Southwest Airlines Flight Change & Ticket Cancellation Policy 2026
Last reviewed against Southwest's published fare rules.
Reviewed by Jack Martin, Senior Process Associate at AirFiesta. About AirFiesta
Southwest still has no change fees, but its rules now depend on your fare. Choice, Choice Preferred and Choice Extra fares can be changed for just the fare difference, with free same-day changes. Basic fares can only be changed by upgrading to a Choice fare. Every fare can be cancelled without a fee up to 10 minutes before departure; Choice Preferred and Choice Extra are refunded, while Choice and Basic return flight credit.
Booked directly with Southwest?
Southwest manages your reservation. Change or cancel it yourself in Manage Reservations on southwest.com or the Southwest app, with no change fee.
Go to SouthwestBooked with AirFiesta?
We manage your reservation and handle the change for you. Service fee: US$10 per passenger, plus any fare difference.
Booked with another agency or site? Contact them, since they issued your ticket.
What changed at Southwest
Southwest replaced its old fares (Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime and Business Select) with four new ones in 2025, and moved from open seating to assigned seats in January 2026. Many older guides still describe the old rules. Here's how each current fare handles changes, from least to most flexible:
- Basic
Changes only by upgrading to a Choice fare. No free same-day change. Cancel for a 6-month, non-transferable flight credit. Seat assigned at check-in.
- Choice
Change for the fare difference only. Free same-day change and standby. Cancel for a 12-month Transferable Flight Credit. Choose a Standard seat.
- Choice Preferred
Same change rules as Choice. Refundable to your original payment if cancelled 10+ minutes before departure. Preferred seats near the front.
- Choice Extra
Same change rules, refundable, Extra Legroom seats, boarding group 1 and two free checked bags.
How to change a Southwest Airlines flight
Change your Southwest flight online or in the app
- Go to southwest.com or open the Southwest app.
- Open Manage Reservations and enter your confirmation number and name, or log in to Rapid Rewards.
- Choose Change flight and select a new date, time or route.
- Review the fare difference and confirm. Your updated itinerary is sent by email and shown in the app.
On a Basic fare, you'll be asked to upgrade to Choice or higher before the change goes through.
If you booked with AirFiesta
- Use the at the bottom of the page, or email support@airfiesta.com with your AirFiesta booking reference.
- We check your fare rules and send your options, with the fare difference and our US$10 per passenger service fee listed separately.
- Once you approve, we make the change and email your new itinerary.
Cost to change a Southwest flight
Southwest charges no change fee on any fare. On Choice, Choice Preferred and Choice Extra, you pay only the fare difference if the new flight costs more, plus any government taxes on the new itinerary. On Basic, the cost is the upgrade to a Choice fare plus any fare difference.
| Fare | Change | If cancelled |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | Upgrade required | Credit, 6 months |
| Choice | Fare difference only | Transferable credit, 12 months |
| Choice Preferred | Fare difference only | Refund to original payment |
| Choice Extra | Fare difference only | Refund to original payment |
Credit expiry is counted from the date the original fare was booked, not the cancellation date. Cancel at least 10 minutes before departure to keep the value.
Example: You booked a Choice fare from Dallas to Denver for $129 and move it to the next day, where the fare is $149.
Your cost: $20 fare difference, no change fee. If the new fare were $109 instead, you'd keep $20 as flight credit.
Southwest change flight same day
On Choice, Choice Preferred and Choice Extra fares, you can switch flights on the day of travel free of airline charges, to another flight with space available on the same calendar day between the same origin and destination. You can also list for same-day standby on an earlier flight through the app, mobile web or an airport agent. Either way, request it at least 10 minutes before your original departure, or the no-show policy applies. In the app, make the change 60 minutes before a domestic flight's departure (90 minutes for international). Basic fares aren't eligible, and your original seat and boarding group aren't guaranteed.
Southwest ticket cancellation policy
All Southwest fares can be cancelled without a fee if you cancel at least 10 minutes before the scheduled departure. What you get back depends on the fare: Choice Preferred and Choice Extra are refunded to your original form of payment, while Choice returns a 12-month Transferable Flight Credit and Basic returns a 6-month flight credit. If either leg of a round trip is a Basic fare, you can only cancel both legs together, or upgrade the Basic leg first. Points bookings return the points to the account holder who booked.
Southwest no-show policy
If you don't cancel or change at least 10 minutes before your flight's original departure, your funds and points may be forfeited. When plans are uncertain, cancel early to keep your credit.
Southwest change name on ticket
Southwest tickets can't be transferred to another person, so you can't hand a booking to someone else by changing the name. What you can transfer is a Transferable Flight Credit from a cancelled Choice, Choice Preferred or Choice Extra fare: it can be moved once to another Rapid Rewards member. For a misspelled name, contact Southwest, or whoever issued your ticket, well before travel, since your name must match your ID.
