When you book a flight, you might wonder if you could have booked it later for a cheaper price. This is especially true when you’re buying tickets for your whole family. Most U.S. airlines typically charge a change fee ranging from USD 150 to 200.
However, Southwest Airlines is an exception and does not charge any change fees. Yes, you read it correctly – Southwest Airlines has a very friendly flight change policy.
If you’re booking your flight with points or paying with cash/credit card, Southwest Airlines gives you the option to rebook your flight and receive a refund for the price difference. Southwest is different from other airlines when it comes to changing fees for elite-status members.
While other airlines may waive change fees, Southwest goes a step further. They allow you to rebook your flight at the best prices available, no matter what type of fare you originally purchased.
Flight Change Policy Wanna Get Away Tickets
Since Wanna Get Away tickets are the cheapest ones Southwest has to offer, they have tighter rules about how to cancel a flight than any time and Business Select tickets. If you want to change your Southwest flight, you must follow the same rules.
You can change your flight up to 10 minutes before it leaves without being charged anything. Your ticket’s value will be turned into Travel Funds that you can use within a year of when you bought it, without having to pay a change fee.
Flight Change Policy for any time and Business Select Tickets
Southwest’s policy on changing flights lets you make changes to Anytime and Business Select tickets up to 10 minutes before departure without paying a change fee.
If you don’t make any changes to a current flight and don’t show up for it, the value of your Anytime or Business Select flight ticket will be turned into Travel Funds. You have up to 12 months from the date you bought the Travel Funds to use them. But if you bought your ticket with Rapid Rewards points, the points will be put back into your account so you can use them again.
Methods to Change Flight on Southwest Airlines
Online Method:
- Visit Southwest.com.
- Click the Change/Cancel tab at the top of the page.
- Enter your ticket number and name (first and last) to look up your flight reservation.
- The Change Flight tab is already chosen, so don’t change it. Press the “Search” button.
- Choose the flight you want to change, then click on Select new flights.
- If you planned a round-trip, both your starting and ending points will be shown. Once you’ve picked your flight, you can make changes and confirm them.
- In case you want to cancel your flight. According to Southwest Airlines Flight Cancellation Policy, If you book a ticket with Southwest, you can cancel it within 24 hours and get a full refund, even if it’s a non-refundable Wanna Get Away ticket.
Through Phone:
If you don’t like the online method, you have to call customer care at Southwest Airlines. They will show you how to change your flight.
Flight Change Policy for Changing International Flights
If you want to change an itinerary that includes an international trip, you’ll need to do what was shown above. There are no change fees, but the difference in price, if any, will apply.
Southwest Has Updated Its Policy for Changing Fare Classes on Flights
If you are switching between fare classes, there are a few exceptions that you should be aware of. If you want to change your Anytime fare to a Business Select fare, the value of your Anytime ticket will be converted into Travel Funds that you can use again. If you make changes to your itinerary on the same day, you will need to pay any extra taxes and fees that are applicable to your new fare.
Same-Day Changes Policy
If you need to make a change to your international flight on the same day, you should go to the ticket counter at the airport and ask for assistance from an agent. Just a reminder, you can’t book international flights online if the departure is within 2 hours.
Southwest Change Flight Fees
Southwest Airlines does not charge any change fee for tickets bought with cash or points. If you need to cancel a flight that you booked using Rapid Rewards points, the points will be returned to your Rapid Rewards account. The government security fee will be changed to Travel Funds. To use your points again in the future, make sure to save the confirmation number for later use. According to Southwest Airlines Name Correction Policy, If you need to correct your name on a Southwest Airlines booking within 24 hours of making it, there is a fee of $150 USD.
FAQs
Does Southwest Airlines Charge Change Fees for Flight Bookings?
Southwest Airlines does not charge any fees for changing flight bookings. Their flight change policy is customer-friendly, which makes them different from most other U.S. airlines.
How Does Southwest Airlines’ Flight Change Policy Differ From Other Airlines?
Southwest Airlines has a flight change policy that is more flexible than other airlines. Most airlines typically charge change fees, usually between USD 150 and 200. However, Southwest Airlines stands out as they do not charge any change fees. Regardless of the type of fare you bought, you can rebook your flight and get a refund for the price difference.
What is the Flight Change Policy for Wanna Get Away Tickets on Southwest Airlines?
If you choose Wanna Get Away tickets, which are the cheapest option, you can change your flights up to 10 minutes before departure without paying any fees. The value of the ticket will be changed into Travel Funds. These funds can be used for future travel within one year from the date of purchase.
Is There a Fee for Changing Fare Classes on Southwest Airlines Flights?
When you change fare classes on Southwest Airlines, you won’t have to pay any change fees. But, there are a few cases where this doesn’t apply. If you switch from an Anytime fare to a Business Select fare, the amount you paid for your Anytime ticket will be converted into Travel Funds. If you change your itinerary on the same day, you might have to pay extra taxes and fees for the new fare.
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