Southwest's cancellation policy lets you rebook or keep your fare as credit

If you cancel a Southwest flight, you will not lose your money. Southwest does not charge a cancellation fee, and you keep the full value of your ticket. You have two choices: rebook on a different Southwest flight at no extra cost, or convert your ticket into a travel credit that you can use on any future Southwest flight.

The key difference between Southwest and most other airlines is that you never forfeit the fare itself. Other carriers often keep part or all of your payment if you cancel. With Southwest, the entire amount stays in your account as either a new flight or a credit, depending on what you choose.

Key Takeaways

  • Southwest does not charge a fee to cancel, and you keep the full ticket value as either a rebooked flight or a travel credit.
  • If you rebook, you pay only the difference if the new flight costs more; you receive a credit if it costs less.
  • Travel credits are valid for one year from the original ticket date and can be used by anyone, not just the original passenger.
  • Cancelling more than 10 minutes before departure is fastest; cancelling closer to departure time may require a phone call.
  • If you cancel after your flight departs, you still keep the credit, but you cannot use it to rebook a flight that has already left.

How to cancel online or by phone

You can cancel through Southwest's website or mobile app if you booked directly with Southwest. Log in to your account, find the reservation under "Manage Reservations," and select the option to cancel. The system will show you whether you want to rebook when ready or receive a travel credit code. This process takes a few minutes and is when ready.

If you booked through a travel agent or a third-party website, you must call Southwest at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) to cancel. Have your confirmation number ready. Cancellations requested more than 10 minutes before departure are processed when ready. If you call within 10 minutes of departure, a representative may ask you to wait until after the flight departs to complete the cancellation, since the system needs time to update.

Reboking on a different flight versus taking a travel credit

When you cancel, Southwest asks whether you want to rebook or receive a credit. If you rebook on a flight that costs less, Southwest issues you a credit for the difference. If the new flight costs more, you pay the fare difference out of pocket. You can rebook when ready during cancellation, or you can skip this step and receive a travel credit code to use later.

A travel credit is a code that holds your ticket value. You can use it to book any Southwest flight within one year of your original ticket date. The credit is not tied to your name—anyone can use it if you give them the code. This makes credits useful if you want to give the ticket to a friend or family member, or if you are not sure when you will fly next.

What happens to your seat and boarding position

When you cancel, your seat is released when ready and becomes available for other passengers. Your boarding position does not transfer to a new flight. If you rebook on a later flight, you will receive a new boarding position based on when you made the new reservation. Early Bird Check-In, if you purchased it, does not carry over—you will need to purchase it again for the rebooked flight if you want it.

If you had a specific seat assignment on your original flight, you will not have that seat on the new flight. You can select a new seat during the reboking process, or you can choose your seat when you check in 24 hours before the new departure.

Travel credits: how long they last and who can use them

A travel credit is valid for one year from the date of your original ticket, not from the date you cancelled. For example, if you bought a ticket for March 15, 2024, and cancelled it in April 2024, your credit expires on March 15, 2025. After that date, the credit is gone and cannot be used or refunded.

You can share a travel credit with anyone. The person using it does not have to be the original passenger. When you book with a credit code, the system asks for the name of the person flying, and that person can be different from the original ticket holder. This is useful for gifting a flight to someone else or for splitting a credit among family members across multiple bookings.

Cancelling close to departure or after your flight leaves

If you cancel within 10 minutes of your scheduled departure, Southwest may ask you to wait until after the flight departs to process the cancellation. This is because the airline needs time to update its systems. Call the reservations line and explain your situation; a representative will tell you whether to wait or if they can process it when ready.

If you miss your flight and do not cancel beforehand, you still keep your ticket value as a travel credit. However, you cannot rebook on a flight that has already departed. You can only use the credit to book a future flight. The credit remains valid for one year from your original ticket date, just as it would if you had cancelled before departure.

Refunds and why Southwest does not offer them

Southwest does not refund cancelled tickets to your original payment method. Instead, you receive a travel credit that you must use to book another flight. The only exception is if you purchased a refundable ticket through a third-party travel insurance provider—in that case, you would file a claim with the insurance company, not with Southwest.

This policy is standard across the airline industry. Most carriers keep cancelled fares entirely or offer only partial credits. Southwest's approach is more generous because the full value stays available to you, but it must be used for travel rather than returned as cash. If you need cash back, you would have to contact your credit card company or bank to dispute the charge, which is a separate process from cancelling with Southwest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel my Southwest flight and get money back instead of a credit?

No. Southwest converts all cancellations into travel credits or rebookings, not refunds. The full ticket value stays in your account, but you must use it to book another Southwest flight within one year. If you paid by credit card, you could contact your card issuer to dispute the charge, but that is separate from Southwest's cancellation process.

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

Southwest issues you a travel credit for the difference. If your original ticket was $200 and you rebook on a $150 flight, you receive a $50 credit code. You can use that $50 credit on any future Southwest flight within one year of your original ticket date.

Do I lose my Early Bird Check-In if I cancel and rebook?

Yes. Early Bird Check-In is tied to your original flight. When you rebook, you receive a new boarding position and lose the Early Bird benefit. You can purchase Early Bird Check-In again for your new flight if you want it.

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

Yes. Travel credits are not tied to a passenger name. Anyone with the credit code can book a flight and provide their own name. This makes credits straightforward to share with family or friends.

What happens if I cancel after my flight has already left?

You still keep the full ticket value as a travel credit. You cannot rebook on a flight that has already departed, but you can use the credit to book any future Southwest flight. The credit is valid for one year from your original ticket date.