francisco Chronicle, where he covered general news, such as labor issues, transportation, the emergence of driverless cars, crime and wildfires. In 2024, the San Francisco Press Club honored him and a colleague with a breaking news award after a woman was struck and dragged by a Cruise robotaxi on the streets of San Francisco.
Before he joined the Chronicle, Jordan attended Sacramento State University where he earned his Bachelors degree in journalism.
At Sacramento State he became the first Black editor in chief of The State Hornet, the award-winning student-run campus newspaper. He led a staff of over 60 editors, reporters, broadcasters, and photographers, and served as the public face of the newsroom. Under his leadership, the paper enacted its first-ever diversity initiative, which focused on covering underrepresented communities on campus and won its first Online Pacemaker Award from the Associated Collegiate Press.
