Good news for travelers: After Southwest’s bag policy change this rival airline is offering free checked luggage

Southwest has long stood out in the U.S. airline industry as one of the few carriers that allowed customers to check two bags (up to 50 pounds each) for free with their ticket. While competitors imposed steep baggage fees, Southwest flyers knew their ticket price included those bags.

Not anymore.

Earlier this month, the airline announced it would be changing course and aligning its baggage policy with other major carriers like United, American Airlines, and Delta.

Starting May 28, 2025, Southwest will only offer two free checked bags for:

Meanwhile, A-List Members will be allowed one free checked bag, along with what Southwest vaguely describes as “other select customers.”

To qualify as an A-List Member, customers must either fly at least 20 one-way flights booked through Southwest per year or earn 35,000 tier qualifying points by using a Southwest credit card.

Enter: Frontier Airlines with a summer offer

Budget carrier Frontier wasted no time in capitalizing on Southwest’s policy change. On March 18, the airline released a statement lamenting that “some airlines have changed.”

“They’ve raised fees, taken away perks, and made travel feel like a one-sided relationship,” the company argued in a press release.

For a limited time, Frontier is offering a “rebound” deal:

And for those booking flights between May 28 and August 18, Frontier is also throwing in a free checked bag—just enter code FREEBAG at checkout.

Expanded perks for Discount Den® members

On March 19, Frontier sweetened the deal even further for Discount Den® members (the airline’s loyalty program).

Through March 24, members can purchase a ‘complimentary companion fare' starting at just $18.90 each way—though the name is a bit misleading, as it’s not entirely free. Travelers flying with a Discount Den® member will also get

The fine print

As with most budget airline deals, there are plenty of restrictions. The offer only applies to nonstop continental U.S. flights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays through May 21, 2025, and only on select travel dates.

Still, if your plans align, great news.

While this is an attempt to attract disgruntled Southwest customers planning summer vacations, Frontier is offering a very different flying experience from its competitors. By making the deal temporary, the airline can capitalize on the moment—before ultimately returning to its usual fee-heavy model, which includes charges for bags, seat selection, and flight modifications.

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