Southwest flight cancellation policy

Southwest Airlines has a flexible and customer-friendly flight cancellation policy, which sets it apart from many other airlines. Passengers who need to cancel their flights can do so without incurring any change or cancellation fees, a significant benefit compared to the often hefty charges imposed by other carriers. Instead of a traditional penalty for cancellations, Southwest allows customers to reuse the value of their tickets for future travel, provided that they cancel at least 10 minutes before the scheduled departure. This credit can be applied to future flights within one year from the original purchase date. For "Wanna Get Away" fares, which are the airline’s lowest and most restrictive, refunds are not available in cash but are issued as travel funds. In contrast, "Anytime" and "Business Select" fares, which are higher-tier options, are fully refundable to the original form of payment if canceled. In cases where a passenger does not show up for a flight and fails to cancel, the no-show policy applies, and the entire fare is forfeited. Southwest also allows for same-day changes and cancellations without any penalties, as long as the customer adheres to the 10-minute rule. Additionally, Southwest’s Rapid Rewards members enjoy the same flexibility with their award bookings, where points are redeposited into their account without any fees when a cancellation is made.