Everything You Need to Know About Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy
If your travel plans change at the last minute, knowing your airline’s cancellation policy can save you time, money and stress. Many travelers choose to fly Southwest Airlines because they are known to have flexible travel policies. So, in this article, we are going to discuss everything you need to know about Southwest Airlines cancellation policy, how to cancel it, and what to do to avoid unwanted fees.
Why You Should Fly Southwest Airlines
This reputation makes Southwest Airlines an industry leader in budget flexible travel. They also offer one of the best cancellation policies among airlines. Whether it’s for business or leisure, Southwest’s cancellation rules can add ease to your travels, especially when plans change.
Important Aspects Of Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy
Not all airlines will charge you to change flights, like Southwest Airlines.
2. Refundable Tickets
If you bought a refundable ticket, you can receive a full refund to your original form of payment if you choose to cancel your flight.
3. Non-Refundable Tickets
With a nonrefundable ticket, one can through the flight and obtain a credit toward travel in the future. This credit usually expires one year from the original purchase date.
4. Free Cancellations within 24 Hours
Regardless of the ticket type, you are entitled to a full refund if you were to cancel your flight within 24 hours of making the booking. This includes both non-refundable and refundable fares.
How to Cancel a Southwest Airlines Flight
It is pretty simple for passengers to cancel their flights on Southwest Airlines. This is done in just a few simple steps:
Southwest’s Website Online
Go to the Southwest Airlines website.
Navigate to the “Manage Reservations” tab.
Input your confirmation number and the passenger’s name.
Choose the flight you’d like to cancel and follow through the prompts to complete the process.
By Phone
Another way to cancel your flight on Southwest Airlines is to call their customer service team directly. The agent should help you cancel your flight and issue any applicable travel credits or refunds.
Via the Southwest Airlines Mobile App
If a mobile device is more your style, cancel your flight via the Southwest Airlines mobile app. Log into the account where you made the reservation, select your booking and go through the steps to cancel.
What Happens When You Cancel Your Southwest Flight?
What happens next when you cancel a flight to the process will depend on your ticket type and when you make your cancellation.
Refundable Tickets
Refund to your payment method: A refundable ticket canceled will be refunded and credited back to the same payment method.
Processing: Refunds are processed based on your payment method and may take up to 10 business days.
Non-Refundable Tickets
Travel Credit: If you hold a non-refundable ticket, you will receive a travel credit for the amount of the fare, less any applicable fees (if any).
Valid: This credit can be applied to a future flight with Southwest, though you'll need to use it within a year of the original booking date.
Important Points to Remember About Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy
Rescheduling Your Flight: You can change your flight without penalties with Southwest Airlines, though you will have to pay any increase in fares.
Rapid Rewards Members: Members of Southwest’s Rapid Rewards program can have the added bonus of earning points for their canceled flights if they choose travel credit rather than a refund.
Special Circumstances: We will try to accommodate you when serious illness or death in the family, or travel disruptions, occur. Reach out to their customer service for help.
Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy For Some Scenario
Most flights are subject to the same cancellation rules, but a few situations warrant special attention:
Flight Cancellations for Weather or Airline Faults
If Southwest Airlines cancels a flight because of weather conditions (or other operational issues), you are entitled to a full refund or a free rebooking.
Passenger-initiated Cancellations
In case of voluntary cancellations, Southwest’s cancellation policy usually credits you travel for non-refundable fares and refund for refundable fares. Just be sure to cancel the flight within the required time frame so there are no fees.
Last-Minute Cancellations
Southwest Airlines has a 24-hour grace period from the moment you book. Choose one or option + refund option for cancellation, to be able to get a full refund, if you cancel in this time.
Group Travel Cancellations
Cancellations follow similar rules if you booked a flight as part of a group, though you may need to contact Southwest’s Group Travel department for help with refunds or rebooking.
Conclusion
Southwest Airlines has one of the most flexible and traveler-friendly cancellation policies in all of the airline industry. If you do need to cancel or change your flight, Southwest’s no-nonsense policy when it comes to ticket cancelation means there’s one less item to stress about when planning your trip.
