Southwest will rebook you on the next available flight at no extra charge

If you miss a Southwest flight, you do not lose your ticket value. Southwest's policy allows you to fly on any later flight the same day, or on a future date, without paying a rebooking fee. This applies whether you missed your flight because of traffic, a long security line, or any other reason — Southwest does not penalize you for being late to the gate.

The catch is that you must contact Southwest before your original flight departs. Once the plane leaves without you, you are marked as a no-show. At that point, you can still rebook, but you may have to wait longer for an available seat, and you lose priority on that day's flights.

Your boarding pass becomes invalid the moment your flight takes off. You cannot use it to board a later flight. You need a new boarding pass, which Southwest will issue when you rebook.

Key Takeaways

  • Contact Southwest when ready if you realize you will miss your flight — before the plane departs — to rebook on the same day without extra fees.
  • After your flight departs, you are marked as a no-show but can still rebook on a future flight using your original ticket value.
  • You can rebook through the Southwest website, the mobile app, or by calling 1-800-I-FLY-SWA, and you will need your confirmation number.
  • If you miss a flight and do not rebook within one year, Southwest will not refund your ticket — the value expires.
  • Standby flights (same-day rebooking) are free, but you board after all passengers with confirmed seats on that flight.

How to rebook after missing your flight

The fastest way to rebook is through the Southwest website or mobile app. Log in with your confirmation number and name, find your missed flight, and select the option to rebook. The system will show you available flights for the same day and future dates. Choose a flight with an open seat and confirm. You will receive a new boarding pass when ready.

If you are at the airport, go to the Southwest ticket counter. An agent can rebook you on the spot and print a new boarding pass. If you are not at the airport, call 1-800-I-FLY-SWA. Have your confirmation number ready. The phone line is usually busy after a missed flight, so expect a wait.

You can also use the Southwest mobile app to check in for your new flight once you have rebooked. If you rebook for a flight departing within two hours, you may not have time to check in online — go to the gate or ticket counter instead.

Same-day standby versus rebooking on a future date

If you miss your flight and rebook on another Southwest flight the same day, you are placed on standby. Standby passengers board after all passengers with confirmed seats. If the flight is full, you will not get on. Southwest will then move you to the next available flight.

If you rebook on a flight the next day or later, you have a confirmed seat — not standby. You board in your assigned boarding group. This is the safer choice if you cannot afford to miss another flight, but it means waiting until the next day to travel.

Southwest does not charge a fee for either option. The difference is boarding priority and certainty. Same-day standby is faster if the flight has empty seats; a future date guarantees you a seat.

What your ticket is worth after you miss your flight

Your original ticket keeps its full cash value. If you paid $150 for a flight from Dallas to Denver, that $150 stays in your Southwest account even after you miss the flight. You can use it to rebook on any Southwest route, to any destination, on any date within one year of your original booking date.

The one-year window is strict. If you do not rebook within that time, Southwest will not refund the money or extend the ticket. Mark your calendar or set a phone reminder if you have a ticket you are not using when ready.

If you paid with a credit card, the money is not refunded to your card — it becomes a Southwest travel credit tied to your name and confirmation number. You can give the credit to another person by providing them your confirmation number, but Southwest does not transfer credits between accounts.

Fees and charges that do not explore

Southwest does not charge a rebooking fee, a change fee, or a standby fee. You will not pay extra to move to a different flight. This is different from most other airlines, which charge $75 to $200 to change a flight after you have purchased it.

The only charge you might face is a difference in fare. If you rebook on a flight that costs more than your original ticket, you pay the difference. If you rebook on a cheaper flight, Southwest does not refund the difference — the extra value stays in your account as a credit.

Baggage allowance does not change. Southwest includes two free checked bags on every ticket. If your original flight allowed two bags, your rebooked flight does too.

What happens if you do not rebook

If you miss your flight and do not rebook within one year, your ticket expires and Southwest keeps the money. There is no refund, no extension, and no way to recover it. This is why it is important to rebook or cancel as soon as you know you will not use your ticket.

If you know you will not fly on your original date but plan to travel later, rebook when ready. Do not wait. The longer you wait, the closer you get to the one-year important date, and the more likely you are to forget.

If you change your mind and decide not to travel at all, you can request a refund. Southwest refunds missed flights only if you ask within 30 days of your original flight date. After 30 days, the money becomes a travel credit that does not expire for one year, but you cannot get cash back.

Standby boarding and seat assignment

When you rebook on standby for a same-day flight, you do not get a boarding group or seat assignment until the gate agent confirms there is space. You will see "STANDBY" on your boarding pass. Arrive at the gate at least 30 minutes before departure so the agent can process you if a seat opens up.

Southwest boards by group — A, B, or C — based on when you checked in. Standby passengers board after all three groups. If the flight is overbooked, standby passengers are the first to be bumped to the next flight. Southwest will rebook you again at no charge, but you will be on standby for that flight too.

If you are rebooked on a confirmed flight for a future date, you will receive a boarding group and seat assignment when you check in 24 hours before departure. You board in your assigned group, just like any other passenger.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund instead of rebooking?

Southwest refunds missed flights only if you request it within 30 days of your original flight date. After 30 days, you cannot get a cash refund — the ticket becomes a travel credit valid for one year. If you miss a flight and want a refund, contact Southwest within the 30-day window.

What if I miss my flight because of a delay on a connecting flight?

If Southwest's own delay caused you to miss a connecting flight, contact a Southwest agent at the airport or call customer service. Southwest may rebook you on the next available flight and may provide a meal voucher or hotel if you are stranded overnight. This is different from missing a flight due to your own delay.

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

No. Your frequent flyer account and miles are separate from your ticket. Missing a flight does not affect your miles balance. When you rebook and fly, you will earn miles on the new flight as usual.

Can I change my flight to a different date without missing it?

Yes. If you know in advance that you cannot fly on your original date, rebook through the Southwest website, app, or phone line before your flight departs. This is easier than missing the flight and rebooking afterward, because you avoid the standby process and have a confirmed seat on your new date.

What if Southwest overbooks the standby flight and I do not get on?

Southwest will automatically rebook you on the next available flight at no charge. You will be on standby for that flight too. If you need a confirmed seat, ask the gate agent to book you on a flight the next day instead of standby for the same day.