Southwest lets you cancel up to 10 minutes before departure and keeps your fare as a credit

You can cancel a Southwest flight as late as 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Unlike most airlines, Southwest does not charge a cancellation fee — instead, the full fare converts to a travel credit valid for one year from the original booking date. The credit applies to the passenger named on the ticket, not to a different person.

The 10-minute window is firm. If you call or go online after that point, the flight is considered departed and you cannot cancel. You will lose the fare entirely unless you have purchased Southwest's Upgraded Boarding or a higher fare class, which may have different rules depending on when you bought the ticket.

Cancellation works the same whether you booked directly through Southwest or through a third-party site like Expedia or Kayak — you must cancel through Southwest's website or phone line, not through the booking site. If you booked through a travel agent, contact them first, as they may handle the cancellation on your behalf.

Key Takeaways

  • You have until 10 minutes before departure to cancel and receive a travel credit for the full fare amount.
  • The credit is valid for one year and is tied to the passenger name on the ticket — it cannot be transferred to someone else.
  • Southwest charges no cancellation fee, but canceling after the 10-minute cutoff means you lose the fare with no credit issued.
  • You must cancel through Southwest directly, even if you booked through a third-party website or travel agent.
  • If you miss the 10-minute window, your only option is to contact Southwest customer service to ask about exceptions, though they rarely grant them.

How to cancel within the 10-minute window

Go to Southwest.com and sign into your account using your confirmation number and last name. Click "Manage Reservations," find your flight, and select "Cancel Flight." You will see the credit amount and the expiration date. Confirm the cancellation, and Southwest will send a confirmation email with your new credit balance.

If you are at the airport or do not have internet access, call Southwest at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792). Have your confirmation number ready. The agent will cancel the flight and confirm your credit over the phone. The credit will appear in your Southwest account within 24 hours.

Do not wait until the last minute to cancel online — the website can be slow during peak travel times, and if your cancellation does not process before 10 minutes before departure, it will be rejected. If you are cutting it close, call instead of using the website.

What happens to your credit after cancellation

The credit sits in your Southwest account under "Funds" and shows the expiration date. You can use it to book a new flight for yourself at any time before that date. The credit covers the base fare only — if you book a more expensive flight, you pay the difference. If you book a cheaper flight, Southwest does not refund the difference in cash.

The credit does not cover taxes and fees on the original flight. Those are separate and are typically not credited back. If you paid with a credit card, the taxes and fees may be refunded to that card after 7 to 10 business days, depending on your bank.

If you do not use the credit before the expiration date, it expires and you lose it. Southwest does not extend expiration dates or convert unused credits to cash. Set a calendar reminder for the expiration date so you do not forget.

Canceling a flight booked through a third-party website

If you booked through Expedia, Kayak, Costco Travel, or another third-party site, you still cancel through Southwest, not through the booking site. Log into Southwest.com with your confirmation number and last name, then follow the same cancellation steps. The credit will go to your Southwest account, not back to the third-party site.

Some third-party sites charge their own fees on top of the airline fare, and those fees are usually not refunded when you cancel. Check your original receipt to see what you paid to the third-party site versus what went to Southwest. Only the Southwest portion becomes a credit.

If you booked through a travel agent, call the agent first and ask them to handle the cancellation. They may be able to process it faster and can explain what portion of your payment is refundable under their own policies.

What to do if you miss the 10-minute window

If your flight has already departed or you missed the 10-minute cancellation window, you cannot cancel online or by phone through the normal process. Your only option is to contact Southwest customer service and explain your situation. Call 1-800-I-FLY-SWA and ask to speak with a supervisor about a possible exception.

Southwest rarely makes exceptions after the departure window closes, but they may consider one if you have a documented emergency, a medical issue, or a serious technical problem that prevented you from canceling in time. Be prepared to provide proof — a hospital note, a death certificate, or documentation of the technical issue. Even with proof, there is no may provide they will grant an exception.

If Southwest denies your request, the fare is lost and you have no recourse through the airline. Travel insurance purchased at the time of booking may cover this situation, but standard airline tickets do not.

Difference between canceling and no-showing

Canceling and not showing up are not the same. If you cancel before the 10-minute cutoff, you get a credit. If you do not cancel and straightforward do not show up for the flight, Southwest treats it as a no-show and you lose the fare with no credit issued.

A no-show also affects your future bookings. If you have a multi-leg trip (for example, a flight from New York to Denver and then Denver to Los Angeles on the same day), not showing up for the first leg will automatically cancel all remaining legs on that itinerary. You will lose the credit for those flights as well.

Always cancel if you are not going to fly. It takes two minutes and preserves your fare as a credit.

Canceling a flight you booked with a companion pass or points

If you booked your flight using Southwest Companion Pass, Rapid Rewards points, or a combination of points and cash, the cancellation rules are the same — you have until 10 minutes before departure. However, what you get back is different.

If you paid with points, those points return to your Rapid Rewards account. If you paid with a Companion Pass, the pass is returned to your account and can be used again. If you paid with a mix of points and cash, both are returned separately. Taxes and fees paid in cash may take 7 to 10 business days to refund to your original payment method.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel a Southwest flight the day before and get a refund?

No. Southwest does not issue cash refunds for cancellations. You receive a travel credit valid for one year. The credit can be used for any Southwest flight for any passenger, but only the person whose name is on the original ticket can use it.

What if I cancel and then rebook on a cheaper flight?

The credit covers the full original fare. If you rebook on a cheaper flight, the difference stays in your account as a credit balance. You can use it toward a future flight, but Southwest will not refund the unused portion in cash.

Does the 10-minute window explore to flights booked in advance?

Yes. Whether you booked the flight six months ago or six days ago, you can cancel up to 10 minutes before departure. The only exception is if you booked a non-refundable fare through a partner airline, which is rare on Southwest.

Can someone else use my travel credit if I give them the confirmation number?

No. The credit is tied to the passenger name on the original ticket. Only that person can use it to book a flight. If you want to give the credit to someone else, you would need to book a flight for them using your credit, which means you are paying for their ticket.

What happens if I cancel within 10 minutes but the website says the flight already departed?

This usually means the flight departed before your cancellation went through. Call Southwest when ready at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA and explain that you attempted to cancel within the window. Have your confirmation number ready. An agent may be able to review the timing and issue a credit if the cancellation was submitted before departure.