Southwest Airlines No Change Fee Policy — The Complete Guide (2025)

Southwest Airlines is the only major US airline that charges absolutely no change fees on any fare type — ever. It's one of the biggest reasons travelers love Southwest. This guide explains exactly how the policy works and what to expect when you need to change your booking.

Southwest's No Change Fee Policy — How It Works

Unlike Delta, United, and American — which only eliminated change fees on most (not all) fares — Southwest has never charged a change fee on any ticket. Here's what that means in practice:

• Change your flight date, time, or destination at any time before departure
• No penalty fee charged — ever
• If the new flight costs more, you pay only the fare difference
• If the new flight costs less, you receive a travel credit for the difference

This applies to all three Southwest fare types: Wanna Get Away, Anytime, and Business Select.

Southwest's Three Fare Types and Their Flexibility

Wanna Get Away (and Wanna Get Away+)

The most affordable Southwest fares. If you cancel:

• Wanna Get Away: Receive a transferable travel credit (no cash refund)
• Wanna Get Away+: Same credit but transferable to someone else — more flexible

Anytime

Mid-tier fare. Fully refundable — cancel and get your money back to your original payment method. Changes are free with fare difference rules applying.

Business Select

Southwest's premium fare. Fully refundable, priority boarding, free premium drink. Same change flexibility as Anytime.

Southwest Travel Credits — How They Work

When you cancel a Wanna Get Away fare, your credit:

• Doesn't expire (Southwest removed expiration dates in 2022)
• Can be applied to any future Southwest flight
• Is stored in your Rapid Rewards account
• Is non-transferable (Wanna Get Away) or transferable (Wanna Get Away+)

Southwest Same-Day Changes

Southwest allows same-day standby for an earlier flight at no charge. If you're a Business Select or Anytime passenger, same-day confirmed changes are available. Call (833) 754-8013 for same-day Southwest assistance.

Two Free Checked Bags — Don't Forget

Southwest is the only major US airline that allows two free checked bags per passenger. Combined with no change fees, this makes Southwest one of the most cost-transparent airlines in the US — the price you see is close to the total you pay.

How to Change a Southwest Flight

Call (833) 754-8013 24/7 — Open All Week — our specialists handle Southwest bookings, changes, and cancellations. Have your confirmation number ready and tell us your new preferred dates. We'll find available options and complete the change quickly.