Need to shift your flight to a Tuesday instead of a Monday? Or push your trip back a month? Unlike almost every other U.S. airline, Southwest Airlines Date Change Policy is famously flexible, but the rules around fare differences, “Wanna Get Away” vs. “Business Select,” and same-day changes can get confusing fast. This complete guide explains everything about changing dates on Southwest in plain, simple steps—so you can rebook with confidence, avoid unexpected charges, and keep your travel plans stress-free.

What is the Southwest Airlines Date Change Policy?

The Southwest Airlines Date Change Policy is widely considered the most traveler-friendly policy in the American airline industry. In short, Southwest does not charge traditional change fees—not for Economy, not for Basic, not for any fare class. If your plans shift, you can change the date, time, or even the destination of your flight without paying a penalty.

But here is the catch that confuses most people: while there is no “change fee,” you will pay any difference in fare if the new flight costs more than your original ticket. Conversely, if the new flight is cheaper, Southwest will refund the difference as a travel credit (or back to your original payment method for higher-tier fares like Anytime or Business Select).

This policy applies to all ticket types, including non-refundable “Wanna Get Away” fares. The only major exception is EarlyBird Check-In and upgraded boarding—those are non-transferable fees. Additionally, you cannot change a flight that has already departed, and you must make changes before the scheduled departure time of your original flight.

What makes this policy truly special is that your unused funds never expire if you cancel or change proactively. Southwest turned the old “use it or lose it” model on its head, offering credits that stay alive indefinitely for the named passenger. For families, business travelers, and spontaneous planners, this policy removes the anxiety of booking non-refundable tickets.

How Does the Southwest Airlines Date Change Policy Work?

Changing your flight date with Southwest is a self-service process designed to be completed in under three minutes online or via their mobile app. Follow these steps carefully to avoid accidentally canceling instead of changing.

• Step 1: Log into your Southwest account
  Go to Southwest.com or open the app. Click on “My Account” then “Upcoming Trips.” Find the reservation you want to adjust. Have your confirmation number (six letters/numbers) ready—it’s on your original email receipt.

• Step 2: Select “Change Flight”
  Once inside your trip details, click the “Change Flight” button (not “Cancel”). The system will prompt you to choose which leg to change (for round trips, you can change outbound, return, or both separately).

• Step 3: Search for new dates and compare pricing
  Pick your new travel date and time. Southwest will instantly show:

  • The original price you paid.

  • The price of the new flight.

  • The difference (if any).

  • If the new flight is cheaper, it will display “Refund due” (as a credit or cash depending on your fare type).

• Step 4: Confirm the fare difference payment or credit
  If the new date is more expensive, you’ll pay the difference using a credit card or existing travel funds. If it’s cheaper, Southwest will issue the difference as a Transferable Flight Credit (for Wanna Get Away) or a refund to your original card (for Anytime/Business Select).

• Step 5: Receive instant confirmation
  After payment (or $0 due), you’ll get a new confirmation email within seconds. Your original confirmation number often remains the same. Boarding position resets based on the new flight’s check-in time.

Pro Tip: If you want to change your flight to a cheaper date and get cash back, you must have purchased an “Anytime” or “Business Select” fare. “Wanna Get Away” fares only give back travel credits.

Important Rules, Fees, or Policy Details

Let’s break down the real numbers and rules behind the Southwest Airlines Date Change Policy so you are never surprised.

Important nuance: If you booked a “Wanna Get Away Plus” (introduced in 2022), you can transfer your credit to another Rapid Rewards member. Standard “Wanna Get Away” credits are only usable by the original passenger.

Cancellation vs. Change – If you cancel instead of change, Southwest gives you a travel credit for the full amount (no penalty). You can then use that credit to book new dates. Changing directly is often faster but functionally identical for Wanna Get Away fares.

Common Problems and Solutions

Even with Southwest’s generous policy, issues pop up. Here are real traveler problems and how to fix them.

Problem 1: “The new flight is cheaper, but I don’t see a refund option.”

• Solution: For Wanna Get Away fares, the difference automatically becomes a Transferable Flight Credit. It will not go back to your credit card. Check your “Flight Credits” section in your Southwest account. If you want cash back, you must have purchased Anytime or Business Select.

