How Does Southwest Flight Change Policy Work?

Southwest Airlines allows you to change your flight through Manage Reservations on its website or app for free, but the fare difference must be covered. 

Stuck with a Southwest flight you’re no longer interested in taking? No worries, Southwest flight change policy is your solution, whether your travel plan is postponed or preponed. However, the process of changing flights on Southwest can be a little problematic if you do not know the important rules, and a small mistake can also result in losing your ticket value . Therefore, this guide aims to give you all the crucial information and best flight change methods with some reality checks as well, so that you can have a smooth experience of changing your Southwest flight.

Don’t have enough time and skills to safely modify your booking and change your Southwest flight? Speak to a specialist now at +1 (800) 419-9920 to get immediate assistance.

Is It Possible For You To Change Your Southwest Flight?

Yes, you can change your Southwest flight easily, given that you know all the terms and conditions of the Southwest flight change policy. Southwest Airlines offers the flexibility to change flights because adhering to a pre-planned traveling schedule has never been easy for anyone. When unforeseen reasons start interfering with your trip schedule, you are left with no other option except for changing the flight or its date.

Thankfully, Southwest stretches the deadline to change flights up to 10 minutes before departure. Therefore, you must change your Southwest flight at least 10 minutes before departure, and if you don’t change your flight 10 minutes before departure, you will be marked as a no-show passenger, and your ticket’s value may be forfeited.

Read more: Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy

How Does Southwest Airlines Handle Flight Changes?

No doubt, Southwest had the best policy for flight changes as it used to allow all fares for flight changes for free, but the new reality is that Southwest has introduced tiered flexibility. If you booked the new Basic Fare, your options are much more limited than the classic Wanna Get Away tickets. Here, we have mentioned some of the most critical points of the Southwest’s revamped policy for flight changes that you need to know.

• You can change your flight up until 10 minutes before departure. If you delay any longer than this, you won’t be able to change your flight and might end up forfeiting your ticket’s value.
• You will never pay a flat penalty to change your Southwest flight as the charges are zero, but if the new flight costs $100 more, you must pay that $100 fare difference.
• During the Southwest Airlines change flight process, you can also upgrade your fare from non-refundable to refundable.
• If you purchased a recently introduced Basic fare, which is non-changeable directly, you will need to upgrade it to any higher fare that allows flight change and then pay the fare difference, if any, to change your flight.

Tip: Our travel experts can also handle complex itineraries, change flights with basic fare, and find alternative routes that the website might not show you. So, don’t struggle, just call us at +1 (800) 419-9920.

Does Southwest Allow Date changes?

On a related note, as we discuss the Southwest flight change, it is also appropriate to shed light on Southwest’s date change rule. Yes, it is allowed to change flight date Southwest. Please note that the Southwest flight date change is also free if the request is made within 14 days.

See this also: How Does Southwest Upgrade to Business Select (Choice Extra)?

Can You Do A Same Day Flight Change On Southwest?

Yes, you can change a Southwest Airlines flight on the same day if seats are available on the flight you chose after snubbing the original one. Please note that the Southwest same day flight change is possible as long as the departure and destination locations or airports are the same. The other case of Southwest same day flight change can be when you want to travel on an earlier flight.

In this situation, you can add yourself to the standby list, which means if a seat becomes available on the earlier flight, your flight will be changed at no extra cost or $0 fare difference, which is a huge perk if you bought a Choice or Choice Extra ticket.

How Much Do You Need To Pay To Change Flight On Southwest?

Southwest Airlines flight change fee is zero whether you are making a last-minute change to your domestic itinerary or seeking an international flight change. Regardless of fare type, you will always pay the fare difference if you change to the more expensive flight.

How Can You Change Your Southwest Flight?

With the straightforward process of changing flights on Southwest Airlines, you can throw the cushion to the wind and alter your booking. Southwest not only offers a friendly procedure but also gives you plenty of options to change your flight. Let’s check them out one by one.

1. Through Website

• Go to the official website of Southwest Airlines.
• Log in to your account and access the Manage Reservations section.
• Search for your flight with your reservation confirmation code and last name.
• Click on the Change button and select a new flight.
• Make a payment for the fare difference only if the new fare is higher than the original one.

2. Via Southwest’s Customer Support or Travel Agency

• Connect with the Southwest Airlines representative at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA or an Aware Travels’ agent at +1 (800) 419-9920.
• Provide your reservation number and last name to search your reservation details.
• Select a flight from the given options and confirm it to proceed to the payment step.
• Payment will be applicable only if your new flight ticket is more expensive than the original.

Tip: Calling a Southwest representative may involve long hold times, while our agent answers your call at +1 (800) 419-9920 instantly.

3. At the Airport

• Visit the airport and look for the Southwest Airlines ticket counter.
• Tell the Southwest Airlines representative that you want to change your flight.
• Provide reservation details to the representative.
• Choose a new flight from the options given at the desk.
• Cover the fare difference and confirm your new flight.

Conclusion

Southwest Airlines flight change policy has simplified the process of changing flights whenever you deal with an emergency, as you can reschedule or change your flight without incurring a cost to change flight Southwest up to 10 minutes before the departure of the flight. Regardless of fare type, Southwest allows you to rebook a flight for free through its website, app, phone number, and help desk at the airport.

You may also be interested in:
1. How Does JetBlue Flight Change Policy Work?
2. United Airlines Change Flight Guide, Rules, Fees, and Tips
3. How Do You Change a Flight on Delta?

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