Southwest Airlines·None
How to Change a Southwest Flight — Fees & Rules
How to Change a Southwest Flight — Fees & Rules — Summary
Change a Southwest booking: change fees, fare difference rules, same-day change and standby, the 24-hour rule, and what happens if you no-show.
Key Travel Facts & Insights
- Change fees: No change fee on any Southwest fare except Basic — this is the carrier's signature policy and it long predates the industry-wide move away from change fees.
- Same-day changes and standby: Same-day change and same-day standby are free on Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime and Business Select fares..
- The 24-hour rule: Cancel within 24 hours of booking for a refund to the original form of payment on any fare, including Basic..
- If you miss the flight: Southwest's no-show policy is strict: fail to cancel at least 10 minutes before departure and the funds on non-refundable fares are forfeited entirely.
Change fees
No change fee on any Southwest fare except Basic — this is the carrier's signature policy and it long predates the industry-wide move away from change fees. You pay only the fare difference, and if the new fare is cheaper you keep the difference as flight credit.
Same-day changes and standby
Same-day change and same-day standby are free on Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime and Business Select fares.
The 24-hour rule
Cancel within 24 hours of booking for a refund to the original form of payment on any fare, including Basic.
If you miss the flight
Southwest's no-show policy is strict: fail to cancel at least 10 minutes before departure and the funds on non-refundable fares are forfeited entirely. Cancelling takes 30 seconds in the app and preserves the full value.
Which fare you bought matters
Basic — Non-changeable and non-refundable outside the 24-hour window, and boards last — the one Southwest fare that behaves like a traditional Basic Economy ticket. Wanna Get Away Plus — Fare difference still applies on a change. Anytime — Materially more expensive than Wanna Get Away fares. Business Select — There is no separate premium cabin — the seat is the same.
Fastest way to make the change
The Southwest app handles changes, cancellations and credits cleanly. Because there is no change fee, self-service rebooking is genuinely usable rather than a route to a penalty.
Southwest changing your flight — common questions
Does Southwest charge a change fee?
No change fee on any Southwest fare except Basic — this is the carrier's signature policy and it long predates the industry-wide move away from change fees. You pay only the fare difference, and if the new fare is cheaper you keep the difference as flight credit.
Can I cancel a Southwest flight within 24 hours?
Cancel within 24 hours of booking for a refund to the original form of payment on any fare, including Basic.
What happens if I miss my Southwest flight?
Southwest's no-show policy is strict: fail to cancel at least 10 minutes before departure and the funds on non-refundable fares are forfeited entirely. Cancelling takes 30 seconds in the app and preserves the full value.
More Southwest help
Booking Southwest? Talk to a US travel consultant.
Fare rules, baggage allowances and change policies differ by route and fare brand. Our consultants confirm the exact terms attached to your itinerary before you pay — and handle the change or refund if plans move.