Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy

Have you booked a flight with Southwest and are thinking about cancelling it? Don’t worry! lowestairlinesdeal.com provides you with all the vital information of Southwest flight cancellation policy. You can call Southwest customer service executive at 1-800-435-9792 and (OTA) +1-855-716-4791 for any query.

Planning a trip with Southwest Airlines involves not just booking your flight but also understanding their policies on cancellations and refunds. From refundable fares to non-refundable options, knowing your rights and options can make a significant difference in managing your travel experience. Let’s explore Southwest’s flight cancellation and refund policy in detail to ensure a seamless journey for you.

Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy
Steps For Cancelling Your Southwest Reservation
Business Select And Anytime Tickets
Wanna Get Away Or Wanna Get Away Plus Fares
Southwest Flight Cancellation Policy 24-Hour
Fare Types Breakdown
What If Southwest Cancels Your Flight
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Pages
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Steps For Cancelling Your Southwest Reservation

Southwest Airlines offers a convenient and flexible cancellation policy that allows passengers to cancel their flights either by phone or online. Here’s a detailed guide on how to cancel your Southwest ticket online:

Access Southwest.com: Start by visiting Southwest.com, the official website of Southwest Airlines.
Navigate to Change/Cancel Tab: On the top right side of the website, locate and select the “Change/Cancel” tab.
Retrieve Your Flight Booking: You’ll need to provide specific details to retrieve your flight booking. Enter the following information:

Confirmation Number, First Name, Last Name

Select Cancel Flight Option: Once your booking details are retrieved, look for the “Cancel flight” option and click on it.
Search and Select Your Flight: A list of your booked flights will be displayed. Select the flight you wish to cancel from the list.
Confirm Cancellation: After selecting the flight, confirm the cancellation. At this stage, you’ll be presented with options based on your ticket type.
Fully Refundable Ticket: If your ticket is fully refundable, you’ll have the choice to request a refund to your original form of payment or hold it as a Travel Fund for future use.
Non-refundable Ticket (Wanna Get Away): For non-refundable tickets, such as Wanna Get Away fares, you can request a Travel Fund that can be used for future bookings.

Mobile App Option:

Alternatively, you can also cancel your Southwest Airlines flight(s) using the mobile app. Simply access the app and follow similar steps to cancel your flight conveniently from your mobile device.

Timing is Crucial:

For a smooth cancellation process with Southwest Airlines, timing matters the most. To be eligible for refunds or flight credits, it’s essential to act in advance.

10-Minute Rule:

Make sure to cancel your reservation at least 10 minutes before your flight’s scheduled departure time. This timeframe allows the airline to manage the seat inventory efficiently and offer alternatives to other passengers.

Business Select And Anytime Tickets

If you’ve booked a Business Select or Anytime ticket and need to cancel, Southwest Airlines offers you two choices:

Refund to Your Original Payment Method: Cancel at least 10 minutes before your flight’s original scheduled departure time, and you can receive a refund directly to your original form of payment. This option gives you back the money you spent on the ticket.
Convert to Transferable Flight Credit: Alternatively, you can convert the value of your ticket into a Transferable Flight Credit. This credit can be used towards booking a future flight with Southwest Airlines. It offers flexibility if your travel plans change and you prefer not to receive a refund immediately.

Wanna Get Away Or Wanna Get Away Plus Fares

Cancellation Timing: To avoid losing points and associated taxes/fees, cancel your Wanna Get Away or Wanna Get Away Plus fare at least 10 minutes before your flight’s departure time.

Reward Travel Flexibility: For reward travel reservations, Southwest Airlines offers flexibility based on your fare type.
Wanna Get Away or Wanna Get Away Plus fares can be cancelled within the specified timeframe without forfeiting points or fees.

Points and Fees Handling: If you cancel on time, your points used for booking will be safe, and any associated taxes and fees won’t be charged.
This policy ensures that travelers can make changes to their plans without incurring unnecessary expenses.

Easy Process: Cancelling is straightforward with Southwest Airlines. Just make sure to do it within the specified timeframe to retain your points and avoid fees.

Southwest Flight Cancellation Policy 24-Hour

Here’s a breakdown to help you understand how this 24-hour ticket cancellation window works with Southwest Airlines:

Timeframe: The 24-hour cancellation window starts from the moment you book your flight and ends 24 hours later. This means you have a full day to review your booking and make any necessary adjustments.
Unchanged Reservations: The cancellation window applies specifically to unchanged reservations. If you make any modifications to your booking within this period, the cancellation policy may vary based on the changes made

Cancellation Options:

Within the 24-hour window, you have two main options for cancellations:

Method-of-Payment Refund: You can receive a refund to your original form of payment, regardless of the fare type.
Flight Credit: Alternatively, you can choose to hold the value of your ticket as flight credit or Transferable Flight Credit (depending on the fare). This credit can be used towards future flights with Southwest Airlines.
Flexibility: The 24-hour cancellation window provides passengers with flexibility and peace of mind. It allows you to book a ticket without immediate commitment; giving you time to finalize your travel plans or make changes if needed.
Booking Considerations: It’s important to note that the 24-hour cancellation window is applicable to bookings made directly through Southwest Airlines.
Procedure: To cancel your reservation within the 24-hour window, you can do so online through the Southwest Airlines website or mobile app. You may also contact Southwest Airlines’ customer service for assistance with cancellations.

