Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy: Everything You Need to Know

Travel plans often don’t work out as anticipated, but Southwest Airlines has made changing or canceling your flight as hassle-free as possible. Thanks to its customer-first approach, Southwest Airlines cancellation policy is among the most straightforward in the airline industry. So, whether you’re confronting a flight schedule that has changed, a family emergency, or just a change of heart, this guide has all the information you need to cancel a Southwest flight.

1. No Cancellation Fees – Ever

While I can appreciate one of the most consumer-friendly features of Southwest Airlines no cancellation fee. Unlike most of its rivals, Southwest doesn’t charge a fee to cancel a flight, no matter what price you pay. This is for all passengers and all domestic and international flights.

Whether months or just hours before your departure, you can cancel on Southwest without penalty. You’ll receive either a full refund (if so eligible) or a flight credit for future travel.

2. 24-Hour Risk-Free Cancellation

Southwest also follows the U.S. Department of Transportation’s rule, which allows customers to cancel a reservation within 24 hours of booking and get a full refund, as long as that reservation is at least 7 days before the departure. For all fare types.

When you change your mind minutes after making the reservation, you can cancel online or in the app and get your money back, no questions asked.

3. Southwest Fare Types and Cancellation Options

Southwest Airlines has four fare types — Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus™, Anytime and Business Select — and gives you slightly different cancellation and refund policies for each.

a. Wanna Get Away

• Non refundable, but cancellable

• If you do cancel, you will receive credit for future flights.

• Flight credit cannot be transferred and must be used by the original traveler

• You have to cancel at least 10 minutes prior to departure to preserve the flight credit

b. Wanna Get Away Plus

• Also non-refundable

• Comes with added flexibility

• Includes the option to transfer flight credits one time to another traveler

• Cancel 10 minutes at least before departure to keep the value as a credit

c. Anytime

• Refundable and flexible
  

• Cancel for a full refund to the original method of payment or take a travel credit

• Penalty-free refunds, even near departure

• Ideal for business travelers or for anyone who wants the most flexibility

d. Business Select

• Premium fare, fully refundable

• You can cancel any time and get a full refund

• With priority boarding, additional Rapid Rewards® points, and same-day change benefits

4. How to Cancel a Southwest Flight

The cancellation process is fast and simple with Southwest. There are a few ways to cancel your flight:

Online or Mobile App

1. Go to “Manage Reservations”

2. [STEP 1] Input confirmation number and passenger information

3. Tap “Cancel” and follow the prompts

4. You’ll get an email confirmation and information about your refund or credit

By Phone

Southwest Customer Service: Call and talk to someone. This is useful for complex itineraries or special cases.

At the Airport

If you are already at the airport, you can cancel with a Southwest agent at the ticket counter or gate.

5. Flight Credits: What You Need to Know

If you cancel a non-refundable fare, you’ll get the value back as a flight credit.

• Expiration: Credits issued on or after July 28, 2022, no longer expire — a big win for Southwest customers.

• How to Use: You can use flight credits toward future bookings on Southwest. com or via the mobile app.

• Transferability: Wanna Get Away Plus™, Anytime, and Business Select® credits are transferable one-time only; Wanna Get Away credits are not.

• Linked to Passenger: Credits generally belong to the original passenger, and cannot be used by someone else unless stated otherwise.

6. No-Show Policy

If you do not cancel your flight at least 10 minutes prior to departure and do not show up:

• With non-refundable fares (Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus), the full cost of the flight is lost.

• With refundable fares (Anytime, Business Select), the value will be redeemed into flight credit unless you ask for a refund.

Always cancel in advance, even if you are running late, to prevent your flight’s value from being lost.

7. Refund Process and Timeline

For refundable fares:

• Once refunded, funds are returned to the original payment method

• Processing time: Approx 7-10 business days

For non-refundable fares:

• Cancellation funds are reallocated as flight credits the second you cancel

• You can access credits in your Southwest account, or through your confirmation number

8. Changing Your Flight Instead of Canceling

Southwest also lets you change your flight without fees. If the new flight is cheaper, you’ll get the difference as flight credit. If it’s pricier, you’ll only pay the fare difference.

You can change:

• The date
  

• The time
  

• The destination
  

This policy gives you another degree of flexibility if you just need to change your itinerary, not cancel it.

9. Same-Day Cancellations and Changes

You can make changes up until the time you get on the plane without penalty. You keep full value as long as you cancel or change your flight at least 10 minutes before departure.

Southwest also allows same-day standby travel at no additional fee (available based on fare type and elite status).