It’s not about earning a living; it’s about designing a life. You’re sitting in your office, waiting for the clock to hit six, aching to leave for your trip. However, just then your boss calls and tells you about this really important meeting. Meanwhile, let’s be honest, you don’t care, but a job is a job, and your trip is down the drain. Moreover, you lose your money on that flight fare. However, don’t give up so easily, what if you can cancel your ticket & not lose your money? That is to say, with the Southwest Airlines cancelation policy, you can postpone your travel.
Come on! Keep reading to find out more about Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy.
What is Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy?
Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy is a set of guidelines, that dictate:
- Cancellation Period for Reservations
- Whether a Fare is Eligible for a Refund
- Flight Cancellation Charges
- What Constitutes a No-Show?
- No Show Penalty
If you need: Southwest Airlines Manage Booking
A Guide to Canceling a Southwest Flight
Southwest Airlines allows passengers three channels to cancel a flight. Therefore, below are the steps to cancel a flight using all three methods.
Through the Manage My Booking Feature
- Firstly, visit the official website of Southwest Airlines.
- Now, click on Flight on the top category bar. Then under the Flight section, select Manage Reservations.
- Herein, put in your reservation details & click on Search. On the other hand, click on Cancel Flight under the Change or Cancel Flight heading.
- Confirmation Number.
- First Name
- Last Name
- Once your booking is retrieved, click on the Cancel option.
Cancellation over a Phone Call
- Call the official helpline number of the airline.
- Follow the IVR instructions and press the desired key.
- After connecting with an executive, request them to cancel the booking.
- The executive will ask about the passenger’s details and booking number.
- Now, the agent will cancel the booking, which the passenger has requested.
- The passenger has to pay the cancellation fee if liable.
- Passengers can also ask the executive for a refund if they are eligible.
- Hence, passengers will receive the mail about cancelation at the mail address.
Cancellation at the Airport Counter
Passengers can make plan changes at the last moment even after reaching the airport. However, passengers can visit the airline counter to raise a request for cancellation of the booking. The executive will guide passengers through the process. After canceling the ticket, passengers can fill out the refund form, if they are eligible for a refund. Therefore, passengers also have to pay a cancellation fee if required.
Southwest Cancellation Policy – Terms & Conditions
- Firstly, Southwest Airlines offers three types of fares to their passengers. Also, their refundability depends on their type.
| Fare Type | Eligibility | |
| Refundable | Reusable as Travel Funds | |
| Wanna Get Away® | No | Yes |
| Anytime | Yes | Yes |
| Business Select® | Yes | Yes |
- Secondly, the minimum cancellation window is 10 minutes before departure. To clarify, passengers need to cancel their flights at least 10 minutes before the departure time.
- However, failing that, they will be termed as No-Show & their fares will automatically convert into travel funds.
- Thirdly, in certain cases, like with Wanna Get Away®, there is no Refund Method option. Consequently, your fare is only eligible for Travel Funds.
- Fourthly, all travel funds are not valid for the same amount of time. That is to say, their validity depends on the purchase method for the fare.
| Method of Purchase | Travel Fund Validity |
| Credit Card | 12 Months from the Booking Date |
| Gift Card | 12 Months from the Booking Date |
| Southwest LUV Voucher | Validity Period of the LUV Voucher |
- In addition, Southwest Airlines offers its passengers a 24-hour cooling-off period. That is to say, any fare canceled within 24 hours of booking will be eligible for both:
- Full Refund
- Conversion to Travel Funds
- Also, Southwest Airlines will process your refund request within 7 working days. However, the banks may take an additional 10 days to process the payment.
- In case a passenger wishes to claim their Travel Funds as a Refund amount, contact Southwest Airlines.
- However, only refundable tickets are eligible.
- Lastly, a passenger with refundable tickets, who is termed as a no-show, will:
- First, have their Rapid Rewards Point submitted back into the Rapid Rewards Account.
- Also, the taxes, fees & fare amount will be converted into Travel Funds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you cancel Southwest Airlines?
Yes, you can cancel your Southwest flight through the website or the app. However, you must make the cancellation request at least 10 minutes before departure.
Also, after cancellation, you can either convert your fare amount into travel funds.
How late can you cancel the flight on Southwest Airlines?
However, you can cancel your Southwest flight as late as 10 minutes before departure. However, failing that, you will be termed as a no-show. Also, your fare amount will be converted into Travel Funds.
How can I cancel my Southwest Airlines booking?
To sum up, there are ways to cancel your Southwest Airlines booking,
Manage Reservation Section, phone call, or at the airport.
Can I cancel my Southwest flight within 24 hours of reservation?
In conclusion, yes, you can cancel any type of fare within 24 hours of booking. Additionally, Southwest has 24 hours cooling-off period. To clarify, fares canceled within 24 hours of booking are fully refundable.
Which Southwest fares are refundable?
The Anytime & Business Select® class of fares is fully refundable. However, you must request cancellation at least 10 minutes before departure. Also, due to the cooling-off period, even Wanna Get Away® funds are fully refundable. In case, they are canceled within 24 hours of booking.
Can you fly standby on Southwest?
In case a passenger misses their flight but arrives at the airport within 2 hours after departure. Then they can travel on standby on an alternative flight, regardless of the fare type. However, in any other circumstance, only Anytime & Business Select® are eligible for flying standby.
Are masks required on Southwest flights?
Yes, following the CDC guidelines & Federal Laws. However, there are some medical exemptions.
Does Southwest charge a cancellation fee?
No, Southwest Airlines does not charge any cancellation fee, you can cancel your booking up to 10 minutes before departure.