Are you ready to embark on an incredible journey that takes you to multiple exciting destinations, all while enjoying the legendary flexibility and value of Southwest Airlines? Booking a multi-city trip can seem a bit daunting at first, but trust me, with this comprehensive, step-by-step guide, you'll be navigating the Southwest website like a seasoned pro in no time!
Let's dive in and unlock the secrets to planning your perfect multi-city adventure with Southwest!
The Magic of Multi-City Travel with Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines is renowned for its unique approach to air travel, offering a robust network of direct flights and a customer-friendly experience. While they don't operate on a traditional "hub-and-spoke" model with connecting flights in the same way some other airlines do, their multi-city booking option is perfect for creating seamless itineraries with multiple stops. This means you can visit friends and family in one city, then jet off to a different vacation spot, all on one convenient reservation.
Let's get started on how to make this happen!
 |
| How To Book Multi City On Southwest Airlines |
Step 1: Get Started – Open the Southwest Airlines Website
Your multi-city adventure begins with a simple click!
QuickTip: Scan for summary-style sentences.
1.1. Navigate to the Official Southwest Airlines Website: Open your preferred web browser and go to
Southwest.com. This is your starting point for all bookings, changes, and information.Pro-Tip: Bookmark this page for easy access in the future!
1.2. Locate the "Book a Flight" Section: On the Southwest homepage, you'll immediately see the "Book a Flight" search widget. This is where you input your travel details.
Step 2: Select the "Multi-City" Option
This is the crucial step that sets your multi-city journey apart from a standard round-trip or one-way flight.
2.1. Change Your Trip Type: Within the "Book a Flight" widget, you'll see options for "Round Trip," "One-Way," and "Multi-City." Click on the "Multi-City" tab. This will expand the input fields to allow for multiple flight segments.
Notice how the interface adjusts to accommodate your complex travel plans.
Step 3: Input Your First Flight Segment
Think of your multi-city trip as a series of one-way flights strung together. You'll input each leg individually.
3.1. Enter Origin and Destination for Leg 1:
"Depart:" Enter the airport code or city name for your first departure city. As you type, a dropdown list will appear, helping you select the correct airport.
"Arrive:" Enter the airport code or city name for your first destination city.
"Depart Date:" Click on the calendar icon and select the departure date for this first leg of your journey.
3.2. Specify Time of Day (Optional but Helpful): You'll see an "Time of Day (Optional)" dropdown. If you have a preference for morning, afternoon, or evening flights, select it here. This can help narrow down your search results.
Step 4: Add Subsequent Flight Segments
Tip: The details are worth a second look.
This is where the multi-city magic truly happens!
4.1. Click "Add another flight": After filling in the details for your first flight segment, you'll see a button labeled "Add another flight." Click this button. A new set of "Depart," "Arrive," and "Depart Date" fields will appear below.
4.2. Input Details for Leg 2 (and beyond):
The "Depart" city for your second flight segment will automatically populate with the "Arrive" city of your previous segment. This ensures a logical flow for your itinerary.
Enter the new destination city for this segment.
Select the departure date for this segment from the calendar.
Again, you can specify the "Time of Day" if you wish.
4.3. Continue Adding Segments: Repeat Step 4.1 and 4.2 for each additional city you want to visit. Southwest typically allows you to book up to four flight segments within a single multi-city itinerary online. If you need more, you might need to call their customer service.
Remember: Each segment is a distinct flight, not necessarily a connecting flight within the same airport on the same day.
Step 5: Specify Passengers and Search for Flights
Before you hit "Search," make sure you've accounted for everyone traveling.
5.1. Select Number of Passengers: Use the dropdown menu to specify the total number of adults, children, and infants traveling with you.
5.2. Apply a Promo Code (If Applicable): If you have a Southwest promo code, enter it in the designated "Promo Code" field.
5.3. Choose to Display Fares in Dollars or Points: You'll see an option to "Show fares in points" or "Show fares in dollars." Select your preferred display. If you're a Rapid Rewards member and plan to use points, selecting "points" here will show you the points cost for each flight.
5.4. Click "Search Flights": Once all your details are entered, click the prominent "Search Flights" button.
Step 6: Review and Select Your Flights
This is where you'll see the available options for each leg of your trip.
6.1. Browse Flight Options for Each Segment: The search results page will display a list of available flights for each individual segment you entered. You'll see different fare types (Wanna Get Away®, Wanna Get Away Plus®, Anytime, Business Select®) with their corresponding prices or points values.
Take your time here. Consider departure times, arrival times, and the overall cost for each segment.
Pay attention to the specific fare rules associated with each fare type, especially regarding changes and cancellations.
6.2. Select Your Preferred Flights: Click on the fare of your choice for each segment. As you select flights, they will be added to your itinerary summary.
