​What is the ​Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy 2025?

While traveling via Southwest Airlines, passengers are advised to gather and understand every critical detail in concern to the policies, services, and more. Specifically talking about the policies, knowing every aspect of the Southwest Airlines cancellation policy 2025 is paramount to get ready to face any unexpected challenge or event. This is one of the carriers that has a flexible cancellation policy with refund rules. However, a traveler must go through the same to make the most out of it. By knowing it, they will be familiar with their rights as a flyer and associated benefits.

Overview of Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy 2025

Southwest Airlines 2025 cancellation policy is designed to offer flexibility to travelers. Here are the key points:

Policy Aspect	Details
24-Hour Free Cancellation	Cancel within 24 hours of booking for full refund (all fare types).
Refundable Tickets	Business Select & Anytime fares: Full refund to original payment.
Non-Refundable Tickets (Wanna Get Away/WGA+)	Receive travel funds (valid 12 months from booking date).
Cancellation Fees	$0 fees (unique among U.S. airlines).
Travel Funds	Valid for 12 months from booking date (not cancellation). Transferable for WGA+ fares.
How to Cancel	Online (“Manage Reservations”), app, or phone (1-800-I-FLY-SWA).
No-Show Policy	Entire ticket value forfeited (except for refundable fares).
Flight Credits	From canceled tickets can be used for future bookings.
Involuntary Changes (delays/cancellations)	Choose: – Full refund – Rebooking – Travel funds.
COVID-19 Flexibility	No special policies in 2025 (standard rules apply).

Cancellation Outcomes by Fare Type

Fare Type	Cancellation Result
Business Select	Full refund (cash/credit card).
Anytime	Full refund or travel funds.
Wanna Get Away+	Travel funds (transferable).
Wanna Get Away	Travel funds (non-transferable).

What is the Southwest Airlines 24-Hour Cancellation Policy?

The Southwest Airlines cancellation policy 24 hours allows fliers to withdraw their reservations within 24 hours of booking. This grace period gives an opportunity to cancel a ticket for free, irrespective of the cabin class, travel destination, etc., chosen.

• All bookings are allowed to be cancelled within 24 hours of the booking.
• Even non-refundable tickets, like Wanna Go Away, can be cancelled, and requests for refunds can be made.
• Passengers can either hold the airfare value for future bookings or request refunds in the original form of the payment.
• Travel credits given for cancelled flights should be used before the expiration date.
• All bookings are allowed to be canceled online (via the official website or mobile app).
• For offline cancellations, one will need to call a Southwest executive or visit the nearest ticketing, sales, or airport office.
• The Southwest officials may ask passengers to give the reason for the flight cancellation or they may ask for the relevant supporting documents.
• Once the grace period of Southwest Airline cancellation policy 24 hours is over, all cancellations will incur a fee.

Southwest Airlines Flight Cancellation Policy 2025

Unexpected events and unavoidable circumstances may affect anyone at any time. Rather than being restless, one should understand the Southwest Airlines cancel policy to know what should be done to deal with such scenarios.

• All tickets can be cancelled at any time, but before boarding or check-in.
• Not all cancellations are eligible for refunds.
• In some scenarios, Southwest Airlines may release refunds.
• In case of passengers’ demise, untimely death of the passenger’s close relative, natural disaster, government disruptions, refunds can be offered.
• When a flight is cancelled by the airline, rebooking or refunds can be provided.
• Many times, accommodations are also offered.
• Southwest Airlines cancellation policy 2025 for Wanna Get Away may not allow refunds.
• Other non-refundable tickets can be cancelled, but are not eligible for refunds.
• Rather than cancelling tickets, passengers can rebook or reschedule their booking.
• In case this is not possible, they can simply revoke the reservations.

What is the Southwest Airlines Flight Cancellation Fee?

