Southwest lets you change flights without a change fee, but you may owe money if the new flight costs more

Southwest Airlines does not charge a change fee — the flat dollar amount most other carriers add when you rebook. If you change to a flight that costs the same or less, you pay nothing. If the new flight costs more, you pay only the price difference, not a fee plus the difference. This applies whether you change online, by phone, or at the airport.

The catch is timing. You must make the change before your original flight departs. If you miss your flight, Southwest treats it as a no-show, and you lose the ticket value entirely — you cannot rebook for free later. You also cannot change a flight you have already flown.

Key Takeaways

  • Southwest charges no change fee, only the price difference if your new flight costs more than the original.
  • You must change your flight before it departs; missing the flight forfeits the ticket with no refund or free rebooking.
  • You can change online through your booking, by calling Southwest at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA, or at the airport ticket counter.
  • If you change to a cheaper flight, Southwest keeps the difference as a travel credit good for one year from your original booking date.
  • Standby flights (same day, earlier departure) are free if seats are available, but you go to the back of the list.

How to change your flight online or by phone

Log into your Southwest account on southwest.com using your confirmation number and name. Click "Manage Reservations," then select your booking. You will see a "Change Flight" button. Choose your new date and time, and the system will show you the price. If it is higher, you pay the difference by credit card. If it is lower or the same, you confirm the change at no cost.

If you prefer to call, dial 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792). A representative will look up your reservation, show you available flights, and process the change over the phone. You will need your confirmation number and the credit card you used to book. Calling takes longer than the website but works if you have questions about which flight suits you.

Standby flights and same-day changes

Southwest offers standby rebooking at no charge if you want to fly earlier the same day. You tell Southwest you want to move to an earlier departure, and if seats are open, you board that flight instead. You do not pay a fee, but you board after all passengers already assigned to that flight, so you may not get a seat if the plane is full.

Standby is useful if your plans change and you want to leave sooner, or if you missed your original flight by a few minutes and want to catch the next one. It is not a may provide — you are competing for empty seats with other standby passengers. If the flight is full, you stay on the waitlist for the next departure.

What happens if the new flight costs more

You pay only the difference between what you originally paid and the price of the new flight. For example, if you booked a $150 flight and change to a $200 flight, you pay $50. Southwest does not add a separate change fee on top of that difference.

If the new flight is cheaper, Southwest does not refund the difference to your bank account. Instead, the difference becomes a travel credit that you can use to book another Southwest flight later. The credit is valid for one year from the date of your original booking, not from the date you make the change. If you do not use it by then, it expires.

Changing flights at the airport

You can change your flight at the Southwest ticket counter or gate on the day of travel. Tell an agent you want to rebook, and they will show you available flights. If you change to a more expensive flight, you pay the difference at the counter by card or cash. If you change to a cheaper flight, you receive a travel credit.

Airport changes take longer than online changes because you are in line with other passengers. If your flight is boarding soon, arrive at the counter early. If your flight has already departed or you are past the boarding window, you cannot change for free — the ticket is forfeited.

Travel credits and how they work

A travel credit is a dollar amount you can use toward any future Southwest flight. It appears in your account under "Funds" once the change is processed. You do not need to do anything to set up it — it is automatically available the next time you book.

When you book a new flight, Southwest will ask if you want to use a travel credit to pay for it. You can use one credit per booking. The credit must be used by the expiration date, which is one year from the date of your original booking. If you have multiple credits, each has its own expiration date. After expiration, the credit is gone and cannot be recovered.

Flights you cannot change for free

You cannot change a flight you have already taken. If you want to book a return flight or a future trip, that is a separate booking and you would pay the normal price for it.

If you booked a Wanna Get Away Plus or higher fare class, you have the same free change policy as other passengers. However, if you booked the lowest fare class available at the time (which Southwest calls the base Wanna Get Away fare), you still get free changes — Southwest does not restrict changes by ticket type. The free change policy applies to all fares.

What to do if you miss your flight

If you do not show up for your flight, Southwest marks you as a no-show. You lose the ticket value and cannot rebook for free. You would have to purchase a new ticket at the current price if you want to fly later.

The only exception is if Southwest cancels or significantly delays your flight due to weather or mechanical issues. In that case, Southwest will rebook you on the next available flight at no charge, even if you missed your original flight because of the disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to change to the exact same route, or can I fly to a different city?

You can change to any Southwest destination. If the new route costs more, you pay the difference. If it costs less, you get a travel credit. There is no restriction on where you rebook to.

Can I change my flight multiple times?

Yes. Each change follows the same rule: no change fee, only the price difference if the new flight costs more. You can rebook as many times as you need before your flight departs, as long as you do it before departure.

What if I change my flight and then want to cancel instead?

Once you change to a new flight, that becomes your active booking. If you cancel it, you get a travel credit for the full amount you paid (including any price difference you paid during the change). You cannot get a refund to your original payment method.

Can I change a flight I booked with a gift card or travel credit?

Yes. If the new flight costs more, you pay the difference using a credit card, debit card, or cash at the airport. If it costs less, the difference becomes a new travel credit.

How long does a flight change take to process?

Online changes are when ready — your new booking appears in your account right away. Phone changes take a few minutes while the agent processes it. Airport changes are when ready once you pay any difference owed. You receive a new confirmation number for your changed flight.