Q: Can I change my nonrefundable fare to a refundable fare in order to receive a refund of my ticket?

If you originally purchased a Wanna Get Away ® or Wanna Get Away Plus ® ticket and you'd like to upgrade to a refundable fare (Anytime or Business Select®), you can select a different fare when changing your flight . The fare difference between your originally purchased Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus fare (non-refundable) and your new Anytime or Business Select fare is refundable. However, the funds associated with your initial purchase of a non-refundable fare remain non-refundable. For example, if you purchased a Wanna Get Away or Wanna Get Away Plus fare for $100 then upgraded it to a refundable Anytime or Business Select fare that costs $300 and later canceled the reservation, the $200 difference would be refundable and the original $100 would be eligible for use as a flight credit. Learn more about our fare types .

Question 1

How do I change my Southwest® flight?

Accepted Answer

Most flights can be easily changed through our website or the Southwest app, without needing to call.

Look for the Manage Reservations option on our website or app and then tap or click the Change option.

Change your flight

Question 2

How do I change or cancel my Southwest flight for just one or some members of my party?

Accepted Answer

To change or cancel a flight for a specific traveler on a reservation with two or more travelers, you must first divide the reservation. After you divide the reservation, you will be able to change or cancel the reservation that needs updating. In most cases, you can divide your reservation or change the number of people flying online without needing to call.* Once completed, you will receive an email with a new confirmation number for the Customer(s) divided off the original reservation.

*If you are unable to divide your reservation online, contact us at 1-800-435-9792.

Question 3

How do I cancel my Southwest flight?

Accepted Answer

Most flights can be easily canceled on our website or in our app without needing to call.

Look for the Manage Reservations option on our website or app and then tap or click the Cancel option.

Cancel your flight

Our website and the Southwest app also allow eligible Customers to cancel a portion of their trip while keeping the other portion of the reservation available to fly.

Question 4

Southwest changed my flight. How do I rebook or cancel?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes we need to change our flight schedule, and we’re sorry if your travel plans have been impacted.

If Southwest called or emailed you with a new itinerary, your new reservation is confirmed and you don’t need to do anything else. If your new trip does not work, you have the option to change or cancel your flight.

Change your flight

If you have been affected by an involuntary change, you can change each flight date/time in your original reservation, both the impacted and non-impacted, by up to 14 days from your original travel date up to two times at no additional cost.

Change your flight

Cancel your flight

If you decide not to travel as a result of a Southwest-initiated schedule change, you can choose to either a) receive a method-of-payment refund or b) hold the value of the ticket as a flight credit that you can use to buy a future flight. Learn more about refunds and flight credit.

Cancel your flight

Still have questions? Please call us at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA®.

Question 5

Southwest^® canceled my flight. How do I rebook or request a refund? 

Accepted Answer

We're sorry your flight was canceled. We want to make it right. You have a few options available.

In most cases, after a few minutes, you will be automatically rebooked on another Southwest flight to your destination. If Southwest called, texted, or emailed you with a new itinerary, your new reservation is confirmed, and you don't need to do anything else. If your new flight(s) does not fit your plans or you aren't automatically rebooked, you have the option to change or cancel your flight.

Change your flight

If you have been affected by a Southwest-initiated cancellation, you can change each flight date/time in your original reservation, both the impacted and non-impacted, by up to 14 days from your original travel date up to two times at no additional cost.

Change your flight

Cancel your flight

If you decide not to travel as a result of a Southwest-initiated cancellation, you can choose to either a) receive a method-of-payment refund or b) hold the value of the ticket as a flight credit that you can use to buy a future flight. Learn more about refunds and flight credits. 

Cancel your flight

Still have questions? Please call us at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA^®.

Question 6

How much does Southwest charge to change a flight?

Accepted Answer

Southwest never charges fees to change your flights because we understand plans change. You may be asked to pay a difference in fare if the new flight you’re choosing costs more than your original itinerary.

The good news? If your new flight costs less, we’ll refund the difference to the original form of payment (if applicable) or the difference will be held for future use in the form of a flight credit.

Question 7

What do the pluses and minuses mean on the Select New Flights page when I change my flight?

Accepted Answer

A flight with a “+” by the price indicates the new flight costs that amount more (e.g., +$29) than your original itinerary and you’ll be charged an additional $29. If there’s a “-” by the price, it means your new flight costs that amount less (e.g., -$15) and you’ll be refunded $15 to the original form of payment (if applicable) or to a flight credit.

If the flight says $0, that means the new flight costs the same as the original flight you booked, and you can switch without paying more or receiving a refund/flight credit.

Question 8

Is there a limit on how many changes I can make?

Accepted Answer

No, you can change your flight as many times as you want, but you will be asked to pay a fare difference if the flight you’re changing to costs more than your previous itinerary.

Question 9

Is there a time limit on changes or cancellations?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can change or cancel your flight up until 10 minutes before your scheduled departure time. For example, if you had a flight scheduled to depart at 8 a.m., you’d have until 7:50 a.m. to make changes or cancel the flight. If you do not travel and do not change or cancel, your reservation will be subject to our no-show policy.

Question 10

Can I make changes to my flight after I’ve already checked in?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can make changes to your flight up until 10 minutes before scheduled departure time, even if you’ve already checked in. If you’re changing to a flight within 24 hours, be sure to check in for your new flight after you make the change.

But remember, if you do not travel and do not change or cancel the flight at least 10 minutes before scheduled departure, your reservation will be subject to our no-show policy.

Question 11

Can I change my nonrefundable fare to a refundable fare in order to receive a refund of my ticket?

Accepted Answer

If you originally purchased a Wanna Get Away^® or Wanna Get Away Plus^® ticket and you'd like to upgrade to a refundable fare (Anytime or Business Select®), you can select a different fare when changing your flight.

The fare difference between your originally purchased Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus fare (non-refundable) and your new Anytime or Business Select fare is refundable. However, the funds associated with your initial purchase of a non-refundable fare remain non-refundable.

For example, if you purchased a Wanna Get Away or Wanna Get Away Plus fare for $100 then upgraded it to a refundable Anytime or Business Select fare that costs $300 and later canceled the reservation, the $200 difference would be refundable and the original $100 would be eligible for use as a flight credit.

Learn more about our fare types.

Question 12

Can I change a reservation that is linked to a reservation for a Passenger under the age of 18?

Accepted Answer

You can change a flight that is linked to a minor's flight by following these steps:

You can also call a Southwest Airlines Customer Representative at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) for help.

If you have already cancelled the minor's reservation and still can't make changes to your flight, we might be experiencing a delay.

Question 13

How can I make a change to a reservation when I’m traveling with my Companion?

Accepted Answer

You can change a flight that is linked to a Companion's flight by following these steps:

You can also call a Southwest Airlines Customer Representative at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) for help.

If you have already cancelled the Companion's reservation and still can't make changes to your flight, we might be experiencing a delay.

Question 14

Can I change my flight if I booked through a travel agency?

Accepted Answer

If your flight was booked through a travel agency, it can only be changed online on the day of the flight. If you need to change it at any other time, please call your TMC/Travel Agency or a Southwest Airlines Customer Representative for help at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792).

Question 15

If my flight contains a lap child, can I change it online?

Accepted Answer

To change a flight with a lap child, please call a Southwest Airlines Customer Representative at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792).