Southwest Airlines is known for its flexible travel policies, especially when it comes to cancellations and changes. If you’re asking, “does southwest have a 24 hour cancellation fee?” the answer is yes. Like many other airlines, Southwest offers a 24-hour grace period for cancellations, allowing travelers to book with peace of mind. In this guide, we’ll cover Southwest’s 24-hour cancellation policy, explain how it works, and provide additional tips to help you navigate any changes to your travel plans. For further assistance, you can contact Southwest Airlines customer service at 1-888-725-8215.
Does Southwest Have a 24-Hour Cancellation Policy?
Yes, Southwest Airlines has a 24-hour cancellation policy that allows you to cancel your booking within 24 hours of purchase without any fees or penalties. Here’s how it works:
1. Full Refund Within 24 Hours
If you cancel a reservation within 24 hours of booking, Southwest will issue a full refund to the original form of payment. This is true regardless of the fare type or destination, as long as the booking is canceled within the first 24 hours.
2. Applies to All Fare Types
Unlike some airlines that may restrict their 24-hour cancellation policy to higher fare classes, Southwest’s policy applies across all fare types, including Wanna Get Away, Anytime, and Business Select fares.
3. Must Be Booked at Least 7 Days in Advance
For the 24-hour cancellation policy to apply, your booking must have been made at least seven days before the scheduled departure. This aligns with U.S. Department of Transportation regulations for 24-hour cancellations, which most U.S. airlines follow.
How to Cancel a Southwest Flight Within 24 Hours
Canceling a Southwest flight within 24 hours is straightforward and can be done online, on the mobile app, or by calling customer service.
1. Cancel Online
Log in to your Southwest account and go to the “Manage Reservations” section. Select the booking you want to cancel and follow the prompts to complete the cancellation. Your refund will be processed back to your original payment method.
2. Cancel on the Southwest Mobile App
Open the Southwest app and navigate to “My Trips.” Select the flight you want to cancel and confirm your choice. The refund should appear on your payment method within a few business days.
3. Contact Customer Support
You can also call Southwest’s customer service at 1-888-725-8215 to request cancellation assistance. This option is helpful if you have any questions about your fare type or refund eligibility.
Cancellation Policy Beyond 24 Hours
After the 24-hour grace period, Southwest Airlines continues to offer flexible options, especially compared to other airlines:
1. No Change Fees
Southwest is unique in that it does not charge change fees, regardless of when you need to modify your booking. This applies to all fare classes. If you need to change your flight, you only pay the difference in fare if the new flight is more expensive. If the new flight is cheaper, you’ll receive a travel credit for the fare difference.
2. Refundable and Non-Refundable Fares
Refundable Fares: Anytime and Business Select fares are refundable. You can cancel these tickets at any time and receive a full refund to the original payment method or as a travel credit.
Non-Refundable Fares: Wanna Get Away fares are non-refundable, but if you cancel beyond the 24-hour window, you’ll receive a credit for future travel instead of a cash refund.
3. Southwest Travel Funds
For non-refundable fares canceled after the 24-hour window, Southwest issues a travel credit known as a “Southwest Travel Fund.” This credit can be applied toward future flights and is valid for one year from the original booking date.
Additional Tips for Managing Cancellations with Southwest
Take Advantage of the No-Change-Fee Policy: If you’re unsure about your travel dates, remember that you can always change your Southwest flight without incurring any additional fees.
Keep Track of Travel Funds: For non-refundable fares, keep track of your Southwest Travel Funds. You’ll need the confirmation number from the canceled booking to use these funds for future travel.
Use Southwest Rapid Rewards Points for Added Flexibility: If you book using Rapid Rewards points, you can cancel or change your flight without losing points. Points are refunded back to your account, offering more flexibility than cash fares.
Monitor for Price Drops: Since Southwest doesn’t charge change fees, you can rebook your flight if the price drops after your initial booking. Southwest will issue a credit or refund for the fare difference, depending on your fare type.
FAQs: Does Southwest Have a 24-Hour Cancellation Fee?
1. What if I booked my flight less than 7 days before departure?
For flights booked within 7 days of departure, the 24-hour cancellation policy does not apply. However, you can still cancel your flight and receive a travel credit for future use if it’s a non-refundable fare.
2. How long does it take to receive a refund after canceling within 24 hours?
Refunds are typically processed within 7–10 business days if canceled within the 24-hour window.
3. Can I cancel my Southwest flight and get a refund if I purchased travel insurance?
Travel insurance policies vary, but they may cover cancellations for specific reasons outside Southwest’s 24-hour cancellation policy. Check your insurance policy for details.
4. Can I transfer Southwest Travel Funds to another person?
Travel Funds are non-transferable and must be used by the original ticket holder. However, you can apply Travel Funds toward a new booking for yourself.
Conclusion
Southwest Airlines’ 24-hour cancellation policy offers customers flexibility and peace of mind. If you need to cancel a booking within the first 24 hours, you can do so without any fees. Even beyond the 24-hour window, Southwest stands out for its no-change-fee policy and flexible options for both refundable and non-refundable fares. For any assistance or to confirm the specifics of your reservation, call 1-888-725-8215 and speak with a Southwest representative.
