Understanding the Southwest Airlines cancellation policy is important when your travel plans change after booking a flight. Southwest offers different fare options, and the cancellation and refund rules can vary depending on the fare purchased, when you cancel, and whether the reservation has already been used.
Southwest generally does not charge a separate cancellation fee for eligible flight cancellations, but the amount you receive back depends on your fare type. Some fares are refundable, while other fares provide a flight credit instead of a refund.
This guide explains the Southwest Airlines cancellation policy, 24-hour cancellation rules, cancellation fees, refunds, flight credits, no-show rules, and what happens when Southwest cancels your flight.
Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy
Southwest has different fare types, and each fare can have different refund conditions.
Under Southwest’s current fare structure, Choice Extra and Choice Preferred fares are refundable. Choice fares are non-refundable but can generally retain their value as a Transferable Flight Credit when cancelled according to the applicable rules. Basic fares are also non-refundable, although eligible cancellations can result in a flight credit.
Key Features of Southwest Cancellation Policy
- Eligible Southwest flights can generally be cancelled without a separate cancellation fee.
- Refundability depends on the fare type.
- Choice Extra and Choice Preferred fares are refundable.
- Choice fares are non-refundable and generally result in a Transferable Flight Credit when cancelled.
- Basic fares are non-refundable and may result in a flight credit.
- Qualifying reservations can be cancelled within 24 hours of booking for a refund.
- You should cancel at least 10 minutes before the original scheduled departure time to avoid the no-show policy.
- If Southwest cancels your flight, different refund and rebooking options may apply.
- Partner-airline itineraries can have different cancellation and refund rules.
Southwest Airlines 24-Hour Cancellation Policy
Southwest allows customers to cancel an eligible reservation within 24 hours of booking and choose a refund to the original form of payment or hold the value as an applicable flight credit.
Southwest’s customer service policy states that unchanged reservations can be cancelled without penalty within 24 hours of the initial booking for a full refund when the reservation meets the applicable requirements, including the booking being made at least one week before departure.
Conditions for Southwest 24-Hour Cancellation
Before cancelling, check:
- When the reservation was purchased.
- Whether the reservation has already been changed.
- How far in advance the flight was booked.
- The fare type.
- Whether the ticket has already been partially used.
If your reservation qualifies, Southwest allows you to cancel through its website and receive the applicable refund or credit option.
Southwest Airlines Cancellation Fee
Southwest generally does not charge a separate cancellation fee for its eligible flight reservations. However, this does not mean every cancelled ticket receives a cash refund.
The important difference is between a cancellation fee and the refundability of the fare.
For example, a non-refundable fare may not be returned to your original payment method. Instead, the unused value may become a flight credit when the reservation is cancelled according to Southwest’s rules.
Southwest Cancellation Fee Overview
| Fare Type | Cancellation Result |
|---|---|
| Basic | Non-refundable; eligible unused value may become flight credit |
| Choice | Non-refundable; generally becomes Transferable Flight Credit |
| Choice Extra | Refundable or applicable Transferable Flight Credit |
| Choice Preferred | Refundable or applicable Transferable Flight Credit |
Always review the specific options shown on your reservation before confirming cancellation.
Southwest Airlines Refund Policy
Whether you receive money back or a flight credit depends primarily on your fare.
Southwest currently states that Choice Extra and Choice Preferred tickets are refundable. Customers can choose a refund to the original method of payment or, where applicable, a Transferable Flight Credit.
Choice and Basic fares are non-refundable, but eligible unused value can generally be retained as a flight credit when the reservation is cancelled in accordance with Southwest’s rules.
Southwest Refund Conditions
Your refund or credit can depend on:
- Fare type
- Time of cancellation
- Whether the reservation has been changed
- Whether the ticket has been used
- Whether Southwest cancelled or significantly changed the flight
- Whether the itinerary includes a partner airline
- Applicable government taxes and fees
How to Cancel a Southwest Flight Online
If you booked your flight directly with Southwest, you can generally manage and cancel the reservation online.
Steps to Cancel a Southwest Flight
- Visit the Southwest Airlines website.
- Open your reservation or Manage Reservations section.