Problem 2: I changed my date, but my boarding position is now C30.

• Solution: That’s normal. Boarding positions reset based on when you check in (24 hours before the new flight). To fix, either set a calendar reminder to check in exactly 24 hours in advance or purchase EarlyBird Check-In again.

Problem 3: I tried to change online, but it says “Contact Support.”

• Solution: This happens for group bookings (10+ passengers), international codeshare flights (operated by another airline), or reservations with unaccompanied minors. Call Southwest at 1-800-435-9792 and skip the website for these.

Problem 4: I changed my date, but my companion pass reservation disappeared.

• Solution: If you have a Companion Pass, changing the main passenger’s flight does not auto-update the companion’s ticket. You must cancel the companion’s seat, change the main flight, then re-add the companion. Always do this in that order.

Problem 5: I need to change to a date that’s fully sold out.

• Solution: Set a fare alert for that date using a third-party tool like Google Flights (since Southwest doesn’t show to aggregators). People change plans last-minute. Also, try nearby airports (e.g., Chicago Midway instead of O’Hare) or break your trip into connecting flights.

Tips for Faster Help with Southwest Date Changes

Avoid hold times and frustration with these five pro strategies.

• Use the Southwest App, not the website on mobile – The mobile app loads changes 3x faster than the mobile browser. Enable Face ID or fingerprint login to skip password hassles.

• Keep your confirmation number accessible – Save it in your phone’s notes app or take a screenshot. Southwest’s system asks for it before any change. Without it, you’ll need to verify name, flight number, and date.

• Change flights late at night (10 PM – 2 AM CT) – Southwest’s system updates with new seat inventory and price drops around 11 PM Central time. You’ll often find cheaper fare differences during these off-peak hours.

• Use social media for urgent changes – If the website is crashing (rare but happens on storm days), DM @SouthwestAir on Twitter/X. Their social team can process date changes faster than phone lines.

• If you see a price drop after you change – You can change again! There is no limit to how many times you can move a flight. If your new date drops in price a week later, change again and pocket the extra credit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can I change my Southwest flight date online without calling?
Yes. 99% of date changes can be done online or via the mobile app. Only group bookings, international partner flights, and reservations with special assistance needs require a phone call.

Q2. How long do refunds take if my new date is cheaper?
For Anytime/Business Select fares, refunds to a credit card take 7-10 business days. For Wanna Get Away fares, travel credits appear in your account immediately after you complete the change.

Q3. What happens to my checked bags if I change dates mid-trip?
You cannot change a flight after you have already checked a bag unless you’re at the airport. If you need to change a same-day flight and bags are already in the system, see a gate agent—the app won’t allow it.

Q4. Is there a 24-hour free cancellation that applies to date changes?
Yes, with a twist. Southwest’s 24-hour risk-free cancellation policy applies to all bookings made at least 7 days before departure. If you change a date within the first 24 hours of booking and then decide to cancel, you get a full cash refund. After 24 hours, date changes follow the standard policy.

Q5. Can I change just one passenger’s date on a multi-person booking?
Yes. On Southwest, you can modify individual passengers. In the “Change Flight” screen, uncheck the boxes next to the names of travelers who are keeping their original date. Only the selected passenger will be moved.

Q6. Does changing my date reset the check-in timer for EarlyBird?
Yes. If you paid for EarlyBird Check-In on the original flight, that fee is forfeited. You would need to purchase EarlyBird again for the new flight. This is the one area where Southwest’s policy is not flexible.

Q7. I used a travel credit to book. Can I still change my date?
Absolutely. Southwest treats cash bookings and travel credit bookings identically. You can change the date, pay any fare difference (using a credit card or additional credits), and any new credit from a cheaper flight will be issued as a new travel credit with no expiration.

Final Words

For travelers tired of $200 change fees on other airlines, the Southwest Airlines Date Change Policy feels like a breath of fresh air. The golden rule is simple: change before you miss your flight, be ready to pay any fare difference, and watch for cheaper dates to earn travel credits. Whether you are moving a business trip by one day or pushing a family vacation by six months, Southwest’s system puts control in your hands—no punitive fees, no arguing with customer service, and no expired credits.

Safe travels and happy date shifting.