Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy: No Stress, No Fees, No Worries
Meta Description: Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy offers unmatched flexibility. Learn how to cancel, reschedule, or get a refund without hassle or hidden charges.

When it comes to customer-first policies, Southwest Airlines continues to lead the way. The Southwest Airlines Cancellation Policy is one of the most flexible in the U.S. aviation industry. Whether your plans change at the last minute or you simply decide not to travel, Southwest ensures that canceling your flight doesn’t mean losing your money.

✈️ Key Features of Southwest’s Cancellation Policy
No cancellation fees on any fare

Full refund or travel credit available

Cancel up to 10 minutes before departure

Simple online or app-based cancellation

Travel funds valid for 12 months (or more, depending on ticket type)

? Flexibility for Every Fare Type
Here’s a quick look at how cancellations work depending on your ticket:

Fare Type Refund Type Cancellation Fees
Wanna Get Away Travel Credit (non-refundable) $0
Wanna Get Away Plus Transferable Travel Credit $0
Anytime Refundable or Travel Credit $0
Business Select Refundable or Travel Credit $0

? How to Cancel a Southwest Flight
Canceling your flight is simple and takes just a few minutes:

Visit southwest.com

Click “Flight | Hotel | Car” and select “Manage Reservations”

Enter your confirmation number and name

Select the flight you wish to cancel

Choose “Cancel Flight”

Confirm your choice and choose your refund option (if applicable)

You can also cancel through the Southwest mobile app or by calling their customer service.

? Refunds vs. Travel Credits
Refundable fares (Anytime and Business Select) can be returned to your original payment method.

Non-refundable fares (like Wanna Get Away) are issued as travel credits valid for future bookings.

Travel funds are typically valid for 12 months from the original purchase date.

✅ Same-Day Cancellations
Need to cancel last minute? No problem. You can cancel your flight up to 10 minutes before departure. If you miss this window, the ticket may be forfeited, so act fast if your plans change.

? Changing vs. Canceling
If you're not sure about canceling completely, you can always change your flight instead. Southwest also allows free flight changes with no change fees—another major benefit of flying with them.