Travel schedules can change for many reasons. A business appointment may be moved, weather conditions can affect your plans, or you may simply want to travel on a different date. The Southwest Airlines change flight process gives eligible passengers the ability to update their itinerary without a separate airline change fee.
Even though Southwest does not generally charge a separate change fee, changing a reservation may still result in a fare difference. The amount and available options depend on the fare purchased and the replacement flight selected. This guide explains how to manage a Southwest reservation, change travel dates, switch flights, postpone a journey, or cancel a booking.
Southwest Airlines Flight Change Policy
Southwest's current fare options are designed to provide different levels of flexibility. Depending on the fare, passengers may be able to select another available flight and pay any applicable difference in price. A Basic flight ticket has additional restrictions and may require an upgrade before certain changes can be made.
The cost of a Southwest change flight request is generally connected to the price of the replacement itinerary. For example, if your original ticket was $180 and the new flight is priced at $230, the difference may be $50, subject to the fare rules and availability.
If you need to change or cancel your reservation, take action before the original scheduled departure. Waiting until after departure can trigger the airline's no-show rules and may affect the remaining value of the ticket or points. Always review the conditions displayed for your particular reservation.
Southwest Airlines Flight Change Policy for Domestic Trips
The Southwest Airlines flight change policy for domestic travel primarily depends on the fare purchased. Before making a change, compare the available replacement flights and carefully review the fare conditions.
Fare type |
Regular flight changes |
Same-day change |
Cancellation value |
Basic |
Higher fare may be required |
Restrictions may apply |
Eligible flight credit when canceled on time; restrictions apply |
Choice |
Allowed; fare difference may apply |
Available for eligible bookings |
Eligible transferable flight credit |
Choice Preferred |
Allowed; fare difference may apply |
Available for eligible bookings |
Refundable when canceled within the applicable conditions |
Choice Extra |
Allowed; fare difference may apply |
Available for eligible bookings |
Refundable when canceled within the applicable conditions |
Flight-credit validity can vary according to the fare and the date the ticket was purchased. Always check the expiration date displayed in your Southwest account, reservation details, or cancellation confirmation rather than relying only on general examples.
Airline policies are not identical. Rules that apply to another carrier, such as Delta or United Airlines, should not automatically be assumed to apply to a Southwest Airlines reservation. Check the conditions associated with your own ticket before making changes.
How to Change a Southwest Airlines Flight Online
The simplest way to make a Southwest Airlines change flight request is through the airline's website or mobile application. Keep your confirmation number and passenger information ready before starting.
Follow these general steps:
- Open the Southwest website or mobile application.
- Select the option to manage or change a trip.
- Enter the passenger's required details.
- Provide the reservation confirmation number.
- Open the correct booking.
- Select the flight segment you want to update.
- Choose a new date, time, or eligible itinerary.
- Compare the available flight options.
- Review any fare difference and updated conditions.
- Confirm the modification and save the new itinerary.
This is also how to change a Southwest Airlines flight using the confirmation number when the reservation is not immediately visible in your account.
Before submitting the request, check the final summary carefully. Confirm the passenger name, departure and arrival airports, travel date, flight time, connections, and any additional amount shown on the screen.
How to Reschedule a Southwest Airlines Flight
To complete a Southwest Airlines reschedule flight request, open your existing reservation and select the change option. Choose the new travel date and compare the available replacement flights before confirming.
Changing the original reservation allows the airline to apply the value of your existing ticket toward the replacement itinerary. Purchasing a completely new ticket without addressing the original reservation can leave you with two bookings and may complicate the use of the unused ticket value.
When you change a Southwest flight, review more than just the departure time. Check the arrival time, connection details, airports, seat availability, and any difference in fare before finalizing the new itinerary.
Southwest Airlines Same-Day Flight Options
A regular flight change moves your reservation to another eligible itinerary, while a same-day change allows qualified travelers to move to another flight on the same travel date.
Eligible passengers may be able to request a same-day confirmed change when:
- The replacement flight operates on the same calendar day.
- The origin and destination remain eligible under the applicable rules.
- A seat is available on the requested flight.
- The request is completed within the airline's stated deadline.
Eligible travelers may also have access to same-day standby options. The applicable request deadline can vary according to whether the trip is domestic or international, so check the current instructions displayed for your reservation.
This Southwest Airlines same-day flight guide can be useful when you want to travel earlier or later on the same date without moving your trip to another day. Availability and eligibility still depend on the reservation and current airline rules.
How to Modify a Southwest Airlines Reservation
A Southwest Airlines modify flight request can involve more than changing your travel date. Depending on the reservation, you may be able to update:
- Departure or arrival city
- Travel date
- Departure time
- Connecting itinerary
- Fare option
- Seat selection
- Rapid Rewards information
Some passenger-information corrections may require additional assistance from Southwest. A flight ticket is normally associated with the passenger named on the reservation and should not be treated as freely transferable to another traveler.
