Guide to Southwest Airlines Change Flight Policy & Fee

Southwest Airlines is best known for being one of the most chosen airlines; it's not just about the many services, but the flight change poices in the U.S airline industry. Unlike the many air carriers, the airlines does not charge any change fees when you can modify the changes of your flight, that is regardless of the fare type.

But then you might have to pay the fare differences if your new flight costs more than the original ticket. But in case the new flight booking is cheaper, then the difference is typically issued as a travel credit for future use.

What is Southwest Airlines Change Flight Policy?

Changing a Southwest Airlines booking is no longer a complicated affair. The USA air carrier hires a customer-oriented strategy to help you the passengers, with the best possible delight and comfort. There are certain times when the passenger has to make a change in their reservation. In scenarios, like when someone has died, legal orders, theft of a passport, and poor weather conditions are some of the most critical incidents we cannot avoid.

Know that Southwest Airlines publishes many fare types for customers who want to make changes in their bookings. As in the following list, you should know about the many regulations of the policy. Let?s peep right through it:-

1. First, the Southwest Airlines passengers can request a change just before the scheduled departure.
2. Passengers can make changes for free within the first 24 hours of booking.
3. People can make the essential changes in the name, destination airport, flight date, meals, and some other provisions.
4. Also, the airlines recommend customers make the many changes, which is upto 2 hours before the departure.
5. Remember that there are fees if the passenger raises the flight change request beyond the determined timeframe.
6. The airline recommends the customer make the many flight changes upto 2 hours before departure.
7. The Group booking of Southwest Airlines cannot be changed online.
8. However, it's always better to opt for the same procedure that you have utilised during the booking.

TripMozzo Tip: Southwest allows you to 'change' your flight even if you are keeping the same date and time. If the price of your flight drops after you book, use the 'Change Flight' tool to select your same flight at the new lower price. You'll receive the difference as a travel credit!

Also Read: Does Southwest Airlines Have a Low Fare Calendar?

Southwest Airlines Rules and Requirements for Flight Ticket Changes

According to the Southwest change flight policy, if you have to change your flight with the airlines, then the great news is just for you. Also, there is no fees for the flight change. But there are certain things that you should keep in mind before making your itinerary change:-

• You can make the flight changes free of cost until 10 minutes before your flight. 
• Also, in case if you have already checked in, then you can make many changes without making any changes. 
• The same day changes here depend mostly on seat availability. 
• If you are within 24 hours of your trip, you have to be certain to check in to your new flight as soon as you can request the changes. 
• And once you have completed the first half of your trip, you can still change your return flight booking by paying the fee differences. 

What is Southwest Airlines Same-Day Flight Change Policy?

In case you have to update or amend your flight itinerary, the airlines offer the best services for doing so. Also, one can request a Southwest same-day flight change that is on the same day as your reservation; the airline here enables passengers to alter their booked flights with them at no cost. 

When you have to change your flight, you can either choose to do it online or offline?that depends on you. The online option requires one to go to the airline?s site and complete the process for modifying the flights. The offline options are to contact the reservation department by phone or to get in touch with the Southwest Airlines Customer Care Department. Both methods are extremely handy for you to follow, and you will not be charged for any fees or penalties for the flight changes.

If you're trying to snag a better seat on your new flight, keep in mind that Southwest has moved away from open seating. See our Seat Selection guide to understand how the new assigned seating tiers work for 2026.

How to Change Southwest Airlines Flight Booking Easily?

Method 1 - Southwest Airlines Offers Online Flight Changes.

1. Firstly, you have to keep the important details handy, following which, if you are prepared, then visit the Southwest Airlines site.
   Go to the ?manage my booking? section. 
2. Choose the ticket that you wish to make the changes, after you have entered the booking details. 
3. To be able to make the needed adjustments to your itinerary, and then choose the edit option. 
4. From the list of available Southwest Airlines flights, select the new flight choice that you wish to. 
5. You must pay the complete amount if your new airline ticket is more expensive. 
6. You will receive a confirmation notification as soon as the money has been paid.

Method 2 - Change Southwest Flight Using The Phone Number

When you call the Southwest Airlines phone number, you will be connected with some automated queries as directed through the main menu.

