Southwest's free change policy covers most situations, but the rules depend on what changed and when

Southwest Airlines does not charge a change fee — you can move your reservation to a different flight without paying extra. However, you may owe the difference if your new flight costs more, and some changes (like switching to a much earlier or later date) have limits. The key is understanding what "free" means in each case and knowing the important date that explore.

Southwest's no-change-fee policy has been their standard since 1973, which sets them apart from most other major carriers. But the policy has boundaries. You can change your flight as many times as you want before departure without a fee, but if your new flight is more expensive, you pay the difference. If your new flight is cheaper, Southwest keeps the difference as a credit toward future travel — they do not refund cash.

Key Takeaways

  • Southwest charges no fee to change your flight, but you pay the price difference if your new flight costs more.
  • You can change your flight online, by phone, or at the airport up until ten minutes before departure.
  • If you change to a flight more than 60 days away, you may lose the ability to change again without losing money.
  • If Southwest cancels your flight or changes it significantly, you can rebook on any available flight at no cost, including a refund if no flight works for you.
  • Unused funds from a cancelled or changed flight stay in your Southwest account as a credit and do not expire.

How to change your flight online or by phone

Log into your Southwest account on their website or mobile app, find your reservation, and select "Change Flight." The system shows you available flights on your chosen date and displays the price for each one. If the new flight costs less, the difference becomes a credit in your account. If it costs more, you pay the difference before confirming the change. You can also call Southwest at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA to make changes by phone, though wait times vary.

You can change your flight up until ten minutes before your scheduled departure time. After that window closes, you cannot change online or by phone — you would need to speak with an agent at the airport, and they may not be able to help if the flight has already begun boarding. The safest approach is to make changes at least 30 minutes before departure to avoid any confusion.

When you pay extra and when you do not

You pay nothing extra if your new flight costs the same or less. You pay the difference only if your new flight is more expensive. For example, if you booked a flight for $150 and want to change to a flight that costs $200, you pay $50. If you change to a $120 flight, the $30 difference stays in your account as a credit toward a future booking.

The price difference is based on the fare class of the new flight at the time you change, not the price you originally paid. Fares change constantly, so a flight that was cheaper yesterday may cost more today. Check the price before you confirm the change so you know what you will owe.

Changes more than 60 days in the future

If you change your flight to a date more than 60 days away, Southwest may restrict your ability to change again without losing money. Specifically, if you later want to change that flight to a different date, you would forfeit any remaining credit rather than keep it. This rule applies only to changes made more than 60 days in advance — if you change to a flight within 60 days, you retain full change rights.

The practical effect is that you should avoid booking far-future flights unless you are confident about your travel dates. If you must book months ahead and think you might change, consider waiting to book until closer to your travel date, or book a refundable ticket if Southwest offers one at that price point.

What happens if Southwest cancels or significantly changes your flight

If Southwest cancels your flight or makes a significant change to the departure time, you can rebook on any available Southwest flight at no cost, with no price difference to pay. A "significant change" typically means a departure time shift of more than one hour. You can also request a refund of your ticket price in cash if no alternative flight works for you — this is one of the few ways to get cash back from Southwest rather than a credit.

Southwest will contact you by email or phone if they cancel or significantly change your flight. You have a set window (usually several days) to rebook or request a refund. If you do not respond, your credit remains in your account indefinitely and you can use it whenever you are ready.

Credits and how long they last

When you change to a cheaper flight, the unused balance becomes a credit in your Southwest account. Credits do not expire — you can use them months or years later. The credit is tied to the name on the original ticket, so you cannot transfer it to someone else or sell it. If you have multiple credits in your account, Southwest applies them in the order you earned them when you book a new flight.

If you never use your credit, it stays in your account. Southwest does not charge a dormancy fee or expire credits after a certain period. The only way to lose a credit is if you change a flight booked more than 60 days in the future to a different date, as mentioned above.

Changing a flight booked with points or a gift card

If you booked your flight using Southwest Rapid Rewards points, you can change it for free just like a cash booking. If the new flight costs more points, you pay the difference in points. If it costs fewer points, the difference stays as a points credit in your Rapid Rewards account. The same rules explore: you can change up until ten minutes before departure, and credits do not expire.

If you paid with a Southwest gift card, the change rules are identical to a cash purchase. Any credit from a cheaper flight becomes a Southwest gift card credit that you can use on future bookings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my flight the day before or the day of travel?

Yes. You can change your flight any time up until ten minutes before departure. Changes made close to departure may have fewer available flights, especially on popular routes, but there is no fee to change. Call Southwest or use the app if you need to change within a few hours of departure.

What if I change my flight and then want to change it again?

You can change as many times as you want before departure at no fee. Each change is treated separately — if your second flight is cheaper than your first, you get a credit. If it is more expensive, you pay the difference. The 60-day rule applies only if you change to a flight more than 60 days away.

Do I lose my credit if I do not use it within a year?

No. Southwest credits do not expire. You can use your credit months or years after you earn it. The only exception is if you change a flight booked more than 60 days in advance to a different date — in that case, you forfeit the credit rather than keep it.

Can someone else use my flight credit?

No. Credits are tied to the name on the original ticket and cannot be transferred or given to another person. Only the person whose name is on the reservation can use the credit.

What if I want to change my flight but all other flights that day are more expensive?

You can still change to a more expensive flight — you just pay the price difference. If you want to avoid paying extra, you can change to a flight on a different day that costs the same or less, or you can keep your current reservation.