Southwest Airlines does not charge a cancellation fee for flights canceled up to 10 minutes before departure. This flexible policy allows travelers to adjust their plans without extra costs. However, the refund or credit you receive depends on the type of ticket purchased:

Category	Fee	What You Get	Validity
Standard Cancellation	$0 fee	– Refund (Business Select/Anytime fares) – Travel funds (Wanna Get Away fares)	12 months from booking date
24-Hour Cancellation	$0 fee	Full refund (all fare types)	N/A
No-Show	Full fare forfeited	Nothing (unless refundable fare)	N/A
Flight Cancelled by Southwest	$0 fee	Choice of: – Full refund – Rebooking – Travel funds	Refund: no expiration
EarlyBird Check-In Cancellation	$0 fee	Refund if cancelled >36h before flight	Refund to original payment

Southwest Airlines Cancellation/Disruption Policy

Southwest Airlines cancellation and disruption policy offers flexibility for travelers. Here are the key details:

Scenario	Your Options
Flight Cancelled by Southwest	Full refund (original payment method) Rebooking on next available flight Travel funds (if preferred)
Flight Delayed 2+ Hours	Free rebooking Request refund (if you choose not to fly) Travel funds
Significant Schedule Change (e.g., >2 hours)	Same as cancellation options
No-Show for Original Flight	Forfeit ticket value (unless refundable fare)

What is the Step-by-Step Process for Cancelling Southwest Airlines Flights?

After knowing what is the cancellation policy for Southwest Airlines, passengers must know the different methods to cancel their flight tickets. The process involves online and offline methods. Each process comes with different yet easy steps.

Online Method for Flight Cancellation

• To cancel tickets, browse through the official website of Southwest Airlines.

• In the upper right corner, the CHANGE/CANCEL tab is available. Click on it.
• For flight bookings, sign in using the confirmation number with the passenger’s full name.

• Select the booking that needs cancellation after searching.
• Validate the details before initiating the cancellation.
• Choose TRAVEL FUND or the original method for refunds/reimbursement.
• TRAVEL FUND can be offered if the ticket is not refundable.

Important: The same steps can be followed when using the mobile app of Southwest Airlines.

Offline Methods for Flight Cancellation

• Phone calls: In case the online method is not working, people can choose to cancel it via phone calls. They can dial the Southwest Customer Support to initiate the process. However, the Southwest executives may ask for the confirmation number with the passenger’s name to validate the details. Additionally, they may ask for the supporting documents and the reason for cancellation. Based on their evaluation, they will initiate the cancellation process and refunds at the same time (if eligible).

• At the office: The Cancellation policy of Southwest Airlines allows for in-person revocation. Passengers can head to the nearest ticketing, airport, or sales office. They can find an executive and explain the situation. If needed, showcase the relevant documents (health certificate, death certificate, etc.), and more to request cancellation. The same can be contacted for the refunds as well.

What if the Southwest Cancels the Flight? Explore Options

Even though it happens rarely, if such conditions occur, Southwest Airlines gives different options to obtain benefits. Passengers are advised to carefully go through the Southwest Airlines cancellation policy 2025 to learn more about the same.

Change the Southwest Airlines Flight

• In the general case, if Southwest Airlines cancels the flight, passengers will have automatic rebooking for the next available flight for the same route.
• The airline will email or SMS the new booking; fliers will need to do nothing.
• In case a new booking is not suitable, passengers can change the flight time and date.
• However, this is allowed only up to 14 days from the original date of booking at no extra cost.
• To do so, people can go to the official website or click on the www.Southwest.com/rebook.

Cancel the Tickets to get Flight Credits

• When a traveler is not willing to travel, they can request a Transferable Flight Credit or a flight credit.
• However, it will depend on the type of air ticket purchased.
• The earned credits can be used for future bookings.
• Transferable Flight Credits are easy to transfer between Rapid Rewards Members.
• Since these credits come with an expiration date, passengers are advised to use them timely manner.
• When credits are given after the flights are cancelled by the airline, the same will be valid for 5 years.
• One can cancel their bookings up to 10 minutes before the expected departure time.
• When a flier fails to board or cancel the flight, they will be subjected to a ‘no-show’.

