After planning a trip, we get into a situation where we need to change the date of the flight. However, we have to pay a wholesome amount. Not anymore! The Southwest date change policy covers all your stress and gives you relief by allowing you to change for free. Therefore, before making any changes, you must know the Southwest Airlines date change rule and how it works.
Guidelines for Southwest Airlines Date Change Policy
Southwest Airlines date change policy allows you to change the date of flight booking at least two hours before departure. However, you can change your flight for free, yet you can rebook the flight and have to pay the fare difference if that flight amount is higher.
- You do not have to pay the date change fee, yet must pay the fare difference.
- Change of Date is allowed until one hour before departure for domestic flights and two hours for international flights.
- Moreover, you can change the date on the same day of booking.
- You can request a date change in Southwest by visiting the official website, phone call, or at the airport.
- Suppose you have booked your ticket through a third party, then you must contact the travel agency to make the changes.
Southwest Same Day Date Change Policy
However, Southwest Airlines allows you to change your date on the same day of departure. You can change the date through online or offline methods at least one hour before departure. Although, no fee will be charged.
Date Change Policy for Types of Southwest Fares
Meanwhile, the date change policy of Southwest Airlines depends on the type of fare you have booked. There are various options for fares that the airline offers.
Wanna Get Away
These fares are non-refundable tickets that allow you to change the date but your amount will be credited to your travel account for future use. However, wanna-get-away fare holders can change the date to two hours before departure.
Anytime Fare
These fares are refundable when you request for date change on Southwest. Moreover, you must change the date up to 10 minutes before departure and you will receive a complete refund. However, if you fail to cancel before 10 minutes of departure, the refund amount will be converted to travel credits.
Business Select Fare
Southwest allows business select holders to change their date up to two hours before departure for free and the entire refund will be credited.
How to Change the Date on Southwest Airlines?
There are three ways from which you can change the date of the Southwest flight, such as the official website, phone, or at the airport.
Date Change Via Manage Booking Feature
- Firstly, log in to your account on the Southwest Airlines website.
- From the section, visit my trips on the website.
- Find the flight booking that you want to change.
- You can change the date from the given option by clicking on change the booking.
- A mail will be dropped confirming the date change on your registered mail address.
Through Phone Call
One can change the date of the booking by calling the Southwest Airlines reservation department. Some of the basic details are to be shared like reservation number, your name, and date of departure. Hence, the confirmation will be mailed to your registered email address.
At the airport counter
One can go directly to the Southwest booking counter to change the date of the booking of the flight. This can be the best way if the plan changes at the last moment.
Is There a Date Change Fee on Southwest Airlines?
- No fee will be charged for changing the date within 24 hours of booking.
- Southwest will issue a travel credit if the ticket is under $100.
- If you change the date with Rapid Reward Points, your points will be refunded back in the form of travel credits.
- Moreover, Southwest does not charge any fee for date changes.
What Happens if Southwest Changes the Dates?
There are rare situations when Southwest changes their flight, the airline will inform the travelers through SMS or mail options. Moreover, you will also be able to check the Manage Booking feature to know about the flight status.
- Southwest will rebook for you an alternate flight if your original flight is delayed or canceled. Meanwhile, if you are not comfortable with the changes made to the flight, you can ask for a refund and contact the Southwest team.
- In case of longer delays, the airline will compensate you with complimentary meals and refreshment vouchers.
- However, suppose the flight gets delayed for more than two hours the airline will compensate with a refund.
- The refund will be processed and will be credited within 7 to 20 business days at the original mode of payment.
- Herein, if the flight is delayed, you can use the Southwest Manage Booking form to change the booking and fill out the online refund form.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the risk-free period on Southwest?
However, Southwest Airlines allows you to make changes to the flight within 24 hours of booking without paying any fee, which is applicable for all types of fares.
What are the ways to change the flight on Southwest?
You can change your flights through the Manage Booking tool on the official website, or by phone call. Thus, you can also seek the assistance of a virtual chat assistant to make the changes for your date.
Can I change my award ticket on Southwest?
Indeed, Southwest allows its loyalty program members to make changes to their flights. Moreover, no points will be deducted from your account and a complete refund will be credited.
Will I be charged a date change fee on Southwest Airlines?
No, Southwest does not charge any date change fee from you, thus, it is applicable for all types of fares.
Can Southwest change my traveling date?
Southwest will rebook for you an alternate flight if your original flight is delayed or canceled. Meanwhile, if you are not comfortable with the changes made to the flight, you can ask for a refund and contact the Southwest team.
Can I change my flight after checking in on Southwest?
Yes, you can make changes to your flight after check-in. However, you can make changes to your flight date up to 10 minutes before departure without paying any fee.
Can I change the group booking on Southwest?
Definitely, you can make changes to the group bookings yet only by contacting the airline over the phone. The online method is not available for group bookings.
Am I allowed to make changes with wanna-get-away fares on Southwest?
Indeed, you can change your flight date while booking from any type of fares on Southwest. Hence, no fee will be chargeable and you can change your flight up to 10 minutes before departure.