Navigating airline policies can feel like a maze, especially when your plans change. But with Southwest Airlines, changing your flight is often remarkably flexible. Unlike many other airlines that hit you with hefty change fees, Southwest prides itself on a more customer-friendly approach. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about changing your flight on Southwest Airlines, including potential costs, step-by-step instructions, and key considerations.
So, your plans have shifted? Don't sweat it!
Are you wondering how much it's going to cost you to adjust your Southwest flight? The good news is, for most fare types, Southwest does not charge a change fee. This is a significant advantage over many other carriers. However, that doesn't mean it's always entirely free. The primary cost you might encounter is a fare difference. This means if the new flight you select is more expensive than your original booking, you'll need to pay that difference. Conversely, if the new flight is cheaper, you might even get a refund or a flight credit!
Let's dive into the specifics.
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| How Much To Change My Flight On Southwest Airlines |
Understanding Southwest's Flight Change Policy
Southwest's policy is generally quite generous, but it's important to understand the nuances, especially concerning fare types. You can change your flight up until 10 minutes before your original scheduled departure time.
Key Principles of Southwest Flight Changes:
QuickTip: Repetition signals what matters most.
No Change Fees (Mostly!): Southwest famously does not charge a separate "change fee" for modifying your itinerary. This is a huge win for travelers seeking flexibility.
Fare Difference Applies: The most common cost associated with a flight change on Southwest is the difference in fare between your original flight and your new flight.
If the new fare is higher: You pay the difference.
If the new fare is lower:
For refundable fares (Anytime, Business Select), you'll receive a refund to your original form of payment.
For non-refundable fares (Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus), the difference will be held as a flight credit for future use.
Time Limit: You must change or cancel your flight at least 10 minutes prior to its original scheduled departure. Failure to do so will result in your reservation being subject to Southwest's no-show policy, and you could forfeit the value of your ticket (for non-refundable fares).
Dividing Reservations: If you have multiple travelers on one reservation and only want to change the flight for some of them, you'll need to divide the reservation first. This can usually be done online.
Lap Children: If you have a lap child on your reservation, you'll generally need to call Southwest Customer Service to make changes.
Partner Itineraries: If your booking involves a partner airline, you'll need to contact that specific partner carrier for assistance, as their fare rules will apply.
Step 1: Determine Your Fare Type and Its Implications
Before you initiate any changes, it's crucial to know which fare type you purchased, as this significantly impacts how fare differences and refunds are handled.
Wanna Get Away®: This is Southwest's most economical and common fare.
Changes: Allowed, but you'll pay any fare difference if the new flight is more expensive. If it's cheaper, the difference is held as a non-transferable flight credit.
Same-Day Change/Standby: Not eligible for free same-day changes unless you are an A-List or A-List Preferred member and the original booking was made before May 28, 2025. For bookings made on or after May 28, 2025, Basic fares (formerly Wanna Get Away) are not eligible for free same-day confirmed changes, even for elite members. However, A-List and A-List Preferred members may still be eligible for same-day standby on Basic fares.
Wanna Get Away Plus®: A newer fare that offers more flexibility.
Changes: Allowed, with fare difference applied. If cheaper, the difference is held as a transferable flight credit (a significant perk!).
Same-Day Change: Eligible for free same-day confirmed changes if there's an open seat on a different flight between the same cities on the same calendar day. Taxes and fees may still apply, but airline charges are waived.
Anytime®: Offers more flexibility than Wanna Get Away fares.
Changes: Allowed, with fare difference applied. If cheaper, you receive a refund to your original form of payment.
Same-Day Change: Eligible for free same-day confirmed changes.
Business Select®: Southwest's most flexible and premium fare.
Changes: Allowed, with fare difference applied. If cheaper, you receive a refund to your original form of payment.
Same-Day Change: Eligible for free same-day confirmed changes.
Step 2: Access Your Reservation
Southwest makes it quite easy to manage your bookings online or through their app.