1. Make sure that you listen and that you take instructions to reach a live person on the phone. 
2. After that, inform the representative that the passenger needs to make many changes to their booking. 
3. And then you can proceed to indicate the flight that you?d like to transfer to. 
4. Once everything is fixed up and any additional fees you incurred are taken care of, your representative will formalize your adjustments for you.  
5. You?re now all sorted for your revised flight information.

Method 3- Change Southwest Flight Using Chat Option

1. If you can go to the airport, and you need help from Southwest Airlines, then just go to their customer care help desk. 
2. When you have arrived at the airport, go to one of the agents. Make sure that you have all the ticket information with you so that they can assist you. 
3. Tell them you are searching enough for a new flight; if they have an available seat, they can try to arrange that for you. 
4. Remember that there could be some fees or variations in fare that you will be required to pay, which are based on your new flight. 
5. And once the call has been arranged and your reservation is adjusted, then an email will be sent to you.

If you decide to cancel instead of change, your funds will be held as a flight credit. For a full breakdown of how to get your money back on other ticket types, visit our Cancellation Policy page.

How Much is the Southwest Change Flight Fee?

Southwest Airlines is well-known for being generous to its passengers. The airline officials here provide many advantages at a pocket-friendly budget or even sometimes without any extra fees. Changing flights on Southwest Airlines' flight change fee is also such perk to have one. The airline here may ask you to cover for the many differences if your original flight has to be rescheduled and the new one is a more costly one. So, in case you can change your flight for free of cost that is within 10 minutes of the departure. You will receive your money back if the new flight is less expensive. Please note that, depending on your ticket, the refund may be sent as a flight credit or as a reimbursement to your original payment process. 

Does Southwest Have a 24-hour Flight Change Policy?

Yes, Southwest Airlines has a smooth 24-hour rule, which enables the passenger to cancel any flight within 24 hours of booking for a complete refund to your original payment method. And if the flight departs in more than 7 days, that effectively gives you the complete freedom to change your flight by cancelling and rebooking, but this is applicable to the cancellations as well, that is, there will be no direct changes to an existing, or later booked, ticket. And for the actual changes to already-booked flights, Southwest Airlines does not charge any fees, but the fare difference has to be paid, and the Basic Fares are generally non-changeable unless they are upgraded. 

How to Change an Southwest Award Flight?

To change a Southwest Award Flight is easy and free as well. Just by going to to the either website or downloading the mobile app, you will receive a refund of points if the new flight costs fewer points or say pay the difference if it costs more, with the many points that are returned to the original account, and that the passenger can even cancel for a complete point to refund if needed, as the Southwest Airlines doesn?t charge the change fees on the award travel.

How To Change Online/ Mobile App

1. Go to the Manage My Booking section, just by logging in to the Southwest Airlines site, or by using the Southwest app, and then you can find your reservation.
2. Select the ?change? option for your flight. 
3. Find a new flight, search for and select your new desired flight. 
4. Pay the fare difference, and if the new flight costs more points, you will pay the difference; if less then you will get the points back. 
5. Complete the flight change, then up to 10 minutes before departure.

Read More: Southwest Airlines WiFi Cost, Connectivity, and How to Access It?

How to Change the Time or Date on a Southwest Flight?

Southwest same-day flight change is possible to change the date or time either online, via the app, or by calling, that is up to 10 minutes before the set departure, that is by paying only the fare difference that if the new flight is more expensive. Log in to the Manage Reservations, and there the passenger can find your trip, select Change, then choose the new dates/times, and then review the fare difference before confirming. For any type of confusion with the process, connect with the Southwest Airlines Customer Care.

Southwest Airlines Refundable vs. Non-Refundable Flight Changes

When you are supposed to fly with Southwest Airlines, then understanding the refundable and non-refundable fares is the key point to manage the refunds and changes.

Refundable Fares: It's typically Anytime and the Business Select tickets, which allow you to cancel your flight and receive a complete refund back to your original form of payment, only when you are cancelling the flight 10 minutes before the scheduled departure. The many fare types also enable you to change your flight without any penalty, though you may not pay any fare differences in case the new flight costs more.

Non-refundable Fares: The most popular Southwest fare, Wanna Get Away (and its Plus/Basic versions), is non-refundable. This means that if you cancel, you will not receive a refund to your credit card; instead, the airline will convert the value of your ticket into a travel credit or travel fund that you can apply to future Southwest flights. You will still not be charged a cancellation fee, but the credit must be utilized within the airline's given time limit and before it expires.