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Southwest Airlines Date Change Policy: What's Allowed and How to Change Your Flight

Need to change your travel plans? Southwest Airlines lets you make a flight date change without charging a standard change fee. If your new flight costs more, you'll only need to pay fare difference. If it costs less, you may receive a fare credit or refund, depending on your ticket type.

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THE CORE DISTINCTION

Standard Date Change vs. Same-Day Flight Change

Southwest Airlines offers flexible options if you need to change your travel plans.

Standard Date Change

A standard flight date change lets you move your trip to another day before your scheduled departure. Southwest Airlines doesn't charge a change flight date fee, but you'll need to pay the fare difference if your new flight costs more. If the new flight costs less, you may receive a fare credit or refund, depending on your ticket type.

Same-Day Flight Change

A same day flight change allows eligible passengers to switch to another Southwest flight on the same day as their original trip. Your eligibility depends on your fare type and whether seats are available on the new flight.

Southwest's Flight Date Change Policy:

Want to change your travel plans?

If your plans change, you may be able to switch to a different flight on the same day. Some flights allow this for a small fee, while others let you fly standby for free.

Change Deadline

  • You can modify your flight up until 10 minutes before departure
  • Example: 8:00 a.m. flight → last chance to change is 7:50 a.m.
  • Miss this window without canceling or changing? Your booking falls under the No-Show Policy
  • Tip: Change or cancel as soon as you know your plans have shifted — it frees up seats for other travelers and helps keep fares low

Changing One Traveler on a Multi-Person Booking

  • First, split the reservation into separate bookings
  • This can usually be done online — no call required
  • You'll get a new confirmation number by email for the traveler(s) who were split off
  • Once divided, you can change that person's flight independently

Costs & Fare Differences

  • No change fees — ever
  • If the new flight costs more: you pay the difference
  • If the new flight costs less:
  • Refundable fare → difference goes back to your original payment method
  • Non-refundable fare → difference becomes a flight credit for future use
  • Flight credits expire on a set date — travel must be completed before then

Southwest Airlines Date Change Policy Details

Policy Detail
Information
Standard change fee
Southwest Airlines does not charge a change fee. If your new flight costs more, you'll only pay the fare difference.
Fare types
Change rules depend on your ticket type. Some fares offer more flexibility than others.
24-hour booking policy
Eligible bookings can be changed or canceled within 24 hours of booking without any penalty.
Same-day confirmed change
Eligible passengers can switch to another flight on the same day if seats are available. A fare difference may apply.
Same-day standby
Eligible passengers can request standby for another flight on the same day at no extra cost, subject to seat availability.

Need help understanding your ticket rules?

Call +1 (877) 370-5301 and our travel experts can help you review your available options.

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How to Change Your Southwest Airlines Flight Date

  1. Check your booking details and find the flight you want to change.
  2. Contact Southwest Airlines or Airlines Ticket Hub with your reservation information.
  3. Choose your new travel date based on available flights.
  4. Review any fare difference or applicable charges before confirming.
  5. Check your updated ticket details before your trip.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

1

How do I change my Southwest Airlines flight date?

You can change your booking online, through the Southwest mobile app, or by contacting Airlines Ticket Hub. Eligible bookings can be updated before departure.

2

Does Southwest Airlines charge a change flight date fee?

3

Can I request a same day flight change on Southwest Airlines?

Need to make other booking updates? Explore our Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy pages for more travel assistance. Call us at - +1 (877) 370-5301