Life happens, and sometimes, even the best-laid travel plans need to change. If you've booked a flight with Southwest Airlines and find yourself needing to cancel, you're in luck! Southwest is known for its customer-friendly policies, especially when it comes to changes and cancellations. Unlike many other airlines, they generally do not charge change or cancellation fees. However, understanding the nuances of their policy, particularly regarding refunds and flight credits based on your fare type, is crucial.
Ready to navigate the cancellation process with ease? Let's get started!
How to Cancel a Flight on Southwest Airlines: Your Comprehensive Guide
Canceling a Southwest flight is a straightforward process, whether you're using their website or mobile app. Here's a step-by-step guide to ensure a smooth experience:
Step 1: Identify Your Reservation and Access Your Account
First things first, do you have your confirmation number handy? This is your golden ticket to managing your reservation. If you don't, don't worry, there are ways to retrieve it.
For Rapid Rewards Members:
Log In: Head to Southwest.com or open the Southwest Airlines mobile app. Click or tap on "Log In" and enter your Rapid Rewards username and password.
Access "My Account": Once logged in, navigate to "My Account." Here, you'll find a list of your upcoming trips. Locate the flight you wish to cancel.
For Guests (Non-Rapid Rewards Members):
"Manage Reservations": On the Southwest.com homepage, look for the "Manage Reservations" or "Check In/Manage" section.
Enter Details: You'll typically need to enter your Confirmation Number, your First Name, and your Last Name exactly as they appear on your reservation.
Pro Tip: If you can't find your confirmation number, check your email inbox for the original booking confirmation email from Southwest Airlines.
Step 2: Locate and Select Your Flight to Cancel
Once you've successfully accessed your reservation, you'll see your flight details displayed.
Review Your Itinerary: Carefully review the flight information to ensure you are selecting the correct flight for cancellation, especially if you have multiple upcoming trips.
Find the "Cancel" Option: On the reservation details page, look for a button or link that says "Cancel Flight" or "Cancel Reservation." This option is usually prominently displayed.
Step 3: Understand Your Cancellation Options Based on Fare Type
Southwest offers different fare types, and your ticket's fare type dictates what kind of refund or credit you'll receive. This is a critical step where you'll make an informed decision.
Wanna Get Away® Fares (and Basic fares booked on or after May 28, 2025):
These are Southwest's most affordable fares and are generally non-refundable to your original form of payment.
What you get: If you cancel at least 10 minutes prior to your flight's scheduled departure, you will receive a flight credit (or "travel funds") for the value of your ticket. This credit can be used for future travel on Southwest Airlines. As of July 28, 2022, flight credits do not expire.
Important Note for Basic Fares (post-May 28, 2025): Basic fares will typically result in a flight credit that expires six months from the date the fare was booked.
Wanna Get Away Plus® Fares (New as of May 28, 2025):
These fares offer more flexibility than Wanna Get Away.
What you get: Similar to Wanna Get Away, you'll receive a flight credit. However, a key benefit is that this flight credit can be transferred to another Rapid Rewards Member once.
Expiration: Transferable Flight Credits created from these fares (booked on or after May 28, 2025) will expire twelve months from the date the fare was booked.
Anytime Fares:
These fares offer more flexibility and are refundable.
What you get: If you cancel at least 10 minutes prior to your flight's scheduled departure, you are eligible to receive a 100% refund to your original form of payment. Alternatively, you can choose to receive a transferable flight credit.
Expiration (if choosing credit): Transferable Flight Credits created from Anytime fares (booked on or after May 28, 2025) will expire twelve months from the date the fare was booked.
Business Select® Fares:
These are Southwest's most flexible and premium fares. They are fully refundable.
What you get: If you cancel at least 10 minutes prior to your flight's scheduled departure, you are eligible to receive a 100% refund to your original form of payment. Similar to Anytime fares, you can also opt for a transferable flight credit.
Expiration (if choosing credit): Transferable Flight Credits created from Business Select fares (booked on or after May 28, 2025) will expire twelve months from the date the fare was booked.
Flights Booked with Rapid Rewards Points:
If you cancel a flight booked with Rapid Rewards points, the points will be redeposited into the Rapid Rewards account of the person who booked the ticket.
Any taxes and fees paid will typically be converted into a transferable flight credit for future use.
Crucial Deadline: Regardless of your fare type, you must cancel your reservation at least 10 minutes prior to the original scheduled departure time of your flight to be eligible for a refund or flight credit. Failure to do so will result in a "no-show," and you may forfeit your ticket value.
