Free Date Change
Example: Changed flight from Tuesday to Friday due to family emergency.
- No change fees - Southwest\'s policy.
- Only paid $45 fare difference for new date.
- Processed online through southwest.com in 1 minute.
Southwest Airlines Date Change Guide
Master Southwest Airlines date change policies with confidence. Discover the most flexible change policies in the industry.
Real-life Case Studies
Same Day Change Success
Example: Changed from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM flight on same day.
- $0 change fee - completely free.
- Seat selection maintained on new flight.
- Southwest app made the change seamless.
Understanding Date Changes
Southwest Airlines offers the most flexible date change policies in the industry. There are no change fees on any fare type - you only pay the fare difference if the new date costs more.
This customer-friendly approach makes Southwest a popular choice for travelers who value flexibility and want to avoid expensive change fees.
Types of Date Changes
Same Day Change
$0
Change to a different flight on the same day
Morning to evening flight
Different route same day
Date Change (Wanna Get Away)
Fare difference only
Change to a different date
Change to any future date
No change fees
Date Change (Anytime/Business)
Fare difference only
Change to a different date
Change to any future date
No change fees
How to Change Your Date
1
Check Your Fare Type
All Southwest fares allow free changes with fare difference only
2
Contact Southwest
Call 1-800-435-9792 or use southwest.com to request date change
3
Pay Fare Difference
Pay only the fare difference if new date costs more
4
Receive Confirmation
Get updated ticket with new travel date
What You Need for Date Changes
- Booking reference (PNR)
- Passenger name as on ticket
- New preferred travel date
- Rapid Rewards number (if applicable)
- Payment method for fare difference
Step-by-step Timeline
Before you contact Southwest
- All Southwest fares allow free changes.
- Have your Rapid Rewards number ready for benefits.
During the change process
- No change fees - only pay fare difference if applicable.
- Be flexible with your new travel dates for better availability.
After the change is confirmed
- Save your new confirmation number and ticket details.
- Update any hotel or car rental bookings to match new dates.
Before your new travel date
- Check-in online 24 hours before departure.
- Verify all details match your identification documents.
Important Notes & Alerts
No change fees
Southwest never charges change fees on any fare.
Fare difference only
Only pay the difference if new date costs more.
Change up to 10 minutes before
Changes can be made very close to departure time.
Southwest Airlines Date Change Policies
| Fare Type | Change Fee | Same Day | Advance Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wanna Get Away | $0 | $0 | $0 + fare diff |
| Anytime | $0 | $0 | $0 + fare diff |
| Business Select | $0 | $0 | $0 + fare diff |
| Rapid Rewards | $0 | $0 | $0 + fare diff |
Pro Tips for Date Changes
1
Southwest has no change fees - only pay fare difference if new date costs more.
2
Rapid Rewards members get additional flexibility and benefits.
3
Same-day changes are completely free on Southwest.
4
Changes can be made up to 10 minutes before departure.
5
Consider Southwest's flexible booking for maximum travel flexibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Southwest charge change fees?
No, Southwest never charges change fees on any fare type. You only pay the fare difference if the new date costs more.
Can I change my flight online with Southwest?
Yes, you can change most tickets online through southwest.com or the Southwest app, or call customer service.
How close to departure can I change my flight?
You can change your flight up to 10 minutes before the original departure time.
What if the new date costs less?
If the new date costs less, you\'ll receive a credit for the difference that can be used for future travel.
Related Airline Date Change Guides
American Airlines
American's date change policies and procedures.
Delta Air Lines
Delta's date change policies and procedures.
United Airlines
United's date change policies and procedures.
JetBlue Airways
JetBlue's date change policies and procedures.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska's date change policies and procedures.
General Date Change Guide
Overview of airline date change policies.