Southwest Airlines Flight Cancellation Policy

One of the best airlines in the United States, Southwest, never disappoints its passengers with its high-end traveling facilities. The cancellation policy is one of the facilities that Southwest Airlines offers to its passengers. Suppose you have booked your flight ticket with Southwest Airlines and, for any reason, you are cancelling your ticket. In that case, you can thoroughly review this article and learn about the Southwest Airlines cancellation policy, process, and other related things.   

What is Southwest Airlines cancellation policy?

Although certain conditions apply, Southwest Airlines offers travellers the flexibility to cancel their flights even at the last minute. This policy is designed to accommodate unexpected changes in your plans, making it easier to adjust your travel arrangements without excessive penalties. Below are the specific conditions that govern this cancellation option:  

• You can cancel your Southwest flights through their website or app.
• You can cancel your ticket at least 10 minutes before your flight's scheduled departure and receive a refund using the same payment method or a flight credit to use for future flights, based on your flight's fare. 
• If you don't cancel your flight ticket 10 minutes before the flight's scheduled departure time, your reservation will be subject to Southwest Airlines' no-show policy.
• When cancelling a reservation of a specific traveller in a booking of two or more, you must divide the reservations first and then cancel that person's reservation so that no other bookings will be hampered.  

How to cancel your Southwest Airlines Flight?

Through Website

• Visit Southwest's official website at southwest.com
• Click on change/cancel flight, which is provided on the website's homepage.
• Enter your confirmation number, first name, and last name, click on cancel flight, and then tap on "search."
• Click on the specific flight that you want to cancel.
• Your itinerary will be there, showing your changes in detail.
• You can check the changes and confirm them.
• Receive the confirmation of the cancellation at your registered email address. 

Through the Mobile App

• Go to the Southwest mobile app.
• Log in to your account. 
• Navigate to the "Manage Reservation" or "My Trips" section on the app.
• Open your itinerary and click on changes or cancellation. 
• Tap on the specific flight you want to cancel and click "cancel".
• Confirm your cancellation.
• Obtain the confirmation of your flight cancellation with Southwest and send it to your registered email. 

Through Airport

You can apply online or cancel your reservation at the airport. To do so, head to the Southwest airport desk, explain why you want to cancel your reservation, and ask the airline's representative to cancel it. Provide them with your basic flight information, including your booking confirmation number and name. Tell them about the flight you want to cancel, and receive confirmation of your Southwest flight cancellation at your registered email address. 

Through a Phone Call

You can call Southwest Airlines' customer care service and talk directly to their live representatives. You can explain why you want to cancel your flight booking and request the representatives to do so. You must provide the airline's executives with your booking details and some of your personal information, including your full name. Afterwards, let them know about the flight you want to cancel, and the airline's representatives will help you cancel your booking as soon as possible. You will receive confirmation of the cancellation of your flight ticket at your registered email address.  

Southwest 24-hour Cancellation Policy

Southwest Airlines has a 24-hour cancellation policy for travelers. If you are unfamiliar with it, read this before making a cancellation request.

• You have the right to cancel your reservation within 24 hours of booking your Southwest flight. 
• Everyone is entitled to a 100% refund in the original payment method you used during the booking, irrespective of your fare type.
• You can also choose to hold your ticket's value as a flight credit or Transferable Flight Credit, based on your fare type, and use it while buying future tickets with Southwest.

Southwest Weather Cancellation Policy

If Southwest flights have been cancelled due to bad weather conditions, the airline will automatically rebook you on another flight. According to the weather policy of the airline, you can act in the following ways: 

• You don't have to do anything else if the new itinerary works for you. You will receive it via text or email. 
• If your new itinerary doesn't work, you can change the date or timing of your flight within 14 days of your original travel date without paying any extra charges.
• Suppose you decide not to travel with the airline. In that case, you can cancel your flight ticket and get a full refund in the original form of payment, provided that you cancel your reservation at least 10 minutes before your flight's scheduled departure.
• If you do not travel on Southwest's new flights, you can transfer your amount to Transferable Flight Credit while booking future flights. 

