The Southwest Airlines Date Change Policy offers travelers flexibility when plans change before departure. Whether you need to postpone your trip, travel earlier, or move your return flight to a different day, Southwest allows eligible passengers to change their travel date through its website, mobile app, customer service, or airport representatives. Unlike many airlines, Southwest generally does not charge a traditional flight change fee, although you may need to pay any fare difference if your new flight costs more. If your new itinerary is less expensive, you may receive a refund or flight credit depending on your fare type. Understanding Southwest’s date change rules, same-day options, fare differences, and eligibility can help you make changes confidently while minimizing additional costs.

What Is the Southwest Airlines Date Change Policy?

The Southwest Airlines Date Change Policy allows passengers to modify the travel date of an existing reservation without canceling the booking entirely.

Depending on your fare type and ticket conditions, you may change:

Departure date
Return date
Travel time
Destination (by changing to another itinerary)
Connecting flights

One of Southwest’s biggest advantages is that it generally does not charge airline change fees, though fare differences may apply.

Does Southwest Airlines Allow Date Changes?

Yes.

Southwest allows passengers to change their travel dates on eligible reservations before departure.

Date changes are available for:

One-way tickets
Round-trip bookings
Domestic flights
International routes served by Southwest
Cash bookings
Rapid Rewards bookings

Passengers should make changes before the scheduled departure time, otherwise the reservation may be treated as a no-show.

How Does the Southwest Airlines Date Change Policy Work?

Changing your travel date is simple.

After selecting a new itinerary, Southwest compares:

Original ticket value
New ticket price
Fare eligibility

Three outcomes are possible:

If the New Flight Costs More

You’ll pay the fare difference.

If the New Flight Costs Less

Depending on the fare purchased, you’ll generally receive:

Flight credit
Refund of Rapid Rewards points (for eligible award bookings)
Refund or travel credit where applicable

If the Fare Is the Same

You can simply confirm the new reservation without paying a change fee.

Who Can Change Their Travel Date?

Most passengers can modify their reservation.

Eligible travelers include:

Basic fare passengers (subject to fare rules)
Choice fare passengers
Choice Preferred passengers
Choice Extra passengers
Rapid Rewards members
Award travelers

Each fare type has its own conditions regarding credits and refunds.

Southwest Airlines 24-Hour Date Change Rule

Southwest follows the U.S. Department of Transportation’s 24-hour cancellation policy for eligible bookings.

If you book directly with Southwest and your reservation qualifies, you may cancel within 24 hours of booking for a full refund when the flight is booked at least seven days before departure.

If you simply need a different travel date, you may also change your reservation instead of canceling, subject to any applicable fare difference.

Southwest Airlines Date Change Policy by Fare Type

The flexibility of changing your travel date depends on the fare purchased.

Basic Fare

Basic fares generally have the most restrictions.

Passengers may still be able to change travel dates before departure, but the value of any canceled or changed ticket and applicable flight credits follows the Basic fare rules.

Choice Fare

Choice fares provide greater flexibility.

Benefits typically include:

No airline change fee
Flight credit if applicable
Same-day travel options on eligible flights

Choice Preferred Fare

Choice Preferred offers additional flexibility, including eligibility for free same-day changes under qualifying conditions.

Choice Extra Fare

Choice Extra provides Southwest’s highest level of flexibility.

Passengers receive:

Priority travel benefits
Free same-day changes (subject to eligibility)
Greater flexibility for itinerary modifications

How to Change Your Flight Date Online

Passengers can easily change their reservation online.

Step 1

Visit the Southwest Airlines website.

Step 2

Select Manage Reservations.

Step 3

Enter:

Confirmation number
First name
Last name

Step 4

Retrieve your reservation.

Step 5

Choose Change Flight.

Step 6

Select your preferred new travel date.

Step 7

Review:

Fare difference
Updated itinerary

Step 8

Complete payment if required.

Step 9

Receive your updated confirmation email.

Change Your Flight Date Through the Mobile App

The Southwest mobile app provides the same flexibility.

Passengers can:

View reservations
Change travel dates
Select different flights
Pay fare differences
Receive updated boarding information

Many travelers prefer using the app while traveling.

Date Changes Through Customer Service

Passengers who cannot make changes online may contact Southwest customer service.

Representatives can assist with:

International itineraries
Complex reservations
Rapid Rewards bookings
Group reservations
Schedule change assistance

Same-Day Flight Change Policy

Southwest offers same-day change on eligible fares.

Depending on your fare type, you may switch to another flight on the same calendar day if:

Seats are available
The new flight operates between the same origin and destination
Your fare qualifies

Free same-day change is available for eligible Choice fares, while Basic fare customers generally must upgrade to a qualifying fare before using same-day change.

