How to Change Your Southwest Airlines Flight: Step-by-Step Guide

Whether your boss flipped the schedule, your cousin moved their big day, or you’re just craving a few more days in the sun, changing your flight doesn’t have to mean chaos. Southwest Airlines change flight option makes it ridiculously easy to switch things up with no hidden fees, no drama, no stress.

This guide? It’s your quick, no-fluff walkthrough to changing your flight without you having to break a sweat. Let’s make it smooth, fast, and maybe even a little bit affordable.

Why Changing Flights with Southwest is Actually Easy

Before we dive into the steps, here’s why Southwest Airlines Flight Change Policy makes changing your flight way less stressful than most airlines:

  • No Change Fees: Yes, indeed. You won’t be charged any Southwest Airline flight change fee just for changing your flight.
  • Change Up to 10 Minutes Before Your Flight: Need to make a last-minute change? No problem. You can do it right up until 10 minutes before takeoff.
  • Only Pay the Difference: If your new flight costs more, you just pay the difference in changing flights on Southwest Airlines fee. If it’s cheaper, you get credit back. 
  • Credits Will Never Expire: If you have travel credit in your account, you can use it anytime. Since July 28, 2022, no Southwest travel credits (given to the passengers) have never expired.

In short, changing flights on Southwest Airlines is easy, flexible, and doesn’t cost extra. All this makes it a traveler’s favorite. If you need any kind of info or detail, you can directly connect with Southwest Airline customer service at +1 (888) 435-9312 or 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792).

How to Change Your Southwest Airlines Flight

It doesn’t matter if you used points, paid with cash, or booked through a business account, changing your flight with Southwest is super simple. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Visit the Southwest Website

  • Open the correct Southwest site or the app
  • Tap on Change/Cancel at the top of the screen.
  • Then pick Change Flight. Easy as that!

Pro Tip: Make sure to always use the original official Southwest site or mobile app. If you booked through a third-party site, your options might be more limited.

Step 2: Enter Your Flight Details

  • You’ll need:
  • Confirmation number
  • First name
  • Last name

Hit the Search button and your reservation will pop up.

Step 3: Choose the Flight You Need to Change

You’ll see all your upcoming trips. Select the specific you want changing flights on Southwest Airlines.

  • You can change:
  • Departure time
  • Arrival time
  • Entire route
  • Travel dates

Flexible Schedule? Choose a time slot that is offering a cheaper airfare and save money!

Step 4: Select a New Flight

Now it’s time to pick your new flight. You’ll see a list of available options for the same route.

  • Prices will be clearly displayed.
  • If the new flight is cheaper, Southwest issues a travel credit.
  • If it’s more expensive, you’ll just pay the fare difference, with no extra change fees.

Got Rapid Rewards Points? You can rebook using points too.

Step 5: Pay the Difference (if any) and Confirm

  • If the new flight costs more:
  • Pay any fare difference, if there is any, using a credit/debit card or Rapid Rewards points.

If the new flight costs less:

  • You will get some flight credit (or Rapid Rewards points, if you have reserved it using the points).

Click Confirm Change and you’re done!

You’ll get a new confirmation email with updated flight details.

What kind of fare can you change on Southwest Airlines?

Business Select or Anytime

  • These are fully refundable.
  • You can cancel or change your flight with no fees at all.
  • In case you cancel, the money will get right back to your original payment method.

Wanna Get Away or Wanna Get Away+

  • These fares aren’t refundable, but you can still change them.
  • Wanna Get Away+ gives you flight credits you can share with someone else.
  • Wanna Get Away (the basic one) gives you travel funds, but only you can use them.

Pro Tip: Double-check what kind of fare you booked by looking at your confirmation email before making changes. Also get in touch with Southwest helpline number for any assistance at +1 (888) 435-9312 or 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792).

How to Change Your Flight via Phone?

If you love handling things on your phone, you’re in luck, the Southwest app makes it simple. Here’s how you try Southwest Airlines flight change:

Here’s the quick guide:

  • Open the Southwest Airlines app.
  • Click on the Trips button given at the bottom.
  • Select your trip → Tap Change.
  • Follow the same process and now choose a new flight → pay any given fare difference → confirm your ticket.

Bonus Tip: Make sure to enable the push notifications and get all new updates in real time!

Additionally, if there is any issue in changing or unavailability of flight, Southwest Airlines same day standby can be an option for you. So, you can make the most of it, with the help of Southwest customer assistance via call at +1 (888) 435-9312 or 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792). 

How to Change Flight with Southwest Airlines with Points?

Here is how you can do that too!

  • Steps are exactly the same. When you reach the payment screen:
  • If the newly bought flight ticket costs more, you can pay the fare difference with points.
  • If it costs less, unused points go right back into your Rapid Rewards account.

Southwest even lets you cancel or change points bookings without penalty.

What If You Booked Through a Travel Agent or Third Party?

If you booked through a travel site, like Gofarefinder, you’ll need to:

  • Contact that site or agent directly to make changes.
  • Some agents can only modify/cancel the reservation themselves.

Always cross-check your booking source for confirmation, as Southwest’s system can only allow you to change flights booked directly with them.

Make sure to call the Southwest customer helpline at +1 (888) 435-9312 or 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) and get your answers.

FAQs

Is there a flight change fee for Southwest Airlines?

No, Southwest Airlines won’t ask for a fee to change your flight. You can make certain changes to your flight reservation without causing additional charges. However, if the new flight has a higher fare, you’ll need to pay the difference in Southwest Airline flight change fee.

Can I change my booked flight on Southwest Airlines after checking in?

Yes, you can make your changes to your booked flight even after checking in, as long as it’s before the 10-minute cutoff time right before departure. However, once you have checked in, you must cancel and rebook your flight.

Can I change flight ticket bought with Southwest’s Rapid Rewards points?

Absolutely! Flights booked with Rapid Rewards points can be changed just like any other booking. If the new flight costs you more points, then you’ll have to pay the difference. If it costs fewer points, the difference will be refunded to your Rapid Rewards account.

What happens if the new flight is cheaper than the original reserved flight?

If your new flight has a lower fare, the difference will be returned to you as a flight credit (for cash bookings) or refunded to your Rapid Rewards account (for points bookings). These saved credits can be used for booking future travel.

Can I change my reserved Southwest flight on the same day of travel?

Yes, Southwest normally provides an option for same-day change and same-day standby options. If there’s an available seat on an earlier or later flight on the same day, you can switch without paying a change fee. However, fare differences may apply.

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