Every flyer sometimes goes through phases where they have unexpected changes in plans. If you are one of them, you must have to cancel your tickets. Well, in such cases, the Southwest Airlines cancellation policy comes in handy. The cancellation might be due to any reason, no doubt, but Southwest has various policies that will take care of you. So, go through the article and make sure to read all the policies carefully.

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What is the Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy?

According to Southwest Airlines’ cancellation policy, you have various options for yourself. The airline is extremely lenient with its policies, and this, in return, benefits the users. If your flight is canceled by the airline, they are liable to provide you with alternatives. If not, refunds plus compensation. If you are canceling your own flight, depending on the fare type, there might be either refunds or travel credits.

Southwest Airlines Cancel Flight Rules

The Southwest flight cancellation policy is mostly dependent on the type of fare you choose. But here we have mentioned all the policies that govern the cancellation process:

You are required to cancel your tickets at least 10 minutes before the scheduled departure.
If you fail to cancel your ticket 10 minutes before the departure, you will be categorized in the No-show policy.
The airline holds the right to cancel a passenger’s reservation if the passenger fails to comply with the rules and regulations or poses any threat to national security.
If you upgrade from a non-refundable fare to a refundable fare, the fare difference will be refunded in case of cancellation and the original fare amount will be credited as flight credit.
If you have non-refundable tickets make sure to cancel them within 24 hours of booking so as to receive the full amount in the original form of payment.
If there is a significant delay in departure, you can cancel your flight for free and receive a refund.

How to Cancel a Flight with Southwest Airlines?

Southwest ticket cancellation comes with various methods and ones who know all the methods can choose between them the easiest and most convenient among all. So here we have listed down all the methods used to cancel Southwest Airlines tickets:

1) Southwest Airlines Flight Cancellation Online

If you have access to a PC or a mobile, you can cancel your flights easily at your fingertips. Here are the steps you need to follow:

Visit the SWA App and enter your booking details.
After logging in, you need to get to the “Manage Booking” section.
Now click on “cancel my flight” and save the itinerary.
After paying the incurred charges(if any), your cancellation will be confirmed.

2) Cancel Southwest Airlines Flights via Customer Support

Canceling your flights via customer support is super easy. All you have to do is follow these steps and ensure you have your itinerary in hand:

Call the toll-free number mentioned below.
The agent at the other end will request you to provide the booking details.
After accessing your itinerary, they will make the cancellations.

3) Southwest Airlines Flight Cancellation at the Airport

If you have enough time to visit the airport or you are at the airport, you can easily reach out to the counter and cancel your flight. Here are the steps you need to follow for cancellations:

Get to the agent at the Southwest Airlines booking counter.
Give them your booking details, and they will make the cancellation of your itinerary.
The amount (If refundable) will be refunded to your account.

Southwest Airlines 24-Hour Cancellation Policy

According to the Southwest Airlines 24-hour cancellation policy if you cancel your flight within 24 hours of booking, you will receive your total fare amount in the original form of payment. This rule is basically of no use for Business Select and Anytime fares, as the tickets are refundable throughout the period until 10 minutes before the departure. For Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus fares, you have the advantage of the 24-hour cancellation policy.

Southwest Airlines Refund Policy

Refunds are not hard to get especially in Southwest Airlines. For sure you won’t find an airline so lenient with its policies as Southwest is. So, the Southwest Airlines refund policy will give you insights into the policies governing the refund process.

Refund Terms & Conditions

Here are all the refund policies you must be aware of and use them accordingly in your favor-

Southwest Airlines will only make all refunds in U.S. dollars.
If passengers have bought fully refundable fares or unrestricted tickets, after cancellation, the unused portion of the ticket will be refunded.
If the passenger has bought a combination of fully refundable and Wanna Get Away or Wanna Get Away Plus non-refundable fares, and the passenger doesn’t fly on Wanna Get Away or Wanna Get Away Plus, also the ticket is not canceled 10 minutes prior to departure, the fare will be forfeited and will not be refunded.
If you have booked a non-refundable fare, like Wanna Get Away or Wanna Get Away Plus, you won’t receive refunds in the form of the original payment. It will be credited as flight credit.
If you have booked Business Select or Anytime fare, you will get your refunds in the form of original payment.
It takes around 7 business days to add a credit card and process refunds.
Refunds for cash purchases will take around 20 days to be processed and refunded.
The tickets purchased with exchanged Ticket, Flight Credit, or Transferable Flight Credit will be processed in the form of a Flight Credit.
Non-refundable tickets will only be allowed refunds when canceled within 24 hours of booking.
If your flight is delayed significantly you can claim your refunds for any kind of fares.

