Q: What is the difference between same-day change and same-day standby?

Same-day change means 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 airports, you can get a confirmed seat on the new flight free of airline charges if you make the change on the day of travel. Same-day standby allows you to retain your current flight and boarding position assignment and list yourself for standby on a different flight. You can ask a Southwest ® Agent at the ticket counter or departure gate or add yourself to the same-day standby list via the Southwest app or mobile web. You will not lose your boarding position on your original flight unless you are officially moved to the new flight.

Q: Who qualifies for same-day change and same-day standby benefits?

Same-day change (confirmed change): A-List Preferred and A-List Rapid Rewards ® Members regardless of the fare purchased Business Select ® , Anytime, and Wanna Get Away Plus ® Customers Please note: Wanna Get Away ® Customers can make a same-day change, but fare differences may apply. See more of the benefits offered by fare type . Same-day standby (standby list): All fares Please note: group bookings and Unaccompanied Minors are not eligible for same-day standby. Important: Government taxes and fees may apply.

Q: How do I make a same-day change?

To make a same-day change yourself: Customers who qualify can make a same-day change on the day-of-travel at airport kiosks, Southwest.com ® , and in the mobile app. Look up your flight confirmation number. You can also find your flight confirmation number in My Account or in your confirmation email. See which same-day flights between the same airports have available seats and choose a new one. You’ll receive a text or email confirmation (based on flight status contact preference selected during booking) with a link to retrieve your new boarding pass. For assistance in making a same-day change: On the day-of-travel, call Southwest Customer Service at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA ® , or ask a Southwest Agent at the ticket counter or departure gate. Important : For Southwest Business bookings, changes may need to be made through your travel agent.

Q: Will I retain my original boarding position on my new flight?

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 from the same-day standby list , you will need to check in to receive a new boarding position. With same-day standby, you will not lose your boarding position on your original flight unless you are officially moved to the new flight.

Question 1

What is same-day change?

Accepted Answer

On your day of travel, same-day change lets you swap your flight for an alternate one—as long as

your origin airport, destination airport, and day of travel are the same,
there’s an open seat, and
you change your flight at least 10 minutes before your original scheduled departure time.

Please note, government taxes and fees associated with your changes may apply.

A-List Preferred Members, A-List Members, and Customers with eligible fares qualify for same-day change.

Learn more about same-day change and same-day standby benefits.

Question 2

What is same-day standby?

Accepted Answer

On the day of travel, you can get on the same-day standby list for another flight departing on the same calendar day between the same origin airport and destination airport as your original flight, free of airline charges. To use the same-day standby benefit, you must 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. If using the Southwest app or mobile web, you must list your name 30 minutes ahead of scheduled departure. Please note, government taxes and fees associated with your changes may apply but refunds will be provided.

All fares qualify for same-day standby. However, group bookings and Unaccompanied Minors are not eligible for same-day standby.

Learn more about same-day change and same-day standby benefits.

Question 3

Is same-day standby free?

Accepted Answer

Yes, same-day standby is free of airline charges. Customers are no longer required to pay any fare difference. Government taxes and fees may apply but will be refunded.

Question 4

What is the difference between same-day change and same-day standby?

Accepted Answer

Same-day change means 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 airports, you can get a confirmed seat on the new flight free of airline charges if you make the change on the day of travel. Same-day standby allows you to retain your current flight and boarding position assignment and list yourself for standby on a different flight.

You can ask a Southwest^® Agent at the ticket counter or departure gate or add yourself to the same-day standby list via the Southwest app or mobile web. You will not lose your boarding position on your original flight unless you are officially moved to the new flight.

Question 5

Who qualifies for same-day change and same-day standby benefits?

Accepted Answer

Same-day change (confirmed change):

A-List Preferred and A-List Rapid Rewards^® Members regardless of the fare purchased
Business Select^®, Anytime, and Wanna Get Away Plus^® Customers
Please note: Wanna Get Away^® Customers can make a same-day change, but fare differences may apply. See more of the benefits offered by fare type.

Same-day standby (standby list):

All fares
Please note: group bookings and Unaccompanied Minors are not eligible for same-day standby.
Important: Government taxes and fees may apply.

Question 6

What is the priority order of the standby list?

Accepted Answer

Customers who are re-accommodated following flight disruptions
A-List Preferred and A-List Rapid Reward Members prioritized based on fare (Business Select, Anytime, Wanna Get Away Plus, Wanna Get Away)
All other Customers prioritized by the same fare order

Question 7

How do I make a same-day change?

Accepted Answer

To make a same-day change yourself:

Customers who qualify can make a same-day change on the day-of-travel at airport kiosks, Southwest.com^®, and in the mobile app.