- Enter your confirmation information if required.
- Select the flight you want to cancel.
- Review the cancellation options.
- Check whether you qualify for a refund or flight credit.
- Confirm the cancellation.
- Save your cancellation confirmation.
Before completing the cancellation, carefully review whether Southwest is offering a refund to your original payment method or a flight credit.
Southwest Cancellation Policy for Basic Fares
Basic fares are generally non-refundable.
If you cancel an eligible Basic reservation before the required cancellation deadline, the remaining value may be converted into a flight credit rather than returned to your original payment method.
The exact treatment can depend on the reservation and applicable fare rules.
Passengers should therefore cancel the reservation before the no-show deadline rather than simply failing to appear at the airport.
Southwest Cancellation Policy for Choice Fares
Choice fares are currently non-refundable.
If an eligible Choice reservation is cancelled according to Southwest’s rules, the value can generally be converted into a Transferable Flight Credit for future travel. Transferable Flight Credits have specific expiration conditions and can be used according to Southwest’s applicable rules.
Southwest Cancellation Policy for Choice Extra
Choice Extra fares are refundable.
When an eligible Choice Extra reservation is cancelled, customers can generally choose between receiving a refund to the original method of payment or receiving the applicable Transferable Flight Credit.
This makes Choice Extra more flexible for passengers who are uncertain about their travel plans.
Southwest Cancellation Policy for Choice Preferred
Choice Preferred fares are also refundable under Southwest’s current refund policy.
Eligible customers can choose a refund to the original payment method or the applicable Transferable Flight Credit when cancelling.
Southwest Cancellation Policy for Anytime and Business Select
Southwest’s fare structure has changed over time, so passengers should check the fare name displayed on their actual reservation.
For reservations governed by Southwest’s current fare rules, refundable fare benefits may apply depending on the product purchased. Southwest’s published materials also describe Anytime and Business Select as refundable fares under the applicable rules.
If your reservation was purchased under an older fare structure, check the exact conditions attached to your ticket before cancelling.
Southwest No-Show Policy
If you know that you cannot travel, do not simply miss your flight.
Southwest requires customers to cancel or change the applicable reservation at least 10 minutes before the original scheduled departure time to avoid the no-show policy.
If you fail to cancel or change the reservation within the required period and do not travel, the reservation may be subject to Southwest’s no-show rules.
For certain non-refundable fares, the unused value can be forfeited if the required cancellation deadline is missed.
Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy for Partially Used Tickets
A partially used ticket can have different cancellation and refund conditions from a completely unused reservation.
If you have already completed one portion of your journey and want to cancel the remaining flights, check the fare conditions before taking action.
For multi-segment reservations, cancelling or failing to travel on one segment can affect the remaining segments.
If you know that you cannot take the next flight, contact Southwest or manage your reservation before the scheduled departure time.
What Happens If Southwest Cancels Your Flight?
A cancellation made by Southwest is different from a voluntary cancellation made by the passenger.
If Southwest cancels your flight, you may have options such as:
- Continuing with the rebooked itinerary
- Changing your flight
- Receiving an eligible flight credit
- Receiving a Transferable Flight Credit
- Requesting a refund to the original method of payment when applicable
Southwest states that customers whose flights are cancelled can review their available options, including refund and credit options.
If you do not want to travel because Southwest cancelled your flight, review the refund option before accepting a replacement itinerary.
Southwest Flight Cancellation Due to Delay or Schedule Change
If Southwest significantly delays or changes your flight, your options may be different from those available for a normal voluntary cancellation.
Southwest’s current policy provides refund options for eligible situations involving significant delays or changes. Its no-show guidance also recognizes certain exceptions when a refund is due because of a significant flight delay or change or an airline cancellation.
Before cancelling a significantly changed flight yourself, review the options Southwest provides for that specific reservation.
Can I Get a Refund for a Non-Refundable Southwest Ticket?
A non-refundable Southwest fare generally does not qualify for a cash refund simply because the passenger changes their plans.
However, an eligible cancellation made before the required deadline may preserve the unused value as a flight credit.
