Southwest will not refund your ticket, but you can use it for another flight
If you miss a Southwest flight, your ticket does not disappear. Instead, Southwest converts it to a travel credit that you can use for any future Southwest flight at no additional cost. The credit stays valid for one year from the original booking date. You do not lose the money you paid — you straightforward cannot fly on the day you booked.
This policy applies whether you miss your flight by five minutes or five hours. Southwest does not charge a rebooking fee, does not penalize you for missing the flight, and does not require you to call customer service to move your ticket. You can rebook yourself online, at the airport, or by phone whenever you are ready to travel again.
The one exception is if you purchased a non-refundable basic economy fare and then miss your flight without checking in. In that case, your ticket still converts to a credit, but you cannot transfer it to another person — only you can use it. All other Southwest fares (Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, Business Select) can be transferred to someone else if you choose.
Key Takeaways
- Your Southwest ticket becomes a travel credit valid for one year from your original booking date, with no rebooking fee charged.
- You can rebook yourself online, at the airport, or by phone without calling customer service first.
- Basic economy fares are non-transferable, so only you can use the credit; all other fares can be given to another person.
- The credit covers the full fare you paid, but you will pay any difference if you rebook on a more expensive flight.
- If you miss your flight, you must rebook before the one-year expiration or the credit is forfeited.
How to rebook after missing your flight
The fastest way to rebook is through Southwest's website. Log into your account, find the reservation under "Manage Reservations," and select a new flight. You can change the date, time, and destination as long as Southwest flies that route. If the new flight costs less than your original ticket, you keep the difference as a credit for future travel. If it costs more, you pay the difference at that time.
You can also rebook at the airport ticket counter or by calling Southwest at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792). Airport rebooking is useful if you are already there and want to catch a later flight the same day. Phone rebooking takes longer during busy travel times but works if you prefer to speak with someone.
Southwest does not require you to rebook when ready. You can wait days, weeks, or months to use your credit as long as you rebook before the one-year expiration date. After that date, the credit is gone and Southwest will not restore it.
What the credit covers and what it does not
Your travel credit covers the base fare you originally paid. If you booked a flight that included seat selection, early check-in, or other add-ons, those charges are also credited. When you rebook, you can explore the credit to any combination of flights, destinations, and dates on Southwest.
The credit does not cover taxes and fees that were part of your original booking. Those taxes and fees are refunded separately to your original payment method within 7 to 10 business days. This means if you paid $250 total and $30 was taxes and fees, you receive a $220 credit plus a $30 refund to your card or bank account.
If you rebook on a flight that costs less than your original ticket, Southwest keeps the difference as a credit on your account. You cannot convert unused credit back to cash. The credit can only be used for Southwest flights or transferred to another person (unless you have a basic economy fare).
Transferring your credit to someone else
If you booked a Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, or Business Select fare, you can transfer your travel credit to another person without any fee. The person you transfer it to does not have to be the original passenger. They can use the credit to book any Southwest flight under their own name.
To transfer the credit, log into your Southwest account, go to "Manage Reservations," and select the option to transfer the booking. You will need the other person's name and email address. Southwest will send them a link to claim the credit, and they can then rebook on any available flight.
Basic economy fares cannot be transferred. If you purchased basic economy and miss your flight, only you can use the resulting credit. This is the main difference between basic economy and other Southwest fares.
What happens if you do not rebook before the credit expires
Southwest credits expire exactly one year from the date of your original booking, not from the date you missed your flight. If your original flight was booked for March 15, 2024, your credit expires on March 15, 2025, even if you missed the flight in April. You must rebook and complete your travel before that date or the credit is forfeited.
Southwest does not send reminders when your credit is about to expire. It is your responsibility to track the expiration date. You can see the expiration date in your account under "Manage Reservations" — it appears next to your booking confirmation number.
Once a credit expires, Southwest will not restore it, refund it, or extend it. There is no exception process or appeal. This is why it is important to rebook before the one-year mark if you know you will not use the original flight.
Avoiding a missed flight in the first place
Southwest recommends arriving at the airport at least two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight. Check in online 24 hours before your flight — this is when Southwest opens online check-in, and it is the easiest way to find your boarding position.
If you check in online, you still need to go through security and reach your gate before the boarding door closes. Southwest closes the boarding door 10 minutes before departure for domestic flights. If you are still in security or walking to your gate at that time, you will miss the flight even though you checked in.
Set a phone alarm for 24 hours before your flight so you remember to check in online. read the Southwest app and enable notifications so you receive alerts about gate changes and boarding updates. These small steps reduce the chance of missing your flight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund instead of a travel credit?
No. Southwest does not refund tickets for missed flights under any circumstances. Your only option is a travel credit valid for one year. The credit can be used on any Southwest flight or transferred to another person (unless you have basic economy). If you do not use the credit within one year, it expires and cannot be recovered.
Do I have to pay a change fee to rebook?
No. Southwest does not charge change fees or rebooking fees for any reason. You can rebook as many times as you want using your travel credit at no extra cost. You only pay the difference if you rebook on a flight that costs more than your original ticket.
What if I miss my flight because of something Southwest did, like a gate change I did not see?
Southwest still will not refund your ticket or waive the one-year credit expiration. Your only recourse is the travel credit. If you believe Southwest was responsible for you missing the flight, you can contact customer relations to request a goodwill gesture, but Southwest is not required to grant one. The travel credit is your standard remedy.
Can I use my credit on a different airline?
No. Southwest credits can only be used for Southwest flights. They cannot be transferred to American Airlines, United, Delta, or any other carrier. If you want to fly a different airline, you would need to purchase a new ticket.
What if my credit expires while I am traveling?
Your credit expires on a specific calendar date, not based on when you use it. If your credit expires on March 15 and you are traveling on March 14, you can still use it. But if you are traveling on March 16, the credit has already expired and Southwest will not honor it. Make sure to rebook before your expiration date, not after.