Southwest Compensation Policy

Suppose your flight got delayed by three hours or more, and the reason for the delay is within the control of Southwest, including mechanical issues or the requirement to swap out planes, which makes you wait for three or more hours. In that case, you are entitled to get compensation, which includes as following:

• You can request a meal voucher from the airline. The vouchers can be used to purchase meals from airport vendors who accept the airline's vouchers. 
• If no vendors are available at the airport that accept their vouchers, the airline will reimburse a reasonable amount for your meal cost if you request it using a form link provided on their website within one year of your flight in question. 
• If your original flight doesn't include any overnight stayovers, but the flight has to change the route and make you reach your desired destination not on the same day as originally planned, you can ask for a place to stay or may get a reasonable reimbursement for your lodging by submitting the reimbursement form available on Southwest's official website within one year of your flight in question. 
• In case the lodging provided by the airline doesn't have a shuttle to/from the airport, Southwest can accept your request and may provide you with a ground transportation voucher or may offer you a reasonable reimbursement for your transportation, which you have submitted using Southwest's reimbursement form within the one of your flight in question. 

Southwest Cancellation Fee and Refund Policy

Being the largest low-cost airline in the USA, Southwest doesn't charge any cancellation fee and thus allows you to cancel your flight up to 10 minutes before the departure of your flight. However, you can learn about the refund policy of the airline in different circumstances as follows: 

Southwest Airlines cancellation refund policy

If you decide by yourself that you are not going to travel with Southwest due to any personal reasons, the airline's refund policies include:

• If you have booked a Southwest flight with Business Select or Anytime fare tickets, they are refundable tickets. By cancelling your ticket at least 10 minutes before your flight's scheduled departure time, you can either get a method-of-payment refund or hold the value of the ticket as a transferable flight credit and use it for your future flights. 
• Southwest's fare tickets, Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus, are non-refundable. If you cancel your tickets at least 10 minutes before your flight's departure. In that case, the value of your ticket will be converted into a Transferable Flight Credit or a flight credit based on the fare type you have purchased, which you can use to purchase future Southwest flights.  
• Suppose you cancel your flight reservation within 24 hours of booking, irrespective of your fare ticket. In that case, you can either get a refund using the method of payment used for the original purchase or hold the value of your flight ticket as a Transferable Flight Credit or a flight credit (based on your fare) to purchase a future flight ticket with the airline.  
• If you are eligible to get a refund, the airline will typically issue it within 21 days of your application.  

Southwest Airlines Refund Policy

You can get a refund from Southwest if the airline disrupts the flight schedule. The Southwest policies under such circumstances include: 

• Suppose the flight you booked with Southwest is cancelled, significantly delayed, or greatly impacted by a schedule change. In that case, you are entitled to a refund even for a non-refundable ticket if you decide not to travel on that or any airline's alternative flight. 
• If you become eligible for a ticket refund due to a disruption in the flight schedule, you will also receive a refund for any extra charges you have paid, including the bag fee or the early check-in fee, if you purchased it. 
• You are entitled to a refund within seven working days. 

Southwest Cancellation Policy by Fare Type

Southwest Airlines has a comprehensive cancellation policy that varies based on the fare type purchased. Each fare class has its rules, and the cancellation timing is crucial in determining the specifics. To better understand how to navigate Southwest Airlines cancellation policy, one can break down the policy according to different fare classes and the various scenarios surrounding ticket cancellations, which can be seen as follows: 

Wanna Get Away:

• If you terminate your reservation within 24 hours of making your Southwest flight reservation, you will receive a complete refund through the original payment method you used for the booking.
• Cancelling your flight reservation 24 hours after booking but 10 minutes before the scheduled time of your flight will result in a refund, but in the form of a Transferable Flight Credit.
• However, if you cancel your flight ticket 10 minutes before your flight's departure, you will forfeit any refund. 
• Suppose you have booked your ticket using reward travel and don't cancel your flight ticket until just 10 minutes before departure. In that case, you will lose any points used for the reservation and any fees and taxes linked to your reward travel booking.  

