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Southwest Airline Flight Change Policy 2024

Southwest Airlines, known for its focus on the customer, provides hassle-free flight changes for its customers. You read that correctly, Southwest Airline flight change policy is extremely accommodating. Besides that, the airline guarantees that customers can easily change their flight plans when unforeseen circumstances arise thanks to their flexible policies and user-friendly options. In this article, we will explore the key features of Southwest Airlines’ flight change policy and how it empowers travelers to modify their bookings with ease.

Understanding Southwest Airline Flight Change Policy

With a clear and transparent flight change policy, Southwest Airlines puts the needs of its customers first. Furthermore, passengers can change their reservations due to unforeseen circumstances or changing travel needs without incurring excessive fees or penalties.

Unlike many other airlines, Southwest Airline flight change policy allows for flexibility in changing flights without imposing a fee. Travelers must only pay the fare difference, if any, between the original and new flights. Not to mention, this feature relieves stress associated with strict change policies while also saving travelers money.

Southwest Airline flight change

To accommodate their customers’ various needs, Southwest Airlines provides a range of options for changing flight plans. So, let’s look at the options available:

  • Flight Changes on the Same Day

Passengers can request a same-day flight change at no extra cost. This option allows travelers to change their departure or return times while remaining on the same route.

  • Traveling on Reserve

Passengers who arrive early at the airport can use standby travel. In fact, if seats are available on an earlier flight, they can fly on standby at no additional cost.

  • Online Flight Adjustments 

Southwest Airlines’ user-friendly website and mobile app allow passengers to change their flights whenever they want. With a few clicks, travelers can change their itinerary, select new flights, and pay the fare difference, if applicable.

  • Contacting Customer Support

Southwest Airlines’ dedicated customer service team is available 24/7 to help with flight changes, answer questions, and provide guidance for those who prefer personalized assistance.

  • Policy for any time and Business Select Tickets 

Southwest Airlines’ flight change policy allows you to make changes to Anytime and Business Select tickets up to 10 minutes before departure without paying a fee.

If you do not change your existing flight and do not show up, the value of your Anytime or Business Select flight ticket will change into Travel Funds. Moreover, you can use the Travel Funds at any time for a period of up to 12 months from the date of purchase. However, if you used Rapid Rewards points to pay for your ticket, those points will get back into your account for future use.

  • Policy for Wanna Get Away Tickets 

Wanna Get Away tickets have stricter cancellation policies than any time and Business Select fares because they are Southwest’s lowest-priced fares. The same rules regarding Southwest’s flight change policy apply if you want to change your flight. You may do so up until 10 minutes prior to departure without incurring any fees. In short, the value of your ticket will change into Travel Funds, which you can use within one year of the date of purchase without incurring a change fee.

  • Policy for Changing International Flight Itineraries 

If you want to change an itinerary that includes an international flight, you must go through the same steps as shown above. There will be no change fees, but the fare difference (if any) will be usually applied.

  • Policy for Changing Fare Classes 

There are a few exceptions if you’re switching fare classes. For example, if you change an Anytime fare to a Business Select fare, the value of your Anytime ticket will turn into reusable Travel Funds. However, if you alter your itinerary on the same day, you’ll be responsible for any additional taxes and fees associated with your new fare.

  • Policy for Irregular Operations 

Southwest Airlines’ flight change policy enables you to alter any international flight that gets delayed by severe weather or other unavoidable circumstances. Nevertheless, you must dial 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) to reach Southwest Customer Service.

ALSO, CHECK – SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CARRY-ON BAGGAGE POLICY

Procedures for Flight Changes

It is simple to change a Southwest Airlines flight. Here’s a step-by-step walkthrough of the flight change procedure:

Step 1: Go to Southwest Airlines’ website or mobile app and navigate to the “Manage Reservations” section.

Step 2: Enter the necessary information, such as the passenger’s name and the confirmation number, to access the reservation.

Step 3: Choose “Change Flight” and search for available flights for the desired new itinerary.

Step 4: Select the new flight that best fits your revised travel plans and proceed to the payment screen, if necessary.

Step 5: Pay the fare difference, if any, using a valid payment method.

Step 6: Examine the revised schedule and confirm the altered flight.

Step 7: Southwest Airlines will issue a fresh confirmation number and email the passenger’s updated itinerary.

Additional Considerations and Benefits

It’s crucial to keep in mind the following factors when changing flights with Southwest Airlines:

  • Fare Differences

Passengers must pay any fare differences between the original and new flights. Along with that,  SWA will give you credit for a future flight if the new one is less expensive.

  • Refunds

In the event that SWA cancels a flight, passengers may choose to receive a refund or change their flight without incurring any additional fees.

  • Ahead of schedule and upgraded boarding 

If a passenger changes flights, they are not required to pay the additional fees associated with Early Bird or Upgraded Boarding.

Southwest Change Flight Fees: What Are They?

Southwest Airline flight change policy does not charge a change fee for cash or point purchases. Your Rapid Rewards points will get into your account if you want to revoke a flight reservation made with them. On the other hand, the government security fee will get deducted from your Travel Funds. Hence, don’t forget to save the confirmation number so you can use your points again later.

What is the policy of Southwest Airlines regarding name changes?

According to Southwest Airlines policy, name changes are not permitted on tickets unless they are necessary due to a change in the last name or a marriage. An alternative is to cancel your flight within 24 hours of booking (you can even cancel wanna-getaway tickets within 24 hrs) and rebook your flight with the correct name. If you’re changing your name due to marriage, etc., call Customer Relations at 1-855-234-4654 and provide documentary evidence of your old and new names—such as your old and new ID, marriage license, etc.

Conclusion 

Southwest Airlines offers a flexible and accommodative flight change policy, setting a high bar for customer service. It gives customers a variety of flight change options. Most importantly, customers can change their flights online, over the phone, or at the airport. There is no change fee for changing flights. However, customers have to pay a fare difference if the new flight is more expensive than the original itinerary. In contrast, they will get a refund for the difference if the new flight is less expensive than the original itinerary. At the same time, it provides same-day change and same-day standby services. With Southwest Airline flight change policy, travelers can fly in confidence, knowing that their changing needs will be met quickly and affordably.

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