It happens to the best of us: plans change. Whether it's a sudden work meeting, a last-minute family event, or just a change of heart, needing to adjust your flight details is a common occurrence. And when you're flying Southwest Airlines, you're in luck! They are renowned for their flexible policies, especially when it comes to changing flights.
But how exactly do you go about it? Don't worry, we've got you covered with a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to navigating the Southwest flight change process. Let's dive in!
How Do I Change My Southwest Airlines Flight? Your Ultimate Guide
Ready to get started? Let's figure out how to get your travel plans back on track.
 |
| How Do I Change My Southwest Airlines Flight |
Step 1: Assess Your Situation – What Kind of Change Do You Need?
Before you even log in, take a moment to consider the specifics of your desired change. This will help you anticipate any potential fare differences and streamline the process.
1.1. What's Changing?
Date Change: Do you need to fly on a different day entirely?
Time Change: Are you simply looking for an earlier or later flight on the same day?
Destination/Origin Change: Are you changing where you're flying from or to? (Keep in mind this is a more significant change and may be treated differently).
Traveler Change: Are you changing a name on the reservation or removing a traveler? (Note: Southwest flights are generally non-transferable, meaning you can't change the person flying, but you can change the flight for an existing traveler.)
1.2. What Fare Type Did You Book?
Southwest offers several fare types, and understanding yours is key:
Basic Fare: This is their most restrictive fare. While Southwest doesn't charge a change fee per se, if you want to change a Basic fare, you'll likely need to upgrade it to a Wanna Get Away Plus®, Anytime, or Business Select® fare.
Wanna Get Away Plus®: Offers more flexibility than Basic, including free same-day confirmed changes (though taxes and fees may still apply) and transferable flight credits.
Anytime: Highly flexible, offering refundable options and often free same-day confirmed changes.
Business Select®: Their most premium fare, offering maximum flexibility, refunds, and various perks.
Knowing your fare type will help you understand the implications of your change, particularly regarding potential fare differences and credits.
1.3. When Are You Making the Change?
Well in Advance: If you're changing your flight days or weeks ahead, you'll likely have more options and potentially avoid last-minute availability issues.
Same-Day: Southwest has specific policies for same-day changes and standby, which can be a great option if you need to adjust your travel plans on the day of your flight.
Step 2: Choose Your Method of Change – Online, App, or Phone?
Southwest provides multiple convenient ways to modify your reservation. Pick the one that suits you best!
Tip: Reread tricky sentences for clarity.
2.1. Online (Recommended for Most Changes)
This is often the quickest and most straightforward way to change your flight.
Visit the Southwest Airlines Website: Go to Southwest.com.
Log In to Your Account (if applicable): If you have a Rapid Rewards account and booked while logged in, sign in. This will make it easier to find your trips.
Go to "My Trips": In the top navigation bar, you'll find a "My Trips" or "Manage Reservations" section. Click on it.
Retrieve Your Reservation:
If logged in, your upcoming trips should appear. Select the flight you wish to change.
If not logged in, you'll need your confirmation number, first name, and last name to look up your reservation.
Click "Change Flight": Once you've located your reservation, you'll see options to "Change Flight" or "Cancel Flight." Select "Change Flight."
Select New Flight Details: The system will prompt you to enter your new desired dates, times, and/or destinations.
Review Available Flights and Fare Differences: Southwest will display available flights and any fare differences.
If the new flight is more expensive: You will need to pay the difference in fare. Southwest does not charge a separate change fee, but the fare difference is what you'll owe.
If the new flight is cheaper: For most fares (Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, Business Select), you'll receive a flight credit for the difference. For Wanna Get Away and Basic fares, the difference will typically be held as a non-transferable flight credit for future use by the original passenger.
Confirm Your Changes: Follow the prompts to complete the change. You'll receive a new confirmation email if your reservation number changes.
2.2. Southwest Mobile App
The Southwest app offers a similar user experience to the website and is great for on-the-go changes.
Open the Southwest App: Ensure you have the latest version downloaded.
Log In: Sign in to your Rapid Rewards account.
Navigate to "My Trips": Find your upcoming trips.
Select Your Flight: Tap on the reservation you want to modify.
Tap "Change Flight": Proceed with selecting your new flight details.
Review and Confirm: Just like online, you'll see any fare differences. Complete the process to finalize the change.
2.3. By Phone (for Complex Cases or Assistance)
While online and app changes are generally encouraged, sometimes you might need to speak to a human.
Call Southwest Customer Service: Dial 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792).
Have Your Information Ready: Be prepared to provide your confirmation number, full name, and details of the changes you want to make.
Explain Your Request: Clearly communicate what you'd like to change. The representative will guide you through the available options and any associated fare differences.
Confirm Changes: Once the changes are made, ask for a new confirmation number or an updated itinerary to be sent to your email.
2.4. At the Airport (for Same-Day Changes or Last-Minute Issues)
If you're already at the airport and need a last-minute adjustment, you can approach a Southwest customer service agent at the ticket counter or departure gate. This is particularly useful for same-day changes or standby requests.
Step 3: Understanding Fare Differences and Credits
This is where Southwest's policy truly shines, but it's important to grasp how it works.
3.1. No Traditional Change Fees!
Southwest is famous for not charging traditional flight change fees. This means you won't pay a flat penalty simply for altering your itinerary. This is a significant advantage over many other airlines.
3.2. The Catch: Fare Difference
Tip: A slow, careful read can save re-reading later.
While there's no change fee, you will pay the difference in fare if your new flight is more expensive than your original flight. The price of flights fluctuates constantly, so a flight that was cheaper when you booked might be more expensive now.
3.3. What if the New Flight is Cheaper?
 |
This is the best-case scenario!
