Southwest Airlines is renowned for its flexible policies, and one of their most celebrated features is the ability to get a price adjustment if the fare for your flight drops after you've booked it. This can potentially save you a good amount of money, or at least provide you with travel credit for future adventures!
Are you ready to unlock the secret to saving money on your Southwest flights? Let's dive in!
Step 1: Become a Savvy Price Watcher – The Foundation of Your Savings!
The first and most crucial step in securing a price adjustment is to actively monitor the price of your booked flight. Unlike some other airlines, Southwest won't automatically notify you if the price drops. It's up to you to keep an eye out!
Sub-heading: How to Effectively Monitor Fares
Set up Fare Alerts: Many third-party flight tracking websites and apps (like Google Flights, Hopper, or Kayak) allow you to set up price alerts for specific routes and dates. These tools can send you notifications when the price of your flight changes. This is your best friend in this process!
Regularly Check Southwest.com: Make it a habit to check the price of your specific flight on Southwest's official website. While alerts are helpful, a quick manual check can sometimes reveal drops that alerts might miss, or simply confirm what an alert has told you.
Be Aware of Fare Sales: Southwest frequently runs sales. Keep an eye on their promotions and emails, as these are often prime opportunities for fares to drop.
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| How To Get A Price Adjustment On Southwest Airlines |
Step 2: Identify a Lower Fare – The Moment of Opportunity!
Once you're diligently monitoring, the goal is to spot a lower fare for the exact same itinerary you've already booked.
Sub-heading: What to Look For
Same Flight Details: Ensure the lower price is for the identical flight number, date, and origin/destination. Even a slight change can make it a different fare.
Same Fare Type (Generally): While Southwest is flexible, ideally you're looking for the same fare type (e.g., Wanna Get Away to Wanna Get Away, Anytime to Anytime). However, with their flexible change policy, you can often change between fare types as well, paying or receiving the difference.
Price Drop Indication: On the Southwest website, when you go to change your flight, a minus sign next to the fare difference indicates that the price has dropped!
Tip: Highlight what feels important.
Step 3: Initiate the Change Process Online – Your Digital Gateway to Savings!
Southwest makes it incredibly easy to rebook your flight online and claim the price difference. This is usually the quickest and most straightforward method.
Sub-heading: Step-by-Step Online Guide
Log In to Your Southwest Account: Go to Southwest.com and log in to your Rapid Rewards account. If you don't have one, you can still access your reservation using your confirmation number and first and last name.
Access Your Upcoming Trip: Navigate to "My Account" and then "My Trips," or simply go to the "Flight" tab and enter your confirmation number.
Select "Change Flight": Find the flight you wish to reprice and click on the "Change Flight" option.
Choose the Segment(s) to Change: If you have a round trip, you'll be given the option to change one leg or both. Select the flight segment(s) for which you've identified a lower fare.
Search for New Flights (Re-select Your Existing Flight): Here's the key: You will then search for new flights. Crucially, you'll want to select your existing flight(s) again. The system will show you the current prices for all available flights, including the one you're already on.
Identify the Price Difference: When you select your existing flight (or a new, cheaper one), the system will display the fare difference. If the price has dropped, you will see a negative amount (e.g., "-$25.00"). This indicates the amount you will receive as a travel credit.
Review Changes and Confirm: Double-check all the details to ensure it's the correct flight and that you're seeing the expected credit. Then, confirm the change.
Receive Confirmation: You'll receive a confirmation email detailing your updated itinerary and the travel credit issued.
Step 4: Receive Your Travel Credit – Enjoy the Rewards of Your Diligence!
Once you've successfully completed the online change, Southwest will issue you a travel credit for the difference in fare.
Sub-heading: Understanding Travel Credits
Form of Credit: For Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus fares, the price difference is typically issued as a flight credit or transferable flight credit. For Anytime and Business Select fares, which are refundable, you may have the option for a refund to your original form of payment or a transferable flight credit.
Expiration: Southwest flight credits historically did not expire. However, for reservations booked and ticketed on or after May 28, 2025, these flight credits (for Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, and Business Select) will expire 12 months from the original ticketing date. Basic fare flight credits expire six months from the original ticketing date. Always check the most current policy on Southwest's website or during your rebooking process.
How to Use: Your travel credit will be associated with the original confirmation number. When booking a new flight, you can apply these travel funds at the payment stage by entering the confirmation number and the original passenger's name.
Step 5: Consider Rebooking Multiple Times – Maximize Your Savings!
Southwest's policy allows you to reprice your flight multiple times if the fare continues to drop. Don't stop monitoring after your first price adjustment!
Tip: Slow down when you hit important details.
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Sub-heading: The Power of Persistent Monitoring
Continue to Monitor: Keep those fare alerts active and continue checking the price even after you've received your first credit.
Repeat the Process: If the fare drops again, simply repeat Steps 2-4 to claim additional travel credits. It's like finding money in your old jacket pocket, but better!
What if the Price Increases?
Southwest's flexible policy also means that if you need to change your flight to a more expensive one, you will only pay the difference in fare – no change fees! This applies to all fare types except Basic fares, which require an upgrade to a Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, or Business Select fare for changes.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some quick answers to common questions about Southwest Airlines price adjustments:
How to Check if My Southwest Flight Price Has Dropped?
You can check by logging into your Southwest account, going to "My Trips," and selecting "Change Flight" for your booked itinerary. The system will display current fares, and a negative difference indicates a price drop.
QuickTip: A short pause boosts comprehension.
How to Get a Refund Instead of a Travel Credit?
Refunds to your original form of payment are generally only available for Anytime and Business Select fares if you cancel or if Southwest significantly changes your flight. For Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus fares, price adjustments typically result in flight credits.
How to Use Southwest Travel Funds for a New Booking?
When booking a new flight on Southwest.com, select "Southwest gift card, Travel Funds, or Southwest LUV Voucher" as your payment method and enter the confirmation number from your original flight and the passenger's name.
How to See the Expiration Date of My Southwest Travel Funds?
For flight credits issued for reservations booked on or after May 28, 2025, the expiration date is generally 12 months from the original ticketing date for Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, and Business Select fares, and six months for Basic fares. This information should be in your confirmation email or accessible in your Rapid Rewards account.
How to Get a Price Adjustment for a Southwest Vacations Package?
Southwest Vacations has a "Lowest Price Promise" policy. If you find an identical qualifying package at a lower price on southwestvacations.com, you must contact their customer care center to claim the difference as a travel credit code.
QuickTip: Highlight useful points as you read.
How to Handle Price Adjustments if I Booked with Rapid Rewards Points?
If you booked with Rapid Rewards points and the fare drops, the difference in points will be redeposited into your Rapid Rewards account. The process for adjustment is the same as with cash bookings.
How to Get a Price Adjustment if My Flight is a Basic Fare?
Basic fares generally have more restrictions. If the price of your Basic fare drops, you would need to change it to a Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, or Business Select fare first to then potentially capture a credit, depending on the new fare's cost. It's often more restrictive for direct price adjustments.
How to Contact Southwest Airlines for Assistance with Price Adjustments?
While the online process is usually seamless, if you encounter issues, you can contact Southwest Airlines Customer Service by phone for assistance.
How to Ensure I Don't Miss a Price Drop?
The best way is to set up automated fare alerts through third-party services and consistently check Southwest.com yourself, especially during known sale periods.
How to Price Adjust a Flight If I Already Checked In?
Yes, you can still perform a price adjustment even after you've checked in for your flight, as long as it's at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled departure. Simply follow the online steps.
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