Life happens, right? Sometimes, your meticulously planned travel itinerary takes an unexpected turn. Perhaps a sudden meeting pops up, family plans shift, or you simply realize that that beach vacation would be even better a week later. Whatever the reason, if you're flying Southwest Airlines, you're in luck! Southwest is renowned for its incredibly flexible change policies, making it one of the most traveler-friendly airlines when it comes to adjusting your plans.
So, you need to change your flight on Southwest? Don't fret! Let's embark on this journey together to make those adjustments seamlessly.
The Southwest Difference: No Change Fees!
Before we dive into the "how-to," let's highlight what makes Southwest stand out: they generally do not charge change fees. This is a huge relief for travelers, as many other airlines can hit you with hefty charges just to modify your reservation. With Southwest, your primary concern will be any difference in fare between your original flight and the new one. If the new flight is cheaper, you'll receive a flight credit for the difference (or a refund to the original form of payment if you had a refundable fare). If it's more expensive, you'll simply pay the difference.
Ready to make that change? Let's go!
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| How Can I Change My Flight On Southwest Airlines |
Step 1: Identify Your Needs and Gather Your Information
Alright, before we start clicking buttons or dialing numbers, let's get organized. This initial step is crucial to a smooth process.
What exactly do you want to change? Are you looking for a different date, a different time on the same day, or even a completely different destination? Knowing this upfront will help you navigate the options.
Do you have your confirmation number handy? This unique six-character code (a mix of letters and numbers) is your golden ticket to accessing your reservation. You'll find it in your original booking confirmation email.
What's your last name (as it appears on the reservation)? You'll need this to pull up your booking.
Are you traveling alone, or are there multiple people on your reservation? If you're on a multi-person reservation and only one person needs to change their flight, you'll need to "divide" the reservation first. We'll cover that!
What kind of fare did you purchase? While Southwest is very flexible, understanding your fare type (e.g., Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, Business Select) can sometimes influence certain options, especially for same-day changes or refunds. Basic Fares generally require an upgrade to be changed.
Got all that? Excellent! Let's move on to the practical steps.
Step 2: Accessing Your Reservation
Southwest offers several convenient ways to access and modify your flight.
Sub-heading: Option A: The Southwest Airlines Website (Recommended for Most Changes)
Note: Skipping ahead? Don’t miss the middle sections.
This is generally the most straightforward and preferred method for changing your flight.
Open your web browser and navigate to the official Southwest Airlines website:
www.southwest.com Look for "Manage Reservations": On the homepage, you'll usually see a prominent section labeled "Manage Reservations" or "Check In / Manage." Click on it.
Enter your details: You'll be prompted to enter your:
Confirmation Number
First Name
Last Name
Click the "Search" or "Retrieve Reservation" button.
Sub-heading: Option B: The Southwest Airlines Mobile App
If you're on the go, the Southwest app is a fantastic tool.
Open the Southwest Airlines app on your smartphone or tablet.
Log in to your Rapid Rewards account (if you have one). This often makes managing trips even easier. If not, you can still access your reservation without logging in.
Navigate to "My Trips" or "View/Manage": You'll typically find this option on the main screen.
Enter your details: Similar to the website, you'll need your confirmation number, first name, and last name.
Sub-heading: Option C: Calling Customer Service
While online methods are usually quicker, sometimes a human touch is preferred or necessary.
Dial Southwest Airlines Customer Service: The main number for reservations and general inquiries in the US is 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792). For international numbers, check their official website's contact page.
Be prepared to provide your information: Have your confirmation number, full name, and details of your desired changes ready.
Be patient: Wait times can vary, especially during peak travel periods.
Step 3: Initiating the Change Process
Once you've successfully pulled up your reservation, you'll see your flight details.
Locate the "Change Flight" Option: On your reservation summary page, you should see a clear button or link that says "Change Flight." Click it!
Review your current itinerary: The system will display your original flight details.
Select the flight you wish to change: If you have multiple legs to your journey, select the specific flight segment you want to modify.
Sub-heading: Special Consideration: Changing a Reservation with Multiple Travelers
This is important! If you booked a reservation for multiple people (e.g., family or friends) and only one person needs to change their flight, you cannot simply change the whole reservation. Doing so would change it for everyone.
Instead, you'll need to divide the reservation:
QuickTip: Stop scrolling, read carefully here.
On the "Manage Reservations" page, after you've pulled up your booking, look for an option to "Divide Reservation" or similar.
Follow the prompts to separate the traveler(s) whose itinerary needs to be changed from the original reservation.
Once divided, the separated traveler(s) will receive a new confirmation number. You will then use this new confirmation number to proceed with changing their flight independently.
Pro-Tip: If you don't see the "Divide Reservation" option online, it's best to call Southwest Customer Service for assistance.
Step 4: Choosing Your New Flight
This is where you get to pick your new travel plans!
Select new date/time/destination: Southwest's system will guide you through selecting your preferred new date, time, and if applicable, a different destination.
Browse available flights: The system will then show you a list of available flights based on your selected criteria.
Review fare differences: Pay close attention here. For each available flight, you'll see the potential fare difference.
If the new flight is more expensive: The system will show you the additional amount you need to pay.
