Southwest Airlines has been known as one of the friendliest companies in the friendly skies for as long as the airline industry can remember. Airlines are often seen as some of the most consumer unfriendly businesses,

Travelers with a Southwest credit card are entitled to one complimentary checked bag. Depending on how closely Southwest's checked bag fees align with the industry standard of $35+ per bag each way, this could significantly boost the value of Southwest's credit cards.

Southwest Airlines let us all down on Tuesday by announcing they will be doing away with their free checked bag policy, which, until now, has proven a beacon of relief for fee-weary travelers trying to get from point A to point B without taking out a second mortgage to pay for their luggage.