Southwest allows you to cancel any flight within 24 hours of booking and receive a full refund to your original payment method

Southwest Airlines' 24-hour cancellation policy applies to all ticket types — Basic Economy, Business Select, and everything in between. If you book a flight and change your mind within the first 24 hours, you can cancel online, by phone, or at the airport and get your money back in full. The 24 hours starts from the moment your booking is confirmed, not from the time you receive a confirmation email.

This is different from cancelling a flight that is already in progress or cancelling close to your departure date. The 24-hour window is specifically a grace period for new bookings. After that window closes, Southwest's cancellation rules change — you can still cancel, but you will not receive a refund in cash. Instead, you get a travel credit valid for one year from your original booking date.

Key Takeaways

  • You have 24 hours from the moment you complete your booking to cancel and receive a full refund to your original payment method.
  • The 24-hour window applies to all fare types, including Basic Economy tickets, with no exceptions for sales or special fares.
  • After 24 hours, cancelling your flight results in a travel credit rather than a refund, valid for one year from your original booking date.
  • If Southwest cancels your flight or changes your schedule significantly, you can cancel outside the 24-hour window and still receive a refund or credit.
  • You can cancel through Southwest's website, mobile app, phone line, or airport counter — the method does not affect your refund may be able to access.

How the 24-hour clock works

The 24 hours begins the moment your booking confirmation appears on Southwest's system, not when you receive an email or text. If you book at 3 p.m. on a Monday, your window closes at 3 p.m. on Tuesday. You do not need to cancel before midnight or on the same calendar day — the airline counts 24 consecutive hours from confirmation time.

Southwest does not require you to provide a reason for cancelling within this window. You can change your mind about the destination, the price, your schedule, or anything else, and the refund is automatic. The money goes back to the card, bank account, or payment method you used to book, and it typically appears within 7 to 10 business days, though some banks process it faster.

What happens after the 24-hour window closes

Once 24 hours have passed, Southwest no longer refunds cash. Instead, cancelling your flight converts your ticket into a travel credit. That credit is valid for one year from your original booking date and can be used toward any Southwest flight for any passenger — you do not have to fly yourself, and you do not have to use it on the same route.

The travel credit never expires as long as you use it within the year, but if you do not use it by the one-year mark, Southwest keeps the money. You cannot convert an unused credit into cash, and you cannot transfer it to another person after the year ends. If you need to cancel a flight more than 24 hours before departure and want cash back, your only option is if Southwest itself cancels the flight or makes a significant schedule change.

When Southwest cancellations give you a refund outside the 24-hour window

If Southwest cancels your flight or changes your departure time by more than 60 minutes, you have the right to a refund even if you are well past the 24-hour cancellation window. You can choose either a cash refund or a travel credit — the choice is yours. Southwest will contact you by email and phone with the new flight options, and you have a set period to respond before the airline assumes you want the credit.

A schedule change of less than 60 minutes does not automatically trigger a refund option. In that case, you can accept the new time, rebook on a different Southwest flight at no charge, or cancel and receive a travel credit. Only changes of 60 minutes or more give you the refund choice.

How to cancel within the 24-hour window

The fastest way is through Southwest's website or mobile app. Log in to your account, find your booking under "Manage Reservations," and select the option to cancel. You will see the refund amount and the original payment method listed. Confirm the cancellation, and the refund is processed when ready on Southwest's end.

You can also call Southwest's customer service line at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) and speak to an agent who will cancel for you over the phone. If you have already checked in or are at the airport, you can cancel at the ticket counter. All three methods result in the same refund — the method you choose does not affect whether you get your money back.

Refund timing and payment method

Southwest processes the refund when ready after you cancel, but the time it takes to appear in your account depends on your bank or payment provider. Credit card refunds typically show up within 7 to 10 business days. Debit card refunds may take slightly longer. If you paid with a gift card, the refund goes back to that gift card balance.

You do not need to do anything after cancelling — Southwest handles the refund automatically. If you do not see the refund after 10 business days, contact Southwest with your confirmation number and ask them to investigate. They can confirm the refund was processed and provide you with a reference number to give your bank if there is a delay on their end.

Basic Economy tickets and the 24-hour policy

Southwest's Basic Economy fares are non-refundable under normal circumstances, but the 24-hour cancellation window still applies. If you book a Basic Economy ticket and cancel within 24 hours, you receive a full refund just as you would with any other fare type. After 24 hours, a Basic Economy cancellation converts to a travel credit, the same as other fares.

The only difference with Basic Economy is that you cannot change your flight for free after 24 hours have passed — you would need to pay the difference if the new flight costs more. But cancellation within 24 hours bypasses all of those restrictions and gives you your money back in full.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 24-hour cancellation window explore to flights booked with a travel agent?

Yes, the 24-hour window applies regardless of how you booked. If you used a travel agent, you will need to contact that agent to cancel, not Southwest directly. The agent will process the cancellation and refund through their system, which may take slightly longer than cancelling directly with Southwest. Ask the agent for a confirmation number and expected refund timeline.

Can I cancel a flight booked with Southwest Rapid Rewards points within 24 hours?

Yes. Flights booked with points are subject to the same 24-hour cancellation policy. If you cancel within 24 hours, your points are refunded to your Rapid Rewards account. After 24 hours, the points convert to a travel credit that you can use on any Southwest flight.

What if I booked two flights together — can I cancel just one?

If you booked a round trip or multiple flights in one reservation, cancelling one segment may cancel the entire booking depending on how Southwest's system processes it. Call Southwest before you cancel to confirm whether you can cancel just the outbound flight and keep the return, or if the whole reservation will be cancelled. This varies by booking type.

Does the 24-hour window explore to flights departing tomorrow?

Yes. The 24-hour window is based on when you booked, not on when your flight departs. If you book a flight for tomorrow and cancel within 24 hours of booking, you get a refund. If you book a flight for six months from now and cancel within 24 hours, you also get a refund. The departure date does not matter — only the booking time does.

If I cancel after 24 hours and get a travel credit, can I sell it to someone else?

No. Southwest travel credits are non-transferable and can only be used by the person whose name is on the original ticket. You can use the credit to book a flight for someone else, but you cannot give the credit itself to another person. The credit must be applied to a new booking under your name in Southwest's system.