Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy and Process

Travel plans can change unexpectedly. You may need to cancel a Southwest Airlines flight because of a change in schedule, a personal emergency, or another reason. Knowing the Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy before you cancel can help you understand whether you qualify for a refund, a flight credit, or another option.

Southwest currently offers four main fare bundles: Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred, and Choice Extra. Their cancellation benefits are different. Basic is the most restrictive fare, while Choice Extra offers the greatest cancellation flexibility.

One of the most important Southwest rules is the 10-minute cancellation deadline. If you do not intend to travel, Southwest says you should cancel at least 10 minutes before the original scheduled departure time. Missing that deadline can cause you to lose some or all of the ticket's value, depending on the fare.

This guide explains the Southwest cancellation policy, refund rules, flight-credit options, Basic fare restrictions, no-show consequences, airline-initiated cancellations, and the step-by-step cancellation process.

Important: Southwest can change its fare rules and Contract of Carriage. The terms displayed for your individual reservation should always be checked before you confirm a cancellation.

What Is the Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy?

Southwest's cancellation policy determines what happens to your ticket when you decide not to travel.

The outcome primarily depends on:

• Your fare type

• Whether you paid cash or used Rapid Rewards points

• Whether you cancel before departure

• Whether Southwest canceled or significantly changed the flight

• Whether your reservation contains multiple passengers

• Whether your ticket includes a Basic fare

• Whether the booking is part of a vacation package or partner itinerary

Southwest's current fare structure includes Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred, and Choice Extra. Basic is nonrefundable and non-changeable unless upgraded, while Choice is nonrefundable but can generally be canceled for a flight credit when canceled on time. Choice Preferred and Choice Extra provide additional flexibility, with Choice Extra being refundable to the original payment method when the cancellation requirements are met.

Southwest Airlines 10-Minute Cancellation Rule

• The 10-minute rule is one of the most important parts of Southwest's cancellation policy.
• Southwest says that you can cancel your flight up to 10 minutes before the original scheduled departure time. If you do not cancel or change the reservation and fail to travel, its no-show policy can apply.
• For example, if your flight is scheduled to depart at 8:00 a.m., you should cancel or change the reservation no later than 7:50 a.m.
• Do not wait until the last minute if you already know that you cannot travel. Canceling earlier gives you more time to confirm that the cancellation was processed correctly.

Southwest Airlines Basic Fare Cancellation Policy

Basic is Southwest's most restrictive fare.

Southwest states that Basic is:

• Nonrefundable

• Non-changeable unless upgraded to Choice, Choice Preferred, or Choice Extra

• Subject to specific cancellation-credit rules

If you cancel a Basic fare at least 10 minutes before the original scheduled departure time, you may be eligible for a flight credit. Southwest says the credit can be valid for up to six months, depending on when the fare was purchased and how the original funds were applied.

What happens if you cancel Basic?

If you cancel in time:

• You may receive a flight credit.

• The credit generally expires six months from the original purchase date.

• The credit's expiration can be affected by the type of funds originally used.

• You cannot normally change a Basic fare unless you upgrade it to a higher fare.

If you do not cancel at least 10 minutes before departure and do not travel, Southwest states that the funds associated with a Basic fare can be forfeited.

Basic fare on a round trip

Basic fares have an additional restriction on round-trip reservations.

Southwest states that when one or both segments are booked with a Basic fare, cancellation is permitted only if:

1. Both segments are canceled, or

2. The Basic segment is upgraded to Choice, Choice Preferred, or Choice Extra before cancellation.

This is important if you want to cancel only the outbound or return portion of a round-trip reservation.

Southwest Choice Fare Cancellation Policy

• Choice is a nonrefundable fare, but it provides more flexibility than Basic.
• Southwest states that Choice fares have no cancellation fee and can be canceled at least 10 minutes before the original scheduled departure for a flight credit.
• The resulting credit can generally be used for future Southwest travel subject to the applicable expiration and fare rules.

How long is a Choice flight credit valid?

Southwest currently states that a Transferable Flight Credit created from Choice, Choice Preferred, or Choice Extra fares expires 12 months from the date the fare was booked and ticketed.

This is different from the six-month expiration applicable to Basic fare credits.

Southwest Choice Preferred Cancellation Policy

Choice Preferred offers more flexibility than Basic and Choice.

Southwest states that Choice Preferred fares:

• Have no cancellation fee.

• Can be canceled before the applicable deadline.

• Are refundable when canceled at least 10 minutes before the original scheduled departure.

