If you are stuck in a situation where you cannot board your upcoming flight, you must cancel it before the scheduled departure. We all know how stressful a flight cancellation can be. Yet, airlines have started a flight cancellation policy allowing you to cancel before the scheduled departure without losing your money. Likewise, the Southwest Airlines flight cancellation policy allows you to cancel your flight by paying a cancellation fee.
What is Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy?
However, if you have a Southwest Airlines flight, you can cancel your ticket up to one hour before departure through the official handles, per the Southwest Airlines cancellation policy. Whether you can cancel your ticket on Southwest Airlines depends on the type of fare you booked.
Cancellation Per the Fare on Southwest Airlines
Business Select and Anytime Fares
Meanwhile, these are refundable fares that allow you to cancel a flight booked. You can either receive a full refund using your original payment method or choose to get travel credit for future use.
Wanna Get Away Fares
Further, if you have a ticket for this fare, you will not receive a refund for cancellation. Thus, you will get travel credit for a future Southwest flight, valid for 12 months from the booking date.
Same-Day Cancellation on Southwest Airlines
You can cancel your Southwest Airlines flight ticket on the same day at no fee, but fare differences might apply. However, If seats are available, you can switch to an earlier or later flight on the same day.
24-Hour Cancellation
Henceforth, Southwest Airlines allows you to cancel your flight within 24 hours of booking it and get a complete refund regardless of fare type. You must book your tickets seven days before departure.
Rapid Rewards Points
When you have a booking with Rapid Reward points, which are refundable, points will be returned to your account, and any taxes or fees you paid can be refunded or turned into travel credit.
How to Cancel Flight on Southwest Airlines?
Per the Southwest Airlines flight cancellation policy, there are ways to cancel your ticket, like the official website, phone, or at the airport counter. Moreover, when you book through a third party, you must call the travel agency for cancellation.
Cancel Through the Manage My Booking Feature
- However, you must visit Southwest Airlines’ official website.
- You will have to go to the Flight section and select Manage Reservations.
- From there, you must enter your reservation details and click on Search.
- After that, under the Change or Cancel Flight heading, click on Cancel Flight.
- Confirmation Number.
- First Name
- Last Name
- Now, you can go to the cancel option and press the continue button.
- Once you complete your cancellation process, you will receive the mail at your registered address.
Cancellation over a Phone Call
- If you do not want to cancel your flight online, you can call the Southwest Airlines official helpline number.
- Then, you must follow the IVR instructions and choose the key to use to speak to the agent.
- When the agent gets connected with an executive, you can request to cancel your booking.
- However, the executive will ask about your details and booking number.
- Now, the agent will cancel the booking you requested.
- Hence, you will receive the mail about cancelation at the mail address.
Cancel Your Flight at the Airport Counter
Further, if it is a sudden cancellation plan, Southwest will allow you to cancel your flight at the last minute, even after reaching the airport. For further cancellations, you must visit the airline counter. Moreover, the executive will assist you through the process, and after canceling the ticket, you can fill out the refund form if you are eligible for a refund.
Will Southwest Airlines Charge a Cancellation Fee?
It is good news that Southwest Airlines does not charge cancellation fees for flights. You can cancel your flight without paying additional fees, regardless of the fare type. Nevertheless, you will have to pay a difference in fare when rebooking a new flight.
Refundable Fares
For instance, you have a refundable fare, Southwest will provide a full refund using your original payment method or convert the amount into travel credits.
Non-Refundable Fares
In case, you have a non-refundable ticket, you will receive a travel credit for the full ticket amount but no cash refund.
What If Southwest Airlines Cancel the Flight?
You can face an issue when Southwest Airlines cancels your flight due to operational disruptions. In these cases, Southwest will accommodate you on the next flight or provide you with compensation.
Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines also offers travel credits instead of a refund. These credits can be used for future Southwest flights and are valid for 12 months from the booking date.
When Southwest Airlines cancels your flight, they will notify you via email, text, or the Southwest app, depending on your contact preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can cancel your Southwest flight through the website, phone, or at the counter. You must request the cancellation at least one hour before departure.
Henceforth, you can cancel your Southwest flight up to one hour before departure. If you fail to board the flight, you will be termed a no-show, and your fare amount will also be converted into Travel Funds.
Manage Reservation Section, phone call, or at the airport. If you find any difficulty, you can call our agents to seek guidance. Moreover, there are different ways to cancel your Southwest Airlines booking,
Indeed, you can cancel any type of fare within 24 hours of booking and get a complete refund. Somehow, you must book your tickets seven days before departure.
While traveling on Southwest Airlines, you can book fares, such as the fully refundable Anytime & Business Select® class. You can cancel your flight ticket at least one hour before departure.
Yes, for instance, if you came at the airport two hours after missing your flight, you can travel on standby on an alternative flight, regardless of the fare type.
