One of the most popular Southwest perks is flying off into the sunset, but here's how you can keep your access.

If you don't have Southwest elite status, the cheapest option for getting a free checked bag will be the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card. It has a $69 annual fee, which may be as much as the baggage fees for a round-trip flight.

Southwest Airlines, known for free bags and open seating, is overhauling policies, leaving loyalists questioning if it’s still the airline they loved.

Southwest Airlines has heard all the negativity surrounding the company's widely unpopular decision to begin charging for checked bags and seems to be taking the wrong message from the backlash.

Southwest Airlines is doing away with its longstanding policy of two checked bags for free for all passengers. The Dallas, Texas-based carrier on Tuesday announced it will begin charging some customers for checked bags.

"Clearly, there are some customers who chose them because of that, and now those customers are up for grabs," said Delta's CEO.

We heard from so many of you after Southwest announced a reversal of their "bags fly free" policy. Travel keeps getting expensive. So how do you save? Do you pack less, fly another carrier, or ditch the flight and drive?