Southwest Airline Cancellation Policy

Passengers rarely consider cancelling when planning a trip. But sometimes a plan totally gets spoiled because of an urgent meeting or any personal issues. Then you feel stuck, especially if you don’t know the process and regulations. But worry not, because you are in the right place. In this guide, we will talk about the Southwest Airlines cancellation policy in detail. Also, be aware of the 24-hour window, ticket type-specific regulations, refund policies, and the cancellation process. 

What is Southwest Airlines' cancellation policy? 

Southwest Airlines' cancel policy is designed in a way that passengers don’t have to take stress or invest too much time, and they can cancel their flights hassle-free. Southwest always prioritizes its customers' needs before everything else. Before understanding the Southwest cancellation policy deeply, we will discuss some common points of this policy: 

• There are no Southwest Airlines cancellation fees for any passenger, regardless of their fees type. 

• Passengers can cancel the flight up to 10 minutes before departure. 

• If you miss the flight, there is no refund provided. 

24-hour cancellation:- 

According to the Southwest 24-hour cancellation policy, if the passenger is cancelling a flight within 24 hours of booking and 7 days before departure. Every passenger, irrespective of their ticket type, will receive a refund in the original mode of payment.  

What are the regulations for different ticket types? 

Southwest Airlines' flight cancellation policy provides different regulations for different ticket types: 

Business select and anytime fares: 

• These are refundable tickets.

• If you are cancelling these tickets 10 minutes before departure, you’ll receive a full refund in the original mode of payment. 

• If you miss the flight, your ticket amount will be provided as transferable credit. The travel credit will expire in 12 months. 

Wanna get away and wanna get away plus: 

• These are non-refundable tickets. 

• Passengers can cancel these tickets up to 10 minutes before without paying any charges.

• As per Southwest flight cancellations regulations, passengers are not going to receive a refund in the original mode of payment; they will receive it in travel credit.

• The credit will expire within 12 months of the booking date. 

• Suppose you don’t cancel the flight and also don’t show up. Then you’ll lose the whole amount. 

Basic fare: 

• The tickets are non-refundable. 

• Passengers will receive a travel credit for cancellation, which will expire in 6 months. 

• If you miss the flight, you’ll lose all the value. 

How to cancel a Southwest flight? 

To cancel Southwest Airlines flight, passengers can use different modes, such as online, offline, or via the airport or app. 

Online (Website)

• Open the website Southwest.com in your browser.

• Trace the My trip tab at the top of the screen.

• Enter your confirmation number, first name, and last name.

• Select the reservation that you want to cancel.

• Click on Cancel and follow the instructions.

• After cancellation, an email confirmation will be sent to you.

Mobile App

• Open the Southwest Airlines app.

• Tap the menu icon (three lines).

• Select "Look Up Reservation."

• Enter the reservation number and name.

• Choose the booking; tap on "Cancel Flight."

• Confirm the cancellation on the last screen.

Through Customer Service

• As per Southwest's cancellation policy, for cancelling through customer service, dial 1-800-435-9792.

• Ask the representative to cancel your flight. 

• They will provide you with the information and provide you with either a refund or a credit as per the ticket allowance.

• They will send you an email confirmation.

At the Airport

• Go to the Southwest ticket counter.

• Give them the details of your booking.

• Passengers can cancel up to 10 minutes before the flight's departure. 

• After the cancellation is complete, they will hand over a receipt to you. 

• The refund will be provided as per the ticket type. 

What if airlines cancel my flight? 

Southwest Airlines' cancellation policy clearly states that if the flight is cancelled by the airline for any reason whether it is external or internal, they will provide the passengers with three options: 

Full Refund: Applies to all fare types, and refunds are made within 7 to 10 business days to your main form of payment.

Rebooking at No Charge: Southwest will usually automatically rebook you onto the next available Southwest flight.

Request a travel credit: If there is no flight as per your schedule, but you are flying with Southwest in the near future, then you can take a travel credit for the refund. 

If Southwest cancels a flight, you’ll also receive a refund for early bird check-in and the extra baggage policy. If you have purchased it and it is unused. Southwest Airlines' cancellation policy

How do you get a refund after cancellation at Southwest Airlines?

Southwest's refund policy provides an easy and simple policy related to refunds. Here are the regulations: 

• Refundable tickets will get a full refund in the original mode of payment. 

• Non-refundable ticket types will receive a refund in the form of a travel credit. 

• The travel credit can be used for 12 months. 

• Passengers with a basic fare ticket will receive a travel credit that will expire on the day of travel. 

• In case of no show, only refundable tickets get a refund in the original mode of payment. 

• Non-refundable ticket money gets forfeited if they miss the flight. 

• The refund will be issued in 7 to 10 business days.