Anytime Fare:

• You have the right to request the cancellation of your Southwest flight as long as it is done up to 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time. 
• While cancelling the reservation within the prescribed time of the airline, you can get a 100% refund in the original form of the payment method you used during your booking. 
• If you don't cancel your flight ticket within the prescribed time, you will be refunded the full amount, but only through a Transferable flight credit. 
• If you bought your ticket with Anytime reward travel, the points you used for the booking will be returned to your Rapid Rewards account. 
• Any fees and taxes associated with your reward travel reservation will be transferred into your Transferable Flight Credit, which you can use to book flights with Southwest. 

Business Select:

• You are entitled to apply for the cancellation of Southwest's flights up to 10 minutes before your flight's scheduled departure. 
• If you terminate your reservation within the specified timeframe, you qualify for a full refund using the payment method employed during your booking. 
• If you booked your flight using Southwest's flight credit, you will only be refunded as a flight credit.
• However, if you don't cancel your flight ticket 10 minutes before your flight's original departure time, you will receive a refund in the form of transferable flight credit.  

How do you rebook Southwest flights after a cancellation?

If your flight is cancelled by the airline, they will rebook you on the next available flight automatically. If the schedule doesn't work for you and you want to rebook your flight, you can follow the procedure as provided below:  

• Visit the official website of Southwest Airlines at southwest.com
• Click on "Manage Reservation" under the "Flight" section.
• Enter your confirmation number and first and last name in the provided section and click "Lookup reservation."
• Look for the option to change the flight, and tap on it.
• Choose your new flight's date and time.
• Confirm your new booking.
• Receive the confirmation of your new itinerary at your registered email address. 

Note:

• You don't have to pay any fee if the rebooking is caused by the cancellation or significant delay in the flight scheduled by the airline.
• You can change your cancelled and rebooked itinerary within 14 days of the scheduled revision of the flight.  

Conclusion: Stress-free cancellations with Southwest

Understanding the Southwest cancellation policy can significantly enhance your travel knowledge and preparedness. By familiarising yourself with its specifics, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the complexities that arise when unexpected changes to your travel plans occur. This insight will empower you to handle such situations confidently and easily, ensuring you can make informed decisions when necessary. 

Southwest Cancellation Frequently Asked Questions

Does Southwest have a 24-hour cancellation policy?

Yes, Southwest has a 24-hour cancellation policy; if you cancel your reservation within 24 hours of booking, you are entitled to a refund using your original payment method.  

Are Southwest Airlines 24-hour cancellation rules applicable to all fare types?

Yes, Southwest Airlines' 24-hour cancellation rule applies to all fare types, and you can get a 100% refund.  

Can I cancel a Southwest flight without penalty?

Yes, you are entitled to cancel your Southwest reservation without penalty by cancelling your Southwest flight no more than 10 minutes before the actual flight's schedule. 

Can I cancel and get a refund with Southwest?

Yes, you can get a refund after cancelling your Southwest flight ticket, provided that you have booked a Business Select or Anytime fare ticket and have cancelled your flight at least 10 minutes before its scheduled departure. 

What is the Southwest Wanna Get Away cancellation policy?

Southwest's Wanna Get Away cancellation policy permits you to cancel your flight up to 10 minutes before departure to obtain a refund as a Transferable Flight Credit; however, your refund will be forfeited if you don't cancel your flight reservation within the time limit.  

Can you cancel a Wanna Get Away ticket on Southwest?

Yes, you can cancel your Southwest Wanna Get Away ticket at least 10 minutes before your flight's scheduled departure; however, you can get a refund only through the Transferable Flight Credit. 

Does Southwest give compensation for delayed flights?

Yes, Southwest provides three types of reasonable compensation: meals, lodging, and transportation, provided that the flight is delayed by three or more hours and you have requested a refund. 

How do I get a Southwest flight cancellation refund?

You can get your Southwest flight's cancellation refund either in the full payment mode you used while purchasing your ticket or by transferring your payment amount into Transferable Credit Transfer or flight credit, based on the fare ticket you bought. 

How late can I cancel a Southwest flight? 

You should have cancelled your flight ticket at least 10 minutes before your flight's scheduled time to avoid paying Southwest's no-show fees.