How to Cancel Southwest Flight? Free Cancellation Policy

Southwest Airlines tickets can be canceled via online and offline mediums. Visit its website, cancel the ticket and request for the claim. Before discussing the ways, let’s check the Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy. Southwest Airlines allows cancellations up to 10 minutes prior to departure. After the non-refundable tickets are no more eligible for credit. Whereas, the refundable fares are converted into Travel Credit. However, you can get refunds in the original form of payment if you are able to cancel it within 24 hours. Continue reading for more detailed terms and conditions for ticket cancellation on Southwest Airlines.

Southwest Cancellation Policy

Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy lets passengers to easily cancel their tickets with flexibility and hassle free procedure. In addition, passengers are also allowed to cancel a portion of their flights and keep the other part of the reservation valid to fly. The Southwest Cancellation Policy is laid out in such manner that passengers can cancel their flight without the need to call for assistance. It can be done online through the office website or with the help of mobile application. In some cases, passengers can also seek assistance from customer care agent. However, there is a limit to the timeframe for cancelling the ticket, passengers can cancel only up to 10 minutes before the scheduled departure. Otherwise, the airline will impose no-show policy for untaken non-canceled flights. 

As present, the airline does not charge any Southwest Airline Cancellation Fee. Passengers are only instructed to follow the Southwest Flight Cancellation policy. In addition, passengers are refunded in terms of the purchased fare rule. Passengers can also change Southwest flight if cancellation is no longer a convenient option. 

Southwest 24 Hour Cancellation Policy

With the Southwest Cancellation Policy 24 Hours passengers can cancel their ticket and claim full refund. Given the ticket is canceled within 24 hours of original bookings and the reservation was booked at least seven days or more before the scheduled takeoff time. If by change a passenger feels the need to cancel the ticket immediately after booking then he/she can take advantage of Southwest 24 Hour Cancellation Policy. The refund is transferred to the passenger in the original form of payment he/she used to buy the ticket. In case, the cancellation is done after 24 hours then the normal policies rule will apply. 

Southwest No-show Policy for Canceled Flights

The airline applies Southwest No-show Policy when cancellation is nor done even after 10 minutes of scheduled departure. In this case, the airline will itself cancel the passenger flight and forfeit the fare. There is no Southwest No Show Fee for such flights however, the airline has improved the policy structure as of July 2023 for reward reservation. The following are the attached renewed guidelines of Southwest No-show Policy for Canceled Flights:

• After cancellation, the value of Business Select and Anytime Ticket will be refunded to the passenger as a Transferable Flight Credit. 
• Whereas, Any Wanna Get Away or Wanna Get Away Plus will be forfeited.
• As of July 2023, the Wanna Get Away or Wanna Get Away Plus ticket booked with points will be forfeited if not canceled 10 minuted before the flight takeoff. 
• On the contrary, if Business Select or Anytime fare booked with points is not canceled 10 minutes before takeoff then the points will be redeposited back to the rapid reward account. Any taxes and fee attached with the reservation will be converted to  Transferable Flight Credit.

How to Cancel Flight on Southwest?

Southwest Airlines is appreciated by the passengers for the easy and flexible cancellation policies. Its commitment towards a hassle free journey is so strong, that it allows various mediums to cancel the flight. There are two offline and two online portals, namely, airport ticket counter, airline nearest office, website or the mobile application. 

Use the Manage Reservations section to cancel the flight. Southwest passengers can use the online tools like the website or mobile application to cancel the flight ticket. Else, it is also possible via the ticket counters at the nearest airline office. Share the reservation number, name,other details with the staff and the ticket will be canceled.  Here are the steps that you need to remember or follow for online cancellation. 

• Type Southwest Airlines and click on the official website. 
• The first page will have a few options including the CHANGE/ CANCEL. 
• Select this option and log in with your credentials. 
• Enter the confirmation number, first and last name. 
• Just beside the three blocks where you will enter the details, there will be two more options in bullet points. 
• Click on cancel flight and tap on the search button. 
• A new page with all your current and past bookings will open. 
• Select the reservation which you want to cancel. 
• Follow the instructions as guided on the screen. 
• At the end, confirm the cancel flight option. 

Steps to Cancel Southwest Flight on Mobile App

Following the below-mentioned steps will direct you how or cancel Southwest flights using mobile application:

1. Open the mobile application and click on the three vertical lines on the left corner of the screen.
2. Tap the option named “Look Up Reservations”.
3. Enter confirmation number, first & last name, then tap on the “Retrieve reservation” number.
4. Your recent reservation details will display on the screen, tap the “Cancel” button.
5. In case you’re holding a non-refundable ticket then only  “Hold for future use” option will be visible. For refundable fare, “Refundable” option will be visible.
6. Afterwards, click on the “Cancel Flight” and once the procedure is complete you will be redirected to the confirmation page. 

Southwest Flight Cancellation Over Phone

If you are unable to cancel the ticket online they you may take assistance from airline’s customer care support. You are supposed to provide flights details once you are on the line with the representative. Afterwards, it is the duty of the agent to cancel the ticket for you and make you aware of all the attached guidelines. If you are eligible for refund then the account details may be asked from you. The following contact number will connect you with the Southwest Airlines Customer Care agent:

Southwest Refund Policy

The amount for refund takes up to 7-20 days as per the Southwest Airlines Refund Policy . The duration depends on the original form of payments. For instance, credit cards and online payments are returned early. The check returns take a bit more time. The refund is initiated according to the nature of purchased fare. However, passengers have 24 hours time window after booking the ticket and claim full refund on cancellation even for non-refundable fare. Otherwise, the normal Southwest Refund Policy is applicable as follows:

• Passengers with Business Select or Anytime fare will get refund after canceling Southwest flight. It is upto passengers whether to get refunded in the form of original source of payment or get travel credit for future trip. 
• Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus fare are non-refundable in nature so the refund is given in the form of travel credit or transferable future credit which depends on the type of ticket bought. Passengers cna redeem these credits for future travel.

Will I Get Refund If Southwest Cancel My Flight?

Yes, Southwest Airlines refund passengers for flights canceled by the airlines itself. The airline provide full refund to the passengers even in the case of non-refundable tickets. In addition, Southwest also refund any extra fee paid at the time of reservation such as baggage fee, inflight purchases, EarlyBird check-In, upgraded boarding, etc. Passenger may claim the refund to the method of payment by dailing 1-800-435-9792. One can alo sent and email option available on the official website as well as mobile application and provide the required details as well to claim the refund. 

By any chance, the passenger fails to contact the airline for refund request then the Southwest will provide flight credit without an expiry date. This credit can be used to claim refund on future travel but the passenger has to request first.

Conclusion 

The steps on how to cancel Southwest flights are very minimal and easy. Either use the mobile app, website or the ticket counter facility to cancel and redeem your refunds. The airline charges no additional fee to cancel the flight and even offers a refund in original form or Travel Credit. 

Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy (FAQs)