FEES for a popular Southwest perk have jumped a whopping 50% thanks to the carrier’s latest business overhaul.
Flyers have been left reeling by the brand’s massive changes like dropping open seating and charging for checked bags.
Southwest Airlines has jacked up the fees for a popular feature[/caption]
Passengers have to pay more, but it does come with a popular seating perk[/caption]
On Thursday, the Dallas, Texas-based airline announced changes to its Chase co-branded cards.
Under the new guidelines, which are already in effect, Southwest loyalists can enjoy even more perks, including bonus points on restaurant, grocery, and gas purchases.
Some members with more premium cards can use their perks to access plane seats that have extra leg room if they’re available, according to The Points Guy.
Plus, all cardholders can get a free checked bag, dodging the new $35 fee that was imposed in May.
And the members can have the ability to choose from some seats for free, even if they merely purchased a basic ticket.
All of these perks can be enjoyed while cardholders accrue points that can be used on future purchases and flights.
However, all of these deals come at a steep price.
Annual fees on the cards have made a massive jump, and the average fee hikes are around 50%.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Cards used to have an annual $69 fee, but that has been updated to $99.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Cards previously had $99 fees, but now it is $149.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Cards had a $149 fee, but that jumped to $229.
And Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Cards used to cost $99 a year, but that’s been changed to $149.
Finally, Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Cards were $199, but are now $299 a year under the new guidelines.
Despite the costly update, Southwest hopes that flyers will sign up and try out the perks.
Southwest consumer card fee changes
HERE is the exact amount that each Southwest consumer card’s annual fees increased.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card – from $69 to $99
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card – from $99 to $149
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card – from $149 to $229
- Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card – from $99 to $149
- Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card – from $199 to $299
If a traveler signs up for any card between now and September 17, they can earn 100,000 Rapid Rewards points if they spend $4,000 on purchases within the first five months, The Points Guy reported.
Corbitt Burns, Southwest’s managing director of cobrand and payments, told the outlet that cardmembers will see “the real and measurable value that the benefits convey.”
He stressed that anyone with one of the Chase cards will enjoy “increased flexibility and increased choice.”
The U.S. Sun has reached out to Southwest for comment on the credit card updates.
The Southwest updates come as the brand reported less-than-savory results in its latest earnings call.
Plus, some flyers were furious and vowed to fly Delta over one policy change.
And Southwest mistakenly marked passengers as no shows after one airport had a massive boarding drama.
New seating structure for Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines said the following on the new seating types offered:
- “Standard Seat: Standard legroom seats, located in the back of the cabin.”
- “Preferred seat: Standard legroom seats, near the front of the cabin.”
- “Extra Legroom seat: A roomier experience with more legroom to stretch out, at the front of the cabin as well as the exit rows, with up to five additional inches* of extra legroom compared to Standard seats. Plus, earlier access to bin space, extra snacks, and complimentary premium beverages. *Five extra inches of seat pitch is available on the 737-700 aircraft. Seat pitch will vary by aircraft type”
Source: Southwest Airlines
