Southwest Airlines Flight Change Policy, Fees, & Process

Southwest Airlines is a passenger-centric airline. It gives the flexibility to change the flight at the last minute. Whether you want to change the destination or change the date of the flight, Southwest Airlines Flight Change policy gives you a clear picture before making any request. In this blog, we will cover all the details regarding the flight change policy including the methods to request the flight change and the associated fees. 

Key Points of Southwest Change Flight Policy

• Southwest Airlines doesn’t charge any fees for flight change, only the fare difference applies.
• You have to visit the official website to make modifications to the flight change 
• According to flight change policy, for Wanna Getaway tickets, you can change your flights at least 10  minutes before departure.
• You must check out the fare conditions before proceeding with the name change request. 
• Southwest Airlines also permits you to change the flight on the same day of the departure. 
• According to Southwest Change Flight Policy, you can change:

• Date
• Time
• Destination
• Origin
• Also, travelers can reschedule the flight due to significant delays or cancellations initiated by the airline. 

Southwest Flight Change Policy for Different Fares

There are various fares offered by Southwest Airlines. The flight change policy differs by the fare. 

Wanna Getaway and Wanna Getaway Plus Fares: 

These fares have stricter change flight rules because they are at the lowest priced fares. Under the Southwest Airlines flight change policy, you can change or cancel at least 10 minutes before departure, and there will be no charge or penalty.  

Business Select and Anytime Fares: 

Southwest Flight Change Policy permits you to make modifications to Anytime and Business Select tickets up to 10 minutes prior to departure, and no fees will be charged. 

Same-Day Flight Change and Standby Rules

Southwest Airlines allows passengers to change their flight on the same day of departure. The same-day policy allows passengers to choose another flight departing on the same day as their original flight between the same origin and destination. There will be no additional charges. 

Fare	Business Select	Anytime	Wanna Getaway+	Wanna Getaway
Same-Day	✅	✅	✅	❌
Standby	✅	✅	✅	✅

A Southwest Customer Service Agent can help you grab same-day standby on an earlier flight, or you can use the Southwest app or mobile web to complete the process. If approved, you’ll receive a message using your preferred contact method.

Note: For both same-change and same-day standby, you should request to change your flight at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled departure of your original flight. Remember, if you are using a mobile app then you should list your name 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure of your original flight. Remember, it is necessary to pay government taxes and fees that are linked to itinerary changes.  

Change Flight Rule Due to Delay

There can be instances where Southwest might cancel the flight. Also, it is possible that passengers might have to face a significant delay in travel. In these cases, travelers can change their flight date or time. They can change plans for both the impacted and non-impacted flights in the reservation. Southwest Change Flight Policy gives the flexibility to reschedule their flight up to 14 days from the original travel date. The best part is travelers can change their flights twice in this period without incurring any additional costs. 

If you decide not to travel, then you can cancel the flight. The refund will be according to the Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy. 

How Do You Change a Flight on Southwest Airlines?

Almost all the flights can be changed or canceled via the Southwest Airlines website or through their application without any need to call. These are the steps for changing the Southwest flight. 

• Locate the Manage Reservations option on their official website or application. 
• Enter your confirmation number and first and last name. 
• After that, choose the Flight Change option. 
• Now, select the flight you want to change.
• Enter the new date/time. 
• Choose new flights. 
• Pay the difference in fare. 

Southwest Airlines also allows to change a flight for an individual passenger in the booking. You need to bifurcate the reservation. Once the booking is divided, you can change or cancel the flight for a single passenger also in the booking. 

Steps to Make a Confirmed Same-Day Flight Change On Southwest 

• You will have to access your itinerary on your desktop or mobile. Also, if you are A- list preferred or A- list, you have to make sure to log in. 
• After logging in, choose the Same-Day change option. 
• Now, pick the new flight.
• You will then receive an email confirmation. You can print your new boarding pass at the time of check-in.

Steps to Make a Same-day Standby Request

• Get access to your itinerary on the Southwest app or mobile web at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time. If you are searching on the app click on View/Manage and then click on same-day standby. 
• You have to choose the flight and the airline will contact you through your contact preference regarding if you have been cleared or not.

How Much is the Southwest Airlines Change Flight Fee? 

Southwest Airlines doesn’t charge any fees for flight changes. They only have to pay the difference in fare. Either traveler is requesting Same-Day Flight Change or Standby, there won’t be additional charges levied by the airline. Almost all flights can be changed or canceled via their website or through the app. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Q. What is Southwest Airlines’ flight change policy?

Ans. Southwest Airlines gives the privilege of changing the flight up to ten minutes before departure. The rule applies to all fares. You can change your flight date or destination through the Southwest Airlines website or app.

Q. What changes can travelers make on Southwest?

Ans. On Southwest Airlines, travelers can change:

• Date
• Time
• Origin 
• Destination

Q. Is there any fee for changing the Southwest Airlines Flight?

Ans. No change fees are required. Travelers can change the flight at no additional cost. However, they will have to pay the difference in fare to acquire the new flight.

Q. Can we call Southwest for a flight change?

Ans. There is no need to call. Instead, you can make a flight change on the Southwest Airlines website. However, if required, you can connect with the executive by dialing a toll-free phone number. 

Q. How long before I can request a flight change on Southwest?

Ans. Regardless of fares, all passengers can change their flight up to 10 minutes prior to departure. There are no flight change fees levied by the airline. 

Q. Are there any penalties for changing flights 10 minutes before departure for wanna-get-away tickets?

Ans. There will be no penalty for Wanna get away tickets if you change them at least 10 minutes before departure. 

Q. What are the steps for changing the Southwest flight?

Ans. The easiest way to change the Southwest flight is by logging in to the My Trip section available on the official website and the app. You can pick the Change Flight option under the booking summary and pick the new date/destination/time. 

Q. What is Southwest Airlines’ same-day flight change policy?

Ans. The airline does not charge you for switching flights if there is room available on another flight departing on the same day as your original flight between the same origin and destination airports.  

Q. What is the deadline for requesting a Standby on Southwest Airlines?

Ans. If you are at the airport, you must make a standby request at least 10 minutes before departure. On the other hand, Its Flight Change Policy states that you must request a standby flight change at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure of your original flight through the mobile app.

Q. How much does Southwest charge for same-day standby?

Ans. Southwest Airlines’ same-day standby is free of charge. However, you will have to pay the difference in fare along with government taxes. These charges are refundable. 

Q. How many times can I change my Southwest Airlines flight?

Ans. You can change your flight an unlimited number of times with Southwest Airlines. However, the travel must be completed within a year from the original date of ticket issue. 

Q. What is the flight change policy due to the delay of the Southwest flight?

Ans. If the flight is significantly delayed, you can choose an alternate flight up to 14 days from the original date of the ticket. You can change the flight two times without any additional cost. 

Q. Which fares are eligible for Same-Day Standby?

Ans. On Southwest Airlines, passengers can request to be added to the standby list up to 10 minutes before the scheduled departure. According to the Southwest Airlines Flight Change Policy, all fares are eligible for a flight change on the same day. Whether it is Business Select, Anytime, Wanna Get Away+, or Wanna Get Away fares, all can request to be added to the standby list. 

Q. Can I request the Same-Day flight change with the Wanna Get Away fare?

Ans. No, Wanna Get Away Fare is not eligible for changing the flight on the same day of travel. 

All other fares offer the option to change the flight on the same day of travel. 

Q. Can I change my destination on Southwest Airlines flight booking?

Ans. Yes, you can change the destination of your flight on Southwest. You can enter the new destination under the My Trip section, and pick from the available flights.