Same-Day Change and Same-Day Standby
We get it, plans change. That’s why every Southwest® fare comes with no change fees and only the fare difference applies. But what about when you need to make a change to your flight on the same day you’re taking off? Same-day change6 and same-day standby6 benefits give you even greater flexibility on your day of travel so you can hop on an earlier or later available flight (as long as your origin and destination are the same).
When you wanna change your departure time, you have options.
Picture this: Your out-of-town meeting ends early, so you want to try and get home earlier than originally planned. You check flights from your Southwest mobile app and see that there is availability on an earlier flight. Since you bought a Wanna Get Away Plus™ ticket, you’re eligible for same-day change. So, you proceed to make the change at no additional cost to you. Confirmed seat—you got it!
Confirm a seat on another flight.
Same-day change lets you swap your flight on the day of travel for an earlier one—as long as there’s an open seat and your origin and destination are the same. Later flights are an option, too.
Wait for a seat on another flight.
No open seats for a same-day change? No problem. Get on the same-day standby list to grab a seat on an earlier day-of-travel flight should one become available.
With same-day change and same-day standby options on eligible fares, you must change your flight or request to be added to the same-day standby list on the same calendar day as your flight up to 10 minutes before your original scheduled departure time. See how same-day change and same-day standby work.
*Customers who book Business Select®, Anytime, and Wanna Get Away Plus™ fares can complete their free same-day change online; Wanna Get Away® fares can be changed online by paying a fare difference.
**Based on flight status contact preference selected at booking.
Same-day change and same-day standby benefits vary by fare type.
SCROLL ACROSS FOR MORE
| Wanna Get Away* | Wanna Get Away plus | Anytime | Business Select | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Same-Day Change6 | Fare Difference | yes | yes | yes |
| Same-Day Standby6 | Fare Difference | yes | yes | yes |
*A-List and A-List Preferred Members can take advantage of free same-day change and same-day standby benefits, even with Wanna Get Away fares.
Same-day change and same-day standby are just two of the many benefits that you can enjoy when you book with Southwest. Check out all the benefits that come with each Southwest fare type.
Same-Day Change and Same-Day Standby FAQs
Business Select, Anytime, and Wanna Get Away Plus fares are eligible for free same-day change and same-day standby benefits. A-List and A-List Preferred Rapid Rewards Members are also eligible for free same-day change and same-day standby. Wanna Get Away Customers (non-A-List or A-List Preferred) can opt into same-day change, but fare differences may apply. See more of the benefits offered by fare type.
There are no same-day change or same-day standby airline fees for Business Select, Anytime, and Wanna Get Away Plus fares. Same-day change and same-day standby airline fees also do not apply to A-List and A-List Preferred Rapid Rewards Members. If you booked a Wanna Get Away fare and make a same-day change, you will need to pay any fare difference (no airline fees, though). If there is a non-airline change, then taxes and fees are applicable at all fare levels (for example, if you go from a direct-flight itinerary to a connect-flight itinerary, then you will be responsible for any taxes and fees).
Customers can make a same-day change on Southwest.com and the Southwest mobile app, by looking up their confirmation number, or by accessing their flight in My Account. Customers also have the option to call Southwest Customer Service or visit a Southwest Gate Agent to make a change. Customers who book Business Select, Anytime, or Wanna Get Away Plus fares can access a same-day change using any of the above options. A-List Preferred and A-List Members with a Wanna Get Away fare booked in the same reservation as Customers who DO NOT have A-List or A-List Preferred should call Customer Service or visit a Southwest Gate Agent to make the confirmed change without paying the fare difference.
You can only get added to the same-day standby list in-person at the airport with a Southwest Gate Agent.
You must change your flight or request to be added to the same-day standby list on the same calendar day as your flight up to 10 minutes before your original scheduled departure time.
If you are checked in for your flight before you make a same-day change, you will lose that boarding position once you move to a new flight. You'll need to check in after you complete your change to get your new boarding position. Once you are cleared for the same-day standby change, you will receive a new boarding position. You will not lose your boarding position on your original flight until you are officially moved to the new flight.
If the fare on your new flight is lower than your original purchase and the new seat is confirmed and ticketed, then we’ll refund the difference for benefit-eligible fares (Business Select, Anytime and Wanna Get Away Plus) and A-List and A-List Preferred Rapid Rewards Members.
Enjoy benefits across all fare types when you fly with us.
Free entertainment†1 and $8 Internet2
Two bags fly free®3
No change4 or cancel fees5
Inflight food and drinks
†Where available. Available only on WiFi-enabled aircraft. Limited-time offer.
1Due to licensing restrictions, on WiFi-enabled international flights, free live TV and iHeartRadio may not be available for the full duration of flight.
2Internet access for $8 per device from takeoff to landing. Price is subject to change. May not be available for the full duration of flight. In order to provide a top-notch Internet experience, we prohibit access to certain high-bandwidth applications and websites. We also prohibit access to certain obscene or offensive content.
3First and second checked bags. Weight and size limits apply.
4Fare difference may apply.
5Failure to cancel a reservation at least 10 minutes prior to scheduled departure may result in forfeited travel funds.
6For same-day changes, on your day of travel, if there’s an open seat on a different flight that departs on the same calendar day as your original flight and it’s between the same cities, you can get a seat on the new flight free of airline charges. If there isn’t an open seat on this different flight, you can ask a Southwest Gate Agent to add you to the same-day standby list for a flight between the same city pairs that departs on the same calendar day prior to your originally scheduled flight, and you will receive a message if you are cleared on the flight. For both the same-day change and same-day standby benefits, you must change your flight or request to be added to the same-day standby list at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled departure of your original flight or the no-show policy will apply. Based on the flight status contact preference selected during booking, the message regarding your standby status will be an email or text message with a link to access the boarding pass via the Southwest app, mobile web, or you can visit a Southwest Gate Agent to print off the boarding pass. If there are any government taxes and fees associated with these itinerary changes, you will be required to pay those. Your original boarding position is not guaranteed.