Same-Day Standby Option

If a confirmed same-day change is unavailable, eligible travelers may request same-day standby.

Benefits include:

Opportunity to fly earlier
Opportunity to fly later
No confirmed seat required until space becomes available

Eligibility depends on the purchased fare and current Southwest policies.

Southwest Airlines Date Change Fee

One of Southwest’s most popular policies is that it generally does not charge airline change fees.

However, passengers may still pay:

Fare difference
Upgrade costs
Optional service fees

If your replacement flight costs more, you’ll pay the additional fare.

If it costs less, the remaining value is handled according to your fare type.

Understanding Fare Difference

A fare difference refers to the price difference between your original ticket and the new flight.

Examples:

Original fare: $180
New fare: $220

You’ll pay $40.

If:

Original fare: $220
New fare: $180

You’ll generally receive the remaining value according to your fare’s refund or credit rules.

Can You Change Only the Return Date?

Yes.

Passengers with round-trip reservations may change only the return flight.

This allows travelers to:

Extend vacations
Return home earlier
Modify only one portion of the itinerary

Fare differences apply only to the changed segment when applicable.

Date Changes for Rapid Rewards Bookings

Passengers booking with Rapid Rewards points can also modify their travel dates.

If the replacement itinerary costs:

More points — additional points are required.
Fewer points — the difference is generally returned to your Rapid Rewards account.

This flexibility makes award travel particularly convenient.

Date Changes for Group Reservations

Groups may also modify travel dates.

Changes depend on:

Group agreement
Seat availability
Fare conditions

Large groups should contact Southwest directly for assistance.

What Happens If Southwest Changes Your Flight?

If Southwest modifies your schedule, passengers may receive additional flexibility.

If the new itinerary doesn’t work, Southwest generally allows eligible travelers to change their flight date or time by up to 14 days from the original travel date without additional airline charges, provided they act within the applicable window.

Can You Change Your Flight After Check-In?

Yes, in many situations.

Passengers may:

Modify eligible reservations
Request same-day changes
Change to another available flight

However, changes become more limited as departure approaches.

What Happens If You Miss Your Flight?

Southwest allows passengers to change or cancel flights up to 10 minutes before scheduled departure.

If you neither travel nor change/cancel before that deadline, your reservation may be treated under the airline’s no-show policy.

Date Changes for International Flights

Southwest serves several international destinations.

Passengers may change travel dates on eligible international itineraries subject to:

Fare rules
Government taxes
Seat availability
Fare differences

Additional documentation requirements remain the passenger’s responsibility.

Rules Before Changing Your Flight Date

Keep these important guidelines in mind:

Make changes before departure.
No airline change fee generally applies.
Fare differences may apply.
Same-day changes require eligible fares.
Schedule changes by Southwest may qualify for additional flexibility.
Award bookings follow Rapid Rewards rules.
Review your updated itinerary before travel.

Benefits of Changing Instead of Canceling

Changing your reservation offers several advantages.

These include:

Keeping your booking active
Avoiding the need to purchase a completely new ticket
Maintaining your confirmation number
Saving time
Taking advantage of Southwest’s flexible policies

Tips for a Smooth Date Change

Make Changes Early

Earlier changes usually provide more flight options.

Compare Multiple Travel Dates

Different dates may have different fares.

Monitor Fare Sales

Southwest frequently adjusts fares.

Keep Your Confirmation Number Ready

You’ll need it to access your booking.

Review Fare Rules

Understand how your fare handles credits and refunds before confirming changes.

Use the Mobile App

The app offers one of the quickest ways to modify travel plans.

Common Reasons Travelers Change Their Travel Dates

Passengers often modify their itinerary because of:

Business meetings
Family emergencies
Medical appointments
Vacation changes
Weather disruptions
School schedules
Personal commitments
Airline schedule changes

Southwest’s flexible policy makes adapting to these situations easier than with many traditional carriers.

Final Thoughts

The Southwest Airlines Date Change Policy is one of the airline’s strongest customer-friendly features. Passengers can generally change their travel date without paying a traditional airline change fee, although any increase in fare must still be paid. If the new itinerary costs less, eligible travelers may receive a refund, Rapid Rewards points adjustment, or flight credit based on their fare type. Southwest also offers convenient online tools, a mobile app, customer service support, and same-day travel options for qualifying fares. By making changes before departure, comparing available flights, and understanding your fare conditions, you can take full advantage of Southwest’s flexible date change policy while keeping your travel plans on track.