Option A: Online via Southwest.com
Head 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 section for "Manage Reservations" or "Check In/Manage." Click on this.
Enter Your Information: You'll need to provide your confirmation number, first name, and last name associated with the booking. Click "Search" or "Retrieve Reservation."
Log In (Optional, but Recommended): If you have a Rapid Rewards account and booked while logged in, you can often simply log in to your account and find your upcoming trips listed. This is generally the easiest method.
Tip: Rest your eyes, then continue.
Option B: Using the Southwest Airlines Mobile App
Download and Open the App: If you don't already have it, download the Southwest Airlines mobile app from your device's app store (iOS or Android).
Log In or Access as Guest: Log in to your Rapid Rewards account. If you prefer not to log in, you can often find a "Manage Trip" or "Check In" section where you can enter your confirmation details.
Find Your Trip: Once logged in, your upcoming trips will usually be displayed on the home screen or under a "My Trips" section.
Step 3: Initiate the Change Process
Once you've accessed your reservation, the process for changing your flight is straightforward.
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Select the "Change" Option: On your reservation details page, you should see a prominent "Change Flight" or "Change" button. Click on it.
Choose the Flight Segment (If Applicable): If your reservation is for a round trip or multiple segments, you'll be prompted to select which flight segment you wish to change.
Explore New Flight Options: Southwest will then present you with options to search for new flights. You can typically adjust:
Date: Select a new travel date.
Time: Choose a different departure time on the same day.
Origin/Destination: Change your departure or arrival airport. Be mindful that changing origin or destination will almost certainly result in a fare difference, as it's essentially booking a new route.
Review Available Flights and Fares: The system will display available flights for your chosen criteria, along with their current prices. This is where you'll see the potential fare difference. Look for flights that fit your new schedule and budget. The system will clearly show you if the new flight is cheaper, more expensive, or the same price.
Select Your New Flight(s): Choose the flight(s) that work best for your revised plans.
Step 4: Understand and Manage Fare Differences
This is where the "how much" comes into play. Southwest's system is very transparent about this.
Review the Price Summary: Before you confirm the change, Southwest will provide a detailed summary showing:
Original Fare Paid
New Fare
Difference Due (or Credit Due)
Payment (If Applicable): If there's a fare difference due (i.e., the new flight is more expensive), you'll be prompted to provide payment information to cover that difference.
Refund or Flight Credit (If Applicable):
If you have a refundable fare (Anytime, Business Select) and the new flight is cheaper, the difference will be automatically refunded to your original form of payment.
If you have a non-refundable fare (Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus) and the new flight is cheaper, the difference will be held as a flight credit. Make sure to note the confirmation number for this credit, as it will be used for future bookings. For credits from flights booked or changed on or after May 28, 2025, these credits will have a 12-month expiration date from the original ticketing date.
Step 5: Confirm Your Changes
QuickTip: A short pause boosts comprehension.
Final Review: Double-check all the details of your new itinerary, including dates, times, airports, and the final cost (or credit).
Confirm Change: Click the "Confirm" or "Complete Change" button.
Receive New Confirmation: Southwest will send you a new confirmation email with your updated itinerary. Keep this email handy!
Special Scenarios & Considerations
Same-Day Confirmed Change: If you're looking to change to an earlier or later flight on the same calendar day between the same origin and destination, and your fare type is Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, or Business Select, you might be eligible for a free same-day confirmed change. This means you won't pay a fare difference even if the new flight's published fare is higher. You can typically do this online, via the app, or at the airport kiosk/ticket counter.
Same-Day Standby: For A-List and A-List Preferred members, or those on Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, or Business Select fares, you can still list for same-day standby on an earlier flight. This means you'll only be accommodated if space is available, and your seat isn't guaranteed.
Changing Flights with a Companion Pass: If you have a Companion Pass reservation, the process requires a slight detour:
Cancel the linked Companion's flight first.
Change your flight to the desired date/time/destination.
Rebook the Companion's flight onto your new itinerary.
