Life happens, and sometimes your travel plans need a tweak. Whether it's a sudden change in schedule, a family emergency, or simply finding a better flight time, knowing how to modify your Southwest Airlines reservation can save you a lot of stress (and potentially money!). Southwest is renowned for its flexible policies, often making flight changes much simpler than with other airlines. So, let's dive into a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on how to change your flight on Southwest Airlines.
Ready to make those flight adjustments? Let's get started!
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| How Do You Change Your Flight On Southwest Airlines |
Step 1: Access Your Reservation
The very first thing you need to do is locate your booking. Southwest offers a few convenient ways to do this:
A. Logging into Your Southwest Account:
If you booked your flight while logged into your Rapid Rewards account, this is by far the easiest method. Simply visit the Southwest Airlines website (Southwest.com) or open the Southwest mobile app.
Click on "Log In" (or similar, typically found in the top right corner of the website or within the main menu of the app).
Enter your Rapid Rewards number or username and password.
Once logged in, navigate to "My Account" or "My Trips." You'll see a list of your upcoming flights. Find the one you wish to change.
B. Using Your Confirmation Number:
Don't have a Rapid Rewards account, or perhaps you booked as a guest? No problem! You'll need your confirmation number, which is a six-character alphanumeric code (e.g., ABCDE1). This is usually found in your original booking confirmation email.
Go to Southwest.com or open the mobile app.
Look for a section like "Manage Reservations" or "Change/Cancel Flight" (often located directly on the homepage or within the main navigation).
Enter your confirmation number, your first name, and your last name as they appear on the reservation.
Click "Search" or "Retrieve."
C. Via the Southwest Mobile App:
The Southwest mobile app is incredibly user-friendly for managing flights on the go.
After opening the app, you can either log in as per option A or use the "Lookup reservation" option by entering your confirmation number, first name, and last name.
Once your trip is displayed, you'll see options to manage it.
Tip: Read aloud to improve understanding.
Step 2: Initiate the Change Process
Once you've successfully accessed your reservation, you'll see details about your current flight.
Look for a button or link that says "Change Flight" or "Change/Cancel." This is your gateway to modifying your itinerary.
Important Note on Basic Fares: If your original booking was a Basic Fare, you generally cannot change it directly. To make a change, you'll first need to upgrade your reservation to a Wanna Get Away Plus®, Anytime, or Business Select® fare. This upgrade will incur a fare difference.
Step 3: Select Your New Flight
This is where you tell Southwest what you'd like to change!
A. Choose New Dates and/or Destinations:
You'll be prompted to enter your desired new departure date, new return date (if applicable), and new destination or origin if you're changing the route entirely.
Southwest's system will then display available flights that match your new criteria.
B. Review Available Flights and Fares:
The system will show you a list of flights with various times and corresponding fares. Pay close attention to the price difference.
One of Southwest's standout features is its no change fees policy. This means Southwest itself will not charge you an additional fee for making a change.
However, you will be responsible for any difference in fare between your original flight and your new selected flight.
If the new flight is more expensive, you'll need to pay the difference.
If the new flight is cheaper, the difference will be held as a flight credit for future use. For refundable fares (Anytime, Business Select, and some Wanna Get Away Plus), the difference may be refunded to your original form of payment. Flight credits issued from reservations booked or changed after May 28, 2025, will have a specified expiration date.
Tip: Skim only after you’ve read fully once.
Step 4: Handle Fare Differences and Payment (If Applicable)
A. Paying the Difference:
If your new flight is more expensive, you'll be directed to a payment screen. You can typically pay with a credit card, PayPal, or even use existing Southwest flight credits or LUV Vouchers.
If you booked with Rapid Rewards points: If the new flight requires more points, you'll need to use additional points from your Rapid Rewards account to cover the increase. If you don't have enough, you might have the option to purchase points.
B. Receiving a Flight Credit:
If your new flight is cheaper, the difference in fare will be issued as a flight credit. This credit will be tied to your original confirmation number or your Rapid Rewards account (if applicable).
Keep track of your flight credits! They can be valuable for future travel on Southwest.
Step 5: Confirm Your Changes
Before finalizing, you'll be presented with a summary of your original flight, the new flight, and any fare differences or credits.
Review all details carefully: dates, times, airports, and passenger names.
Once you are satisfied, click "Confirm Changes" or "Complete Purchase."
You will receive a new confirmation email (or an updated one if the confirmation number remains the same) detailing your revised itinerary. It's a good idea to save this email for your records.
Step 6: Special Scenarios & Considerations
While the general process is straightforward, a few situations require extra attention:
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A. Same-Day Flight Changes:
Southwest offers a fantastic "Same-Day Change" option. On your day of travel, if you have a Wanna Get Away Plus®, Anytime, or Business Select® fare (or are an A-List/A-List Preferred Member with any fare type except Basic), you can switch to another flight on the same calendar day between the same origin and destination airports, without paying a fare difference, provided there's an open seat.
This can be done online, through the app, or at the airport. You must make the change at least 10 minutes prior to your original scheduled departure.
B. Companion Pass Reservations:
If you're traveling with a Companion Pass, the process for changing flights is a bit more involved. You generally need to:
Cancel the linked Companion's flight first.
Change your flight (the primary Passenger's flight) to the desired date/time/destination.
Rebook the Companion's flight on the new itinerary.
Ensure a seat is available for your Companion on the new flight before proceeding.
C. Multiple Travelers on One Reservation:
If you need to change a flight for only one person on a reservation with multiple travelers, you must first divide the reservation. Southwest allows you to do this online in most cases. This creates separate confirmation numbers, allowing you to modify one traveler's itinerary independently.
D. Flights with Lap Children:
For flights involving a lap child, it's generally recommended to call a Southwest Airlines Customer Representative for assistance with changes, as the online system might not fully accommodate these specific circumstances.
E. Partner Itineraries:
If your reservation includes segments on a partner airline (which is less common with Southwest's direct route model but can occur), you will need to contact the partner carrier directly to make any changes. Their fare rules will apply.
F. 24-Hour Rule:
While Southwest has a generous change policy, remember the 24-hour rule for cancellations. If you cancel your reservation within 24 hours of booking, you are typically eligible for a full refund to your original form of payment, regardless of fare type. This isn't a change, but it's a useful policy to be aware of if your plans drastically change shortly after booking.
G. Missed Flights (No-Show Policy):
It's crucial to cancel or change your flight at least 10 minutes before its original scheduled departure time. If you fail to do so and don't show up for your flight, your reservation will be subject to Southwest's no-show policy, which may result in forfeiture of your travel funds or points, depending on the fare type.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions about changing flights on Southwest Airlines, with quick answers:
How to change my Southwest flight online? Go to Southwest.com, click "Change/Cancel Flight" or log in to "My Account," select your flight, and follow the prompts to choose new dates/times.
How to change a Southwest flight without paying a fee? Southwest does not charge a change fee; however, you will pay the difference if the new fare is higher. If the new fare is lower, you'll receive a flight credit.
How to change a Southwest flight with a Basic Fare? You cannot directly 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.
Tip: The middle often holds the main point.
How to make a same-day flight change on Southwest? On your day of travel, if eligible (Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, Business Select fares, or A-List/A-List Preferred), you can change to another flight on the same day between the same airports for free online, via the app, or at the airport, up to 10 minutes before original departure.
How to change a Southwest flight booked with Rapid Rewards points? Log in to your Rapid Rewards account, find your trip, and select "Change Flight." If the new flight requires more points, you'll use additional points from your account.
How to change a Southwest flight for only one person on a multi-person reservation? You must first "divide the reservation" online, which creates separate confirmation numbers for each traveler, allowing individual changes.
How to change a Southwest flight if I have a Companion Pass? First, cancel the Companion's flight. Then, change your flight. Finally, rebook your Companion on the new flight (ensuring availability).
How to cancel a Southwest flight and get a refund or credit? Cancel your flight at least 10 minutes before departure. Refundable fares (Anytime, Business Select) get a refund. Non-refundable fares (Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, Basic) receive a flight credit (which has an expiration date for bookings/changes on or after May 28, 2025).
How to find my Southwest flight confirmation number? Your confirmation number is a six-character code found in your original booking confirmation email from Southwest.
How to change a Southwest flight if it's less than 10 minutes before departure? If it's less than 10 minutes before your original scheduled departure, you may be subject to Southwest's no-show policy, and your funds or points could be forfeited. It's best to make changes as soon as possible.
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