Southwest's free change policy explained

Southwest Airlines does not charge a change fee when you move your flight to a different date or time. You can change your reservation as many times as you want, and Southwest will not add a dollar amount on top of what you already paid for your ticket. This is different from most other major U.S. carriers, which charge $75 to $200 or more to change a flight.

The catch is that you may owe money if the new flight costs more than the one you booked. Southwest prices each flight individually based on demand, so a flight on a busier day or closer to travel time might have a higher base fare. If that happens, you pay the difference. If the new flight is cheaper, Southwest holds the extra money as a credit you can use for a future trip.

You can change your flight online through your Southwest account, by phone at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA, or at the airport ticket counter. The change must happen before your original flight departs—you cannot change a flight after you have already taken off.

Key Takeaways

  • Southwest does not charge a fee to change your flight date or time, no matter how many times you change it.
  • You may owe the price difference if your new flight has a higher base fare than your original booking.
  • If your new flight is cheaper, Southwest credits the difference to your account for future use.
  • You must change your flight before it departs; changes cannot be made after takeoff.
  • Changes can be made online, by phone, or at the airport, but online is usually fastest.

How to change your flight online

Log into your Southwest account at southwest.com using your confirmation number and last name. Click "Manage Reservations" and select the booking you want to change. You will see a list of available flights for your route on different dates and times. Select the new flight you prefer.

Southwest will show you the new fare and calculate any price difference. If the new flight is more expensive, you will be asked to pay the difference before confirming. If it is cheaper, the credit will be added to your account automatically. Once you confirm, you will receive a new confirmation number and your boarding pass will update.

The entire process usually takes five to ten minutes. Your new flight details will appear in your Southwest account and in any confirmation email you request.

Changing your flight by phone or at the airport

Call Southwest's reservations line at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA to speak with an agent who can search available flights and process your change. Have your confirmation number and last name ready. The agent will tell you the fare for your new flight and any price difference you owe before completing the change.

At the airport, go to the Southwest ticket counter before your flight departs. An agent there can change your reservation and process payment if needed. This is useful if you are already at the airport and your flight is delayed or cancelled, or if you decide you want a different departure time.

Phone and counter changes take longer than online changes—usually 10 to 20 minutes by phone and 15 to 30 minutes at the counter, depending on how busy the line is.

When you owe money for a change

Southwest's fares change based on how full each flight is and how close the departure date is. A flight departing tomorrow during peak travel hours will almost always cost more than the same flight three weeks from now. If you change to a pricier flight, you pay the difference between what you originally paid and the new fare.

For example, if you paid $120 for a flight and change to one that costs $180, you owe $60. You can pay this difference online, by phone, or at the airport using a credit card, debit card, or gift card. Southwest does not accept cash for fare differences.

If you are unsure whether you will owe money, check the new flight's price in your account before confirming the change. Southwest will always show you the total cost before you commit.

When you get a credit instead

If your new flight has a lower base fare than your original booking, Southwest credits the difference to your account. This credit is tied to your name and confirmation number and can be used for any future Southwest flight for the same passenger.

Credits do not expire as long as the original ticket was purchased before September 2022. Tickets bought on or after September 2022 have a credit that expires one year from the original ticket purchase date. You can check your credit balance and expiration date in your Southwest account under "Funds in Your Account."

Credits can only be used by the person whose name is on the original ticket. You cannot transfer a credit to another passenger or convert it to cash.

Changes to flights you booked with a companion pass

If you booked your flight using a Southwest Companion Pass, you can change the flight for free just as you would with a regular ticket. The Companion Pass holder and the companion can both change their flights independently. If only one of you changes flights, the other person's reservation stays the same unless they also request a change.

If the new flight costs more, you pay the difference. If it costs less, you receive a credit. The Companion Pass itself does not expire when you change a flight—it remains valid for the rest of its term.

What happens if your flight is cancelled or significantly delayed

If Southwest cancels your flight or delays it by more than three hours, you have the right to change to another flight at no charge, even if that flight costs more. Southwest will not ask you to pay a fare difference in this situation. You can also request a refund of your ticket price instead of a change, though Southwest refunds are issued as travel credits rather than cash.

If your flight is cancelled, Southwest will automatically rebook you on the next available flight to your destination. You can accept this rebooking or use your account to choose a different flight. Contact Southwest when ready if your flight is cancelled so you can find a seat on an alternative flight before they fill up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my flight the day before it departs?

Yes. You can change your flight anytime before it departs, including the day before or the morning of your trip. If you change to a flight departing sooner, you may owe a higher fare. If you change to a later flight, you might receive a credit.

What if I want to change my flight to a completely different route?

Southwest allows you to change to any route it serves, but the fare difference may be larger. If you are changing from a short flight to a long one, you will likely owe money. Check the new route's price in your account before confirming the change.

Do I lose my boarding position if I change my flight?

Yes. When you change to a new flight, you receive a new boarding position based on when you made the change. Early-bird check-in and A-List status still explore, but your original boarding spot does not carry over.

Can I change a flight I booked through a travel website or travel agent?

You can change it through your Southwest account if you have a confirmation number. If you booked through a third-party site like Kayak or Expedia, log into Southwest.com with your confirmation number and manage it there. Some travel agents may require you to contact them to process the change instead.

What if I change my flight multiple times—do I still pay no change fee?

Correct. You can change your flight as many times as you want without paying a change fee. You only pay if each new flight has a higher base fare than the previous one. Each change is treated separately.