Southwest Airlines is shaking things up—starting with assigned seating in January 2026 and a new policy that could mean paying for checked bags. 😲
But don’t panic! In this episode, I’ll walk you through exactly what’s changing, what’s not changing, and most importantly—how you can still get your checked bags free and snag a great seat without paying extra.
We’ll cover:
- ✈️ How to navigate the new bag fee rules
- 🧳 The trick to keeping your checked bags FREE
- 💺 What assigned seating really means—and how to get the best spot
- 💡 My insider tips to make the most of Southwest’s evolving policies
If you love flying Southwest (like I do!) and want to keep the perks you’ve always enjoyed, this episode is a must-listen.
Want to travel more—without the stress, the endless Googling or overpaying for flights and hotels?
Join me inside my Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club, where I’m pulling back the curtain on 25+ years of insider travel know-how to help you fly smarter, score luxury perks and unlock unforgettable experiences for less.
Got questions about the Club? Text me at 844-403-2263.
RESOURCES:See the complete list of Southwest's changes
here: https://www.southwest.com/customer-enhancements/assigned-seating/
What is Families Fly Free With Lyn Mettler?
Travel rewards doesn't have to be overwhelming and it can work for entire families! In the Families Fly Free podcast, hosted by longtime travel journalist Lyn Mettler, you'll learn how to simply and easily fly your whole family for free using travel rewards and with minimal cards in your wallet. Lyn has taught nearly 1,000 families a simple, repeatable process to always have enough miles to fly wherever you'd like, so you can make more memories with your family before your kids or grandkids leave home.