• Can generally be returned to the original form of payment when the fare is eligible for a refund.

The key distinction is that Choice Preferred provides refundable treatment under Southwest's current fare rules, while standard Choice is nonrefundable and normally produces a flight credit.

Southwest Choice Extra Cancellation Policy

Choice Extra is Southwest's highest current fare bundle and provides the greatest cancellation flexibility.

Southwest states that Choice Extra fares are refundable as long as the reservation is canceled at least 10 minutes before the original scheduled departure time. Eligible refunds are returned to the original form of payment.

Why is Choice Extra different?

A passenger who purchases Choice Extra generally has the option of receiving the eligible ticket value back through the original payment method rather than being limited to a future flight credit.

This can be useful when your travel plans are uncertain and you do not know whether you will take another Southwest flight soon.

Southwest Cancellation Policy at a Glance

FareVoluntary cancellationGeneral value returned

• BasicCancel at least 10 minutes before departureFlight credit may be available; six-month expiration generally applies
• ChoiceCancel at least 10 minutes before departureFlight credit
• Choice PreferredCancel at least 10 minutes before departureRefundable under current fare rules
• Choice ExtraCancel at least 10 minutes before departure100% refund to original payment method
• Reward travelRules vary by farePoints/funds treatment depends on fare
• Airline cancellationRebooking or eligible refundDepends on circumstances

These are general rules. The specific reservation controls the actual cancellation outcome.

Does Southwest Airlines Charge a Cancellation Fee?

Southwest's current fare information states that its fare types are eligible for cancellations without a cancellation fee. However, no cancellation fee does not mean that every fare is refundable in cash.

For example:

• Basic can be nonrefundable and result in a flight credit.

• Choice is nonrefundable and generally results in a flight credit.

• Choice Preferred can be refundable.

• Choice Extra can be refundable.

Therefore, when asking whether Southwest has a "cancellation fee," it is important to distinguish between a fee and the type of value returned.

How to Cancel a Southwest Airlines Flight Online?

Southwest says most flights can be canceled through Southwest.com or the Southwest mobile app without calling the airline.

Step 1: Open Manage Reservations

• Go to Southwest's website or open the Southwest app.
• Access your reservation through the Manage Reservations section.

Step 2: Retrieve your booking

You will generally need:

• Confirmation number

• Passenger first name

• Passenger last name

Make sure you open the correct reservation before proceeding.

Step 3: Review the itinerary

Check:

• Passenger names

• Flight dates

• Departure airport

• Destination

• Fare type

• Number of passengers

• Flight segments

If you have a round trip, pay particular attention to whether you are canceling the entire reservation or only part of it.

Step 4: Select "Cancel"

• Southwest's current cancellation instructions direct customers to retrieve the reservation and select Cancel.

Step 5: Review the cancellation result

Before confirming, carefully review what Southwest shows.

Depending on your fare, you may see:

• Refund to original payment method

• Flight credit

• Transferable Flight Credit

• Rapid Rewards points returned

• Amount forfeited

• Other applicable conditions

Step 6: Confirm the cancellation

• If the terms are correct, confirm the cancellation.
• Save the confirmation number and cancellation email for your records.

Can I Cancel Only One Passenger From a Southwest Group Reservation?

Yes, in many situations.

Southwest states that if a reservation contains two or more passengers and only one passenger needs to cancel, you can divide the reservation and then cancel the selected traveler's reservation. A new confirmation number is created for the remaining booking.

Why is this useful?

Suppose four family members are traveling together, but one person can no longer travel.

Instead of canceling the entire reservation, you can separate the passenger who is not traveling and cancel that individual's reservation, subject to the applicable fare rules.

Can I Cancel Part of a Southwest Trip?

In many cases, yes, but Basic fares create an important exception.

Southwest states that most customers can cancel part of a trip while keeping the rest of the reservation active. However, if a Basic fare is included, the cancellation rules require either cancellation of the entire round trip or upgrading the Basic segment before canceling part of the itinerary.

Always review the cancellation screen before confirming a partial cancellation.

What Happens If I Do Not Cancel Before Departure?

This is where Southwest's no-show policy becomes important.

If you do not plan to travel, Southwest says you should cancel at least 10 minutes before the original scheduled departure. If you do not cancel and do not show up, the consequences depend on your fare.

Basic fare

Southwest says the funds associated with a Basic fare can be forfeited if the passenger fails to cancel in time and does not travel.

Choice fare

Southwest says the funds and points associated with an applicable Choice reservation can be forfeited when the passenger fails to cancel or change at least 10 minutes before departure and does not travel.

