Southwest will not automatically rebook you or refund your ticket

If you miss a Southwest flight, your ticket does not disappear and you are not automatically out the money. Southwest's policy lets you use that ticket on a later flight, but you have to contact the airline to make the change yourself — they will not do it without hearing from you. The catch is timing: you must reach Southwest before the day of your missed flight ends, or the ticket becomes harder to use.

The airline treats a missed flight differently from a cancellation or delay. You were not stranded by a weather event or mechanical problem. You did not show up. That distinction matters for what Southwest will and will not do next.

Key Takeaways

  • Contact Southwest on the same day you miss your flight to rebook on another flight; waiting until the next day limits your options.
  • Your ticket keeps its cash value and can be used for any Southwest route, but you will pay a change fee if you rebook on a flight that costs more than your original ticket.
  • If you miss a flight due to a Southwest error — such as the airline giving you the wrong gate or boarding time — contact customer relations to ask about a waiver of the change fee.
  • Tickets do not expire, but the longer you wait to rebook, the fewer available flights remain and the higher the price difference may be.
  • If you paid with a credit card, you can dispute the charge with your card issuer if Southwest refuses to honor the ticket, though this is rare.

How to rebook after missing your flight

Call Southwest at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) as soon as you realize you have missed your flight. Have your confirmation number ready — it is on your booking email and your boarding pass. Tell the agent your name, confirmation number, and the flight you missed. They will pull up your ticket and show you available flights for the same route or nearby dates.

You can also rebook online through Southwest's website or mobile app by going to "Manage Reservations," entering your confirmation number and name, and selecting "Change Flight." The app sometimes shows available flights faster than the phone line, especially during busy hours. Either way, you will see the price of each available flight. If the new flight costs less than your original ticket, Southwest keeps the difference as a credit on your account. If it costs more, you pay the difference plus a change fee.

Southwest's change fee is currently $75 for domestic flights, though this amount can change. Some airlines charge more; Southwest's fee is on the lower end of the industry. The fee applies even if you are rebooking on the same route the next day.

When Southwest may waive the change fee

Southwest does not waive change fees for personal reasons — oversleeping, traffic, a family emergency, or a missed connection from another airline. The airline's position is that you are responsible for arriving on time. However, Southwest will sometimes waive the fee if the airline itself caused you to miss the flight.

Examples include: Southwest gave you an incorrect gate number or boarding time; the airline's website or app showed wrong information about your flight; or a Southwest employee directed you to the wrong place. If any of these happened, contact Southwest Customer Relations, not the rebooking line. Explain what went wrong and provide details — the date, time, flight number, and the name of any employee involved if you have it. Send this by email through Southwest's website or call 1-800-435-9792 and ask to be transferred to Customer Relations. They review the claim and decide whether to waive the fee.

Getting a fee waived takes longer than rebooking — usually one to two weeks — so rebook on a new flight first, then submit your waiver request separately.

What happens to your ticket value

Your Southwest ticket is not a one-time use. It holds a cash value equal to what you paid, minus any change fees and price differences. That value stays on your account indefinitely — Southwest tickets do not expire. You can use it for any Southwest flight to any destination the airline serves, for any passenger (you can give it to someone else), and at any time in the future.

If you paid $180 for a flight and rebook on a flight that costs $165, you have a $15 credit remaining on your account. If you rebook on a flight that costs $210, you pay the $30 difference plus the $75 change fee, and your account balance becomes zero. You can check your account balance anytime by logging into Southwest's website and viewing your reservation.

The credit is tied to the name on the original ticket. If you bought the ticket for yourself, only you can use the credit. If you bought it for someone else, that person can use it. You cannot transfer a credit to a third party unless Southwest's policy changes.

If you miss a connection from another airline

If you were flying on another airline and missed your Southwest connection because that airline delayed you, Southwest will not automatically rebook you. However, you have a stronger case for a fee waiver. Call Southwest and explain that you missed the flight because your incoming flight was late. Provide your confirmation number for the connecting flight and the flight number and airline of the flight that delayed you. Ask to speak with a supervisor or Customer Relations.

Southwest may waive the change fee if the delay was documented and the connection time was reasonable. "Reasonable" usually means two hours or more for a domestic connection. If you had only 45 minutes to change planes and your incoming flight was 30 minutes late, Southwest is more likely to help. If you had 90 minutes and your incoming flight was 10 minutes late, you may be responsible for the change fee because the connection time should have been enough.

Using your ticket on a different route

Southwest lets you rebook on any route the airline flies, not just the one you originally booked. If you missed a flight from Dallas to Denver, you can rebook on a flight from Dallas to Las Vegas, or from Houston to Denver, or anywhere else. The price of the new route determines whether you owe money or receive a credit.

This flexibility is useful if your original destination no longer makes sense. If you missed a flight because your meeting was cancelled, you can rebook on a flight to a different city for a trip you are actually taking. Or you can hold the credit and use it whenever you plan to fly Southwest again.

What does not happen when you miss a flight

Southwest will not charge you a penalty beyond the change fee and any price difference. Some airlines impose a "no-show fee" on top of rebooking costs; Southwest does not. Your ticket keeps its full value. You will not lose frequent flyer miles if you are a Rapid Rewards member — the miles stay in your account and you can earn more on your rebooked flight.

Southwest will not contact you to rebook you. You must initiate the change. The longer you wait, the fewer seats remain available on future flights, and the more likely you will have to pay a higher price to rebook. Waiting a week or a month does not hurt your ability to use the ticket, but it may cost you more money.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund instead of rebooking on another flight?

Southwest does not refund tickets for missed flights. Your ticket keeps its cash value and can be used on any Southwest flight. If you no longer want to fly Southwest, you can hold the credit indefinitely and use it whenever your plans change. You cannot convert it to cash or transfer it to another airline.

What if I miss my flight because of traffic or oversleeping?

Southwest will not waive the change fee for personal reasons. You are responsible for arriving at the airport on time. You can still rebook on another flight by paying the change fee and any price difference, but the fee will explore. If you believe Southwest gave you incorrect information about your flight time or gate, contact Customer Relations to request a waiver.

How long do I have to rebook after missing a flight?

You must contact Southwest on the same day you miss your flight to rebook. If you wait until the next day, Southwest may treat the ticket differently and your options become limited. Call 1-800-435-9792 or use the app as soon as you realize you have missed your flight.

Can I give my Southwest ticket credit to someone else?

No. The credit is tied to the name on the original ticket. Only the person whose name appears on the reservation can use it. You cannot transfer the credit to a family member or friend, even if you paid for the ticket.

Will I lose my frequent flyer miles if I miss a flight?

No. Your Rapid Rewards miles stay in your account. You will earn miles on your rebooked flight just as you would have on the original flight. Missing a flight does not affect your frequent flyer account in any way.