Southwest Airlines increases fees for EarlyBird check-in and Upgraded Boarding, reaching up to $149.

Southwest Airlines has recently become the newest airline to raise its ancillary fees.

The Dallas-based airline has recently increased prices for two popular optional services: EarlyBird check-in and Upgraded Boarding. This information was initially reported by Danny Deal Guru and later verified by TPG through an airline representative.

The new fee structure from Southwest for these services now includes:

• EarlyBird check-in: $15 to $99 one-way, per traveler
• Upgraded Boarding: $30 to $149 per segment, per traveler

Although Southwest maintained its minimum service fees, it subtly increased the maximum charges. The airline previously charged up to $25 for EarlyBird check-in and $80 for Upgraded Boarding.

The price hikes are significant, with a nearly 300% rise for EarlyBird check-in and about a 100% increase for Upgraded Boarding. Some loyal Southwest customers may be particularly displeased, as these fees were adjusted just a year ago.

This trend is part of a broader movement across the airline industry to raise ancillary fees, which started earlier this year. Major U.S. airlines have increased their checked bag fees at least once this year. Southwest, known for not charging for checked bags, may be feeling pressure to enhance profits following a lackluster first quarter.

"The adjustment in pricing reflects our ongoing assessment of ancillary product pricing based on market trends and consumer demand, which will help generate additional revenue for the company," stated airline spokesperson Tiffany Valdez.

Distinct among U.S. airlines, Southwest does not assign seats on its flights. Instead, seating is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, encouraging passengers to check in precisely at the 24-hour mark before their flight.

For travelers wishing to bypass the hassle, purchasing EarlyBird Check-In guarantees their spot in line 36 hours prior to departure, eliminating the need to check in manually when the 24-hour window opens. Southwest imposes no limit on EarlyBird sales per flight, meaning you might still end up with a less-than-ideal seat using this option.

To address this, Southwest provides Upgraded Boarding, which can be bought at any point during the check-in period, allowing travelers to secure one of the first 15 boarding positions. This option is pricier than EarlyBird Check-In and is only available when there are unsold Business Select fares, which ensure access to this priority boarding.

These increased fees can be particularly burdensome for groups traveling together, as the airline does not provide volume discounts for these services, and costs can accumulate rapidly. If you'd like to avoid these charges, consider applying for a cobranded Southwest credit card.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card and Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card each offer two free EarlyBird check-ins annually. Meanwhile, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card and the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card provide four Upgraded Boarding passes each year.

Information regarding the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier credit card has been independently gathered by Dinogo. The details presented here have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

Alternatively, members of Southwest's Rapid Rewards elite tiers, A-List and A-List Preferred, enjoy priority boarding on all flights.