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Southwest Airlines feels unrecognizable with all the changes in 2025 and 2026, and while new policies have lost my trust, I'm not abandoning the airline yet. Instead, I'm tweaking my strategy to adapt, and I want to help you do the same.

In this episode, I'm digging into all the changes, from the new baggage and assigned seating policies to the breakdown of "Basic" vs. "Choice" fares. I discuss the current loopholes for extending flight credits that are expiring. We'll also do a deep dive on all five Southwest credit cards and I'll give you clear action steps to take right now to keep getting the best value.

ACTION STEPS:

• Check Your Card: Log in to your Chase account and use my Southwest Card Guide to see which benefits (like EarlyBird or upgraded boarding credits) you have.
• USE BENEFITS NOW: You must use any EarlyBird check-in, upgraded boarding, and the $75 Priority Card travel credit before they are discontinued on December 31st, 2025.
• Update Booking Strategy:
  • If paying with points, book Basic fares as one-way tickets for easier repricing.
  • If paying with cash, book Choice fares to get flexibility and seat selection.
• Family/Group Baggage: To get the 1 free checked bag, your entire group (up to 9 people) must be on the same reservation, and that reservation must have the cardholder's Rapid Rewards number attached.
• Companion Pass Seating (for 2026): For flights with assigned seating, you must book your ticket and then immediately add your companion and select the seat next to you.
• Family Seating (for 2026): Do not rely on Southwest to seat you with your children. Either book "Choice" fares or hold the "Priority" or "Performance Business" cards to select your seats at booking.
• Expiring LUV Vouchers: If you have a LUV Voucher expiring, call Southwest before it expires and ask for a 6-month extension.
• Expiring Flight Credits: If you have an expiring flight credit, it is currently possible to book a Choice Preferred fare and use your flight credit + pay for the rest with a Southwest gift card, and then cancel it if you want to receive a new flight credit with no expiration date. 
• Household Card Review: Re-evaluate if both you and your partner need a Southwest card. Since benefits no longer stack well, you may be able to save on annual fees by dropping to

New Here?

Hi, I’m Katie from Katie’s Travel Tricks! I am here to help you learn the secrets that my family has been using for over a decade, using everyday expenses and welcome offers to supercharge your points earning. When you learn to do this, you can cover entire vacations every year.

Our family has been to Hawaii, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe — and more — all thanks to strategically earning and redeeming points. We've done this on a limited travel budget and now want to help you do it, too.

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Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this podcast are from companies which Katie's Travel Tricks will earn an affiliate commission. Katie's Travel Tricks is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this podcast is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available. Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the autho...