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 or pay a rebooking fee. Southwest's policy allows you to fly on any other Southwest flight to the same destination, as long as seats are open. You can rebook through the Southwest website, the mobile app, or by calling 1-800-I-FLY-SWA. The airline will place you on the next flight with available seats, which might be later the same day or the next day depending on the route and season.
The key difference between Southwest and other airlines is that you keep your fare. You are not charged a change fee or forced to buy a new ticket. However, if the next available flight costs more than what you originally paid, you may owe the difference. If it costs less, Southwest does not refund the overage—you lose that money.
You must contact Southwest to rebook before you attempt to board another flight. Showing up at the gate without rebooking first will not work, and gate agents cannot override the system to put you on a flight you have not been assigned to.
Key Takeaways
- Southwest does not charge a rebooking fee when you miss a flight, but you must contact them to move to another flight.
- You can rebook online, through the app, or by phone at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA, and you will be placed on the next available flight to your destination.
- If the new flight costs more than your original ticket, you pay the difference; if it costs less, you do not receive a refund.
- Missing a flight does not cancel your return flight or any other legs of a multi-city trip unless you explicitly cancel them.
- If no Southwest flights are available for several days, you may be able to book on a partner airline at no cost, depending on the situation.
How to rebook after missing your flight
The fastest way to rebook is through the Southwest website or app. Log in with your confirmation number and name, find your reservation, and select the option to change your flight. You will see all available flights to your destination for the next several days, with prices listed. Choose the flight you want and confirm. The system will tell you when ready if you owe money or if the new flight is cheaper.
If you are at the airport when you realize you have missed the flight, go to a Southwest ticket counter. An agent can rebook you on the spot and may be able to put you on a flight leaving within the hour if one has seats. Calling 1-800-I-FLY-SWA also works, but you will wait on hold, especially during busy travel times. The phone line is useful if you are not at the airport and want to rebook from home or a hotel.
Have your confirmation number ready no matter which method you use. If you booked through a travel website or travel agent rather than directly with Southwest, you may need to contact them instead, though most travel agents can request that Southwest rebook you directly.
What happens to the rest of your trip
If you miss a flight that is part of a multi-leg journey, only that one flight is affected. Your return flight or any connecting flights you booked separately remain active. However, if you booked a round trip and miss the outbound flight, some airlines would cancel your return automatically—Southwest does not do this. Your return flight stays on your account unless you cancel it yourself.
If you miss a connecting flight because your first flight was delayed, that is different. Southwest considers this a missed connection caused by the airline, not by you. In that case, the airline will rebook you on the next available flight to your final destination at no charge, and you do not owe any difference in fare. The gate agent or customer service will handle this rebooking without you having to request it.
When you might owe money for the new flight
Southwest's fares change throughout the day based on demand. If you booked a flight for $120 and miss it, but the next available flight costs $160, you owe $40. You will see this amount when you rebook online or the agent will tell you over the phone. You can pay by credit card, debit card, or with a Southwest gift card or travel credit if you have one on your account.
If the new flight is cheaper—say $95 instead of $120—you do not get the $25 back. Southwest keeps the difference. This is why some travelers choose to cancel a flight they cannot make and rebook later when fares drop, rather than miss the flight and be forced onto a more expensive one. Canceling a flight keeps your fare as a travel credit good for one year, which gives you more flexibility.
The price difference applies only to the base fare. Taxes and fees are recalculated for the new flight, but these are usually the same or very close.
Rebooking on a partner airline if Southwest has no flights
If Southwest has no flights to your destination for several days, or if all flights are completely full, Southwest may book you on a partner airline at no extra cost. This happens most often on routes where Southwest has limited service. The partner airlines Southwest works with include Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, and United, depending on the route.
You do not request this—Southwest decides whether to offer it based on availability and the circumstances of why you missed your flight. If you missed it because of your own delay, Southwest is less likely to book you on another airline than if you missed it due to a Southwest operational issue. Ask the agent or customer service representative whether this option is open to you.
If you are booked on a partner airline, you will receive a confirmation number for that airline and will need to check in with them separately. You will not earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points on the partner airline flight, though you will still earn them on your original Southwest booking.
How to avoid missing a Southwest flight
Southwest recommends arriving at the airport two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight. This gives you time to check in, go through security, and reach your gate without rushing. Check your confirmation email for your exact departure time, because Southwest does not always announce boarding times until you are at the airport.
If you are driving to the airport, leave extra time for parking and walking from the parking area or shuttle. Traffic and parking delays are the most common reasons people miss flights. Set a phone alarm for one hour before you need to leave home.
read the Southwest app and enable notifications. The app will alert you if your flight is delayed, cancelled, or if boarding is about to close. You can also check in online exactly 24 hours before your flight, which moves you up in the boarding order and gives you a better seat.
What happens if you miss a flight you paid for with points
If you booked your Southwest flight using Rapid Rewards points instead of cash, the same rebooking policy applies. You do not lose your points. When you rebook onto another flight, Southwest will move your points to the new reservation. If the new flight requires more points than your original booking, you pay the difference in points or cash. If it requires fewer points, you do not get the extra points back.
This works the same way as the cash fare difference. You keep your original points, but you do not receive a refund if you rebook onto a cheaper flight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I lose my money if I miss a Southwest flight?
No. Your fare stays on your account and moves to a new flight. You may owe money if the new flight costs more, but you do not pay a rebooking fee. If you want to cancel instead of rebook, your fare becomes a travel credit valid for one year.
Can I rebook on a flight the same day I miss my original flight?
Yes, if Southwest has another flight to your destination later that day with available seats. Rebook through the app or website when ready, or go to a ticket counter at the airport. Same-day rebooking is common on busy routes with multiple daily flights.
What if I miss my flight because Southwest's website was down?
Contact Southwest customer service and explain what happened. While the rebooking policy itself does not change, Southwest may waive the fare difference or offer other compensation if a system outage on their end caused you to miss the flight. Call 1-800-I-FLY-SWA with your confirmation number ready.
Does missing one flight cancel my return flight automatically?
No. Southwest does not cancel your return flight or any other legs of your trip when you miss a single flight. Your return flight remains active unless you cancel it yourself. This is different from some other airlines.
What if I miss my flight because I was stuck in security?
The rebooking policy is the same regardless of why you missed the flight. However, if the delay was caused by a Southwest operational issue—such as a gate agent not opening security early enough—mention this when you contact Southwest. They may waive the fare difference or offer other consideration.