The Ultimate Guide to Changing Your Southwest Airlines Flight Date
Life happens, and sometimes, those perfectly planned travel dates need a little tweaking. Whether it's an unexpected meeting, a sudden family event, or simply a change of heart, the good news is that Southwest Airlines has one of the most flexible flight change policies in the industry. Unlike many other airlines that hit you with hefty change fees, Southwest stands out by allowing you to modify your itinerary without a penalty. However, there are still a few key things to understand to navigate the process smoothly.
Ready to take control of your travel plans? Let's dive in!
Step 1: Are You Eligible for a Change? Check Your Fare Type!
Before you even think about clicking buttons, the very first thing you need to do is understand your Southwest fare type. This is crucial as it dictates how your change will be handled.
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| How To Change Flight Date Southwest Airlines |
A. Understanding Southwest Fare Types:
Basic: This is Southwest's newest and most restrictive fare. If you booked a Basic fare, you cannot directly change your flight. You'll need to upgrade your reservation to a Wanna Get Away Plus®, Anytime, or Business Select® fare first to make changes. If you cancel, any remaining value will be a flight credit with a specified expiration date.
Wanna Get Away®: This is a popular, often low-cost option. While you won't pay a change fee, if there's a difference in fare for your new flight, you will either pay the increase or receive a flight credit for the difference (if the new fare is lower). These credits typically have an expiration date.
Wanna Get Away Plus®: A step up from Wanna Get Away, this fare offers more flexibility. Not only do you avoid change fees, but it also includes the benefit of Transferable Flight Credit™. This means if you cancel, you can transfer your flight credit to another Rapid Rewards Member, a fantastic perk! You also qualify for free same-day changes.
Anytime: As the name suggests, this fare provides significant flexibility. It's generally refundable to your original form of payment if canceled at least 10 minutes before departure. You can make changes without a fee, and you'll either pay or receive the fare difference. Anytime fares also offer free same-day changes and standby options.
Business Select®: This is Southwest's most premium fare, offering maximum flexibility and perks. It's fully refundable to your original payment method if canceled at least 10 minutes before departure, and you can change flights without a fee, with fare differences applied. Business Select also includes free same-day changes, A1-A15 boarding, and a premium drink.
Engage User: So, have you checked your booking confirmation? Do you know what fare type you have? Knowing this will save you a lot of time and potential frustration!
Step 2: Choose Your Method: Online, App, or Phone?
Southwest makes changing your flight incredibly convenient, offering multiple avenues. The easiest and quickest methods are usually online or via their mobile app.
A. Online via Southwest.com (Recommended for most changes):
This is generally the most straightforward way to manage your reservation.
QuickTip: Revisit posts more than once.
B. Southwest Mobile App:
If you prefer to manage things on the go, the mobile app is just as intuitive as the website.
C. Phone Call to Customer Service:
While often not necessary for simple date changes, calling customer service is an option, especially for more complex situations (e.g., changes involving a lap child, group bookings, or if you encounter issues online). Southwest Customer Service: 1-800-435-9792
Step 3: The Step-by-Step Online Process (Your Go-To Method!)
Let's walk through the most common scenario: changing your flight date online.
A. Accessing Your Reservation:
Go to Southwest.com: Open your web browser and navigate to the official Southwest Airlines website.
Locate "Manage Reservations": On the homepage, you'll typically find a "Manage Reservations" or "Check In/Manage" section. Click on it.
Enter Your Information: You'll need your Confirmation Number, your First Name, and your Last Name. Ensure these match exactly what's on your original booking.
Pro Tip: If you have a Rapid Rewards account and were logged in when you booked, your trip should appear under "My Account" or "My Trips." This is often the easiest way to find it!
B. Initiating the Change:
Find Your Flight: Once you've entered your details, your flight itinerary will appear. Look for the flight you wish to change.
Click "Change Flight": There will be a clear option, often a button or link, that says "Change Flight." Click this to begin the modification process.
C. Selecting Your New Flight:
Choose New Dates and/or Times: The system will prompt you to select your desired new date(s) and potentially new times for your flight. You'll see available flights with their corresponding fares.
Important Note: Southwest doesn't charge a "change fee," but you will be responsible for any fare difference. This means if your new flight is more expensive, you'll pay the difference. If it's cheaper, Southwest will issue you a flight credit for the difference (or a refund if you have a refundable fare like Anytime or Business Select).
Review Fare Differences: The system will clearly display the original fare and the new fare, along with any difference you owe or will receive as a credit/refund. Pay close attention here! This is where you'll see the financial impact of your change.
Select Your Preferred New Flight: Browse the available options and select the flight that best suits your new schedule and budget.
D. Confirming Your Changes:
QuickTip: Skim the ending to preview key takeaways.
Review Your New Itinerary: Before finalizing, the website will present a summary of your new flight details, including the date, time, and any fare adjustments. Double-check everything carefully.