Name Corrections: Southwest does allow for minor name corrections (e.g., misspellings) on tickets. This usually requires calling customer service and may require documentation. A complete change of name to a different person is generally not allowed; a new ticket would need to be purchased.
Missed Flights: If you miss your flight, you have a couple of options. If you check in with a Southwest Ticket Desk within two hours of your missed flight's departure, they may be able to get you on the next available flight to your destination as a standby passenger. If you don't check in within that window, your reservation may be canceled. For Anytime or Business Select tickets, you might receive a transferable flight credit; for Wanna Get Away or Wanna Get Away Plus tickets, the funds may be forfeited. Always try to change or cancel before the 10-minute deadline!
Final Thoughts on "How Much"
The beauty of Southwest's policy lies in its simplicity and transparency. While you might still pay more if your new flight is more expensive, you won't be hit with an additional, arbitrary change fee just for making the modification. This allows for greater peace of mind when booking, knowing your plans aren't set in stone. Always double-check the current fare at the time of change to understand any potential difference.
Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 common "How to" questions related to changing your Southwest Airlines flight:
How to check if my fare is refundable or non-refundable on Southwest? You can check your fare type on your original booking confirmation email or by logging into your Southwest account and reviewing the details of your reservation under "My Trips." The fare rules will explicitly state if it's refundable (Anytime, Business Select) or non-refundable (Basic, Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus).
QuickTip: Don’t rush through examples.
How to change my Southwest flight without paying a fare difference? You can only change your Southwest flight without paying a fare difference if the new flight you select is the same price or cheaper than your original flight. If the new flight is cheaper, you'll receive a refund (for refundable fares) or a flight credit (for non-refundable fares). For same-day changes, if you have a Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, or Business Select fare (or were A-List/A-List Preferred with a Basic fare booked before May 28, 2025), you can often make a same-day confirmed change without a fare difference, only paying any applicable government taxes/fees.
How to change a Southwest flight for just one person in a group reservation? To change a flight for only one traveler in a reservation with multiple people, you must first divide the reservation. This option is usually available online when you manage your booking. Once divided, you'll receive a new confirmation number for the separated traveler, allowing you to modify their flight independently.
How to make a same-day change on Southwest Airlines? You can attempt a same-day change online via Southwest.com, through the Southwest mobile app, or by speaking with a Southwest Customer Service Agent at the airport or over the phone. Remember that free same-day confirmed changes are typically available for Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, or Business Select fares.
How to use a flight credit from a changed Southwest flight? When you book a new flight on Southwest.com or the app, during the payment step, you'll see an option to apply a "Travel Funds" or "Flight Credit." You'll need the confirmation number from your original, changed flight to apply the credit.
How to change my Southwest flight if I booked with Rapid Rewards points? If you booked your flight using Rapid Rewards points, changing it works similarly to cash bookings. If the new flight costs more points, you'll need to pay the difference in points from the original Rapid Rewards account. If it costs fewer points, the difference will be returned to your Rapid Rewards account.
How to change a Southwest flight when I have a lap child on my reservation? For reservations that include a lap child, it is generally recommended to call Southwest Airlines Customer Service directly to make any changes. This ensures that the lap child's information is correctly transferred to the new flight.
How to cancel my Southwest flight instead of changing it? You can cancel your Southwest flight online via Southwest.com or through the mobile app by going to "Manage Reservations" and selecting the "Cancel" option. Depending on your fare type, you'll either receive a refund to your original payment method (Anytime, Business Select) or a flight credit (Basic, Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus).
How to correct a misspelled name on my Southwest Airlines ticket? For minor name corrections, such as misspellings, you'll generally need to contact Southwest Airlines Customer Service. They can assist you with the correction, and you may need to provide identification to verify the correct spelling. There are typically no fees for simple spelling corrections.
How to find out the current price of a Southwest flight before changing? You can easily check the current price of a flight by performing a new flight search on Southwest.com or the mobile app for the desired date, time, and route. This will give you a clear indication of the fare difference you might encounter if you proceed with a change.
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