Cancel Bookings for Refunds

• When rebooking and transfer credits are not suitable options, refunds can be requested.
• The same is offered for the unused airfares.
• Typically, refunds are processed within 7 working days by the airline in the original payment form.
• However, cancellations should be made at least 10 minutes before the flight’s departure.

What is the Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy for Non-Refundable Tickets?

A non-refundable ticket can be cancelled at any time. However, the refund or reimbursement will not be offered. Thankfully, in certain circumstances, the airline may offer refunds or credits. Passengers should go through the associated rules to make the most out of the cancellation of non-refundable tickets.

• If a flier has purchased an additional seat as a ‘Customer of Size’ or a ‘Customer with Disability’, the refunds may be provided.
• Due to any reason associated with military orders (war, government disputes, and policies), if a passenger is unable to travel, they can request refunds even for non-refundable tickets.
• When some close to the ticketed passenger, travel companies, or the passenger himself lost their life, refunds are offered.
• In case Southwest Airlines cancels a flight or a flight is delayed or more than 6 hours, and the passenger chooses to cancel it, the airline will compensate for it in the form of refunds.

Important: To get the refunds, passengers will need to showcase the supporting documents and provide other relevant details to the Southwest officials.

What is the Refund Policy of Southwest Airlines?

If the Southwest Airlines flight is cancelled or affected due to any diversion, passengers can request a refund. Additionally, refund requests can also be submitted for delayed flights. Besides, refunds are subject to some rules that a passenger should abide by.

• Refund requests can be submitted for domestic and international flights that are delayed for 3 hours and 6 hours, respectively.
• However, Southwest Airlines gives the option to travel on the next available flight. It is completely the passengers’ choice if they want to travel.
• When a flier does not find the suggested or automatically rebooked tickets suitable for their schedule, they can choose not to fly.
• In this case, they are eligible for refunds through the Method-of-Payment mode, even if the ticket is non-refundable.
• If a passenger is requesting refunds for flight disruptions, they will also be entitled to get the refunds for the baggage fee, if any.
• Refunds for the unused purchases or services, like Upgraded Boarding or EarlyBird Check-In, will also be provided to eligible passengers.
• The airline will initiate and process the refunds within 7 business days of receiving the request.

Pro Tip: The best way to get refunds on every travel is by cancelling the tickets within the grace period. In case this period is over, passengers can avoid any cancellation fee if they have insurance or a booking in the higher cabin classes.

Tips to Avoid Flight Cancellation Fees of Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines is known for its no cancellation fees policy, but there are still ways to maximize savings and avoid potential costs. Here are some tips:

• Cancel Within 24 Hours: If you cancel within 24 hours of booking, you can receive a full refund or flight credit.
• Book Refundable Fares: Business Select® and Anytime fares are fully refundable, meaning you can get your money back instead of a flight credit.
• Use Flight Credits Wisely: If you cancel a non-refundable ticket, make sure to use the flight credit before it expires.
• Monitor Flight Prices: If fares drop after booking, you can rebook at the lower price and receive the difference as a credit.
• Check for Schedule Changes: If Southwest changes your flight significantly, you may be eligible for a refund or free rebooking.
• Avoid No-Shows: If you don’t cancel and miss your flight, you may forfeit the ticket value.

Check Here: ​What is the ​Spirit Airlines Cancellation Policy 2025?

On the Final Note

No one wants to cancel their booking, but unforeseen and unavoidable scenarios can make things difficult sometimes. Therefore, fliers must know the latest rules of the Southwest Airlines cancellation policy 2025 to learn about cancellation methods, refunds, and other relevant aspects. Besides, they should clarify doubts and concerns before initiating anything to keep unwanted issues at bay.

FAQs on Southwest Airlines Flight Cancellations