Southwest currently states that Basic and Choice fares are non-refundable, while eligible cancellations can result in flight credits.
The rules can be different when Southwest itself cancels or significantly changes the flight.
Southwest Flight Credit After Cancellation
When an eligible non-refundable reservation is cancelled, Southwest may issue a flight credit instead of returning money to the original payment method.
Southwest’s current refund policy distinguishes between regular Flight Credits and Transferable Flight Credits depending on the fare purchased.
Transferable Flight Credits may provide additional flexibility because eligible credits can be transferred according to Southwest’s applicable rules.
Southwest Cancellation Policy for Travel Agent Bookings
If you purchased your Southwest itinerary through a travel agency or another booking provider, contact the original seller if you need help cancelling the reservation.
Travel-agent bookings can have additional booking-provider procedures.
Before cancelling, ask:
- Is my ticket refundable?
- Will I receive a flight credit?
- Is the credit transferable?
- What is the cancellation deadline?
- Does the agency charge a service fee?
- How will the refund or credit be issued?
Southwest Cancellation Policy for Partner Flights
If your itinerary contains a partner airline, the cancellation rules may be different.
Southwest specifically advises customers travelling on partner itineraries to refer to the partner airline for its refund policy and no-show guidelines.
Therefore, check the airline operating the affected flight before cancelling a partner itinerary.
Southwest Cancellation and Refund Processing Time
When a refund is due, Southwest generally processes eligible refunds according to the applicable payment method and refund rules.
Southwest states that eligible credit-card refunds are generally processed within seven business days, although the card issuer may take additional time to post the refund to the account.
The actual time you see the money in your account can therefore vary depending on your bank or card issuer.
How to Avoid Losing Money When Cancelling a Southwest Flight
If your travel plans are uncertain, these tips can help:
- Check your fare type before cancelling.
- Cancel at least 10 minutes before the original departure time.
- Do not simply become a no-show.
- Check whether your fare is refundable.
- Review whether you will receive a Flight Credit or Transferable Flight Credit.
- Save your cancellation confirmation.
- If Southwest cancels your flight, review refund options before accepting a new itinerary.
- If you booked through an agency, contact the original booking provider.
- Check partner-airline rules for itineraries involving another carrier.
Conclusion
The Southwest Airlines cancellation policy is relatively flexible, but the result of cancelling a flight depends heavily on the fare purchased.
Refundable fares such as Choice Extra and Choice Preferred can qualify for a refund to the original payment method, while Choice and Basic fares are generally non-refundable and may provide flight credit when cancelled according to the applicable rules.
Southwest also provides a 24-hour cancellation option for qualifying reservations, and passengers should generally cancel at least 10 minutes before the original scheduled departure time to avoid the no-show policy.
Before cancelling your Southwest flight, check the exact fare conditions and the refund or credit amount displayed for your reservation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes. Southwest allows customers to cancel eligible reservations, but whether you receive a refund or flight credit depends on the fare and applicable cancellation rules.
Yes. Qualifying Southwest reservations can be cancelled within 24 hours of booking for the applicable refund option, subject to the airline’s conditions.
Southwest generally does not charge a separate cancellation fee for eligible flight cancellations. However, non-refundable fares may result in a flight credit rather than a cash refund.
Yes, if your fare is refundable or another applicable refund rule applies. Choice Extra and Choice Preferred fares are currently refundable.
A non-refundable ticket generally does not qualify for a cash refund when you voluntarily cancel. However, an eligible cancellation can preserve the unused value as a flight credit.
You should cancel at least 10 minutes before the original scheduled departure time to avoid Southwest’s no-show policy.
If you do not cancel or change the applicable reservation at least 10 minutes before departure and do not travel, your reservation can be subject to Southwest’s no-show policy. Depending on the fare, you may lose the unused value.
Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to continue with a rebooked itinerary, change your flight, receive a flight credit, or request an eligible refund.
You can access your Southwest reservation online, select the applicable flight, review the cancellation options, and confirm the cancellation. Always review the refund or credit information before completing the process.
Refundable fares can generally be refunded to the original method of payment. Non-refundable fares generally receive the applicable flight credit instead.