What to Know About Refunds For Canceled Flights with Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy

Travelling by Southwest Airlines is a huge dream for many travellers across the globe. On today's date, the majority of the passengers use a low fare calendar southwest to book a reservation. However, at times, passengers have a change in plans, which causes them to request flight cancellation. Under such circumstances, Southwest issues a refund either in the form of transferable credit or an original mode of payment. Now, you must be curious about the basic refund policy. Well, we understand that prior information is highly essential whether you’re a first-time traveller or regularly fly with Southwest. Check this guide, which shows the prominent aspects of Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy, refund criteria, and procedure for cancelling a flight. 

Southwest Flight Cancellation Policy

Every passenger must be totally familiar with the basic policies that offer flexibility, comfort, and convenience. Here’s a quick overview for your reference.

• Business Select or Anytime: These are refundable fare types offered by Southwest. Any passenger who cancels this ticket receives a full refund in the original mode of payment.
• Wanna Get Away or Wanna Get Away Plus: Considered as the non-refundable fare type. If you cancel your flight, you will receive a flight credit, which you can use to book reservations in the future.
• Opt For 24-Hour Cancellation: Those passengers who cancel their flight within 24 hours get a complete refund or travel credit depending on the fare type purchased for the desired destination. 
• 10 Minutes Timeline: Whether you have purchased a refundable fare or a non-refundable fare, it’s a must to cancel your flight 10 minutes prior to the departure, and then only you can claim a refund. 
• Zero Cancellation Fees: Southwest will not charge you any cancellation fee if you cancel it 10 minutes prior to the existing departure. 
• Change Flight At No Additional Cost: Similarly, you can also call an airline official and request them to make modifications to your flight itinerary at no additional charge. You can also change your reservation through the official website for free. 
• Loss Of Entire Ticket Value: As per Southwest Airlines Flight Cancellation Policy, if you don’t cancel your flight within the stipulated timeline, you will lose your full booking amount. 
• Get Your Reward Points: If you used rewards points to pay for a reservation but later cancelled your flight, then those rewards points will get refunded to your account after the cancellation of your reservation. 

How Do I Request To Cancel Southwest Flight?

It’s very easy to cancel a Southwest flight. All you have to do is to keep a thorough understanding about the policies and instructions and you're good to go. Here’s a step-by-step guide on Southwest flight cancellation.

Phone Call 

• For a quick interaction with Southwest Airlines Representative, call at a1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) from a valid number.
• In the next stage, share your ticket confirmation number and last name with the flight specialist. 
• Let them pull up your account details.
• Mention about your fare type 
• Inquire about the Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy and refund timeline.
• Now, request the airline official to cancel the flight.
• It will take one to two billing cycles for the refund to get reflected in your source account.

Official Website 

• Go through the Southwest website or mobile app.
• Now, search for the “Manage Reservations” option under the “Flight” menu.
• Proceed to fill in your PNR number, first and last name in the given spaces.
• Choose a suitable mode to receive a refund.
• Confirm your flight cancellation request.
• Look for confirmation in the inbox.

Airport 

• If you’re at the airport, walk towards the airport ticket counter.
• Kindly stand in the queue and wait for your turn. 
• Provide your booking reference number, last name and other mandatory details.
• The helpdesk executive will fetch your account details.
• Ask them about the refund, whether it’ll be a flight credit or the full amount. 
• Address the agent to cancel your flight.
• Lastly, check the confirmation mail and go through the details.

How Much Is The Cancellation Fee For Southwest Flight?

It’s clearly mentioned in the Southwest Cancellation Policy that a passenger does not need to pay any fee to cancel their existing reservation. Yes! It’s absolutely correct. In any situation, Southwest doesn’t charge passengers a fee if they request to cancel their flight at least 10 minutes prior to the original flight departure. This policy is also applicable for same-day flight change or standby. 

Can I Get A Refund For A Canceled Flight On Southwest Airlines?

The best thing about cancelling a Southwest flight is that you don’t need to stress about refunds. Here’s how refunds work for passengers on Southwest.

• Refunds are issued for the unused portion of the reservation.
• You will receive a complete refund if you have purchased a Business Select or Anytime fare.
• Those with Wanna Get Away or Wanna Get Away Plus fare will receive travel credit in the form of a refund, which can be seamlessly used to book reservations in the future. 

Conclusion 

Such flexible policies have made Southwest Airlines a premium choice amongst the passengers. If any day you book a low-cost flight itinerary, Southwest Group Travel reservation or vacation package with them, you need not stress about the cancellation charges as it’s completely free. Undoubtedly, they are the best airline carriers for your next dream vacation.