It’s the last day that you book a flight with Southwest Airlines without colliding with the fees to check your package after the airline discarded its package after it dumped its package after it was abandoned.
The airline announced the changes in March, saying the new policy will begin with flights booked on Wednesday.
Southwest had built a long-standing advertising campaign on its policy that allowed passengers to check up two bags for free. Under that new policy, those who have not reached the upper tier of the Rapid Rewards Loyalty program, who purchase business class tickets or hold airline credit cards, will have to pay for the check bag.
Southwest continues to offer two free check bags, travel quickly reward A-List priority members and customers with business choice fares, and move one free check bag to A-List members and other selected customers. Passengers with Rapid Rewards credit cards will receive a credit in one check bag.
Those who do not qualify in these categories will be charged to check their bags. The airline said in March that it would roll out new basic fares with lowest-priced tickets when the changes take effect.
In September, the airline estimates that billing bag fees will bring about $1.5 billion a year, but the airline costs $1.8 billion of lost business from customers who chose to fly southwest for generous baggage allowances.
Southwest did not respond immediately to requests for comments regarding new check bag fees, but most major airlines typically charge between $35 and $40 for check bags.
Another policy that will take effect Wednesday is the southwest, where passengers will require passengers to keep their portable chargers in sight due to concerns over an increase in lithium-ion battery fires.
These aren’t the only changes at Southwest. Dallas Airlines previously announced that it retains another southwest tradition, an open board system that has been using for over 50 years. Southwest is scheduled to start operating the plane with passengers in their assigned seats next year.
The airline also said last year it would charge customers an additional fee for more legrooms and offer Redeye flights.
Southwest has been struggling lately and is under pressure from activist investors to increase profits and revenue. The airline reached a ceasefire in October with hedge fund Elliott Investment Management, avoiding the proxy fight, but Elliott won several seats on the company’s board of directors.
The airline announced in February that it would eliminate 1,750 people or 15% of corporate workers in the first major layoffs in the company’s 53-year history.
