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. Southwest's policy allows you to fly on any other Southwest flight to the same destination without paying a change fee or the difference in fare. You can rebook yourself through the Southwest website, mobile app, or by calling their reservations line at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792).

The key difference from other airlines is that Southwest does not charge you to move to a later flight. However, you will only fly standby on flights departing the same day you missed your original flight. If no seats open up that day, your ticket rolls over as a travel credit valid for one year from your original booking date.

Speed matters here. Call or go online as soon as you realize you will miss your flight. The sooner you rebook, the better your chances of getting on a flight that same day, especially during busy travel times.

Key Takeaways

  • Southwest does not charge a fee to rebook you on a later flight to the same destination on the same day.
  • You must rebook yourself through the website, app, or phone — Southwest will not automatically move you to another flight.
  • If no flights have open seats the day you miss your flight, your ticket becomes a travel credit good for one year.
  • Calling reservations when ready gives you the best chance of getting on a same-day flight rather than waiting for a credit.
  • Travel credits can be used by you or transferred to another person, but they expire one year from the original booking date.

How to rebook through the Southwest website or app

Log into your Southwest account using your confirmation number and last name. Go to "Manage Reservations" and select the flight you missed. Choose "Change Flight" and enter your destination city. Southwest will show you all available flights to that city for the rest of the day, sorted by departure time.

Select the flight that works for you and confirm the change. Your boarding position will be assigned when you check in for the new flight. You will receive a new confirmation number by email. If you booked a paid seat selection (A, B, or C boarding), that selection does not transfer — you will need to select a seat again for your new flight.

Rebooking by phone with Southwest reservations

Call 1-800-I-FLY-SWA and tell the agent you missed your flight. Have your confirmation number ready. The agent will pull up your reservation and show you same-day options to your destination. They can rebook you when ready over the phone and will email your new confirmation.

Phone lines are busiest in the early morning and late afternoon. If you are calling during a peak travel day, expect a wait. The website and app are usually faster, but calling is your only option if you cannot access your account online or if you need help understanding your rebooking choices.

What happens if no flights have open seats the same day

If every Southwest flight to your destination is full for the rest of the day, your original ticket converts to a travel credit. This credit is worth the full amount you paid and can be used for any Southwest flight within one year of your original booking date. The credit does not expire after one year — it straightforward becomes unusable.

You can use the credit yourself or give it to someone else. To transfer a credit to another person, go to Southwest's website, select "Manage Reservations," and choose the option to transfer your credit. The recipient will receive a unique code they can use to book their own flight.

Travel credits are not refundable to your original payment method. Southwest will not give you cash back, even if you never use the credit.

Fees and charges you might still owe

Southwest will not charge you to change your flight, but you may owe money in other situations. If your new flight costs more than your original ticket (which is rare on Southwest, since fares vary by date and time rather than by how far in advance you book), you would pay the difference. If your original flight was a sale fare and the new flight is a higher-priced fare, you pay the difference.

If you paid for seat selections, early boarding, or other add-ons on your original flight, those do not transfer to your new flight. You will need to purchase them again if you want them on your rebooked flight.

Why you might have missed your flight and what to do next

Missing a flight usually happens because of traffic, a wrong terminal, or confusion about departure time. If you missed your flight because of something Southwest did — such as a gate change that was not clearly announced, or a delay that made you late to the gate — mention this when you rebook. While Southwest's policy does not require them to waive the rebooking fee (because there is no fee), documenting the reason can help if you later want to request a travel credit as a gesture of goodwill.

If you missed your flight because of a medical emergency or a death in your family, call Southwest directly after you rebook. Explain the situation to a supervisor. Southwest sometimes issues a one-time courtesy credit in these circumstances, though this is not may provide.

Standby flights and how boarding works

When you rebook on a same-day flight, you are placed on standby. This means you will board only if there are empty seats after all passengers with confirmed reservations have checked in. You will not have a seat assignment until you check in at the gate, usually 30 to 60 minutes before departure.

Check in as early as possible — online check-in opens 24 hours before departure. The earlier you check in, the higher your boarding position on the standby list. Southwest boards in groups (A, B, and C), and standby passengers board after all confirmed passengers. If the flight is full, you will not board and your ticket will become a travel credit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund instead of a travel credit?

No. Southwest's policy is to rebook you on another flight or issue a travel credit. Refunds to your original payment method are not available for missed flights. You can only get cash back if you choose not to use your travel credit and it expires after one year, but Southwest will not refund it — the money is straightforward lost.

What if I miss my connection because my first flight was delayed?

If Southwest's delay caused you to miss your connection, that is different from missing a flight on your own. Contact Southwest at the airport or call reservations and explain that you missed your connection due to a delay on a Southwest flight. You may be rebooked without standby restrictions, and you may be issued a meal voucher or hotel stay depending on the circumstances and time of day.

Can I use my travel credit on a different airline?

No. Southwest travel credits work only for Southwest flights. You cannot use them on other airlines, and other airlines cannot honor them. If you need to fly a different airline, you would have to purchase a new ticket.

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

You can rebook anytime within one year of your original booking date. However, if you want to fly the same day you missed your flight, you must rebook before the last Southwest flight of the day departs. After that, your only option is to use your travel credit on a future date.

What if I miss my flight because Southwest gave me the wrong departure time?

Contact Southwest's customer relations department after you rebook. Explain that you missed your flight because of incorrect information from Southwest. While the rebooking policy does not require a fee waiver, Southwest may issue a one-time courtesy credit if the error was on their side. Call 1-800-I-FLY-SWA and ask to speak with a supervisor about your situation.