Southwest change seats and assigned seating
Since January 2026, Southwest assigns seats instead of open seating. Choice fares let you pick a Standard seat, Choice Preferred adds Preferred seats near the front, and Choice Extra adds Extra Legroom seats and boarding group 1. Basic fares get a Standard seat at check-in and can pay to choose one. A seat bought separately from a fare can't be cancelled on its own, only with the flight. On Basic fares, Southwest tries to seat children 12 and under next to an accompanying adult at no extra cost.
Southwest postpone flight: your options
Move to a later flight today
Use free same-day change on a Choice fare or higher, subject to space.
Move to another day
Change the date in Manage Reservations and pay any fare difference. Basic fares must be upgraded first.
Cancel now and book later
Cancel at least 10 minutes before departure and use your flight credit before it expires, 6 or 12 months from the original booking date depending on your fare.
Southwest switch flights when the fare drops
On Choice fares and above, you can change to the same flight at a lower price and keep the difference as flight credit. On Basic, you'd need to cancel and rebook, which creates a 6-month Basic credit, so the saving is only worth it if you'll fly again soon.
Southwest 24-hour rule
Beyond Southwest's own no-fee cancellations, US Department of Transportation rules let you cancel an eligible booking within 24 hours for a full refund, as long as you booked at least 7 days before departure. This matters most for Basic and Choice fares, which otherwise return credit rather than cash.
Frequently asked questions
Does Southwest charge a change fee?
No. Southwest has no change fees. On Choice, Choice Preferred and Choice Extra fares you pay only any fare difference. Basic fares can't be changed unless you first upgrade to a Choice fare or higher.
Can I change a Southwest Basic fare?
Only by upgrading it to Choice, Choice Preferred or Choice Extra, paying the difference. Basic fares are also not eligible for free same-day change.
What is the cost to change a Southwest flight?
There is no airline fee. You pay the difference between your original fare and the new fare, if the new one costs more. Any government taxes linked to the new itinerary also apply.
Can I change my Southwest flight on the same day?
Yes on Choice, Choice Preferred and Choice Extra fares. You can switch free of airline charges to another flight with space available on the same calendar day, between the same origin and destination. Basic fares aren't eligible.
What is Southwest same-day standby?
You can list for standby on an earlier flight the same day through the Southwest app, mobile web or an airport agent. You're notified if you clear. It must be requested at least 10 minutes before your original flight.
What happens if my new Southwest fare is cheaper?
On Choice fares and above, you can switch to the lower fare and keep the difference as flight credit. On Basic fares, you would have to cancel and rebook, which gives you a Basic flight credit.
How does Southwest cancellation work?
Every fare can be cancelled without a fee if you cancel at least 10 minutes before departure. Choice Preferred and Choice Extra are refundable to your original payment. Choice and Basic return the value as flight credit.
Do Southwest flight credits expire?
Yes. Credits from Choice, Choice Preferred and Choice Extra fares expire 12 months from the booking date. Basic fare credits expire 6 months from the booking date.
What is a Southwest Transferable Flight Credit?
Credits from Choice fares and above can be transferred once to another Rapid Rewards member. Basic fare credits are not transferable.
What is the Southwest no-show policy?
If you don't cancel or change at least 10 minutes before departure, your funds and points may be forfeited.
Can I change the name on my Southwest ticket?
Southwest tickets can't be transferred to a different person, so a ticket can't be reassigned by changing the name. To fix a misspelled name, contact Southwest or whoever issued your ticket well before travel, since the name must match your ID.
Does Southwest have assigned seats now?
Yes. Southwest moved to assigned seating in January 2026. Choice fares include a Standard seat choice, Choice Preferred adds Preferred seats near the front, and Choice Extra adds Extra Legroom seats. Basic seats are assigned at check-in.
Can I change seats on Southwest?
On Choice fares and above you choose your seat when you book, from the seat types your fare includes. Basic fare customers get a seat at check-in and can pay to select one. A seat bought separately can't be cancelled unless you cancel the flight too.
Can I cancel only one leg of a Southwest round trip on a Basic fare?
Only if both segments are cancelled or the Basic segment is upgraded. That rule applies when either leg of a round trip is booked as Basic.
Can I postpone my Southwest flight?
Yes on Choice fares and above: change to a later date and pay any fare difference. On a Basic fare, upgrade first or cancel for a 6-month flight credit.
How do Rapid Rewards points bookings handle changes?
If you cancel a points booking in time, the points are returned to the Rapid Rewards account holder who booked it. If you change, the points price is adjusted to the new flight.
Does Southwest charge for checked bags now?
Yes on Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred fares. Choice Extra and A-List Preferred members get two free checked bags, and A-List members and Southwest credit cardholders get their first bag free.
Can I cancel a Southwest flight within 24 hours?
Yes. Southwest allows cancellations without a fee on every fare, and US rules also let you cancel eligible bookings within 24 hours for a full refund if you booked at least 7 days before departure.
I booked through a travel agent. Who changes my Southwest ticket?
The agency that issued your ticket. If you booked directly with Southwest, use Manage Reservations on southwest.com or the app. If you booked with AirFiesta, we handle the change for you.