The Southwest Airlines Refund Policy is designed to provide travelers with flexibility when their plans change. Depending on the fare purchased and the timing of your cancellation, you may qualify for a refund to your original form of payment, a Flight Credit, or a Transferable Flight Credit™. Southwest generally allows passengers to cancel reservations without a traditional cancellation fee, provided the cancellation is made before the applicable deadline. Refund eligibility depends on factors such as fare type, booking method, and whether the cancellation is voluntary or initiated by the airline. Understanding the refund policy before canceling your reservation can help you protect the value of your ticket and choose the option that best fits your future travel plans.

What Is the Southwest Airlines Refund Policy?

The Southwest Airlines Refund Policy explains when passengers can receive:

A refund to the original payment method
A Flight Credit
A Transferable Flight Credit™
A Rapid Rewards® points redeposit for eligible award bookings

Southwest is known for offering flexible cancellation options and generally does not charge traditional airline cancellation fees. However, the type of compensation you receive depends primarily on your fare type and when you cancel your reservation.

Does Southwest Airlines Offer Refunds?

Yes.

Southwest offers refunds under certain circumstances.

Passengers may qualify for:

Refundable ticket refunds
Airline-initiated cancellation refunds
Schedule change refunds (when eligible)
Refunds after significant delays
Refunds for eligible optional services
Refunds for canceled award travel taxes and fees in qualifying situations

Non-refundable fares generally receive travel credit instead of a cash refund.

How Does the Southwest Airlines Refund Policy Work?

When you cancel a reservation, Southwest reviews:

Fare purchased
Cancellation timing
Reservation status
Payment method
Reason for cancellation

Based on these factors, you’ll generally receive one of the following:

Refund to your original payment method
Flight Credit
Transferable Flight Credit™
Rapid Rewards points redeposit

The outcome depends on the applicable fare rules.

Who Is Eligible for a Refund?

Refund eligibility varies according to your ticket.

Passengers may qualify if:

They purchased a refundable fare.
Southwest cancels the flight.
A significant schedule change occurs and they choose not to travel.
They cancel an eligible reservation before the applicable deadline.

Non-refundable tickets generally receive travel credit instead of a cash refund.

Southwest Airlines 24-Hour Refund Rule

Southwest follows the U.S. Department of Transportation’s 24-hour cancellation requirement.

If you:

Book directly with Southwest, and
Make the reservation at least seven days before departure,

you can generally cancel within 24 hours of booking and receive a full refund to your original payment method.

This policy applies regardless of fare type when the reservation meets the eligibility requirements.

Southwest Airlines Refund Policy by Fare Type

Your refund depends largely on the fare you purchased.

Basic Fare

Basic fares are generally non-refundable.

If you cancel at least 10 minutes before departure, you may receive a Flight Credit that is typically valid for up to 6 months from the original purchase date, depending on when the ticket was purchased. If you fail to cancel before departure, you may lose the ticket value.

Choice Fare

Choice fares are non-refundable but generally provide:

Flight Credit eligibility
Greater flexibility than Basic fares
No airline cancellation fee

Choice Preferred Fare

Choice Preferred offers additional flexibility.

Passengers may receive:

Transferable Flight Credit™
More flexible cancellation options
Enhanced travel benefits

Choice Extra Fare

Choice Extra provides the highest level of flexibility.

Benefits may include:

Refund options
Transferable Flight Credit™
Priority travel benefits
Greater cancellation flexibility

Refer to the fare rules shown during booking for the exact refund option.

Refundable vs. Non-Refundable Tickets

Understanding the difference is important.

Refundable Tickets

Refundable fares generally allow:

Refund to original payment
Cancellation before departure
Greater flexibility

Non-Refundable Tickets

These usually provide:

Flight Credit
Transferable Flight Credit™ (eligible fares)
No traditional cash refund

How to Request a Southwest Airlines Refund Online

Passengers can request eligible refunds through the Southwest website.

Step 1

Visit the Southwest Airlines website.

Step 2

Open Manage Reservations.

Step 3

Enter:

Confirmation number
First name
Last name

Step 4

Retrieve your reservation.

Step 5

Select Cancel Reservation.

Step 6

Review available refund or credit options.

Step 7

Choose your preferred refund method, if eligible.

Step 8

Confirm your cancellation.

Step 9

Receive confirmation by email.

Refund Requests Through the Mobile App

The Southwest mobile app also allows eligible travelers to:

Cancel reservations
View refund eligibility
Manage Flight Credits
Monitor refund status

Many passengers find the app convenient while traveling.

Refund Through Customer Service

Passengers unable to complete their refund online may contact Southwest customer service.

Representatives can assist with:

Complex reservations
International bookings
Award travel
Schedule changes
Refund requests

Southwest Airlines Refund Processing Time

Refunds issued to the original payment method are generally processed by Southwest within seven (7) business days, although the time for the funds to appear on your statement may vary depending on your financial institution.

Flight Credit Instead of Refund

Many non-refundable tickets receive a Flight Credit instead of cash.

