Southwest's Cancellation Window for Refunds
Southwest Airlines does not set a time limit on when you can cancel a flight and receive a refund. You can cancel a Southwest flight at any point—the day you book it, the day before departure, or even on the day of your flight—and you will receive a refund to your original payment method or as a travel credit, depending on the fare type you purchased.
The key difference is the type of fare you bought. Southwest's Wanna Get Away fares (the lowest price tier) refund as a travel credit that you can use toward any future Southwest flight with no expiration date. Business Select and Anytime fares refund as cash back to your original payment method. The refund itself typically processes within 7 to 10 business days after cancellation, though the exact timing depends on your bank or credit card company.
If you cancel more than 10 minutes before your scheduled departure, you avoid any change fees. Southwest does not charge fees to cancel or change flights, which is why the airline's refund policy is more flexible than most competitors.
Key Takeaways
- You can cancel a Southwest flight at any time before, during, or after your booking window, and there is no important date to request a refund.
- Wanna Get Away fares refund as a travel credit with no expiration date; Business Select and Anytime fares refund as cash to your original payment method.
- Refunds process within 7 to 10 business days after you cancel, though your bank may take additional time to post the money.
- Southwest charges no cancellation or change fees, so you can cancel without penalty as long as you do so at least 10 minutes before departure.
How to Cancel and Request Your Refund
Log into your Southwest account on southwest.com or use the Southwest mobile app. Find your reservation under "Manage Reservations," select the flight you want to cancel, and click "Cancel Flight." You will see a summary of what you paid and what you will receive—either a travel credit or a refund amount.
Confirm the cancellation. Southwest will send you a confirmation email with your refund details and a new confirmation number for your travel credit (if applicable). If you purchased a refundable fare, the cash refund will be initiated to the card or account you used to book the flight.
If you booked through a travel agent or third-party website like Expedia or Kayak, you must cancel through that same website or contact the agent directly. Southwest cannot process refunds for tickets booked elsewhere, even though Southwest operates the flight.
Refund Timing: When the Money Actually Arrives
Southwest processes refunds within 7 to 10 business days of cancellation. This is the time it takes Southwest's system to send the refund request to your bank or credit card company. However, your bank or card issuer may take an additional 3 to 5 business days to post the money to your account, depending on their processing speed.
If you cancelled a flight and do not see the refund after 10 business days, check your email for Southwest's confirmation. If the confirmation shows the refund was processed, contact your bank to ask where the money is. If Southwest's confirmation shows a travel credit instead of a cash refund, the credit appears in your account when ready and you can use it to book a new flight right away.
Weekend and holiday delays can extend processing time. If you cancelled on a Friday, for example, the 7 to 10 business days begins on the next Monday.
Travel Credits vs. Cash Refunds: What You Get Back
Wanna Get Away fares (Southwest's base price) refund as a travel credit only. You cannot receive cash back. The credit sits in your Southwest account and you can use it to book any Southwest flight for any passenger at any time. The credit never expires—you can use it years later if you want. If you do not use the credit, you do not get the money back.
Business Select and Anytime fares refund as cash to your original payment method. This is a true refund, not a credit. The money goes back to the card or bank account you used to book the flight. You can also choose to receive a travel credit instead if you prefer, but you have to request that option during cancellation.
Refundable fares purchased through a third-party site may refund to that website's account as a credit rather than back to your card. Check your confirmation email from the booking site to see the refund policy for your specific ticket.
Cancelling Within 24 Hours of Booking
Southwest allows you to cancel any flight within 24 hours of booking and receive a full refund to your original payment method, regardless of fare type. This is a federal rule that applies to all U.S. airlines. The 24-hour window starts from the moment your booking confirmation is issued, not from the time you complete payment.
To use this option, cancel through your Southwest account or call Southwest at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792). You do not need a reason to cancel within 24 hours. If you booked through a third-party site, you may need to cancel through that site to receive the refund, so check your confirmation email for instructions.
What Happens If You Miss Your Flight
If you do not show up for your Southwest flight, you do not automatically lose your money. Southwest will hold your fare as a travel credit that you can use on any future flight. However, you do not receive a cash refund for a no-show unless your original fare was refundable (Business Select or Anytime).
To convert a no-show into a travel credit, contact Southwest customer service at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA. They can confirm your credit and help you rebook. If you had a refundable fare and missed your flight, you can still request a cash refund, but you will need to contact Southwest directly rather than cancelling through your account.
Cancelling a Connecting Flight or Multi-Leg Trip
If you booked a round-trip or multi-leg flight, cancelling one leg does not automatically cancel the others. You must cancel each flight separately if you want to cancel the entire trip. If you cancel only your outbound flight but not your return flight, you will still have a credit or refund for the outbound leg, but your return flight remains active.
If you do not show up for the first leg of a multi-leg booking, Southwest will automatically cancel all remaining legs on that reservation. You will receive a travel credit for the unused portions, but you will need to contact Southwest to convert it to a refund if your fare was refundable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel a Southwest flight the day before and still get a refund?
Yes. Southwest has no important date for cancellation. You can cancel the day before, the day of, or even after your flight departs (though cancelling after departure makes sense only if you want to preserve a travel credit for future use). As long as you cancel at least 10 minutes before departure, you avoid any fees.
Do I lose my refund if I wait too long to cancel?
No. There is no time limit on how long you can wait to cancel and request a refund. You can cancel weeks or months after your original booking. The only exception is if you booked within 24 hours—that special 24-hour refund window closes 24 hours after your booking confirmation was issued.
What if Southwest cancels my flight instead of me cancelling it?
If Southwest cancels your flight, you automatically receive a refund to your original payment method or a travel credit, depending on your fare type. You do not have to request it. Southwest will contact you by email or phone to offer you a rebooking option or confirm your refund.
Can I cancel a Southwest flight booked with points?
Yes. If you booked with Rapid Rewards points, you can cancel and your points will be returned to your account. The refund processes the same way as a cash refund—within 7 to 10 business days. You cannot receive a cash refund for a points booking; you only get the points back.
How do I cancel if I booked through a travel agent?
Contact the travel agent directly or cancel through the website where you booked (Expedia, Kayak, etc.). Southwest cannot process the cancellation for you because the ticket is not in Southwest's system—it is in the third-party system. The refund will go back to that site as a credit, and you may need to request a cash refund from the travel agent separately.