Southwest Airlines is widely recognized for its customer-friendly approach to flight cancellations, offering a level of flexibility that many other carriers don’t. Whether you need to adjust your travel plans or cancel your flight altogether, Southwest’s cancellation policy is designed to give you peace of mind without penalizing you with hefty fees. Here’s everything you need to know about Southwest Airlines cancellation policy.
1. No Change Fees
One of the most appealing features of Southwest Airlines is their no change fee policy. Unlike other airlines that impose high fees for changing or canceling your flight, Southwest allows you to cancel or change your flight without paying any additional fees. This policy applies to both refundable and non-refundable tickets, which makes it easier for passengers to adjust their plans without financial penalty.
2. How to Cancel Your Flight
Canceling a Southwest flight is quick and straightforward. You can cancel your flight in the following ways:
- Online: Go to the Southwest Airlines website or open the mobile app. Log into your account, find your reservation, and select the “Cancel” option.
- By Phone: You can also cancel by calling Southwest’s customer service if you prefer speaking with a representative.
No matter which option you choose, you won’t incur any cancellation fees.
3. Refundable vs. Non-Refundable Fares
When canceling your flight, your refund options will depend on the type of ticket you purchased:
- Refundable Fares (Business Select): If you booked a Business Select ticket, which is a refundable fare, you will receive a full refund to your original payment method if you cancel the flight before the departure.
- Non-Refundable Fares (Wanna Get Away): If you booked a Wanna Get Away or Wanna Get Away Plus ticket, you won’t get a cash refund. Instead, you will receive travel credit for the value of your fare (minus taxes), which can be used toward a future flight with Southwest Airlines. This credit is valid for 12 months from the date of your original booking.
4. Refunds for Canceled Flights
The refund process depends on whether you or Southwest cancels the flight:
- Southwest Cancels the Flight: If Southwest cancels your flight due to reasons like weather, mechanical issues, or operational problems, you will be eligible for a full refund, regardless of your fare type. Refunds are typically processed within a few days, depending on your payment method.
- You Cancel the Flight: If you choose to cancel your flight, the refund policy is as follows:
- Refundable Tickets: You will receive a full refund to your original payment method.
- Non-Refundable Tickets: You will receive travel credit, which can be used for future travel on Southwest Airlines. Please note that the credit is only valid for 12 months from the original booking date.
5. Same-Day Flight Changes
Southwest allows flexibility for same-day flight changes. If you need to change your flight for the same day, you can do so at no extra charge (aside from any fare difference). If a seat is available on the new flight, you can be rebooked without paying a change fee. However, if the new flight is more expensive, you will need to pay the difference in price.
6. 24-Hour Cancellation Policy
Southwest Airlines has a 24-hour cancellation policy for all flights. If you book a flight and need to cancel it within 24 hours of booking (and your flight is at least 7 days away), you can cancel without any penalty and receive a full refund. This is a great benefit if you change your mind or make a mistake when booking.
7. Canceling Flights Paid with Rapid Rewards Points
If you used Rapid Rewards points to book your flight, you can still cancel and get your points back. Here’s how it works:
- Within 10 Minutes of Booking: If you cancel within 10 minutes of booking, you will receive a full refund of your points with no penalty.
- After 10 Minutes: If you cancel after the 10-minute window, a points reinstatement fee will apply, but you will still get most of your points back, minus a small fee.
8. Using Travel Credit
If you cancel a non-refundable fare, you’ll receive travel credit instead of a cash refund. This credit can be used to book future flights on Southwest Airlines, and here’s what you need to know about it:
- Non-transferable: Travel credits are issued in the name of the person who originally booked the flight. They cannot be transferred to another person.
- Expiration: Travel credits are valid for 12 months from the original booking date. If you do not use the credit within that period, it will expire.
- Booking with Travel Credit: You can use the credit to book any future flight with Southwest Airlines, as long as the booking is within the 12-month validity period.
9. Refunds for Additional Services
In addition to your flight, you may have purchased additional services like EarlyBird Check-In, Upgraded Boarding, or checked baggage. These services are generally non-refundable, even if you cancel your flight. However, if Southwest cancels your flight, you may receive a refund for these extra services as part of your cancellation.
10. Special Circumstances
In certain situations, such as illness, a family emergency, or other unforeseen events, Southwest may offer accommodations to help with your cancellation. While this is not guaranteed, it’s always worth reaching out to customer service to explain your situation. Southwest is known for its customer service and may offer solutions such as rescheduling or waiving certain fees.
Key Takeaways:
- No Change Fees: Southwest does not charge change fees for cancellations or modifications to your flight.
- 24-Hour Cancellation: You can cancel your flight within 24 hours of booking for a full refund, as long as the flight is scheduled at least 7 days in advance.
- Refundable vs. Non-Refundable Tickets: Refundable fares get a cash refund; non-refundable fares get travel credit for future flights.
- Same-Day Flight Changes: Southwest allows free same-day changes, but you may need to pay for any fare difference.
- Rapid Rewards Points: If you cancel a flight booked with Rapid Rewards points, you can get your points refunded, with a small reinstatement fee after 10 minutes.
- Travel Credit: Travel credit is valid for 12 months and can only be used by the original ticket holder.