Flight Credits may be used toward future eligible Southwest travel.

Eligibility depends on:

Fare type
Cancellation timing
Booking rules

What Is a Transferable Flight Credit™?

A Transferable Flight Credit™ allows eligible travelers to transfer the credit once to another Rapid Rewards® member.

Key features include:

One-time transfer
Future travel use
Expiration based on fare rules
Available on eligible fare types

Transfer rules differ from standard Flight Credits.

Rapid Rewards Award Ticket Refund Policy

Passengers who book using Rapid Rewards® points have flexible cancellation options.

Generally:

Points are redeposited into the original Rapid Rewards account.
Taxes and fees may be refunded or converted according to the fare type and cancellation option selected.

Refund for Airline-Initiated Cancellations

If Southwest cancels your flight, you generally have several choices.

These may include:

Accepting a new itinerary
Selecting another available flight
Receiving a Flight Credit
Requesting a refund to your original payment method if eligible

Passengers affected by airline cancellations often have greater flexibility than those making voluntary cancellations.

Refund for Schedule Changes

If Southwest significantly changes your schedule and the revised itinerary no longer meets your travel needs, you may be eligible to:

Rebook without additional airline charges
Cancel your reservation
Request a refund if applicable

Eligibility depends on the nature of the schedule change.

Refund for Delayed Flights

If Southwest causes a qualifying delay or cancellation within its control, eligible passengers may request reimbursement for certain expenses and may also qualify for a refund if they decide not to travel.

Depending on the circumstances, Southwest may also provide assistance with lodging and ground transportation when an overnight delay is required.

Refund for Optional Services

Passengers may also qualify for refunds or flight credits for certain optional purchases.

These may include:

Separately purchased seats
Priority Boarding
Other eligible travel extras

Eligibility depends on whether the flight was canceled and the timing of the cancellation.

Can You Get a Refund After Missing Your Flight?

Possibly.

If you fail to cancel your reservation before departure, Southwest’s no-show policy applies.

Depending on your fare:

Ticket value may be forfeited.
Flight Credit may no longer be available.
Rapid Rewards points may be forfeited on certain fare types.

Canceling at least 10 minutes before departure helps preserve your eligible ticket value.

Group Booking Refund Policy

Group reservations follow separate contractual terms.

Refund eligibility depends on:

Group agreement
Payment status
Ticket issuance
Cancellation timing

Group organizers should review the terms of their agreement before canceling.

International Flight Refund Policy

International itineraries generally follow the same refund principles.

However, refunds may also include:

Government taxes
International fees
Country-specific requirements

The applicable fare rules remain the determining factor.

Rules Before Requesting a Refund

Keep these important guidelines in mind:

Cancel before departure whenever possible.
Refund eligibility depends on your fare.
Refundable fares offer the greatest flexibility.
Non-refundable fares generally receive travel credit.
Award bookings follow Rapid Rewards rules.
Refund processing normally takes up to seven business days.

Benefits of Southwest’s Refund Policy

Southwest’s customer-friendly approach offers several advantages.

These include:

No traditional cancellation fee
Flexible Flight Credits
Rapid Rewards point redeposit
Transferable Flight Credits on eligible fares
Online refund management
Mobile app support
Multiple cancellation options

Tips for Getting the Best Refund Outcome

Cancel Early

Avoid waiting until after departure.

Review Your Fare Rules

Understand whether your fare is refundable.

Monitor Schedule Changes

Airline-initiated changes may increase your refund options.

Keep Your Confirmation Number

You’ll need it to access your reservation.

Use Manage Reservations

Most refund requests can be completed online.

Save Your Confirmation Email

Retain all cancellation and refund confirmations for your records.

Common Reasons Travelers Request Refunds

Passengers frequently request refunds because of:

Schedule changes
Flight cancellations
Family emergencies
Medical issues
Weather disruptions
Business travel changes
Personal travel adjustments
Airline delays

Understanding your fare conditions before canceling can help you choose the option that provides the greatest value.

Difference Between a Refund and a Flight Credit

Feature	Refund	Flight Credit
Returned to original payment method	Yes (eligible fares)	No
Future travel required	No	Yes
Available on refundable fares	Yes	Not applicable
Available on most non-refundable fares	Usually no	Yes
Subject to expiration	No	Yes, based on fare rules

Final Thoughts

The Southwest Airlines Refund Policy gives passengers several flexible options when travel plans change. Travelers with refundable fares can generally receive a refund to their original payment method, while those with non-refundable fares may receive a Flight Credit or Transferable Flight Credit™, provided they cancel their reservation before the applicable deadline. Rapid Rewards® members also benefit from convenient point redeposits on eligible award bookings. In addition, passengers affected by airline-initiated cancellations or significant schedule changes may qualify for refunds or complimentary rebooking. To maximize your refund eligibility, review your fare conditions carefully, cancel your reservation before departure, and use Southwest’s website or mobile app to manage your booking. With its flexible cancellation policies and multiple refund options, Southwest continues to offer one of the more traveler-friendly refund programs in the airline industry.