186 | New Rules, Same Free Perks? How to Outsmart Southwest’s Changes

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.

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RESOURCES:
See the complete list of Southwest's changes here: https://www.southwest.com/customer-enhancements/assigned-seating/