Southwest’s fare structure now looks a lot like every other airline. Starting January 27, 2026, the carrier officially moves to assigned seating, and your fare class determines not just your perks but which seat you can choose and when you board. If you’re booking Southwest flights right now, the fare you pick matters more than it ever has.
I’ll walk you through each of the four fare classes, explain what actually changed, and help you figure out which one makes sense for your next trip.
What Are the Four Southwest Fare Classes?
Southwest now offers four distinct fare classes, all rebranded with a “Choice” naming convention that’s easier to follow than the old system.
Here’s the lineup from most to least expensive:
- Choice Extra (formerly Business Select)
- Choice Preferred (formerly Anytime)
- Choice (formerly Wanna Get Away Plus)
- Basic (new fare class introduced May 2025)
The Basic fare is Southwest’s answer to basic economy fares on other carriers. It’s the budget option with real restrictions. The other three fares build on each other, with each tier adding benefits on top of the one below it.
For what it’s worth, if you’re flying before January 27, 2026, you’re still getting open seating. The fare class affects your boarding position and perks, but you’ll still choose your own seat once you’re on the plane. After that date, assigned seating kicks in and your fare determines what seats you can even select.
Breaking Down Each Fare Class
Choice Extra (Formerly Business Select)
This is Southwest’s premium fare, and it includes everything the airline offers.
You’ll earn 14 Rapid Rewards points per dollar spent on your fare, which is the highest earning rate available. Your ticket is fully refundable to your original payment method as long as you cancel at least 10 minutes before departure.
The tangible perks are where this fare shines. You get two free checked bags, which saves you at least $70 roundtrip compared to paying bag fees. You can select an Extra Legroom seat when you book, or choose any other seat on the plane. On flights of 251 miles or more, you’ll receive a complimentary premium drink like beer or wine.
For flights departing before January 27, 2026, Choice Extra passengers get priority boarding in positions A1 through A15, meaning you’re among the first 15 people on the plane. After that date, you’ll get early boarding based on the new system that prioritizes seat location.
You also get access to Priority Lanes at check-in counters and Express Lanes at security checkpoints where available, plus free in-flight WiFi. All benefits from Choice Preferred are included as well.
Choice Preferred (Formerly Anytime)
Choice Preferred sits in the upper-middle tier, offering solid flexibility without the premium price tag.
You’ll earn 10 Rapid Rewards points per dollar, and your ticket remains fully refundable to your original payment method with the same 10-minute cancellation window.
At booking, you can select a Preferred seat near the front of the cabin or any Standard seat. Extra Legroom seats aren’t included—you’d need to pay to upgrade to those.
Here’s something worth noting: for flights departing before January 27, 2026, Choice Preferred includes EarlyBird Check-In, which normally costs $15 to $99 per flight. You’ll be automatically checked in 36 hours before departure, giving you a better shot at an earlier boarding position. After January 27, this benefit goes away and is replaced by early general boarding under the new assigned seating system.
You still get Priority and Express Lane access, plus free same-day confirmed changes and same-day standby if you need to switch flights. Checked bags cost extra. All Choice fare benefits are included.
Choice (Formerly Wanna Get Away Plus)
Choice is what I’d call the sweet spot for most travelers. It costs less than the premium options but includes meaningful protections.
You’ll earn 6 Rapid Rewards points per dollar. The ticket is nonrefundable, but here’s the key difference from Basic: if you cancel at least 10 minutes before departure, you receive a Transferable Flight Credit that’s valid for 12 months from your original booking date.
That transferability matters. If your plans change and you can’t use the credit yourself, you can give it to any other Rapid Rewards member. You can only transfer it once, but that’s still far more flexibility than a credit that’s locked to your name.
You can select a Standard seat when you book, and you get general boarding after January 27. Free same-day standby and same-day confirmed changes are included, though taxes and fees may apply. Checked bags cost extra.
Basic
Basic is Southwest’s no-frills option, designed to compete with basic economy fares on other airlines.
You’ll earn just 2 Rapid Rewards points per dollar, which is the lowest rate. The fare is nonrefundable and non-changeable, with one exception: you can cancel within 24 hours of booking for a full refund.
If you cancel at least 10 minutes before departure outside that 24-hour window, you’ll receive a flight credit—but it only lasts 6 months and is non-transferable. That’s a significant downgrade from Choice’s 12-month transferable credit.
The biggest restriction: you don’t get to choose your seat at booking. Your Standard seat is assigned at check-in, which means you could end up in a middle seat at the back of the plane or separated from your travel companions. You’ll also board last after January 27, 2026.
Keep in mind that A-List Preferred members, A-List members, and certain Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cardholders can override some of these restrictions. They can still choose seats at booking and receive earlier boarding even on Basic fares.
How the New Boarding Process Works
Southwest’s open seating was iconic. You’d check in exactly 24 hours before your flight, get a boarding position, and race to grab the seat you wanted. That era ends January 27, 2026.
Under the new boarding system, boarding is based on where your seat is located in the cabin. Extra Legroom seats, positioned at the front and in exit rows, board first in Groups 1 and 2. The rest of the cabin boards based on seat position, generally front to back.
This changes the calculus entirely. Paying for EarlyBird Check-In or obsessing over your 24-hour check-in becomes pointless after the transition. What matters now is your fare class and whether it lets you pick a seat at booking—and which seats are available to you.
If you want to board early, you’ll need either an Extra Legroom seat (which comes with Choice Extra or can be purchased as an upgrade) or elite status. A-List and A-List Preferred members still receive boarding benefits regardless of fare.
Which Southwest Fare Class Should You Book?
Your choice comes down to how you travel and what you value.
Book Basic if: You’re a solo traveler on a tight budget, you don’t care where you sit, you’re not checking bags, and you’re confident your plans won’t change. The 6-month non-transferable credit is restrictive, so only book this if you’re certain you’ll fly.
Book Choice if: You want flexibility without paying for full refundability. The 12-month transferable credit offers real protection, you can select your seat at booking, and same-day standby gives you options if your plans shift. For most leisure travelers, this is the best value.
Book Choice Preferred if: You need a refundable ticket or you’re flying before January 27 and want the included EarlyBird Check-In. After that date, the main advantage over Choice is refundability. Priority and Express Lane access is a nice bonus if you’re at a busy airport.
Book Choice Extra if: You’re checking two bags, you want the best seat options, or you’re a business traveler who values maximum flexibility. The two free checked bags alone can justify the premium if you’d otherwise pay for them. The premium drink and WiFi are nice additions, though they shouldn’t drive your decision.
The Verdict
Southwest’s new fare structure rewards those who pay attention. Basic fares will work fine for flexible solo travelers, but most people should book Choice for the transferable credit and seat selection alone. Choice Preferred and Choice Extra make sense when you need specific benefits like refundability or free bags—not for the points multiplier.
The shift to assigned seating means your fare class now directly impacts your travel experience in ways it didn’t before. Pick the fare that matches how you actually travel, not the one that sounds best on paper.
What fare class are you planning to book for your next Southwest flight?
