How to Cancel a Flight with Southwest Airlines - A Comprehensive Guide

How to Cancel a Flight with Southwest Airlines?

Here's how to cancel a flight you booked with Southwest Airlines. The process is straightforward and can be done online or through customer service.

To cancel a Southwest Airlines flight via Faresmatch, visit Faresmatch.

To cancel your reservation, simply log in to your Southwest account or visit the “Manage Reservations” section on their website. If you are not logged in, enter your confirmation number and name. From there, select the flight you want to cancel and follow the prompts.

Important: Make sure to cancel at least 10 minutes before the scheduled departure to ensure your credit is valid.

What Happens if I Cancel a Flight?

If you successfully cancel a flight with Southwest Airlines, you will not be charged a cancellation fee. However, it's important to note that the type of ticket you have can affect the outcome.

For Destination Select tickets (Wanna Get Away fares), if you cancel, you will not receive a refund. Instead, you will receive travel funds that can be used for a future flight. These funds expire one year after the original booking date. For Rapid Rewards award tickets, cancellation or change is possible but may incur a fee, which can vary based on the type of change or cancellation.

Southwest Airlines follows a strict 24-hour cancellation policy. This means you can cancel or change a flight within 24 hours of booking without incurring any fees. However, beyond 24 hours, cancellation or change fees may apply, depending on the ticket type.

Compassionate Fare Policy

If you need to cancel a flight due to a death in the family or a serious illness, Southwest Airlines has a Compassionate Fare Policy that waives the change or cancellation fees. However, you will need to provide documentation to support your claim, such as a death certificate or a doctor's note.

What Happens if I Miss the Cancellation Window?

If you fail to cancel your flight at least 10 minutes before departure, the fare may be forfeited. However, if the flight is canceled by Southwest Airlines or if you have a valid reason (e.g., a death in the family), they may still provide you with a travel credit or refund.

Customer Service and Booking Changes

Southwest Airlines also offers the option to change your flight date. The procedure for this is similar to canceling a flight, but the process can also be done over the phone or at a customer service counter.

Online: Visit the Southwest Airlines website or use their app. Go to the “Manage Reservations” section, enter your confirmation number and name, and then select the flight you want to change. Phone: Call Southwest Airlines customer service at 1-844-987-7068. Field Counter: Visit any Southwest Airlines field counter.

Note: If changing to a more expensive flight, you will have to pay the difference. If the new flight is cheaper, you will receive a credit for the unused portion.

Conclusion

Canceling or changing a Southwest Airlines flight can be done with ease, but it's important to keep in mind the different fare types and their specific policies. For destination select fares (Wanna Get Away), your refund will be in the form of travel funds. For Rapid Rewards award tickets, cancellations or changes may incur fees.

No matter the situation, Southwest Airlines offers several options and policies to help you manage your flights. Safe travels!