Fare Types Breakdown

Business Select: Fully refundable if cancelled 10 minutes before departure.
Anytime: Fully refundable if cancelled 10 minutes before departure.
Wanna Get Away Plus: Non-refundable but offers Transferable Flight Credits if cancelled 10 minutes before departure.
Wanna Get Away: Non-refundable but provides flight credits if cancelled 10 minutes before departure.

What If Southwest Cancels Your Flight

When your plans take an unexpected turn due to a flight cancellation by Southwest Airlines, understanding your options for refunds can alleviate stress and ensure a smoother experience. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know about refunds for cancelled Southwest flights:

Refund Options: If your flight is cancelled by Southwest and you decide not to travel as a result, you have refund options available:
Flight Credit or Transferable Flight Credit: You may receive a flight credit or Transferable Flight Credit, providing flexibility for future travel plans.
Method-of-Payment Refund: Upon request, you are entitled to a method-of-payment refund for the unused transportation, even for non-refundable tickets.

Additional Refunds:

Apart from the ticket refund, you’re also eligible for refunds on other services:

Bag Fees: You will receive a refund for any bag fees paid for the cancelled flight.
Extras Purchased: Any extras you may have purchased, such as EarlyBird Check-In® or Upgraded Boarding, are also eligible for a refund.
How to Request Refunds: To request a method-of-payment refund or inquire about other refunds, you can contact Southwest Airlines directly. Their customer service team will assist you in processing the refund for your unused services.
Flight Credit without Refund Request: If you don’t contact Southwest Airlines to request a refund after a Southwest-initiated flight cancellation, you will automatically receive a flight credit. This credit doesn’t expire and can be used towards future travel with Southwest Airlines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Southwest Airlines Provide A Refund If I Cancel My Booking?

Yes. Discover Southwest Airlines’ customer-friendly cancellation policy, designed to offer flexibility and convenience to travelers. Fully refundable tickets are eligible for a refund within 24 hours of booking, as long as the departure is more than two days away. For further information, Southwest customer service number +1-800-435-9792.

Non-refundable tickets can be changed or cancelled without incurring a fee, with travelers receiving a valuable travel credit for future use. Explore Southwest’s cancellation policy to make the most of your travel plans while enjoying peace of mind.

What Are The Rules And Procedures For Cancelling A Southwest Flight?

Southwest Airlines allows you to cancel Anytime and Business Select tickets. Upon cancellation at least 10 minutes before departure, you have two options:

You have the option to get a complete refund credited back to your original payment method. Alternatively, you can convert the ticket value into a Travel Fund for future use.

For Wanna Get Away fares, the cancellation policy is also straightforward. You can cancel these tickets within 10 minutes of departure and exchange them for a Travel Fund.

Steps to cancel the Southwest flight online:

Visit Southwest.com and click on the Change/Cancel tab.
Enter your confirmation number, first name, and last name to retrieve your booking.
Select the Cancel flight option and click on Search.
Select the flight you want to cancel.
Confirm the cancellation.
For fully refundable tickets, choose between a refund to your original payment method or a Travel Fund for future use.
For non-refundable tickets (like Wanna Get Away fares), opt for a Travel Fund.
Alternatively, use the Southwest Airlines mobile app to cancel your flight(s).

What Benefits Can You Expect If Your Flight Is Cancelled By The Airline?

If your Southwest flight is cancelled and you choose not to travel:

You can receive a flight credit or Transferable Flight Credit for future travel plans.
Upon request, you can get a refund to your original payment method, even for non-refundable tickets.

Also:

You’ll receive a refund for any bag fees paid for the cancelled flight.

Refunds are also available for extras like EarlyBird Check-In or Upgraded Boarding.

Can I Cancel My Southwest Flight Without Fees?

Whether you’re booking well in advance or need to make adjustments shortly after making a reservation, Southwest’s 24-hour free cancellation policy ensures that you have the freedom to manage your travel arrangements with ease. This policy applies to bookings made directly through Southwest’s official website southwest.com or mobile app, as well as reservations made by phone at 1-800-435-9792. However, to qualify for this free cancellation option, the booking must have been made at least seven days before the scheduled departure date.

How Can I Contact Southwest Customer Service?

You can reach out to Southwest airlines on its 24/7 customer service number +1-800-435-9792.

Can Wanna Get Away Fares Be Refunded? W

While these fares are not fully refundable in the traditional sense, they do provide passengers with a valuable benefit—they are reusable for future travel.

What this means is that if you need to cancel your trip or change your plans, rather than receiving a monetary refund, you can retain the value of your ticket as a travel credit. This travel credit, often referred to as a Travel Fund or Travel Credit Voucher, can be applied towards the purchase of a new ticket for a future flight with Southwest Airlines.

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