Life happens, plans shift, and sometimes, those carefully booked flights need a little tweak. Ever found yourself in a pickle where your travel dates suddenly evaporated or a new opportunity popped up, demanding a quick change of plans? If you're a frequent flyer with Southwest Airlines, you're in luck! Southwest is renowned for its flexible flight change policy, often allowing you to adjust your itinerary without the hefty change fees common with other carriers.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of changing a flight on Southwest Airlines, ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience.
Understanding Southwest's Flexible Change Policy
Before we dive into the "how-to," let's grasp the core of Southwest's approach to flight changes. Unlike many airlines that hit you with a flat fee for any alteration, Southwest generally does not charge change fees. This is a significant advantage! However, there's a crucial caveat: you will be responsible for any difference in fare between your original flight and the new one. If the new flight is cheaper, you'll typically receive a flight credit for the difference to be used on future travel (or a refund to the original form of payment if you purchased a refundable fare like Anytime or Business Select).
It's also important to note that you can typically change your flight up to 10 minutes before your original scheduled departure time. Missing this window can result in forfeiture of your funds (for Wanna Get Away fares) or conversion to a flight credit (for Anytime and Business Select fares).
Step 1: Engage with Your Trip – Accessing Your Reservation
Alright, ready to take control of your travel plans? The first step is to locate your reservation. You have a few convenient ways to do this:
Sub-heading: Online Through the Southwest Website
This is often the easiest and most common method.
Visit Southwest.com: Open your web browser and navigate to the official Southwest Airlines website.
Log In (Recommended): If you have a Rapid Rewards account, it's highly recommended to log in. This will give you quick access to all your upcoming trips under "My Account."
Why it's better: Logging in streamlines the process as your details are pre-filled, and you can easily view all your bookings.
"Manage Reservations" Option: If you're not logged in or prefer not to, look for the "Manage Reservations" or "Check In/Manage" link on the homepage.
Enter Confirmation Details: You'll be prompted to enter your:
Confirmation Number: This is a 6-character code found in your original booking confirmation email.
First Name: The first name of the primary passenger on the reservation.
Last Name: The last name of the primary passenger on the reservation.
Retrieve Reservation: Click "Search" or "Retrieve Reservation" to pull up your booking.
Sub-heading: Using the Southwest Mobile App
For on-the-go changes, the Southwest app is incredibly user-friendly.
Open the Southwest App: Launch the app on your smartphone or tablet.
Log In: Sign into your Rapid Rewards account. Similar to the website, this will display your upcoming trips.
Select Your Trip: Tap on the specific trip you wish to modify from your list of upcoming flights.
"View/Manage" or "Manage Trip" Option: Within the selected trip, look for an option like "View/Manage" or "Manage Trip" to access the details.
Step 2: Initiating the Change – Finding the "Change Flight" Option
Once you've successfully accessed your reservation, you'll need to find the option to make changes.
Locate "Change Flight": On your reservation details page (either on the website or app), you'll typically see a prominent button or link labeled "Change Flight" or "Change/Cancel Flight." Click on this.
Important Note for Multiple Passengers: If your reservation includes multiple travelers and you only want to change the flight for some of them, you will first need to "Divide the Reservation." This option usually appears near the "Change Flight" button. Southwest will guide you through separating the travelers into new confirmation numbers, after which you can proceed to change the individual reservation.
Step 3: Selecting Your New Flight – The Search and Compare Process
Now for the exciting part – finding your new flight!
Choose Your Desired Changes: Southwest will present you with options to modify your flight. You can typically change:
Date: Select a new departure date.
Time: Choose an earlier or later flight on the same day.
Origin/Destination: Change your departure or arrival airport (this might be considered a new booking depending on the system, and significant fare differences are likely).
Enter New Search Criteria: Input your new desired travel date, time, and potentially different origin or destination if you're making a more substantial change.
"Explore Options": After entering your new criteria, click a button like "Explore Options" or "Search Flights" to see available flights.
Review Available Flights and Fares: Southwest will display a list of flights that match your new criteria, along with their associated fares (Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, Business Select). Pay close attention to the price difference shown.
If the new flight is more expensive: You'll see the additional amount you need to pay.
If the new flight is cheaper: You'll see the credit amount you will receive. This credit will be held for future use as a flight credit (or refunded to the original form of payment for refundable fares).
Select Your New Flight: Choose the flight that best suits your updated plans. Make sure to double-check the times, airports, and the fare type.
Step 4: Reviewing and Confirming Your Changes
You're almost there! This step is crucial for verifying everything before finalizing.
Review Changes: A summary screen will appear, detailing your original flight and your newly selected flight.
Verify all details: Double-check the dates, times, flight numbers, and passenger names.
Confirm Fare Difference/Credit: Clearly see the amount you owe or the credit you will receive.
Accept Terms and Conditions: You may be asked to acknowledge Southwest's fare rules and terms.
Payment (if applicable):
If you owe a fare difference: You will be prompted to enter your payment information (credit card, saved payment method, or apply existing travel funds).
If you receive a credit: The system will confirm the amount of flight credit issued and how it will be stored (usually tied to your Rapid Rewards account or the original confirmation number).
Confirm Changes: Once you've reviewed everything and made any necessary payments, click the final "Confirm Changes" or "Make These Changes" button. This is the point of no return for this specific transaction.
Step 5: Receiving Your New Confirmation
Congratulations! Your flight has been successfully changed.
New Confirmation Number (if applicable): For significant changes (like changing departure or destination cities, or dividing a reservation), you might receive a new confirmation number. Make a note of it!
Email Confirmation: Southwest will send a confirmation email to the address on file, outlining your new itinerary and any fare adjustments. Keep this email for your records.