Important Note: Southwest's "multi-city" tool is designed for distinct flights from one city to another, not for complex connecting itineraries that other airlines might offer. If you have a layover in a city on the way to your final destination, and you don't intend to stay there, that's typically handled as a single flight with a connection, not a multi-city booking. Multi-city is for when you want to stop and spend time in each intermediate city.
Tip: Read mindfully — avoid distractions.
Step 7: Passenger and Payment Information
You're almost there! Just a few more details.
7.1. Enter Passenger Details: Provide the full name, date of birth, and gender for each passenger. If you're a Rapid Rewards member, make sure to enter your Rapid Rewards number to earn points. If you have a Known Traveler Number (KTN) for TSA PreCheck, input it here.
7.2. Select Payment Method: Choose how you want to pay:
Credit/Debit Card: Enter your card details.
Rapid Rewards Points: If you chose to view fares in points, you can use your accumulated Rapid Rewards points. Southwest also offers a "Cash + Points" option, allowing you to combine both.
Southwest LUV Vouchers/Flight Credits/Gift Cards: You can apply these towards your booking.
7.3. Review Your Itinerary and Total Cost: Before finalizing, carefully review all the flight details, dates, times, and the total cost (or points required) for your entire multi-city trip. Ensure everything is correct.
Step 8: Confirm Your Booking
The final step!
8.1. Agree to Terms and Conditions: Read and agree to Southwest Airlines' terms and conditions.
8.2. Click "Purchase": Once you're confident all details are correct and you agree to the terms, click "Purchase" to complete your booking.
8.3. Receive Confirmation: You will receive a confirmation email with your itinerary and confirmation number. Keep this email safe, as it contains all the necessary information for managing your trip, checking in, and making any future changes.
Tips for a Smooth Multi-City Booking Experience
Flexibility is Key: Southwest is known for its dynamic pricing. If your dates are flexible, use the "Low Fare Calendar" (accessible from the main booking page) to see the lowest fares by month, which might help you find better deals for your multi-city segments.
Book Early: Especially for popular routes and peak travel times, booking in advance can secure better fares.
Rapid Rewards: If you're not already a Rapid Rewards member, sign up! You'll earn points on every flight, which can be redeemed for future travel, including multi-city bookings.
Baggage Policy: Remember Southwest's fantastic baggage policy – two free checked bags per passenger (weight and size limits apply). This is a huge advantage for multi-city trips where you might have more luggage.
Changes and Cancellations: Southwest is famous for its flexible change and cancellation policy, often allowing changes without a fee (though a fare difference may apply). However, Basic Fares cannot be changed. Always check the specific fare rules for your chosen fare type.
Tip: A slow, careful read can save re-reading later.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to change a multi-city Southwest flight? You can usually change your multi-city flight online via the "Manage Reservations" section on Southwest.com or their app. Select your itinerary, then click "Change Flight." Be aware that a fare difference may apply, and Basic Fares cannot be changed.
How to add a stop to an existing Southwest flight? If your existing flight is a simple one-way or round-trip, you typically cannot directly "add a stop" to make it multi-city. You would likely need to cancel and rebook as a multi-city itinerary, or book a separate one-way flight for the additional segment.
How to check in for a multi-city Southwest itinerary? You check in for each flight segment of your multi-city itinerary as you normally would for any Southwest flight – typically 24 hours before each individual flight's departure time via Southwest.com or the app.
How to use Rapid Rewards points for multi-city booking? When selecting your flights in Step 5, choose the "Show fares in points" option. You can then use your Rapid Rewards points to cover the cost of your multi-city itinerary. Southwest also offers a "Cash + Points" option if you don't have enough points.
How to find the best deals for Southwest multi-city flights? Look for the "Low Fare Calendar" on Southwest.com, which can show you the lowest fares across different dates. Being flexible with your travel dates and booking in advance are key strategies.
How to determine baggage allowance for multi-city Southwest flights? Southwest's standard baggage policy of two free checked bags (up to 50 lbs and 62 inches L+W+H) applies to each passenger on your multi-city itinerary, across all segments.
How to contact Southwest customer service for multi-city booking assistance? If you encounter complex issues, need to book more than four segments, or have special requirements, you can contact Southwest Airlines customer service directly via phone or social media for assistance.
How to split a multi-city booking for individual travelers? If you have multiple travelers on a multi-city booking and one needs to change their plans independently, you can usually "divide" the reservation online via the "Manage Reservations" section. This creates a new confirmation number for the separated traveler.
How to add a companion pass to a multi-city booking on Southwest? If you have a Companion Pass, after you book your multi-city flight, you will add your companion to each segment of your itinerary via the "Add Companion" option in your reservation details.
How to understand layovers vs. multi-city stops with Southwest? A layover is a brief stop between connecting flights on the same journey where you don't leave the airport. A multi-city stop implies you intend to exit the airport and spend time in that city before continuing to your next destination. Southwest's multi-city booking tool is for the latter.
 |