If you need to modify a Southwest Airlines reservation purchased through a travel agency, corporate booking platform, vacation package provider, or another third-party website, contact the company that issued the ticket. Some bookings may have management restrictions through the airline's standard online tools.
Can I Postpone My Southwest Airlines Flight?
If you need to travel later, you can generally use the flight-change option to select a different eligible travel date. The new itinerary remains subject to seat availability and the applicable fare conditions.
If you are unsure about your future travel date, canceling the reservation may be another option. Depending on the fare, cancellation can result in a flight credit or a refund to the original payment method.
Before canceling, review the expiration date and conditions associated with any credit you may receive. This can help you avoid losing unused ticket value because of an expired credit.
Southwest Airlines Ticket Cancellation Policy
The cancellation policy for Southwest Airlines depends on the fare selected and the time at which the reservation is canceled. Although Southwest generally does not charge a separate cancellation fee on its current fare options, the way the unused ticket value is returned can differ.
The Southwest Airlines ticket cancellation refund policy can generally be understood through the following fare categories:
- Basic: Generally nonrefundable, with eligible unused value potentially provided as a flight credit when the reservation is canceled within the required timeframe.
- Choice: Generally nonrefundable, although an eligible transferable flight credit may be available according to the fare conditions.
- Choice Preferred: Eligible tickets may qualify for a refund to the original payment method when canceled according to the applicable terms.
- Choice Extra: Eligible tickets may qualify for a refund to the original payment method when canceled according to the applicable terms.
- Points reservations: Eligible Rapid Rewards points can generally be returned to the account used for the booking when the reservation is canceled properly.
For a round-trip reservation containing a restricted Basic segment, additional conditions may apply when canceling or changing the itinerary. Review the cancellation summary displayed for the reservation before confirming a Southwest ticket cancellation.
How to Cancel or Change a Southwest Airlines Flight After Booking
First, decide whether you still plan to travel. If you know your new travel date, changing the reservation may be more suitable than canceling it.
Select the change option when you want to move the itinerary. Select the cancellation option when you no longer want to travel and want to review any eligible credit or refund.
The general online process includes:
- Retrieve your reservation.
- Select the Change or Cancel option.
- Choose the affected flight segments.
- Review the available fare, credit, or refund information.
- Confirm the selected request.
- Save the confirmation email and updated itinerary.
Avoid simply missing the flight. Completing the Southwest Airlines ticket cancellation process before the applicable deadline can help preserve any eligible value attached to your reservation.
Southwest Airlines Policy for Missed Flights
Under Southwest's applicable rules, passengers should make the required change or cancellation before the original scheduled departure. Waiting until after departure may cause the reservation to be treated as a no-show and can affect eligible funds or points.
If you are already at the airport and believe you may miss your flight, contact a Southwest representative as soon as possible. Assistance depends on the circumstances and applicable fare rules, but contacting the airline before departure can provide more options than waiting until after the scheduled flight.
Tips Before You Change Your Flight Details
Before confirming a flight change, compare the available alternatives instead of selecting the first option. A slightly earlier or later departure may provide a better combination of schedule and price.
Also review:
- Flight-credit expiration information
- Departure and arrival airports
- Connection times
- Seat availability
- Baggage conditions
- Same-day change eligibility
- Other flights included in the reservation
- Refund and credit conditions
If a delayed or disrupted Southwest connection causes you to miss a later flight, check your updated itinerary immediately and contact the airline for assistance. Airline-caused disruptions can be handled differently from situations where a passenger arrives late or misses a flight voluntarily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Southwest charge a flight-change fee?
Southwest generally does not charge a separate flight-change fee. However, the replacement flight can have a different price, so an applicable fare difference may still be due. Basic fares can have additional restrictions on changes.
Can I switch my Southwest flight on the same day?
Eligible fares may include same-day confirmed-change or standby options, subject to availability, route requirements, and the applicable request deadline. Basic fares can have additional restrictions, so review the benefits shown for your ticket.
Can I change my Southwest destination?
A destination change may be available through Southwest Airlines manage booking. The system will show the available replacement flights and any applicable fare difference before you complete the change.
Can I cancel a Southwest flight and receive a cash refund?
Whether you receive cash back depends on your fare and the applicable cancellation conditions. Eligible refundable fares may qualify for a refund to the original payment method, while nonrefundable fares may provide an eligible flight credit instead.
What happens if I forget to cancel my Southwest flight?
A no-show can affect the unused value of your reservation under Southwest's applicable conditions. If you know you will not travel, complete the change or cancellation before the original departure time whenever possible.
Do Southwest flight credits expire?
Flight-credit validity depends on the type of credit and the applicable Southwest terms. Check the expiration information shown in your account or cancellation confirmation instead of relying on a general expiration period.
Conclusion
The Southwest Airlines change flight process provides flexibility, but the available options depend on the fare attached to your reservation. Before confirming a new itinerary, compare the replacement flight, fare difference, schedule, and applicable conditions. If you no longer plan to travel, cancel the reservation before departure whenever possible so you can preserve any eligible refund, flight credit, or Rapid Rewards value.