Steps to Get a Refund Online from Southwest Airlines

Getting your refunds can sometimes be challenging, but if you are aware of the refund policies, you will have no trouble claiming back what’s yours. Here are all the methods with detailed steps to follow along-

1) Refund by Contacting Southwest Airlines Customer Service

The Southwest Airlines customer service allows you to get an agent live at the other end of the call who will guide you throughout the process of refunds. The toll-free number flashing below can be dialed to contact our representative, and here are the steps to follow:

Call on the toll-free number.
Get a representative live on call.
Provide them with the necessary booking details and they will access your itinerary.
They will cancel your tickets and then apply for a refund.

2) Refunds via Online Method

If you are opting to claim refunds via online method, here are the steps you need to follow:

Click on this link and fill out the form.
Fill in all the details and submit the form.
Your refund will be processed within 7 business days (20 business days for cash payment).

3) Refunds by Contacting Southwest Airlines Customer Support

If you are willing to contact Spirit Airlines Customer Service for your refunds, here are the steps you need to follow-

Call the toll-free number of Southwest Airlines Customer Support at the number flashed below.
Provide your booking details to the agent at the other end and they will make the cancellation.
After cancellation, they will request the refunds and initiate the process.

4) Refunds By Writing to Southwest

You can request your refunds by writing to the Southwest Airlines Refunds Department – 6RF, P.O. Box 36611, Dallas, TX 75235 1611. You will have to draft a letter along with that you must attach a copy of this document and/or your confirmation number, date of travel and flight number, and all credit card billing information, including the amount and purchase reference numbers. And once posted wait for their reply confirming your refunds.

How to Avoid Southwest Flight Cancellation Fee?

If you wish to avoid cancellation fees for Southwest Airlines, let me remind you that the airline does not impose any fees for cancellation. Instead, among the four different fares, the Anytime and Business select can be canceled anytime until 10 minutes before departure to get all the money refunded in the original form of payment. And for Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus, the only time to get your refunds is to cancel within 24 hours of booking.

Summary:

So, summarizing the article, we can say that your flight experience with Southwest could have been even greater, but unfortunately, you had to cancel your tickets. Even after that, you will benefit from the rewards you deserve. Understanding the Southwest Airlines cancellation policy is not rocket science, as explained above. So make sure to call the helpline number below if you have any kind of issue while canceling.

Helpful Guide: Southwest Airlines Pet Travel Policy

Frequently Asked Questions:

1) I have a non-refundable fare, and I didn’t travel, nor did I cancel my ticket. What will happen?
If you were to fly in Wanna Get Away® or Wanna Get Away Plus® fare, but you didn’t, and you also forgot to cancel your tickets, then the amount will not be refunded, and it will be forfeited.

2 ) I have a refundable fare, and I didn’t travel, nor did I cancel my ticket, what will happen?
If you were to fly in Business Select® or Anytime fare, and you somehow didn’t and also haven’t canceled your tickets yet. In this case, you can cancel your tickets now to get the amount refunded in the form of Transferable Flight Credit.

3) If I neither flew nor canceled my ticket booked with Rapid Reward, can I get a refund?
Yes, the amount of the unused fare for Business Select and Anytime fares will be credited back to the Rapid Rewards account and the taxes and fees associated will be converted to Transferable Flight Credit for future use.

4) Can I book Southwest tickets with a Southwest® gift card or Southwest LUV Vouchers?
Yes, you can absolutely book your tickets with a Southwest® gift card or Southwest LUV Vouchers.

5) Can you cancel flights on Southwest Airlines?
Yes, of course, you can, in fact, Southwest is among only a few who offer full refunds for cancellations up to 10 minutes before departure (For refundable fares only).

Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy