Your Ultimate Guide to Changing Your Southwest Airlines Flight Date
Ever found yourself in a pickle, plans suddenly shifted, and that carefully booked flight date just isn't going to work anymore? Don't panic! If you're flying with Southwest Airlines, you're in luck. They're renowned for their incredibly flexible policies, especially when it comes to changing flights. Unlike many other airlines that hit you with hefty change fees, Southwest prides itself on making the process as smooth and affordable as possible.
So, are you ready to learn how to master the art of changing your Southwest flight date? Let's dive in!
Understanding Southwest's Flexible Flight Change Policy
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, it's crucial to understand why Southwest is so popular for flight changes. The airline has a no change fee policy. This means you won't be charged a separate fee just for modifying your flight. However, there's a key caveat: you may need to pay the difference in fare if your new flight is more expensive than your original booking. Conversely, if your new flight is cheaper, Southwest will issue you a travel credit for the difference, or a refund to the original form of payment if you purchased a refundable fare (like Anytime or Business Select).
This policy applies to most fare types, including Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, and Business Select. Basic fares, however, have different rules and generally cannot be changed directly without upgrading.
You can make changes up to 10 minutes before your original scheduled departure time. This gives you a remarkable amount of flexibility, even for last-minute adjustments.
Step 1: Let's Get Started! Accessing Your Reservation
The very first step in changing your flight date is to locate your existing reservation. Ready to do it?
How to Access Your Reservation:
There are a couple of convenient ways to pull up your booking:
Online via Southwest.com: This is often the easiest and most preferred method.
If you have a Southwest Rapid Rewards account and were logged in when you booked, simply log in to your account. Your upcoming trips will usually be displayed on your dashboard under "My Account" or "Upcoming Trips."
If you booked as a guest or prefer not to log in, you can still access your reservation by going to the "Manage Reservations" section on Southwest.com. You'll need your six-digit confirmation number, your first name, and your last name.
Via the Southwest Mobile App: The app offers a streamlined experience for managing your flights on the go.
Log in to your account on the app.
Your upcoming trips will be readily available.
Alternatively, if you don't have an account or didn't book while logged in, you can use the "Find My Trip" option and enter your confirmation number and name.
Once you've found your reservation, you'll see details about your current flight(s). Look for an option that says "Change Flight," "Modify Flight," or something similar.
Step 2: Selecting the Change Option
Now that you've accessed your reservation, it's time to initiate the change process.
Navigating the Change Interface:
Click or tap on the "Change Flight" or "Modify" button associated with the flight you wish to alter. If you have multiple flights in your itinerary, be sure to select the correct one.
For Round Trips/Multi-Leg Flights: If you booked a round trip, you'll typically be given the option to change just one leg of your journey or the entire trip. Be mindful of which flight segment you need to adjust.
For Reservations with Multiple Travelers: If your reservation includes more than one passenger and you only need to change the flight for a single traveler, you might need to "divide the reservation" first. Southwest allows you to do this online in most cases. This creates separate confirmation numbers for each passenger, allowing individual modifications. If you don't see this option or have trouble, you might need to call customer service.
Step 3: Choosing Your New Flight Date and Time
This is where you'll specify your new travel preferences.
Specifying Your New Travel Details:
After selecting "Change Flight," the system will prompt you to:
Select a New Date: Use the calendar tool to pick your desired new travel date.
Choose New Departure/Arrival Airports (Optional): While the primary focus is changing the date, Southwest also allows you to change your origin or destination, though this can sometimes result in a more significant fare difference. For simply changing the date, keep your origin and destination the same.
Browse Available Flights: Once you've entered your preferred new date (and potentially new airports), the system will display a list of available flights for that route and date. You'll see different times and potentially different fare types (Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, Business Select) with their corresponding prices.
Important Considerations When Choosing:
Fare Difference is Key: As you browse, pay close attention to the price listed for each new flight. This price reflects the total cost of the new flight. The system will then show you the fare difference between your original ticket and the new selection.
If the new flight is more expensive: You will need to pay this difference.
If the new flight is cheaper: Southwest will issue you a travel credit for the difference, which you can use for future travel (typically valid for 12 months from the original booking date). For refundable fares (Anytime, Business Select), the difference will be refunded to your original form of payment.
Time of Day Matters: Often, changing to a flight at a less popular time (e.g., very early morning or late night) might result in a smaller fare difference or even a credit.
Flexibility Pays Off: If your schedule allows, playing around with different dates and times around your desired new travel period can help you find the most economical option.
Step 4: Reviewing and Confirming Your Changes
You're almost there! This step is about double-checking everything before finalizing the modification.
Finalizing the Change:
Review Flight Details: Carefully review the new flight details: date, time, origin, destination, and most importantly, the fare difference (if any).
Confirm Passenger Information: Ensure all passenger details are correct for the new booking.
Payment (if applicable): If there's a fare difference that needs to be paid, you'll be prompted to enter your payment information.
Acknowledge Terms: You'll typically need to acknowledge Southwest's terms and conditions related to the change.
Click "Confirm Change" or "Purchase": Once you're satisfied with all the details and any payment has been processed, click the final confirmation button.
Step 5: Receiving Your New Confirmation
Success! You've officially changed your flight date.
What to Expect After Confirmation:
New Confirmation Email: Southwest will send you an email with your new confirmation number (if your original reservation was divided, or sometimes even for direct changes). This email will detail your updated itinerary and any fare difference paid or credit issued.
Updated Itinerary in Your Account/App: Your Southwest account and mobile app will also reflect your updated itinerary immediately.
Boarding Pass (Later): Remember that you'll still need to check in for your new flight within 24 hours of its departure to receive your boarding pass. Your original boarding position is not guaranteed for the new flight.
Special Scenarios and Tips:
Same-Day Change/Standby: On your day of travel, Southwest offers "Same-Day Change" and "Same-Day Standby" options for greater flexibility.
Same-Day Change: Allows you to change to another flight on the same calendar day between the same origin and destination if there's an open seat. As of May 28, 2025, free same-day change is generally available for Business Select, Anytime, and Wanna Get Away Plus fares. Basic fares, and A-List/A-List Preferred Members flying on Basic fares, are no longer eligible for free same-day changes and may incur a fare difference.
Same-Day Standby: This allows you to list for standby on an earlier flight. It's free of airline charges, but government taxes and fees may apply. A-List and A-List Preferred members still receive complimentary same-day standby, even on Basic fares. You can request to be added to the standby list at least 10 minutes before the original flight (30 minutes via app/mobile web).
Companion Pass Holders: If you have a Companion Pass linked to your original flight, you'll typically need to cancel your Companion's reservation first, change your flight, and then rebook your Companion on the new flight. Ensure there's availability for your Companion on the new flight before proceeding.
Lap Children: If your reservation includes a lap child, it's often best to call Southwest Customer Service directly for assistance with changing your flight.
Third-Party Bookings: If you booked your Southwest flight through a third-party website (like Expedia, Kayak, etc.), you must contact that third-party provider to make any changes. Southwest's direct policies will not apply in these cases, and the third-party's rules and fees will govern.
Name Changes: Generally, Southwest does not allow name changes on tickets. Minor typos might be fixable by calling customer service, but a complete name change usually requires canceling and rebooking (subject to fare rules).
Southwest's flexibility is a huge advantage for travelers. By understanding their policies and following these steps, you can confidently adjust your travel plans when life throws you a curveball!
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 frequently asked questions about changing Southwest flight dates, with quick answers:
How to change my Southwest flight online?
You can change your Southwest flight online by logging into your account or using your confirmation number under "Manage Reservations" on Southwest.com or the Southwest mobile app, then selecting the "Change Flight" option.
How to avoid a fee when changing my Southwest flight date?
Southwest Airlines does not charge a change fee. However, you may need to pay the difference if the new flight's fare is higher than your original fare. If the new flight is cheaper, you'll receive a travel credit.
How to change a Southwest flight with a Companion Pass?
If you have a Companion Pass linked, you typically need to cancel your Companion's reservation, change your flight, and then rebook your Companion on the new flight, ensuring availability.
How to change a Southwest flight on the same day of travel?
On the day of travel, you can make a "Same-Day Change" or opt for "Same-Day Standby." Eligibility and potential fare differences depend on your fare type and Rapid Rewards status. Check
How to find my Southwest flight confirmation number?
Your flight confirmation number is a six-digit code typically found in your booking confirmation email from Southwest. You can also find it by logging into your Southwest Rapid Rewards account under "My Trips."
How to get a refund if my new Southwest flight is cheaper?
If your new flight is cheaper, and you booked a refundable fare (Anytime or Business Select), the difference will be refunded to your original form of payment. For Wanna Get Away fares, the difference will be held as a travel credit for future use.
How to change a Southwest flight if I booked through a third party?
If you booked your Southwest flight through a third-party website (e.g., Expedia, Priceline), you must contact that third party directly to make any changes. Southwest cannot modify those reservations.
How to change a Southwest flight with a lap child?
For reservations including a lap child, it is generally recommended to call Southwest Airlines Customer Service at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) for assistance with flight changes.
How to change a Southwest flight after checking in?
Yes, you can change your Southwest flight even after checking in, as long as it's at least 10 minutes before your original scheduled departure time.
How to tell if my Southwest fare type allows changes?
Most Southwest fare types (Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, Business Select) allow changes without a change fee. Basic fares generally require an upgrade to a higher fare type before a change can be made. Always check the specific terms of your purchased fare.
