Southwest Airlines is getting rid of another perk
Southwest Airlines will debut a new Basic fare and reintroduce flight credit expiration dates starting May 28, 2025. Here’s what Houston travelers need to know.
Author: Jaime E. Galvan
Published: 8:54 AM CDT April 15, 2025
Updated: 8:54 AM CDT April 15, 2025
HOUSTON — Thinking of booking a flight with Southwest Airlines out of Hobby Airport any time soon? Potential travelers may want to take notice of a recent policy change.
Southwest Airlines will roll out significant changes to its fare structure and flight credit policy in the coming months, including the launch of a new Basic fare tier and the reintroduction of expiration dates on flight credits, according to their website.What you need to know
New “Basic” fare launches May 28 with fewer perks
Flight credits from tickets booked after that date will expire within one year
Credits from purchases before May 27 remain non-expiring — unless changed
Rapid Rewards earn rates also adjusted across fare levels
Changes only apply to new bookings or modifications on or after May 28
This comes after several longstanding Southwest policies were revised in the past year, including changes to open seating and the “bags fly free” policy.
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The airline announced the updates in a phased approach. In March, Southwest began adjusting its Rapid Rewards earn rates, increasing points earned on Business Select fares while lowering earn rates for Wanna Get Away® and Wanna Get Away Plus® fares. The carrier also began varying redemption rates across fare types based on demand periods.
The more substantial changes take effect May 28, when Southwest will debut a Basic fare, described as the airline’s lowest price point but with reduced flexibility compared to existing fare options.
Alongside the new fare class, flight credits and Transferable Flight Credits™ tied to tickets purchased or modified on or after May 28 will expire within one year or less, depending on the fare type. All travel using such credits must be completed by the listed expiration date.
Flight credits issued from tickets purchased on or before May 27, 2025, will continue to have no expiration, provided they remain unchanged. However, if those credits are used toward a new reservation on or after May 28 and later canceled, the newly issued credit will carry an expiration date.
