How Does the Southwest Airlines Flight Change Rules Work?

Under the Southwest Airlines flight change policy, Choice, Choice Preferred, and Choice Extra fares can usually be changed without a separate change fee. In some cases, however, you will be required to pay the fare difference if the new flight is more expensive than the old one. Basic fare has tougher terms and conditions and usually requires a fare upgrade before a change.

Southwest flight change rules give eligible passengers the opportunity to change travel date, departure time, point of origin, or destination of a trip depending on their reservation. Southwest Airlines flight change date may come in handy if you need to alter your travel plan or if you manage to locate an alternative flight. It is always good to go through the terms thoroughly such as the fare, available flights and whether there could be refunds and credits before amending a Southwest Airlines flight.

What Can You Modify on an Existing Southwest Reservation?

Southwest allows eligible customers to make several types of itinerary changes.

You may be able to change:

• Travel date.
• Departure time.
• Origin airport.
• Destination airport.
• Eligible fare type.
• Individual passengers within a reservation.
• The flight was selected for the same day.

Options depend on the fare and nature of the reservation made.

Which Southwest Fare Gives You the Most Flexibility?

Southwest has four main fare products: Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred, and Choice Extra.

If you want to make a voluntary change, you must first upgrade the basic fare reservation to eligible fare.

When Does Southwest Charge More for a Flight Change?

Southwest does not add a traditional change fee to eligible fares. The extra amount is generally the difference in price between your original flight and the replacement flight.

For example:

• Original ticket: $190.
• New flight: $240.
• Difference: $50.
• Separate change fee: $0.

In this example, the passenger would generally pay the $50 fare difference.

That is why it is vital to check the fare of the alternative flight before confirming any Southwest Airlines flight change request.

Can You Move Your Southwest Trip to Another Date?

Yes. You may change an eligible reservation to another day with available seats.

When considering a travel date change for your flight on Southwest Airlines, consider a few different choices. A cheaper travel date means less money you need to have at hand for a booking, and a more expensive one implies paying additionally.

Bear in mind the following things:

• The new flight should be available.
• Your fare rules still apply.
• A fare difference may be charged.
• Basic fares need an upgrade before a voluntary change.
• The change should be completed before Southwest's cutoff.

What Is the Best Way to Change a Southwest Flight?

Most eligible changes can be completed online.

Steps to change your flight:

1. Visit Southwest.com or open the Southwest app.
2. Open your reservation through Manage Reservations.
3. Enter your confirmation information if required.
4. Select the flight you want to modify.
5. Choose the change option.
6. Pick the new date, time, or route.
7. Review the fare difference.
8. Confirm the new itinerary.
9. Save the updated confirmation.

What Happens When the Replacement Flight Is Cheaper?

The cheaper flight does not automatically mean that you will lose the difference in price.

As regards the eligible fares, the airline will treat the case depending on the type of the fare and payment terms.

• If your ticket is fully refundable then you can get a refund back to your original form of payment.
• In case of non-refundable fare, there will be an opportunity to get a flight credit or Transferable Flight Credit..
• Reward reservations can return the difference in Rapid Rewards points.
• Credit expiration rules can apply.

This is why it is worth comparing the fare before making a Southwest Airlines flight change policy request.

Can You Change Your Southwest Flight On The Same Day?

Yes, eligible passengers can request a same-day change.

Main conditions are the following:

• The new flight should be on the same day.
• The origin and destination must remain the same.
• Space must be available.
• The original fare must qualify.
• No changes shall be made after 10 minutes before the time of departure.

Basic Fares cannot get free same-day change except when the booking is changed to a fare qualifying for the same.

What If Only One Person Needs to Change the Trip?

You do not always need to change the entire reservation.

If several people are booked together and only one passenger needs a different flight:

• Select the passenger who needs the change.
• Southwest can divide that traveler from the original booking.
• The traveler receiving the change gets a new confirmation number.
• The remaining passengers stay on the original reservation.

This option will be really helpful for families, teams and groups.

What Happens When Southwest Changes Your Schedule?

Airlines' changes and passenger's changes are two different things.

If Southwest makes a significant schedule change, eligible customers may be able to:

• Keep the replacement itinerary.
• Change the date or time.
• Move the trip within the applicable rebooking period.
• Cancel and receive an applicable flight credit.
• Qualify for a refund in certain situations.

Southwest currently says that the travelers who experience a significant schedule change in their travel can change their flight within 14 days of the initial date for free.

Can You Change Southwest Booking With Another Airline?

Partner itineraries can have separate rules.

If the booking includes some partner airline that you want to change or cancel, you need to contact this partner directly. The partner's fare rules apply to that reservation.

Do not take it for granted that the partner booking will follow the same procedure as an ordinary Southwest booking.

What Should Travelers Check Before Confirming a Flight Change?

Before making the change, review:

• The type of fare.
• New travel date.
• New departure time.
• Origin and destination.
• Fare difference.
• Refund or credit treatment.
• Seat availability.
• New confirmation number.
• Any applicable expiration date for credits.

A few minutes of checking can prevent an unexpected cost or an incorrect itinerary.

Which Southwest Flight Change Mistakes Should You Avoid?

Travelers commonly make a few avoidable mistakes.

• Assuming every fare has identical change rights.
• Confusing a $0 change fee with a $0 total change cost.
• Waiting until after the original departure time.
• Forgetting to check the new fare before confirming.
• Assuming a partner itinerary follows Southwest's standard rules.
• Changing one passenger without first separating that traveler from a shared reservation.
• Ignoring the expiration date of a flight credit.

What Are Real Examples of Southwest Flight Changes?