Southwest Airlines Date Change Policy
Southwest Airlines pioneered the date change policy by offering a relieving sense of assurance that travelers could change flight dates and even destinations without paying any change fees. Liberating is the only expression we can associate with Southwest Airlines date change policy. The passenger-first customer service culture created instant loyalty among travelers nationwide.
A run-of-the-mill date change scenario:
What usually happens is that travelers pay the price for changes that were either out of their hands or alterations to accommodate advancements. They had no option but to pay. The date change fees cast doubt on the minds of travelers, who feel left undone by the situation. Southwest answered one of the most pressing issues faced by flyers globally. Never dread flight date changes.
To acknowledge and address the pain is the first step towards building credibility as a conscious brand.
Southwest Airlines Date Change Policy: Know the Basics
Southwest differentiated itself from the competition by offering a no-fee date change policy. We bet nobody, not even the industry stalwarts, saw it coming. Southwest Airlines offers it across all ticket types. Again, flyers don't have to pay a penalty for not reading the terms and conditions of their tickets or buying basic fares under the impression that they might protect them in one way or another.
All four Southwest ticket types:
- Wanna Get Away
- Wanna Get Away Plus
- Anytime
- Business Select
Passengers buy a ticket and make date-specific changes 10 minutes before the flight departure. They not only make changes but also pay no change fee.
Flyers look at the Southwest Airlines date change policy and admire the prospect of preserving the original spirit of traveling. When were the travel plans under anybody's thumb? Pay the difference in the new fare and board the flight on your preferred date. That's the only associated cost the travelers bear at any point during the date change request. The refund process is, again, transparent and straightforward. When the new fare is lower, the airline will issue a refund (for ticket-specific conditions) or a travel credit (for Non-Refundable tickets).
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Pro tip: When flyers are already struggling with the changes, the last thing they want is to understand the date change fees. They will swallow a hard pill, knowing they have to share the blame for the changes entirely. Southwest took an industry-wide challenge as a business opportunity and changed the face of the date change policy. What a strategic move to gain traction and win trust. It shows the underlying urge to do good while doing business as usual.
How do you request a date change?
Southwest has made the date change process a breeze for travelers. The airlines do not expect them to follow a tedious process. What's the point? The idea is to save time, money, and effort and preserve patience.
Keep your reservation number handy, and they'll ask for your first and last name to process the request.
How to request a date change on the website
Visit the website, log in to your account, hit the 'My Trips' tab, select the specific booking, click Change Booking, follow the process, and make the changes successfully.
How to request a date change on the app
Open the app. Check the details under the 'Manage/View' section. You will have step-by-step instructions on how to make the date change request.
In-person or over-the-phone support
Call the official team and share the details with them. You can also visit the staff at the airport counter and get the changes done.
Southwest Airlines Date Change Policy: Exclusive Ticket-Specific Benefits
Southwest considers all ticket types for the no-fee date change policy. Let's analyze how fare conditions affect the overall date change policy.
Wanna Get Away
Flyers receive travel funds for any cancellations, rebookings, or date changes. Remember, this is not a refund. The airlines issue travel vouchers equivalent to the original fare, including any deductions based on differences in the fare. You should note that these funds are user-specific and cannot be transferred.
Wanna Get Away Plus
Flyers can transfer funds to another account as far as the date change policy is concerned. It stands out as a primary difference between Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus.
Anytime
In this ticket type, passengers can opt for a complete refund or travel funds. To book the tickets, you should check the new fare and pay the difference.
Business Select
You must have realized that each upgraded ticket type offers similar benefits, except for an extra benefit that keeps adding absolute worth to the package. In the case of Business Select, you receive priority boarding on top of all the benefits of the 'Anytime' ticket class.
Southwest Same Day Changes
The unplanned changes don't stop with date changes, but can also include same-day changes in some cases. We understand that travel plans could go wrong in unimaginable ways. Southwest Airlines has again shown its class by offering liberal and customer-centric workarounds in both situations.
Same-Day Change: Travelers can request same-day changes with the exact origins and destination points. Southwest does not charge a fee for same-day flight changes. Flyers should check seat availability. The date change perks are available for all ticket types. The same-day change excludes the Wanna Get Away Class, except for the A-Listed status and rewards. The timeline remains the same—make the changes 10 minutes before departure.
Same-Day Standby: If using the web or mobile app, flyers should add their names to the standby list 30 minutes before departure. The timeline reduces to 10 minutes if they call the customer service team to list themselves. The original ticket remains as the backup throughout the process. The airline will put you back on the original flight if the standby option doesn't work for you.
