It happens to the best of us. Plans change. Life throws a curveball. And suddenly, that perfectly booked Southwest Airlines flight needs a little adjustment. But fear not, fellow traveler! Changing a ticket on Southwest Airlines is, thankfully, one of the more flexible experiences you'll encounter in the airline industry. Unlike many other carriers that hit you with hefty change fees, Southwest has built its reputation on a customer-friendly approach.
So, let's dive in and navigate the process together, step by step, ensuring your travel plans remain as smooth as a Southwest landing!
How to Change a Ticket on Southwest Airlines: Your Comprehensive Guide
Southwest Airlines stands out for its no-change-fee policy on most fares, a significant advantage for travelers. While you won't pay a change fee, you might encounter a fare difference if your new flight is more expensive. Conversely, if the new flight is cheaper, you'll receive a flight credit for the difference, which is a fantastic perk!
Step 1: Are You Ready to Change Your Flight? (Engage!)
Before we even touch a button or dial a number, let's get organized! Grab your existing flight confirmation number, the names of the passengers on the reservation, and a clear idea of what you want to change (new dates, times, or even destinations). Having this information handy will make the process incredibly smooth.
Think about these questions:
What's your current confirmation number?
What are the specific dates and times you want to change to?
Are you changing the destination as well, or just the dates/times?
Do you have a companion on your reservation? (This requires an extra step!)
Once you've got your ducks in a row, let's proceed!
Step 2: Accessing Your Reservation
There are a few convenient ways to access your Southwest Airlines reservation to make changes.
Sub-heading: Online via the Southwest Website
This is often the easiest and most preferred method for many travelers.
Visit Southwest.com: Open your web browser and navigate to the official Southwest Airlines website.
Locate "Manage Reservations": On the homepage, typically near the top or within a "Travel" or "My Account" section, you'll find a link or button for "Manage Reservations," "Change Flight," or "Look Up Reservations." Click on it.
Enter Your Details: You'll be prompted to enter your:
Confirmation Number
First Name
Last Name
Once entered, click "Search" or "Retrieve Reservation."
Sub-heading: Through the Southwest Mobile App
The Southwest mobile app offers a streamlined experience for on-the-go changes.
Open the Southwest App: Launch the Southwest Airlines app on your smartphone or tablet.
Log In (Optional but Recommended): If you have a Rapid Rewards account, logging in will automatically display your upcoming trips. If not, you can usually proceed as a guest.
Navigate to "My Trips" or "View/Manage": Find the section that lists your upcoming flights. Tap on the specific trip you wish to modify.
Select "Change Flight": Within your trip details, you should see an option to "Change Flight."
Sub-heading: Calling Southwest Customer Service
While online methods are encouraged, sometimes speaking to a human is necessary, especially for more complex changes or if you encounter issues.
Dial 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792): Have your confirmation number and desired changes ready before you call. Be prepared for potential wait times, especially during peak hours.
Step 3: Initiating the Change Process
Once you've accessed your reservation, the real work begins!
Click "Change Flight": Whether on the website or app, select the option to "Change Flight."
Select the Flight(s) to Change: If your reservation has multiple flights (e.g., a round trip), you'll be asked to select which leg(s) you want to modify.
Explore New Flight Options: You'll then be directed to a page where you can search for new flights. This usually involves:
Entering New Dates: Select your desired new travel date(s).
Specifying Origin/Destination (if changing): If you're altering the route, you'll need to input the new departure and arrival airports.
Selecting New Times: Browse the available flights for your chosen dates and destinations. You'll see various times and their corresponding fare types (Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, Business Select).
Step 4: Understanding Fare Differences and Reviewing Changes
This is a crucial step where you'll see the financial impact of your change.
Fare Difference Calculation: As you select new flights, the system will automatically calculate any fare difference.
If the new fare is higher: You will need to pay the difference. This could be in cash (credit card) or by using existing travel funds/LUV Vouchers.
If the new fare is lower: Southwest will issue you a flight credit for the difference. This credit can be used for future travel and typically has an expiration date.
Review Changes: Before confirming, you'll be presented with a summary of your original flight, the new flight, and any associated fare difference or credit. Carefully review all details to ensure everything is correct. This is your last chance to catch any errors!
Sub-heading: What if you have a Companion Pass?
If you're traveling with a Companion Pass holder, there's an extra step involved:
Cancel the Companion Ticket First: You must cancel the companion's ticket before you can change your own flight.
Change Your Flight: Proceed with changing your primary reservation as outlined above.
Re-add Your Companion: Once your flight is successfully changed, go back into your updated reservation and add your companion back to the new flight. This is crucial to ensure they still travel with you.