Choice Preferred and Choice Extra

For certain higher fares, Southwest states that unused value may be returned as a Transferable Flight Credit when the passenger is a no-show.

The important point is that you should not intentionally no-show when you know you cannot travel.

Southwest Airlines Refund Policy

Whether Southwest gives you a refund depends on the fare and reason for cancellation.

Voluntary cancellation

For a voluntary cancellation:

• Basic generally produces a flight credit if canceled on time.

• Choice generally produces a flight credit.

• Choice Preferred is refundable under the current fare rules.

• Choice Extra is refundable when canceled at least 10 minutes before departure.

Airline-initiated cancellation

If Southwest cancels your flight, different rules apply.

Passengers affected by an airline cancellation may have rebooking or refund options depending on the circumstances and applicable passenger-protection rules.

What Happens If Southwest Airlines Cancels My Flight?

An airline-initiated cancellation is different from a voluntary cancellation.

If Southwest cancels your flight, first check the alternative itinerary provided by the airline.

Southwest provides separate information for flights affected by cancellations and significant delays or changes. Its current cancellation instructions direct affected customers to additional information when the cancellation results from a significant delay, significant change, or airline cancellation.

Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to:

• Accept an alternative Southwest flight.

• Rebook under the applicable disruption policy.

• Cancel the affected travel.

• Request an eligible refund.

Do not voluntarily cancel a disrupted reservation before reviewing the options provided by Southwest. The rules for an airline-initiated disruption can be different from the rules for a normal voluntary cancellation.

Southwest Significant Delay or Schedule Change

Southwest identifies significant flight disruptions separately from ordinary voluntary cancellations.

Its current customer-support information generally refers to a significant delay or change as three or more hours for domestic travel or six or more hours for international travel.

When a qualifying disruption occurs, passengers may have additional options that are not available when they simply decide not to travel.

What should you do?

If your flight is significantly delayed or changed:

1. Check your reservation.

2. Review the new itinerary.

3. Determine whether the replacement works for you.

4. Review Southwest's disruption options.

5. If you do not want to travel, determine whether you qualify for a refund.

6. Keep the original and revised itinerary information.

Southwest Airlines 24-Hour Cancellation Policy

• The 24-hour rule can be particularly useful after a new booking.
• U.S. Department of Transportation rules require airlines to provide qualifying passengers with either a 24-hour cancellation/refund option or a 24-hour reservation hold. The federal requirement applies to tickets purchased at least seven days before scheduled departure. Airlines do not have to provide both options.
• Southwest's fare rules also provide cancellation provisions that can apply shortly after booking.
• If you have just purchased a ticket and notice an incorrect date, destination, or passenger detail, review the reservation immediately rather than waiting.

Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy for Award Tickets

• Reward reservations have their own rules.
• Southwest's current fare information states that for Choice Extra reward travel, canceled points are returned to the Rapid Rewards account of the purchaser. If the reservation is not canceled in time, points and funds can be forfeited.
• The no-show policy also distinguishes among reward fares. For Basic and Choice reward reservations, Southwest states that points and associated taxes and fees can be forfeited when the customer fails to cancel in time and does not travel. For eligible Choice Preferred and Choice Extra reward reservations, points can be redeposited and associated taxes and fees can be converted to a Transferable Flight Credit.
• If you booked with points, therefore, check the exact fare before canceling.

Southwest Cancellation Policy for Cash + Points

• Southwest's no-show policy specifically states that its rules also apply to reservations booked using Cash + Points.
• If you paid for a reservation using a combination of cash and Rapid Rewards points, do not assume that the cancellation result will be identical to a cash-only booking.
• The treatment of the funds and points depends on the fare and whether you cancel within the required time.

Southwest Cancellation Policy for Partner Itineraries

• If your itinerary involves another airline, Southwest's normal cancellation process may not apply to the partner-operated portion.
• Southwest states that customers traveling on partner-airline itineraries should refer to the partner airline for its no-show policy. Its cancellation guidance also instructs customers who want to change or cancel a partner reservation to contact the partner carrier, with the partner's fare rules applying.
• Before canceling a partner itinerary, determine which airline issued and controls the relevant ticket.

Southwest Getaways by Southwest Cancellation Policy

Vacation packages booked through Getaways by Southwest have additional rules.