If the new flight is cheaper: You'll see the amount of credit you'll receive. This credit will be issued as a flight credit for future use (unless you booked a refundable fare, in which case it would return to your original payment method). Flight credits have an expiration date (typically one year from the original booking date), so make sure to note that!
Consider Same-Day Change/Standby (for day-of-travel flexibility):
Same-Day Confirmed Change: On your day of travel, if you need to hop on an earlier or later flight between the same origin and destination, you might be able to make a same-day confirmed change. This is usually free of airline charges, but a fare difference might still apply, especially for Wanna Get Away fares. Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, and Business Select fares often include this benefit.
Same-Day Standby: If a confirmed change isn't available or you're on a Wanna Get Away fare (and not A-List/A-List Preferred), you can list for same-day standby for an earlier flight. This allows you to retain your original flight while waiting for a seat to open up on an earlier one. You'll typically be added to the standby list at the airport or through the app/mobile web (at least 30 minutes prior to the desired flight's departure). If you clear standby, government taxes and fees may apply, but any fare difference is generally waived.
Step 5: Review and Confirm Your Changes
Almost there!
Review all details carefully: Before finalizing, double-check your new flight's date, time, origin, destination, and any associated fare difference or credit.
Check passenger details: Ensure all passenger information for the modified itinerary is correct.
Proceed to payment (if applicable): If there's an increased fare, you'll be prompted to enter your payment information.
Confirm the change: Once you're satisfied, click the "Confirm Change" or similar button.
Receive confirmation: You will receive a new confirmation email with your updated itinerary. Save this email! It contains your new confirmation number and all the details of your revised travel plans.
Sub-heading: What Happens to Your Bags and Boarding Pass?
Checked Bags: If you've already checked bags and then change your flight at the airport, discuss your bag situation with the Southwest agent.
Boarding Pass: Your old boarding pass will no longer be valid. You'll need to check in again for your new flight and receive a new boarding pass.
Step 6: Post-Change Considerations
Congratulations! You've successfully changed your Southwest flight. Here are a few final thoughts:
Companion Pass: If you were traveling with a Companion Pass holder and changed your flight, you might need to cancel and re-add your Companion to the new flight, ensuring a seat is available for them.
EarlyBird Check-In: If you purchased EarlyBird Check-In for your original flight, it does not automatically transfer to your new flight. You would need to purchase it again for the new flight, and the original EarlyBird fee is typically non-refundable unless the flight change was initiated by Southwest.
Rapid Rewards Points: If you booked with Rapid Rewards points and the new flight costs fewer points, the difference will be redeposited into your Rapid Rewards account. If it costs more, you'll need to pay the difference with additional points or a credit card.
Travel Funds Expiration: Remember that flight credits generally expire one year from the original booking date of the ticket that created the credit. Keep track of these!
10 Related FAQ Questions
QuickTip: Scan the start and end of paragraphs.
How to check my flight status on Southwest Airlines?
You can check your Southwest flight status on their website (southwest.com) by clicking "Flight Status" and entering your flight number, origin/destination airports, or route. You can also use their mobile app.
How to cancel a flight on Southwest Airlines?
To cancel a flight, go to "Manage Reservations" on the Southwest website or app, pull up your reservation, and select the "Cancel Flight" option. You can cancel up to 10 minutes before departure.
How to get a refund for a Southwest flight?
Refunds depend on your fare type: Business Select and Anytime fares are generally refundable to the original payment method. Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus fares are typically non-refundable but the value will be converted to a flight credit for future use. If you cancel within 24 hours of booking and your flight is at least 7 days away, you're eligible for a full refund regardless of fare type.
How to add a Companion to a Southwest flight?
After booking your flight, log in to your Rapid Rewards account, go to "My Trips," select your flight, and then choose the option to "Add Companion" if you have an active Companion Pass. Ensure there's an open seat on your flight for your companion.
How to use Southwest flight credit for a new booking?
When booking a new flight on southwest.com, proceed to the payment screen. You'll see an option to "Apply Travel Funds." Enter the confirmation number from your previous flight credit to apply the funds.
Tip: Break down complex paragraphs step by step.
How to perform a same-day change on Southwest Airlines?
On your day of travel, access your itinerary via the Southwest app, mobile web, or visit a Southwest agent at the airport. Look for "Same-Day Change" options. This allows you to switch to an earlier or later flight on the same day between the same cities, subject to availability. Fare differences may apply for Wanna Get Away fares, but not typically for Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, or Business Select.
How to get a refund if Southwest cancels my flight?
If Southwest Airlines cancels your flight, you are generally entitled to a full refund to your original form of payment, even if you had a non-refundable fare. You can typically request this online or by contacting customer service.
How to change the name on a Southwest flight ticket?
Southwest Airlines generally does not allow name changes on tickets. For minor typos, you might be able to contact customer service for assistance. For significant name changes, you would typically need to cancel the original reservation (receiving a flight credit if applicable) and rebook with the correct name.
How to rebook a flight due to a significant delay?
If your Southwest flight experiences a significant delay (generally 3+ hours domestic, 6+ hours international), you have options to rebook to another flight without a fare difference, or receive a refund if you choose not to travel. Southwest may automatically rebook you, or you can manage this in your reservation online.
How to contact Southwest Airlines customer service?
You can contact Southwest Airlines customer service by calling 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) within the US. For international numbers, or to find options like TTY services, visit the "Contact Us" section on their official website.
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