Southwest Airlines Change Flight Policy

When you book a flight, you often wonder whether you could have booked later at a lower price—especially if you’re purchasing tickets for your entire family. Although most U.S. airlines charge a heavy change fee of USD 150–200, Southwest doesn’t charge a fee. You read that right, Southwest Airlines flight change policy is super-friendly. 

Whether you’re booking your flight with points or by cash/credit card, Southwest Airlines allows you to rebook your flight and take back the difference in fare. Unlike other airlines that offer change fee waivers to elite status members, Southwest allows you to rebook your flight at the best available prices, regardless of what type of fare you’ve purchased. 

Southwest Airlines Flight Change Policy for Wanna Get Away Tickets 

Being the lowest-priced fares offered by Southwest, Wanna Get Away tickets have stricter rules for making flight cancellations than Anytime and Business Select fares. Under the Southwest flight change policy, if you want to change your flight, the same rules apply—you can change your flight all the way up to 10 minutes before departure without being charged any penalty. The value of your ticket will be converted into Travel Funds that you can use within 1 year from the date of purchase of your ticket—without being charged a change fee.

Flight Change Policy for Anytime and Business Select Tickets

Southwest’s flight change policy allows you to make changes to Anytime and Business Select tickets up to 10 minutes before departure without being charged any change fee. 

If you don’t make any changes to an existing flight and no-show for it, the value of your Anytime or Business Select flight ticket will be converted into Travel Funds. You can use the Travel Funds anytime up to 12 months from the date of original purchase. However, if you purchased your ticket with Rapid Rewards points, the points will be redeposited to your account for use later. 

How to change a flight on Southwest Airlines?

You can change your flight by phone or online. 

An illustration of Southwest Change flight button 

To change your Southwest Airlines flight reservations online:

1. Go to Southwest.com 
2. Click on the Change/Cancel tab (on top)
3. Retrieve your flight booking by entering your confirmation # and name (first and last)
   The Change flight tab is selected by default, so leave it as it is
4. Hit the Search button
5. Choose the flight you want to change and then click on Select new flights. If you had booked a round-trip, both your departure and return destinations will appear. 
6. After choosing your flight, make the changes and confirm them

Note: If you had made your booking through a travel agency/website, get in touch with them and ask them to make changes to your flight booking.

Flight Change Policy for Changing International Flight Itineraries

If you want to make changes to an itinerary that includes an international flight, you’ll need to follow the same process as shown above. You will not be charged any change fees, but the fare difference (if any) will apply. 

Southwest Change Flight Policy for Changing Fare Classes

If you’re changing between fare classes, a few exceptions apply. For example, if you’re changing an Anytime fare to a Business Select fare, the value of your Anytime ticket will be converted into reusable Travel Funds. However, if you’re making same-day changes to your itinerary, you’ll have to pay any additional taxes and fees that apply to your new fare. 

Southwest Airlines Flight Change Policy for Same-Day Changes

If you’re making a same-day change to an international flight booking, you must contact Southwest at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) or request an agent at the airport ticket counter. Remember, you cannot book international flights online within 2 hours of departure. 

Southwest Change Flight Policy for Irregular Operations

Under the Southwest flight change policy, you can make free changes to any international flight affected by extreme weather or similar circumstances that are not within the airline’s control. However, you must call Southwest’s Customer Service by phone at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792).

What are Southwest Change Flight Fees?

Southwest Airlines doesn’t charge any change fee for tickets purchased with cash or points. If you want to cancel a flight booked with Rapid Rewards points, your points will be credited back to your Rapid Rewards account. The government security fee will be converted into Travel Funds. To reuse your points later, remember to save the confirmation number so that you can use them later. 

What is Southwest Airlines Name Change Policy?

Southwest Airlines name change policy does not allow name changes on tickets unless for reasons such as a last name change or name change due to marriage. One way out would be to cancel your flight within 24 hours of booking (even Wanna Get Away tickets can be cancelled for free within 24 hours) and rebook your flight with the correct name.

If you’re changing your name due to marriage, etc., call Customer Relations at 1-855-234-4654 and provide documentary evidence of your old and new names—such as your old and new ID, marriage license, etc.

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