Step 5: Confirming Your New Itinerary
Once you're satisfied with your selections and understand any fare differences, it's time to confirm.
Confirm Changes: Click the "Confirm Changes" or "Make These Changes" button.
Payment (if applicable): If there's a fare difference to pay, you'll be prompted to enter your payment information.
Receive New Confirmation: After successful confirmation, you'll receive a new confirmation number via email. Keep this safe! This new number reflects your updated itinerary.
Step 6: Special Scenarios and Considerations
Southwest offers additional flexibility for certain situations.
Sub-heading: Same-Day Change and Standby
For those spontaneous moments, Southwest provides options on the day of travel.
Same-Day Change: On the day of travel, you might be able to switch to another flight departing on the same calendar day between the same origin and destination airports, without an airline charge, if space is available. This often depends on your fare type (Business Select, Anytime, Wanna Get Away Plus generally have this benefit). You may still owe government taxes and fees, but these are typically refunded if you don't use the original ticket.
Same-Day Standby: If a confirmed same-day change isn't available, you can try to list for same-day standby on an earlier flight. This can be done via a Southwest Customer Service Agent at the airport or through the Southwest app/mobile web. A-List Preferred and A-List members receive priority on the standby list.
Sub-heading: Changes Due to Flight Disruptions
If Southwest cancels or significantly delays your flight, you have more options.
Free Rebooking: Southwest will typically automatically rebook you on the next available flight.
Voluntary Change/Cancellation: If the rebooked flight doesn't work, you can usually change your flight to a different date/time (within a specified window, often up to 14 days from the original) or cancel for a full refund to your original payment method, even for non-refundable tickets.
Sub-heading: Basic Fares (New for bookings on/after May 28, 2025)
It's important to note that with the introduction of the new "Basic" fare (for bookings on or after May 28, 2025), Southwest's flexibility for these specific tickets is more limited. Basic fares generally cannot be changed. If you wish to change a Basic fare, you must first upgrade it to a Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, or Business Select fare, which will incur a fare difference.
10 Related FAQ Questions: How To's with Quick Answers
Here are some common questions about changing Southwest tickets:
How to check if my fare type allows for a free change?
You can find your fare type on your original booking confirmation email or by looking up your reservation on Southwest.com or the mobile app. Generally, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, and Business Select fares offer more flexibility for changes.
How to find out if there's a fare difference for my new flight?
When you go through the "Change Flight" process online or in the app, the system will automatically show you any fare difference (either additional cost or a flight credit) before you confirm the change.
How to use a flight credit received from a cheaper changed flight?
Flight credits are typically linked to your Rapid Rewards account or the original confirmation number. When booking a new flight, you'll see an option to apply "Travel Funds" or "Flight Credit" during the payment step.
How to change only one person's ticket on a multi-passenger reservation?
You must first "divide" the reservation online or by calling Southwest Customer Service. This creates separate confirmation numbers for each traveler, allowing you to modify individual itineraries.
How to change an international Southwest flight?
The process for changing international flights is generally the same as domestic flights online or via the app. However, be mindful of any specific visa or entry requirements for your new destination and ensure your passport validity.
How to change my flight if it's within 10 minutes of departure?
Southwest allows changes up to 10 minutes before the original scheduled departure time. If it's closer than that, you might be subject to the no-show policy, which could result in forfeiture of your travel funds. It's best to act quickly!
How to make a same-day confirmed change or list for standby?
On the day of travel, access your itinerary via the Southwest app or mobile web (at least 30 minutes before departure for standby, 10 minutes for confirmed change), or speak to a Southwest Customer Service Agent at the airport.
How to get a refund if Southwest cancels my flight?
If Southwest cancels your flight or significantly delays it (typically 3+ hours domestic, 6+ hours international), you are eligible for a full refund to your original method of payment, even for non-refundable tickets. You can request this through the "Manage Reservations" section or by contacting customer service.
How to change a flight booked with Rapid Rewards points?
When changing a flight booked with points, if the new flight is more points, you'll pay the difference. If it's fewer points, the difference will be credited back to the Rapid Rewards account that booked the original ticket.
How to handle a companion pass if I change my flight and the new flight is full?
If you cancel your companion's ticket to change your flight, and then the new flight is full, you won't be able to re-add your companion immediately. You'd need to wait for space to open up on the new flight or select a different flight where companion space is available. This is why planning is key when traveling with a Companion Pass!
Changing a ticket on Southwest Airlines is generally a straightforward and customer-friendly process. With these steps and considerations, you're well-equipped to adjust your travel plans with confidence!
