Of all the main U.S. airways, Southwest stands out for a few of its distinctive insurance policies and practices. For probably the most half, clients have a tendency to understand the service’s novel strategy to doing enterprise—together with the best way it handles the boarding course of. However like some other airline, the corporate nonetheless strives to make the journey expertise higher for its clients by including new perks and options. And now, Southwest has introduced a tremendous new baggage change, efficient instantly. Learn on to see how the newest updates may have an effect on your subsequent journey.
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Trendy vacationers typically discover themselves in a troublesome place with their baggage. There’s all the time the chance that a checked bag could not make it to their vacation spot together with them, whereas those that depend on carry-ons is likely to be quick on overhead bin area as soon as they make it onboard—or wind up paying a price.
However now, vacationers flying Southwest could have one much less factor to fret about on their subsequent journey. In a submit on X (previously often called Twitter) on Oct. 24, the airline introduced it had added the flexibility for passengers to trace their checked baggage whereas en route. The brand new characteristic comes along with the service’s famously budget-friendly coverage of permitting all vacationers two free checked luggage per flight.
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Those that’ve lengthy feared rolling the cube by handing off their luggage will now be capable of hold tabs on their belongings by means of each step of the journey course of utilizing their smartphones.
“Southwest Airways has launched the flexibility for patrons to trace checked luggage all through their journey—from takeoff to touchdown,” a spokesperson for the airline advised The Factors Man. “Now on Southwest.com and the Southwest cell app, clients can view the standing of their checked bag throughout three totally different milestones of every checked piece of bags: Confirming when bag tags are printed and when luggage are loaded and unloaded from our plane.”
Vacationers can entry the brand new characteristic—which went stay together with the announcement—by tapping “observe your checked baggage” on the left facet of the app or on their flight’s reservation data web page.
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Whereas Southwest is understood for its “no-frills” strategy to journey, the newest characteristic does carry the funds airline alongside different main U.S. carriers. Delta Air Traces, American Airways, and United Airways all already supply the same service for vacationers—whereas some passengers nonetheless go the additional mile by including a separate tracker to their suitcases, Easy Flying stories.
The characteristic’s sudden rollout caught some vacationers without warning—together with many who approve of the newest change. “Lastly!” one Southwest buyer wrote in response to the airline’s submit on X. “That is superior.”
“I like this characteristic!” one other replied. “I checked a bag for the cruise I am on.”
Nonetheless, others wrapped their reward with some delicate suggestions. “Superior characteristic. Now perhaps some precedence bag tags for us A-Listing most popular clients so this bag to Cancun comes out quicker,” one person replied with a winky face emoji.
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In addition to a greater eye on baggage, Southwest clients have additionally had different causes to be completely satisfied lately. Earlier this month, the airline introduced updates to its Fast Rewards frequent flyer program that lowered the brink required to qualify for standing, The Factors Man (TPG) reported.
Beneath the brand new guidelines, vacationers will solely must take 20 one-way flights earlier than the tip of the yr to achieve the A-Listing tier, whereas 40 one-way flights will earn vacationers A-Listing Plus standing as of Jan. 1, 2024. That is down from 25 and 50 one-way flights beforehand required for every stage, respectively.
The corporate additionally introduced it was making it simpler to achieve frequent flyer standing with out even setting foot on a aircraft. Holders of Southwest co-branded bank cards will now solely should spend $5,000 to earn an additional 1,500 tier qualifying factors, marking a 50 p.c drop from the $10,000 beforehand required to attain the bump. Clients can unlock A-Listing as soon as they attain 35,000 factors and A-Listing Most popular by hitting 70,000 factors.
Flyers with standing also can sit up for another new perks. Beginning Nov. 6, A-Listing Most popular passengers will obtain vouchers for 2 free premium drinks per flight, together with alcoholic drinks, USA Right now reported. The complimentary drinks might be accessible due to vouchers despatched by means of the Southwest cell app.
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