Once confirmed, flyers receive a confirmation. The airline will issue a new boarding pass for the confirmed change. The old boarding pass does not hold much value in this case. You should keep checking your registered email for confirmation purposes.
The airlines may charge taxes and fees depending on your requests.
Southwest Date Change Policy: Count the Fare Difference Rightly
Travelers have an idea of the new fare difference, as the prices could be higher or lower. If applicable, flyers pay for the higher ticket price. Southwest Airlines settles the refund or funds depending on the ticket class.
Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus ticket holders will receive travel funds according to the guidelines. The Anytime and Business Class flyers will receive a refund. They can also opt for travel funds.
Southwest-Initiated Changes
When the airline causes significant delays, which are three (3) hours for domestic flights and six (6) hours for international flights, passengers can request a date change of up to 14 days. But the flight path—origin and destination—must remain the same.
Southwest Airlines Date Change Policy: Make the Most of the Upcoming Changes
Southwest Airlines announced changes to its date change policy as part of the overhaul. We have listed key components to inform you of the policy changes.
Introducing Basic Fare
Southwest Airlines will replace the iconic Wanna Get Away with the Basic Fare. As expected, the ticket class will have no change or refund option. The 24-hour cancellation rule allows travelers to make the most of the situation. The policy will issue funds if flyers cancel 10 minutes before departure. The significant difference in the new fare is that it has a 6-month validity. It stays non-refundable as it is now.
Credit Validity
All the other ticket classes, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anywhere, and Business Select, will have a limited credit validity of 12 months. The rule comes into effect on May 28, 2025. It is a significant move as it ends the popular no-expiration clause.
Flyers start associating some signature policies or points with a specific brand and use them as a reference to make a point. The limited credit validity marks the end of an era for most travelers.
Checked Bag Fee
Southwest Airlines dominated its competitors with its liberal policies. The two free checked bags option was a game-changer. However, by May 28, 2025, it will not be available to all ticket classes. The Business Select fares retain the option to have two free checked bags. The A-listed members are an exception to the new update.
We have analyzed date change policies, and Southwest Airlines scored the highest on the report card. We can compare the date change policy (with proposed changes) from rival competitors, and it turns out to be a better one. Calculate the date change fee, and you'll see how advanced Southwest Airlines date change policy is.
Maximize the Benefits with Smart Travel Tips
- Sometimes, the fare drops after you have booked the ticket. You can rebook the ticket and request a refund. The no-fee date change policy helps flyers on several fronts.
- The Anytime and Business Select ticket classes help to tackle travel-specific uncertainties in a time-efficient manner.
- We suggest turning to the official app for the latest updates and managing last-minute changes.
- Keep an open and flexible approach to stay on top of the changes.
FAQs
Are there any date-change charges with Southwest Airlines?
Southwest Airlines does not charge a date fee under the current policy. Flyers should check the new fare price and pay the difference.
How and when should the date change request be made?
Travelers can make a date-change request 10 minutes before departure. You can process the request online (via web or mobile app), call customer service, or visit the staff at the airport counter.
How does the airline refund if the new fare is cheaper?
Southwest Airlines will issue travel funds. They will cover the difference between the old and new flights. You should contact the experts to know the ticket-specific validity terms.
How can you change the date for tickets booked with Rapid Rewards points?
You should pay with Rapid Rewards for the fare difference on the new ticket. Southwest Airlines will credit the points if the fare is cheaper than the original fare.
Is it possible to transfer travel funds?
Southwest Wanna Get Away Plus offers a transferable credit option. It is the only fare where ticket holders can transfer the credit to another person. The other fares, Wanna Get Away, Anytime, and Business Select, have non-transferable credits. The impending Basic fare that's supposed to replace Wanna Get Away will have the same non-transferable credits.
What should I know about the no-show policy?
A no-show is when you don’t cancel and don’t board; the airline may forfeit your ticket. The airline may issue travel credit for future travel plans for some ticket types, such as Anytime or Business Select. Don't hesitate to contact customer service to evaluate your chances.
Conclusion
Southwest Airlines date change policy favors the flyers in a sudden plan change situation. The airline does not have a date-change fee. It is one of Southwest Airlines' signature strategies. It underlines that the airlines stand with you on last-minute changes. The new set of proposed changes still holds a significant advantage over other airlines, charging a hefty fee for date changes. There is no bigger promotion than the word-of-mouth marketing done by the loyalists.
Sam Jakobi
He is a writes about transport, travel and more for publications like Newairlinepolicy.com. His aim is to provide in-depth analysis on breaking news within the aviation industry and insights into airlines, aircraft, airports