Want to cancel your Southwest ticket? Unaware of the procedure? Keen to know how much is required to pay to cancel the ticket? Then, you need to check Southwest Airlines cancellation policy. The policy provides complete information, including the procedure, method, and fees for canceling a flight ticket booked with the airline.
However, the Southwest Airlines cancellation fee can be avoided if the request is made on time. Let’s thoroughly understand the cancellation policy and the associated fees.
What Is Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy?
Let’s first understand the airline’s cancellation policy and how it works. Just like other airlines, Southwest also has a cancellation policy, but it is quite different from theirs. Rules and guidelines are pretty much different which are mentioned below:
- Southwest Airlines allows ticket cancellation up to 10 minutes before departure.
- The refund for ticket cancellation will be provided based on the fare type purchased.
- Southwest Airlines cancellation fee is usually not required to be paid; however, it is best to visit the official website or call the airline’s customer support at 1-800-435-9792. Alternatively, call the consolidation desk at +1-800-506-7805 for easy assistance (if the official line is busy).
- Just like other airlines, Southwest has a 24-hour cancellation policy that allows passengers to get a full refund for tickets booked at least a week before the scheduled departure.
- Refunds for Southwest ticket cancellations depend on the fare and the method of purchase.
- Basic Southwest tickets are non-refundable, and if cancelled, the airline will not issue refunds to the original form of payment. Instead, the flight credit will be issued to the account.
- Southwest Airlines cancellation fee will also not be charged if the cancellation is made by the airline. Just like any other cancellation, two offers will be shared: one to claim a full refund, and the other to receive travel credit for future use.
- Any passenger who cancels a refundable flight booked with points within a given time period will have the points credited to the Rapid Rewards account. However, to claim this, the ticket must be cancelled at least 10 minutes prior to the flight departure.
Are There Any Fees for Canceling Southwest Airlines Flights?
To provide a positive experience, no Southwest Airlines cancellation fee is imposed. Another reason is to make the airline a customer-friendly business model. This approach is made to draw attention and retain the customers. This policy is for all fare types that ensure the customer cancels their ticket for any reason at least ten minutes prior to departure. It is essential to avoid the “no-show” penalty if you want to claim a refund.
Can I Cancel A Southwest Ticket Within A Day Of Booking?
Yes, passengers are allowed to cancel a Southwest ticket within a day of booking. The airline’s 24-hour cancellation policy allows passengers to receive a full refund in the original form of payment. However, the primary condition is that the ticket must be purchased at least one week prior to the scheduled flight departure. Additionally, no “Southwest Airlines cancellation fee” will be charged under this window. Visit the airline’s official website or contact them over the phone to avoid any confusion.
How To Cancel A Southwest Ticket And Avoid Paying The Penalty?
Generally, the airline does not charge any cancellation fee for any fare type. However, it is a must to cancel the ticket at least 10 minutes before the departure time to avoid the “no-show” penalty. Here are the steps to cancel the ticket online:
- Step 1: Head to Southwest Airlines main website.
- Step 2: Find the option “Manage Trip” on the homepage.
- Step 3: Enter your travel information, including your ticket number and last name.
- Step 4: After entering the travel information, wait to retrieve the booking.
- Step 5: Once the details appear on the screen, select the flight you want to cancel.
- Step 6: After hitting the button “Cancel flight,” save the changes.
- Step 7: No Southwest Airlines cancellation fee will be charged if the cancellation is made at least 10 minutes before the flight.
- Step 8: Lastly, you will receive an email regarding the cancellation of the ticket.
These steps are for the online procedure for ticket cancellation. If you want to communicate with the airline directly to cancel the ticket or to know other policies, the offline method is a good option. Here are the required steps to follow:
- Step 1: Use your phone and open the dial pad.
- Step 2: Enter Southwest’s official contact number 1-800-435-9792 to speak with a representative. If you are having difficulty reaching out, you can call the consolidation desk at +1-800-506-7805.
- Step 3: Wait for the line to be connected, and once it’s done, follow the IVR instructions.
- Step 4: Out of several options, choose the option to speak with a representative.
- Step 5: After being connected, share your booking reference number and your last name.
- Step 6: Once the booking is retrieved, ask the representative to cancel the flight.
- Step 7: The representative might ask you to share the reason for cancellation. Generally, no “Southwest Airlines cancellation fee” is required to pay, particularly when you follow the airline’s cancellation policy.
- Step 8: If your ticket is eligible for a refund or travel credit, it will be initiated to your account.
- Step 9: Check your email notifications to ensure you don’t miss the cancellation confirmation and any updates regarding the refund or travel credit.
Both methods are widely used by passengers, but choosing the calling option helps you obtain more of the information you want regarding traveling with Southwest Airlines.
Conclusion
Always check the airline’s policy directly on their official website, especially when canceling a flight ticket. However, Southwest Airlines cancellation policy is more flexible and often involves no cancellation charges. But it’s essential to avoid the “no-show” penalty if you don’t want to face consequences. To cancel the ticket or learn the airline’s other policies, such as the Southwest name change policy, infant policy, refund policy, and more, call customer support at 1-800-435-9792. If you need more desired information and easy assistance, speak to a travel expert at +1-800-506-7805.