Refundable Fares (Anytime, Business Select): If you change to a cheaper flight, you'll generally receive a refund for the difference to your original form of payment.
Non-Refundable Fares (Wanna Get Away Plus, Wanna Get Away, Basic): If your new flight costs less, the difference will be held as a flight credit or transferable flight credit (depending on your fare type and when it was booked/changed) for future use. These credits generally have an expiration date (often 12 months from the original booking date, or a specified date for credits created from bookings/changes made on or after May 28, 2025).
3.4. Travel Funds and Their Use
When you receive a flight credit, it's typically tied to the original confirmation number and passenger.
Flight Credits: Can only be used by the original traveler.
Transferable Flight Credits™ (from Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, Business Select fares booked/changed on or after May 28, 2025): Can be transferred to another Rapid Rewards Member, allowing for more flexibility.
Step 4: Special Scenarios & Important Considerations
Navigating changes can have nuances, so here are a few specific situations to be aware of:
4.1. Same-Day Confirmed Change & Same-Day Standby
Same-Day Confirmed Change: For Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, and Business Select fares (as of May 28, 2025), you can change to another flight on the same calendar day between the same origin and destination for free, provided there's an open seat. You'll still pay any government taxes and fees, but these are typically refunded. A-List and A-List Preferred members who purchased Basic fares are no longer eligible for free same-day changes.
Same-Day Standby: If a confirmed seat isn't available for a same-day change, or if you have a Basic fare and are an A-List/A-List Preferred member, you can often list for standby on an earlier flight. This means you'll only get on if a seat becomes available.
4.2. Southwest Initiated Flight Changes/Cancellations
If Southwest makes a significant change to your flight (e.g., a delay of 3+ hours domestically or 6+ hours internationally, or a cancellation), you have more flexibility:
You can change your flight to a new date/time within 14 days of your original travel date without a fare difference.
You are also eligible for a full refund to your original form of payment, even for non-refundable tickets, if you decide not to travel.
4.3. Companion Pass Reservations
If you have a Companion Pass and your companion is linked to your reservation, the process is a bit different:
Cancel the linked Companion's flight first.
Change your flight to the new date/time/destination.
Rebook the Companion's flight after your flight is confirmed. Ensure there's availability for your companion on the new flight.
Tip: Read slowly to catch the finer details.
4.4. Group Bookings & Partner Itineraries
Group Bookings: May have specific change procedures. It's best to consult your group coordinator or Southwest's group travel services.
Partner Itineraries: If your booking involves a partner airline, you'll need to contact that specific carrier to make changes, and their fare rules will apply.
4.5. Changes to Reservations with a Lap Child
If you're traveling with a lap child, it's recommended to call Southwest Customer Service for assistance with flight changes, as online changes might be restricted.
Step 5: Double-Check and Confirm!
Once you've made your changes:
Review the New Itinerary: Carefully check the dates, times, and airports to ensure everything is correct.
Check Your Email: Southwest will send you a confirmation email with your updated itinerary. Keep this for your records.
Verify Any Credits/Refunds: If you were due a credit or refund, monitor your Southwest account or bank statement to ensure it's processed correctly.
Changing a Southwest flight is generally a straightforward and customer-friendly process. By understanding their policies and using the available tools, you can easily adjust your travel plans with minimal hassle!
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some quick answers to common questions about changing Southwest flights:
How to: Change my Southwest flight without paying a fee?
Southwest does not charge a flight change fee. However, you will pay the difference in fare if the new flight is more expensive. If the new flight is cheaper, you'll receive a flight credit (or a refund for refundable fares).
How to: Change a Southwest flight that was booked with Rapid Rewards points?
You can change flights booked with points just like cash tickets. If the new flight costs more points, you'll need to use additional points from the original Rapid Rewards account. If it's cheaper, the difference in points will be credited back to your Rapid Rewards account.
How to: Handle a fare difference when changing a Southwest flight?
QuickTip: Treat each section as a mini-guide.
If the new flight is more expensive, you'll pay the difference. If it's cheaper, you'll receive a flight credit for future use (for non-refundable fares) or a refund (for refundable fares).
How to: Make a same-day change on Southwest?
For Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, and Business Select fares, you can make a free same-day confirmed change online, via the app, or at the airport, provided there's an open seat on a flight departing the same calendar day between the same origin and destination. Basic fares are generally not eligible unless you upgrade.
How to: Know if my Southwest flight change is eligible for a refund instead of a credit?
If you booked a Business Select or Anytime fare and change to a cheaper flight, you'll generally receive a refund. Also, if Southwest significantly changes or cancels your original flight, you're eligible for a refund to your original form of payment, regardless of fare type.
How to: Change a Southwest flight if I have a Companion Pass?
You must first cancel your companion's reservation, then change your flight, and finally rebook your companion on the new flight, ensuring availability.
How to: Change my Basic fare Southwest flight?
To change a Basic fare, you typically need to upgrade your reservation to a Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, or Business Select fare, and then proceed with the change, paying any resulting fare difference.
How to: Find my Southwest confirmation number to change a flight?
Your confirmation number is typically found in your original booking confirmation email. If you have a Rapid Rewards account, you can also find it under "My Trips" when you log in.
How to: Cancel a Southwest flight if I can't change it?
If changing isn't an option or you no longer wish to travel, you can cancel your flight. For non-refundable fares, the value will be held as a flight credit. For refundable fares, you can receive a refund. Ensure you cancel at least 10 minutes before departure to avoid a no-show forfeiture.
How to: Use Southwest flight credits for a new booking?
When booking a new flight online, look for the "Apply Flight Credits, LUV Vouchers, and gift cards" option in the payment section. Enter the original confirmation number and passenger name to apply the credit.
 |