Confirm and Pay (if applicable): If there's an increased fare, you'll be prompted to provide payment information. Once confirmed (with or without payment), you'll receive a new confirmation email with your updated itinerary.
Don't Forget: If you have a Companion Pass and your companion was linked to your original reservation, you'll likely need to cancel their reservation first, change your flight, and then re-add them to your new flight. The system usually guides you through this, but it's a common step.
Step 4: Special Considerations & Tips for a Smooth Change
While Southwest's policy is generous, keeping these points in mind can make the process even smoother.
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A. Same-Day Changes and Standby:
Same-Day Confirmed Change: For Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, and Business Select fares, you can make a same-day confirmed change for free if there's an open seat on a different flight between the same cities on the same calendar day. This can be done online, via the app, or at the airport.
Same-Day Standby: If a confirmed change isn't available, you can often list for same-day standby on an earlier flight. For most fares (Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, Business Select), this is free. A-List and A-List Preferred Members can even use same-day standby with Basic fares. You can request to be added to the standby list at the airport with a Southwest Customer Service Agent or via the Southwest app/mobile web. Note: Standby does not guarantee a seat.
B. Timing is Key:
You can change your flight up until 10 minutes before your original scheduled departure time. Missing this window can result in your reservation being subject to the no-show policy, where you might forfeit the value of your ticket (especially for Wanna Get Away and Basic fares).
C. Rapid Rewards Points Bookings:
If you booked with Rapid Rewards points, the process is similar. If your new flight costs more points, you'll need to have enough additional points in your account to cover the difference. If it costs fewer points, the difference will be redeposited into your Rapid Rewards account.
D. Companion Pass Holders:
As mentioned, if you're traveling with a Companion Pass, remember the sequence: cancel your companion's linked flight, change your flight, then re-add your companion. This is a critical step to ensure your companion can still travel with you.
E. Divided Reservations:
If you're on a reservation with multiple travelers and only one person needs a change, you might need to divide the reservation first. Southwest's online system or app often allows you to do this without calling.
F. Basic Fares - The New Kids on the Block:
Since May 28, 2025, Southwest introduced "Basic" fares, which are the most restrictive. If you have a Basic fare and need to change, you must upgrade to a higher fare class (Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, or Business Select) to do so. This will involve paying the fare difference for the upgrade, plus any fare difference for the new flight.
QuickTip: Reread tricky spots right away.
Final Thoughts: Embrace the Flexibility!
Southwest Airlines truly distinguishes itself with its no-change-fee policy. While you'll still contend with potential fare differences, the ability to modify your travel plans without an additional penalty is a huge advantage. By understanding your fare type and following these steps, you can confidently adjust your flight date and keep your travel stress-free.
10 Related FAQ Questions:
How to check my Southwest fare type?
You can find your fare type on your original booking confirmation email or by logging into your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com or the mobile app and viewing your upcoming trip details.
How to change a Southwest flight with a Companion Pass?
First, cancel your Companion's linked reservation. Then, change your own flight. After your flight is confirmed, go back to your new reservation and re-add your Companion.
How to change a Southwest flight if I booked with Rapid Rewards points?
Log into your Rapid Rewards account, find your reservation, and select "Change Flight." If the new flight costs more points, you'll need to have enough in your account. If it costs less, the difference will be redeposited.
How to avoid paying a fare difference when changing a Southwest flight?
You can try to find a new flight on the same route that costs the same or less than your original fare. If the new flight is cheaper, you'll receive a flight credit or refund for the difference, but you won't incur an additional cost.
Tip: Revisit challenging parts.
How to change a Southwest flight on the day of travel?
For Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, or Business Select fares, you can make a same-day confirmed change online, via the app, or at the airport, usually without an airline fee, though a fare difference may apply. You can also list for same-day standby.
How to cancel a Southwest flight instead of changing it?
Go to "Manage Reservations" on Southwest.com or the app, find your flight, and select "Cancel Flight." Depending on your fare type, you'll receive a refund to your original payment method (Anytime, Business Select) or a flight credit (Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, Basic).
How to deal with a "no-show" on Southwest?
If you don't cancel your flight at least 10 minutes before departure and don't show up, your reservation will be subject to Southwest's no-show policy. For Basic and Wanna Get Away fares, you may forfeit the ticket value. For other fares, the value might convert to a flight credit.
How to change a Basic fare on Southwest Airlines?
You cannot directly change a Basic fare. You must first upgrade your reservation to a Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, or Business Select fare. This will involve paying the fare difference for the upgrade, plus any difference for the new flight.
How to divide a Southwest reservation to change one passenger's flight?
Southwest's website and mobile app often provide an option within "Manage Reservations" to "Divide Travelers" or similar, allowing you to separate a single traveler's itinerary from a multi-person booking before making changes.
How to rebook a Southwest flight if it was canceled by the airline?
If Southwest cancels your flight, they will often rebook you automatically. If the new itinerary doesn't work, you can usually change your flight date/time within a certain window (e.g., 14 days from original travel) at no additional cost, or request a refund.
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