Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy: Everything You Need to Know
Airlines is their customer-friendly approach to travel. If you’re flying for business or pleasure, knowing how Southwest deals with cancellations can help you save money and avoid headaches in the process. These are the Southwest Airlines cancellation policy in 2025 in full.
1. No Change or Cancellation Fees – Ever
One of the major benefits of flying Southwest that is Southwest doesn’t charge change or cancellation fees on any of their fare types. No-fee cancellation of a flight, regardless of the fare you select, as the saying goes. You’ll just get a refund or a travel credit, depending on which type of ticket you bought.
✅ Applies to all customers
✅ Free Cancellation before departure
✅ Refunds or credits vary depending on fare type
2. Fare Types and Refund Rules
Southwest doesn’t charge cancellation fees, but the fare type you bought will determine how you’re refunded.
a. Wanna Get Away & Wanna Get Away Plus
- These are the lowest-cost fare types.
- Nonrefundable, but you get a credit for a future flight (not a cash refund).
- Credit is valid only for a future flight for the original passenger.
- (If your flight was booked after July 28, 2022, credits don’t expire.)
b. Anytime Fare
- Fully refundable.
- Changes or cancellations: No penalty.
c. Business Select
- Also fully refundable.
- Cancel and get a full refund or flight credit.
- Priority boarding and the rest of those things.
d. Southwest Companion Pass & Award Travel
- If you booked with Rapid Rewards points, cancellations refund the points to your account.
- Taxes and fees will be refunded to the original payment method.
- Flights booked with the Companion Pass can also be canceled without a penalty.
3. 24-Hour Cancellation Policy
Southwest also abides by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s 24-hour risk-free cancellation rule:
- A flight must be canceled within 24 hours of booking for a full refund.
- Holds true even for nonrefundable fares.
This is particularly useful if you book on a whim or see a better price just after you buy.
4. How to Cancel a Flight with Southwest
This will let you cancel your flight easily and in a few different ways:
🖥️ Online: Visit Southwest. Visit www.aa.com; select “Manage Reservations”
📱 Mobile App: Cancel from within the app
📞 Phone: Visit Southwest’s customer service
🏢 Airport: Go to a ticket counter or kiosk
Once you do cancel, Southwest will send you a confirmation by email and inform you of the amount refunded or credited to your account.
5. No-Show Policy
While Southwest is flexible, the airline has a no-show policy for select fares:
- For refundable fares (Anytime and Business Select), your money is refunded if you’re a no-show — but it’s still a good idea to cancel in advance.
Tip: Set a reminder to cancel at least 10 minutes before scheduled departure to maintain the value of your fare.
6. Using Travel Funds
When you cancel a nonrefundable fare, you will receive travel funds (aka flight credit). Here’s what you should know:
- May be redeemed for future Southwest flights.
- Typically non-transferable (except for Wanna Get Away Plus fares, which provide transferable credit).
- You can see them and access them when you log in to your Rapid Rewards account or enter the confirmation number on the website.
7. Flight Disruptions and Weather Waivers
If Southwest cancels or changes your flight significantly:
- Regardless of your fare type, you’re entitled to a full refund.
- You may also rebook or reroute for free.
- In the case of weather events or system issues, Southwest may issue a flexible travel waiver, which can allow you to rebook or cancel without penalty.
In these instances, always monitor your email and Southwest’s website for updates.
8. Refund Timeline
Depending on the way you paid and on the type of fare you booked:
- Credit cards refunds normally take 7–10 business days.
- Travel credits are instantly issued and will show up in your Southwest account.
- When canceling, Rapid Rewards points are instantly returned to your loyalty account.
a. Wanna Get Away
- Non refundable, but cancellable
- If you do cancel, you will receive credit for future flights.
- Flight credit cannot be transferred and must be used by the original traveler
- You have to cancel at least 10 minutes prior to departure to preserve the flight credit
b. Wanna Get Away Plus
- Also non-refundable
- Comes with added flexibility
- Includes the option to transfer flight credits one time to another traveler
- Cancel 10 minutes at least before departure to keep the value as a credit
c. Anytime
- Refundable and flexible
- Cancel for a full refund to the original method of payment or take a travel credit
- Penalty-free refunds, even near departure
- Ideal for business travelers or for anyone who wants the most flexibility
d. Business Select
- Premium fare, fully refundable
- You can cancel any time and get a full refund
- With priority boarding, additional Rapid Rewards® points, and same-day change benefits
