Most flights can be changed through our website or the Southwest® app without needing to call. Basic fares cannot be changed. If you want to make a change to a reservation with a Basic fare, you must first upgrade your reservation to Choice, Choice Preferred, or Choice Extra fare.
If your flights are a part of a Getaways by Southwest™ vacation package, you will need to call Getaways by Southwest™ to make changes.
Look for the Manage Reservations option on our website or app, pull up your reservation, and then tap or click the Change option. You will be able to select your seat (as applicable) on your new flight.
We request that you make the change or cancellation as soon as you decide that you no longer want to travel so that other Passengers have the opportunity to book travel and to help us keep our airfares low. You can change your flight up until 10 minutes before your original scheduled departure time. For example, if you had a flight scheduled to depart at 8:00 a.m. CT, you'd have until 7:50 a.m. CT to make changes. If you do not travel and do not change or cancel your flight at least 10 minutes before your original departure time, your reservation will be subject to our no-show policy.
To change a flight for a specific traveler on a reservation with two or more travelers, you must first divide the reservation. After you divide the reservation, you will be able to change the reservation that needs updating. In most cases, you can divide your reservation or change the number of people flying online without needing to call. Once completed, you will receive an email with a new confirmation number for the Customer(s) divided off the original reservation.
To change a flight with a lap child, please call a Southwest Airlines® Customer Representative.
Southwest doesn’t charge fees to change your flights. You may be asked to pay a difference in fare if the new flight you’re choosing costs more than your original reservation.
The good news? If your new airfare costs less, we’ll refund the difference to the original form of payment (if you purchased a refundable fare), or the difference will be held for future use in the form of a flight credit. Flight credits and Transferable Flight Credits™ have a specified expiration date. All travel must be completed by the expiration date.
Reward Travel
If you make a change to your reservation that results in an increase of the fare, you’ll be required to pay for the increase with additional Rapid Rewards® points from the original Rapid Rewards account. If you do not have enough points in the original account, you may purchase additional Rapid Rewards points with a credit card and use those points to pay for your ticket.
Companion Pass® Reservations
You can change a flight that is linked to a Companion's flight by following the steps below. Keep in mind that a seat must be available for your Companion on the flight you select when you rebook after canceling your Companion’s reservation.
- Cancel the linked Companion's flight.
- Change your flight to the date/time/destination you want.
- Rebook the Companion's flight.
If you have already canceled the Companion's reservation and still can't make changes to your flight, we might be experiencing a delay.
You can also call a Southwest Airlines® Customer Representative for help.
Partner Itineraries
Customers who want to make a change to or cancel a partner reservation must contact the partner carrier for assistance. The partner carrier’s fare rules apply.