Look up your flight confirmation number. You can also find your flight confirmation number in My Account or in your confirmation email.
See which same-day flights between the same airports have available seats and choose a new one.
You’ll receive a text or email confirmation (based on flight status contact preference selected during booking) with a link to retrieve your new boarding pass.

For assistance in making a same-day change:

On the day-of-travel, call Southwest Customer Service at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA^®, or ask a Southwest Agent at the ticket counter or departure gate.

Important: For Southwest Business bookings, changes may need to be made through your travel agent.

Question 8

How can I get added to the same-day standby list, and how do I know if I get a seat on the flight?

Accepted Answer

Customers can get added to the same-day standby list in person at the airport on the day-of-travel with a Southwest Customer Service Agent at the ticket counter or departure gate or on the Southwest app or mobile web. If a seat becomes available for you on the flight, you will receive an email or text message (based on the flight status contact preference selected during booking) with a link to check in to receive your new boarding pass via the Southwest app or mobile web. You can also visit a Southwest Customer Service Agent at the ticket counter or departure gate to request the boarding pass.

Question 9

Can I make a same-day change or get on the same-day standby flight on any day other than the day of my original flight?

Accepted Answer

Question 10

Will I retain my original boarding position on my new flight?

Accepted Answer

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 from the same-day standby list, you will need to check in to receive a new boarding position. With same-day standby, you will not lose your boarding position on your original flight unless you are officially moved to the new flight.

Question 11

If an A-List Preferred or A-List Member has an itinerary with a Passenger who is not an A-List Preferred or A-List Member, does the Passenger also qualify for same-day change?​

Accepted Answer

It depends on the type of fare purchased. If the fare is Wanna Get Away, same-day change will not be available to non-A-List or non-A-List Preferred Members. If the fare is Business Select, Anytime, or Wanna Get Away Plus, all Passengers will be eligible for same-day change.

Question 12

What if I want to use same-day change with my Companion?

Accepted Answer

Companion Pass^® holders who have a Companion already booked and would like to use the same-day change benefit can take the following steps:

On Southwest.com or in the mobile app:

The Companion Pass holder must cancel their Companion’s reservation (do not cancel your own flight).
The Companion Pass holder can change their flight through the same-day change benefit.
The Companion Pass holder can add their Companion to the new flight through their Rapid Rewards account.

At the airport:

All Customers can make these changes at the airport with a Southwest Agent at the ticket counter or departure gate or call 1-800-I-FLY-SWA.

Question 13

What if I want to use same-day standby with my Companion?

Accepted Answer

On the day of travel, Companion Pass holders who have a Companion already booked and would like to use the same-day standby benefit can get added to the same-day standby list only in person at the airport with a Southwest Customer Service Agent located at the ticket counter or departure gate. Companion Pass holders and Companions cannot use the Southwest app or mobile web to list for standby. If seats become available for you and your Companion on the flight, you will receive an email or text message (based on the flight status contact preference selected during booking) with a link to access your new boarding pass. You and your Companion will both need to retrieve your new boarding passes via the Southwest app or mobile web or visit a Southwest Customer Service Agent at the ticket counter or departure gate to request new boarding passes.

Keep in mind that a Companion must travel with the Companion Pass holder. If the Companion and Companion Pass holder choose not to travel together, the Companion must purchase a ticket at the applicable fare in order to travel.

Question 14

Where can Customers with Southwest Business bookings make a same-day change or request same-day standby?

Accepted Answer

Same-day change:

You may be required to book through your travel agent.

Same-day standby:

Southwest Customer Service Agent at the airport ticket counter or departure gate or on the Southwest app or mobile web. Note: some Southwest business Customers may be required to see a Southwest Customer Service Agent to list for standby.

Question 15

Why don’t I see the option to list for standby on the Southwest app or mobile web?​

Accepted Answer

You don’t have the latest version of the Southwest app downloaded on your device
You are attempting to list for standby before the day of your scheduled departure
Your itinerary is linked to another Customer’s itinerary
You have an extra seat reserved on your itinerary
You are an Unaccompanied Minor or Young Traveler

Please note: group bookings and Unaccompanied Minors are not eligible for same-day standby.

Question 16

Why am I being directed to speak with a Southwest Customer Service Agent at the airport when attempting to add myself to the same-day standby list using the Southwest app or mobile web?​

Accepted Answer

You may need to speak with a Customer Service Agent to be added to the same-day standby list for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to:

You are attempting to add yourself to the same-day standby list less than 30 minutes prior to your desired flight’s scheduled departure.
Your desired itinerary change may result in a collection or refund of taxes and fees.
You are traveling on an international itinerary.
Your desired itinerary change will result in a different connection city than your confirmed itinerary.
You are attempting to add yourself to the same-day standby list in your connection city.
You are attempting to list for a flight later than your original flight.

Keep in mind that group bookings and Unaccompanied Minors are not eligible for same-day standby.