• Southwest states that customers cannot voluntarily cancel only one individual product in a vacation package. Flight itinerary changes may be permitted, but canceling one-way of the flight itinerary is not permitted under the package rules. Customers who need to cancel the entire vacation package are instructed to contact Getaways by Southwest.
• The package's hotel, rental-car, and other components can have separate supplier rules.

How Long Is a Southwest Flight Credit Valid?

The expiration period depends on the fare and the type of funds involved.

Southwest currently states:

• Basic fare flight credits: expire six months from the original booking date, subject to the applicable original-funds rules.

• Transferable Flight Credits from Choice, Choice Preferred, and Choice Extra: expire 12 months from the date the fare was booked and ticketed.

If you received a credit after cancellation, check its specific expiration date rather than assuming all Southwest credits have the same validity period.

What Happens to the Credit If I Used Another Flight Credit?

• The expiration date can become more complicated when an existing credit is used to purchase a new ticket.
• Southwest states that when funds such as a flight credit or Transferable Flight Credit are applied to a new Basic reservation, the resulting credit can inherit the earliest expiration date of funds used in the transaction.
• This is why travelers should keep track of the expiration dates of existing credits before applying them to a new reservation.

Southwest Cancellation Process for Multiple Passengers

• If several passengers are booked under the same confirmation number, you may not need to cancel everyone.
• Southwest allows customers to select the passenger or passengers who need to be changed or canceled in many online transactions. When passengers are separated, the affected travelers receive a new confirmation number while the remaining travelers stay on the original reservation.
• This can be particularly useful for families, couples, or business groups traveling under one reservation.

How to Cancel a Southwest Flight Through the App

Southwest's mobile app can be used to manage eligible reservations.

The general process is:

1. Open the Southwest app.

2. Sign in if required.

3. Find your reservation.

4. Open the trip details.

5. Select the cancellation option.

6. Review the refund or credit.

7. Confirm the cancellation.

8. Save the updated reservation information.

Southwest states that most flights can be canceled through Southwest.com or its app without calling.

Can I Cancel a Southwest Flight by Phone?

Most straightforward cancellations can be completed online, but some reservations require additional assistance.

Calling or contacting Southwest can be useful when:

• Your reservation cannot be accessed online.

• You have a complicated itinerary.

• A partner airline is involved.

• A lap child is included.

• The booking is a vacation package.

• The reservation has special conditions.

• You have a problem with the cancellation or refund displayed online.

For partner itineraries, Southwest specifically directs customers to the partner airline.

What If I Booked Through a Travel Agency?

• A third-party booking can have different servicing procedures.
• Southwest's distribution policy states that agencies can process certain cancellations and that reservations may be canceled through Southwest's direct channels while remaining in open status for the ticket agent to refund or use according to the applicable fare rules.
• If your travel agency issued the ticket, contact the agency when you need help determining who controls the ticket and how the refund or credit will be processed.

How to Avoid Losing Your Southwest Ticket Value

Cancel before the 10-minute deadline

This is the single most important practical step.

Southwest says you should cancel at least 10 minutes before the original scheduled departure.

Check your fare

Before canceling, determine whether you purchased:

• Basic

• Choice

• Choice Preferred

• Choice Extra

The cancellation result can differ significantly.

Do not confuse credit with a refund

• A flight credit is not the same as money returned to your original payment method.

Check the expiration date

• If you receive a credit, record its expiration date immediately.

Review airline disruptions first

• If Southwest canceled or significantly changed your flight, review the disruption options before voluntarily canceling.

Save your cancellation confirmation

• Keep your confirmation email and any credit or refund details.

Common Southwest Cancellation Mistakes

Mistake 1: Waiting until departure

• A passenger who waits until after departure risks losing the ticket's value under the no-show rules.

Mistake 2: Assuming every fare is refundable

• Basic and Choice are not generally refundable fares. Choice Preferred and Choice Extra have more favorable refund treatment.

Mistake 3: Ignoring the Basic round-trip restriction

• A Basic fare can prevent you from canceling only one portion of a round trip unless the Basic segment is upgraded.

Mistake 4: Forgetting about credit expiration

• Basic credits generally have a six-month validity period, while transferable credits from higher fares generally have a 12-month validity period.

Mistake 5: Voluntarily canceling a disrupted flight

• If Southwest canceled or significantly changed your flight, check your available refund and rebooking rights before making a voluntary cancellation.

Mistake 6: Ignoring partner-airline rules

• A partner itinerary can be governed by the partner's rules for the relevant portion of travel.

Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy Checklist

Before canceling, check:

• Your fare type

• Original departure date and time

• Whether you are within the 10-minute cancellation deadline

• Whether the ticket is refundable

• Expected flight-credit amount

• Credit expiration date

• Whether Rapid Rewards points were used

• Whether another airline is involved

• Whether Southwest canceled or significantly changed the flight

• Whether multiple passengers share the reservation

• Whether the reservation is a Getaways package

• Cancellation confirmation after completing the request

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel a Southwest Airlines flight?

• Yes. Southwest says most flights can be canceled through Southwest.com or the Southwest app. The cancellation result depends on the fare and when you cancel.

How late can I cancel my Southwest flight?

• Southwest says you can cancel or change a flight up to 10 minutes before the original scheduled departure time. If you fail to do so and do not travel, the no-show policy may apply.

Does Southwest charge a cancellation fee?

• Southwest's current fare information says its fares are eligible for cancellation without a cancellation fee. However, the value returned differs by fare: some fares provide credits while eligible refundable fares can return money to the original payment method.

Is Southwest Basic fare refundable?

• No. Southwest describes Basic as nonrefundable. When canceled at least 10 minutes before departure, an eligible Basic reservation may produce a flight credit, generally subject to a six-month expiration period.

Can I cancel a Southwest Choice fare?

• Yes. Choice is nonrefundable, but Southwest states that it can be canceled at least 10 minutes before departure for a flight credit.

Is Southwest Choice Extra refundable?

• Yes. Southwest states that Choice Extra is refundable when the reservation is canceled at least 10 minutes before the original scheduled departure time, with the eligible value returned to the original form of payment.

What happens if I miss my Southwest flight?

• The result depends on your fare. Basic and Choice funds can be forfeited if you fail to cancel or change at least 10 minutes before departure and do not travel. Certain higher fares can result in a Transferable Flight Credit instead.

Can I cancel only one passenger on a Southwest reservation?

• Yes, in many cases. Southwest says you can divide the reservation and cancel the selected passenger while leaving the other travelers on the original booking.

Can I cancel only one part of a round trip?

• Usually, but a Basic fare creates a specific restriction. If one or both segments are Basic, Southwest says the entire round trip must be canceled unless the Basic segment is upgraded before cancellation.

What happens if Southwest cancels my flight?

• The options depend on the circumstances. Southwest provides separate procedures for airline cancellations and significant delays or changes. Eligible passengers may have rebooking or refund options.

How long is a Southwest flight credit valid?

• Basic flight credits generally expire six months from the original purchase date. Transferable Flight Credits created from Choice, Choice Preferred, and Choice Extra generally expire 12 months from the booking and ticketing date.

Can I get a refund if I cancel a nonrefundable Southwest ticket?

• Normally, a voluntary cancellation of a nonrefundable ticket results in a flight credit rather than a refund to the original payment method. However, different rules can apply when Southwest cancels or significantly changes the flight.

What if I booked my Southwest flight with points?

• The treatment of points depends on the fare. Southwest's current rules distinguish among Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred, and Choice Extra reward reservations. Some canceled higher-fare reward tickets can have points redeposited, while lower fares can result in forfeiture if the cancellation deadline is missed.

Can I cancel a Southwest partner flight through Southwest?

• For partner-airline reservations, Southwest directs customers to the partner carrier, and the partner's fare rules apply.

Can I cancel a Getaways by Southwest vacation package?

• Getaways bookings have separate cancellation rules. Southwest states that individual products within the package cannot be voluntarily canceled separately, and customers needing to cancel the entire vacation package should contact Getaways by Southwest.

Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy Help

The Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy is relatively straightforward once you identify the fare attached to your reservation.

The most important practical rule is the 10-minute deadline. Southwest says passengers should cancel or change their reservation at least 10 minutes before the original scheduled departure if they know they will not travel. Missing that deadline can lead to forfeiture of funds or points, depending on the fare.

The fare you purchased also matters. Basic is Southwest's most restrictive fare and generally produces a flight credit when canceled in time. Choice is nonrefundable but can generally be canceled for a flight credit. Choice Preferred and Choice Extra provide more flexibility, with Choice Extra offering a refund to the original payment method when canceled within the required period.

If Southwest cancels or significantly changes your flight, do not automatically treat the situation as a normal voluntary cancellation. Review the airline's disruption options first because rebooking and refund rights can be different.

Finally, keep your cancellation confirmation and monitor any flight credit or refund issued after the cancellation. Checking the expiration date of a credit is particularly important because Southwest's current fare rules use different validity periods for Basic credits and transferable credits from higher fare bundles.