Check Your Itinerary: Always a good practice to log back into your Southwest account or app to ensure your updated itinerary is reflected correctly.
Same-Day Change and Standby Options
Southwest offers additional flexibility for changes on your day of travel, known as Same-Day Change and Same-Day Standby. These typically apply if your origin and destination airports remain the same.
Same-Day Confirmed Change:
Eligibility: Generally available for Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, and Business Select fares, and for A-List Preferred and A-List Rapid Rewards Members. Basic fares are generally not eligible unless upgraded.
How it works: You can switch to an earlier or later flight on the same calendar day if there's an open seat. There are usually no additional airline charges, though government taxes and fees may apply (which are often refunded).
When: You can make this change up to 10 minutes before your original scheduled departure.
Where: Available online (website or app) or at the airport.
Same-Day Standby:
Eligibility: Similar to same-day change, most fare types qualify, including Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, and Business Select. A-List and A-List Preferred Members can also standby even with a Basic fare.
How it works: If you don't want to pay a potential fare difference for a confirmed change or if a confirmed seat isn't available, you can list yourself for standby on an earlier flight.
When: You need to list yourself at least 10 minutes prior to your original flight's departure (or 30 minutes if using the app/mobile web).
Where: Can be done via the Southwest app/mobile web or by speaking to a Southwest Agent at the ticket counter or departure gate. You'll be notified if a seat becomes available.
Fare Types and Their Impact on Changes
Understanding Southwest's fare types is key to knowing what to expect when changing your flight:
Wanna Get Away®: This is Southwest's most economical fare. While you won't pay a change fee, you will pay any fare difference if the new flight is more expensive. If the new flight is cheaper, you'll receive a flight credit for future use. If you cancel within 10 minutes of departure, the funds may be forfeited.
Wanna Get Away Plus®: Offers more flexibility than the standard Wanna Get Away fare, including transferable flight credits if you cancel, and same-day confirmed change benefits.
Anytime®: This fare is fully refundable to your original form of payment if canceled at least 10 minutes before departure. It also includes EarlyBird Check-In and free same-day change/standby.
Business Select®: Southwest's premium fare, offering the most flexibility. It's fully refundable, includes A1-A15 priority boarding, a premium drink, and free same-day change/standby.
Important Considerations and Tips
Timing is Key: Always try to make changes as soon as your plans solidify. While Southwest is flexible up to 10 minutes before departure, earlier changes give you more options and potentially better fares.
Companion Pass Holders: If you're traveling with a Companion Pass, you'll need to cancel your companion's reservation first, then change your flight, and finally rebook your companion on the new flight. It's a multi-step process, so be prepared.
Group Bookings and Unaccompanied Minors: These types of bookings may require you to contact Southwest Customer Service directly for changes.
Third-Party Bookings: If you booked your Southwest flight through a third-party website (like Expedia or an online travel agency), you generally must contact that third party to make changes. Southwest's direct change policy usually doesn't apply to these bookings, and the third party's fees and policies will come into play.
Flight Credits: Keep track of your flight credits! They typically have an expiration date, so make sure to use them before they expire. As of May 28, 2025, flight credits from reservations booked and/or voluntarily changed have a specified expiration date.
Fare Drops: Even if you don't need to change your flight, it's a savvy move to check the price of your existing flight periodically. If the fare drops, you can "change" your flight to the exact same itinerary and receive a flight credit for the difference! This is a fantastic way to save money for future travel.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some common questions about changing Southwest flights, along with quick answers:
How to change a flight on Southwest Airlines without paying a fee?
Southwest Airlines generally does not charge a change fee. You will only pay the difference if the new flight's fare is higher than your original fare.
How to change a Southwest flight that was booked with Rapid Rewards points?
You can change flights booked with Rapid Rewards points through the same online process. If the new flight requires more points, you'll need to pay the difference in points. If it's cheaper, the difference in points will be redeposited into your Rapid Rewards account.
How to change a flight on Southwest Airlines app?
Open the Southwest app, log in, select your upcoming trip, tap "View/Manage" or "Manage Trip," and then select the "Change Flight" option. Follow the prompts to select your new flight.
How to change a Southwest flight for only one person in a multi-passenger reservation?
You must first "Divide the Reservation" on the Southwest website or app. This separates the individual's booking into a new confirmation number, allowing you to change their flight independently.
How to get a refund if my new Southwest flight is cheaper?
If your new flight is cheaper, Southwest will issue you a flight credit for the difference. For Anytime or Business Select fares, the difference may be refunded to your original form of payment.
How to change a Southwest flight to a different city?
You can typically change your origin or destination city by selecting the "Change Flight" option and entering the new cities. Be aware that this will likely result in a significant fare difference.
How to use a flight credit to change a Southwest flight?
When changing your flight online, if you owe a fare difference, you'll be given the option to apply existing flight credits during the payment step.
How to make a same-day change on Southwest Airlines?
On the day of travel, you can make a same-day confirmed change (if eligible based on fare type or A-List status) through the Southwest website, app, or by speaking to an agent, provided there's an open seat on a flight between the same origin and destination.
How to change a Southwest flight less than 10 minutes before departure?
Southwest's policy states changes can be made up to 10 minutes before departure. If you miss this window, you may forfeit your Wanna Get Away funds, or your Anytime/Business Select funds may convert to a flight credit. Contact customer service immediately if you encounter an issue within this timeframe.
How to change a Southwest flight booked through a third-party website?
If you booked your Southwest flight through a travel agency or another website (like Expedia), you must contact that specific third party directly to make any changes to your reservation. Southwest cannot modify these bookings.
