Southwest Airlines will open its first airport lounges in Nashville, Tennessee; Baltimore; Austin; and Honolulu, with access available through a new Southwest Rapid Rewards-branded credit card launching in 2027. ^[1] The author, an economics professor with nearly 30 years of experience, analyzed the 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances using ChatGPT to cross-check data against published estimates. ^[2] Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan confirmed the lounge plans while speaking at the Semafor World Economy Summit in April. ^[3] Southwest Airlines ended its 'Bags Fly Free' policy in May 2025, charging $45 for a first checked bag and $55 for a second on most flights. ^[4] Southwest Airlines retired its open seating policy in January 2026, replacing it with a multi-group boarding order and offering extra-legroom seats for an additional fee. ^[5] According to the data, the median net worth for Americans peaks at about $400,000 by age 70. ^[6] The author estimates that a solid majority, roughly 60%, of Americans could comfortably get by with zero Social Security even though they were counting on it. ^[7] The author estimates that approximately 25% of Americans have decamillionaire-level net worth by the time they retire. ^[8]