Step 4: Confirm Your Cancellation
After reviewing your options and understanding the implications for your specific fare type:
Follow On-Screen Prompts: The website or app will guide you through the final steps. You'll likely be asked to confirm your choice (e.g., refund to original payment, flight credit).
Receive Confirmation: Once confirmed, you should receive a cancellation confirmation email from Southwest Airlines. Keep this email for your records. It will usually contain details about your refund or flight credit.
Step 5: Handling Special Situations
While the above steps cover most cancellations, some scenarios might require extra attention:
Partial Cancellations (One Traveler on a Multi-Person Reservation):
If you need to cancel for only one person on a reservation with multiple passengers, you'll first need to "divide the reservation." This separates the individual's booking from the rest. Southwest's website and app usually allow you to do this online without needing to call. After dividing, you can then cancel the specific reservation.
Flights Booked Through a Travel Agency or Partner Airline:
If you booked your Southwest flight through a third-party travel agency (like Expedia, Kayak, etc.) or as part of an itinerary involving another airline, you will likely need to contact the original booking source directly to cancel. Southwest may not be able to process the cancellation directly for these bookings, and their fare rules will apply.
Southwest-Initiated Cancellations or Significant Delays:
If Southwest cancels your flight or significantly delays it (generally three or more hours domestically, six or more internationally), you are eligible for a full refund to your original form of payment, even if you had a non-refundable fare. You'll typically be given options to rebook, receive a refund, or take a flight credit. You still need to formally cancel your reservation if you decide not to travel.
Understanding Flight Credits and Refunds
Flight Credits (Travel Funds): These are essentially vouchers for future travel on Southwest. They are tied to the passenger's name and cannot be used by anyone else unless it's a Transferable Flight Credit from a Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, or Business Select fare booked after May 28, 2025.
Refunds to Original Form of Payment: This means the money will be returned to the credit card, debit card, or other payment method you used to purchase the ticket. Southwest typically processes these refunds within 7 business days.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some common questions about canceling Southwest flights, with quick answers:
How to check if my flight credit expires? Flight credits unexpired on or created on or after July 28, 2022, do not expire. However, for Basic fares booked on or after May 28, 2025, flight credits expire six months from the booking date. Transferable Flight Credits (Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, Business Select fares booked on or after May 28, 2025) expire twelve months from the booking date. Always check your specific flight credit details.
How to apply a flight credit to a new booking? When booking a new flight online, you'll see an option to "Apply Travel Funds" or "Use Flight Credit" during the payment step. You'll need the confirmation number from your canceled flight to redeem the credit.
How to cancel a multi-person reservation for just one person? You'll need to "divide the reservation" first through the "Manage Reservations" section on Southwest.com or the mobile app. This creates a separate confirmation number for the individual you wish to cancel, allowing you to proceed with their cancellation independently.
How to cancel a flight if I booked through a travel agent? You must contact the travel agency or third-party website where you originally booked the flight. They will handle the cancellation according to their policies and Southwest's fare rules.
How to get a cash refund for a non-refundable ticket? Generally, Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus fares are non-refundable to the original form of payment. You will receive a flight credit instead. However, if Southwest cancels your flight or significantly delays it, you are eligible for a full refund to your original payment method, even for these non-refundable fares.
How to tell the difference between a flight credit and a transferable flight credit? A standard flight credit is tied to the original passenger and cannot be transferred. A "Transferable Flight Credit" (available with Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, and Business Select fares booked on or after May 28, 2025) can be transferred once to another Rapid Rewards Member.
How to avoid losing my ticket value if I'm a "no-show"? Always cancel your flight at least 10 minutes prior to its scheduled departure time. Failing to do so for non-refundable fares (Wanna Get Away, Basic) will result in forfeiture of the ticket value. For refundable fares (Anytime, Business Select) or points bookings, it may result in a flight credit or points redeposited, but it's always best to cancel proactively.
How to confirm my cancellation was successful? You should receive a cancellation confirmation email from Southwest Airlines shortly after completing the cancellation process online or via the app. Keep this email for your records.
How to cancel a flight booked with Rapid Rewards points? Simply follow the same cancellation steps online or in the app. Your Rapid Rewards points will be redeposited into the account from which they were used, and any associated taxes and fees will typically convert to a transferable flight credit.
How to change my flight instead of canceling it? Southwest also offers flexible change options. If you want to change your flight, look for the "Change Flight" option in your reservation details. Depending on your fare type (Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, Business Select), you may only pay the difference in fare. Basic fares require an upgrade to a higher fare type to change.