Southwest Airlines Cancellation Fee and Refund Policy

Cancelling a flight is never enjoyable because most airlines charge a change or cancellation fee, but thankfully Southwest Airlines does not.

That is why it is the most reliable airline for Southwest travel.

Cancelling and booking flights due to online platforms have become very easy.  Understanding an airline’s cancellation policy and process is important to guarantee an easy and comfortable journey.

This article will guide you all process of the flight ticket cancellation policy which includes basic knowledge;

What comes under Southwest Airlines’ Cancellation Policy?

• The Southwest airline cancellation policy is simple and easy to utilize.
• Cancel your flight at any time and you will not be charged a cancellation fee up to 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
• Buying reservation ticket and cancel within 24 hours of booking, you will get refund in the original mode of payment, or the remaining fare will be delivered into travel funds.
• If you’ll pay in cash for your ticket, it will be transferred into Southwest travel funds and depends on the type of travel funds included.
• You should spend travel funds within 12 months of the original purchase date. If you buy your ticket when your reward points rapidly increased, all your points will be redeposited into your account.

Southwest 24 hours cancellation policy

According to southwest cancellation policy which includes a nonrefundable ticket, 24 hours of booking and full refund.

You can cancel any ticket within 24 hours of flight reservations and reserve another flight by using a Southwest credit card or vouchers.

Note: If you want to cancel ticket, you should cancel as quickly as possible and book next flight as soon as possible.  Airlines allow travelers to cancel their tickets without penalty within 24

Southwest Airline Cancellation Fee

Unlike many other airlines, Southwest Airlines has a flexible policy known as “Want to Get Away“.

There are many types of fares such as refundable and non-refundable that allow travelers to change or cancel their trips without paying any fines.

You’ll receive flight travel funds if you cancel a flight with a nonrefundable ticket and you’ll receive money by original mode of payment if you booked your flight in refundable fare.

What is the process for cancelling a Southwest flight?

Southwest’s cancellation terms allows you to cancel your flight ticket online or by phone call. You can also have an option Southwest Airlines mobile app or go to southwest.com

You will need you’re booking confirmation number, last name of the passenger for cancelling ticket.

Follow the instructions given below:

Step 1: Go to southwest.com website or the app. Select the ’My trips’ option. If you not logged in, enter your confirmation number, first name, and last name to get back to your account.

Step 2: Click the “Cancel or Change” tab of your booked ticket.

Step 3: If your ticket is fully refundable, you can request a refund into your original mode of payment.

If your ticket is nonrefundable, you need to go on (want to get away), you can apply for a travel fund for future usage.

Southwest airlines refund policy

Southwest Airlines has a great refund policy. However, mostly refund dependent on the type of ticket you purchase and when did you apply for the cancellation.

Let’s go through from southwest airline’s refund policy:

Business fares are refundable at any time. If you cancel your flight within 10 minutes before its scheduled departure time, you will receive a refund into your original mode of payment of booked fight or will get travel funds, credits and even vouchers for future use.

Southwest airline gives four types of fares for more outreach of travelers such as-want to get away, want to get away plus, business class and anytime booking.

Most passengers book their flight at want to get away or want to get away plus fares, because these are the cheaper than the others. These types of fares are not refundable.

Travel funds and credit no longer has an expiration date, but it’s only transferable to another rapid rewards member if you booked a want to get away plus fare ticket.

Additionally, if you cancel a paid reservation within 24 hours of booking the flight, you can cancel your flight for a full refund (per the Department of Transportation rules).

Methods to Claim a Refund on Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines gives many ways for claiming a refund, such as: 

Online Refund Request: You can easily request refund on the Southwest Airlines official website. Go to the “My Trips” section, and request a refund for the previous flight reservation.

Cancel and Reuse Funds: Southwest Airlines has an amazing policy known as “Travel Funds”. If you can cancel a nonrefundable fare, you can convert the ticket value into reusable travel funds for future use. These funds are usually good for one year from the original booking date and can be used to make another reservation.

Customer support: You can contact Southwest Airlines’ customer care phone number and ask about a refund of your reserved ticket. They will help you to the all process and guide you with any difficulties.

Refundable ticket: You will be eligible for a complete refund if you have refundable ticket. Refundable fare usually is more expensive.

Change Flights: Instead of a refund, It depends on the price, class and the situations according to that you will be able to change your travel dates or destination without paying a fee.

Note: If you take travel insurance, it will help you to pay the cost of your ticket in certain situations, such as illness or other incidents.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, Southwest Airlines has a customer-friendly cancellation policy that offers facilities and ease to its passengers. The airline aims to help their customers’ demands or requirements by providing fair cancellation and change choices.