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Everything You Need to Know About Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy
If your travel plans change at the last minute, knowing your airline’s cancellation policy can save you time, money and stress. Many travelers choose to fly Southwest Airlines because they are known to have flexible travel policies. So, in this article, we are going to discuss everything you need to know about Southwest Airlines cancellation policy, how to cancel it, and what to do to avoid unwanted fees.
Why You Should Fly Southwest Airlines
This reputation makes Southwest Airlines an industry leader in budget flexible travel. They also offer one of the best cancellation policies among airlines. Whether it’s for business or leisure, Southwest’s cancellation rules can add ease to your travels, especially when plans change.
Important Aspects Of Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy
Before booking your flight, it is important to know the basic concepts behind Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy. Here are the main things to know:
1. No Change Fees
Not all airlines will charge you to change flights, like Southwest Airlines.
2. Refundable Tickets
If you bought a refundable ticket, you can receive a full refund to your original form of payment if you choose to cancel your flight.
3. Non-Refundable Tickets
With a nonrefundable ticket, one can through the flight and obtain a credit toward travel in the future. This credit usually expires one year from the original purchase date.
4. Free Cancellations within 24 Hours
Regardless of the ticket type, you are entitled to a full refund if you were to cancel your flight within 24 hours of making the booking. This includes both non-refundable and refundable fares.
How to Cancel a Southwest Airlines Flight
It is pretty simple for passengers to cancel their flights on Southwest Airlines. This is done in just a few simple steps:
Southwest’s Website Online
Go to the Southwest Airlines website.
Navigate to the “Manage Reservations” tab.
Input your confirmation number and the passenger’s name.
Choose the flight you’d like to cancel and follow through the prompts to complete the process.
By Phone
Another way to cancel your flight on Southwest Airlines is to call their customer service team directly. The agent should help you cancel your flight and issue any applicable travel credits or refunds.
Via the Southwest Airlines Mobile App
If a mobile device is more your style, cancel your flight via the Southwest Airlines mobile app. Log into the account where you made the reservation, select your booking and go through the steps to cancel.
What Happens When You Cancel Your Southwest Flight?
What happens next when you cancel a flight to the process will depend on your ticket type and when you make your cancellation.
Refundable Tickets
Refund to your payment method: A refundable ticket canceled will be refunded and credited back to the same payment method.
Processing: Refunds are processed based on your payment method and may take up to 10 business days.
Non-Refundable Tickets
Travel Credit: If you hold a non-refundable ticket, you will receive a travel credit for the amount of the fare, less any applicable fees (if any).
Valid: This credit can be applied to a future flight with Southwest, though you'll need to use it within a year of the original booking date.
Important Points to Remember About Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy
Rescheduling Your Flight: You can change your flight without penalties with Southwest Airlines, though you will have to pay any increase in fares.
Rapid Rewards Members: Members of Southwest’s Rapid Rewards program can have the added bonus of earning points for their canceled flights if they choose travel credit rather than a refund.
Special Circumstances: We will try to accommodate you when serious illness or death in the family, or travel disruptions, occur. Reach out to their customer service for help.
Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy For Some Scenario
Most flights are subject to the same cancellation rules, but a few situations warrant special attention:
Flight Cancellations for Weather or Airline Faults
If Southwest Airlines cancels a flight because of weather conditions (or other operational issues), you are entitled to a full refund or a free rebooking.
Passenger-initiated Cancellations
In case of voluntary cancellations, Southwest’s cancellation policy usually credits you travel for non-refundable fares and refund for refundable fares. Just be sure to cancel the flight within the required time frame so there are no fees.
Last-Minute Cancellations
Southwest Airlines has a 24-hour grace period from the moment you book. Choose one or option + refund option for cancellation, to be able to get a full refund, if you cancel in this time.
Group Travel Cancellations
Cancellations follow similar rules if you booked a flight as part of a group, though you may need to contact Southwest’s Group Travel department for help with refunds or rebooking.
Conclusion
Southwest Airlines has one of the most flexible and traveler-friendly cancellation policies in all of the airline industry. If you do need to cancel or change your flight, Southwest’s no-nonsense policy when it comes to ticket cancelation means there’s one less item to stress about when planning your trip.
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