Southwest Airlines still charges zero cancellation fees on all fare types in 2026 — but a sweeping policy overhaul effective May 28, 2025 fundamentally changed what happens after you cancel. The airline's new fare structure determines whether you receive a cash refund, a transferable flight credit, or a restrictive non-transferable credit with a short expiration window.
In this guide, we break down everything you need to know: what each fare gets on cancellation, how to cancel step by step, the 24-hour rule, no-show consequences, and what happens to your Rapid Rewards points.
Under pressure from activist investor Elliott Investment Management, Southwest dismantled much of its famously passenger-friendly model. On March 11, 2025, CEO Bob Jordan announced the end of the 'Bags Fly Free' policy, the introduction of a restrictive Basic fare, and the return of flight credit expiration dates — reversing a July 2022 decision.
All of these policies took effect May 28, 2025 for flights booked on or after that date. New fare names became official for flights departing January 27, 2026: Business Select became Choice Extra, Anytime became Choice Preferred, Wanna Get Away Plus became Choice, and Wanna Get Away became Basic. Assigned seating also launched, ending 50+ years of open boarding.
The most important thing to understand is that Southwest still has no cancellation fees — but your refund outcome depends entirely on your fare type:
Alt text: "Southwest Airlines fare types refund comparison 2026 — Basic vs Choice vs Choice Preferred vs Choice Extra
Choice Extra & Choice Preferred are the only fully refundable fares. Cancel at least 10 minutes before departure and you receive a 100% refund to your original form of payment — credit card, debit card, or cash.
Choice (formerly Wanna Get Away Plus) is non-refundable but cancellation produces a Transferable Flight Credit valid for 12 months from the original booking date. This credit can be transferred once to another Rapid Rewards member.
Basic (formerly Wanna Get Away) is the most restrictive. Cancellation produces a non-transferable flight credit expiring just 6 months from booking date. Important: the clock starts at booking, not cancellation — so book far in advance and you could have very little time left to use the credit.
There are four ways to cancel:
1. Online at southwest.com: Go to southwest.com → Manage Reservations. Enter your confirmation number and passenger name. Select 'Cancel Flight.' For refundable fares, choose between a cash refund or future travel credit.
2. On the Southwest app: Open the app → My Trips → select your booking → tap 'Cancel Flight.' Same options apply.
3. By phone: Call +1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) or (833-339-5951 no waiting line. Agents can cancel your flight, explain your refund or credit options, and handle complex multi-passenger reservations. Available 24/7.
4. At the airport: Visit a Southwest customer service agent at the ticket counter. Best for last-minute cancellations close to departure.
Once Southwest processes your refund:
The 24-hour free cancellation rule remains in effect for every fare type including Basic. Per the Southwest Airlines Customer Service Plan (revised September 2025), you can cancel any unchanged reservation within 24 hours of booking for a full refund to your original payment method — regardless of fare type.
The booking must have been made at least 7 days before the flight's departure date (a DOT requirement). This is the only situation where a Basic fare receives a full cash refund rather than a flight credit. After the 24-hour window closes, standard fare-type cancellation rules apply.
A no-show occurs when you fail to cancel at least 10 minutes before your flight's scheduled departure. The consequences differ sharply by fare:
Choice Extra & Choice Preferred no-shows: All segments are canceled, but funds convert to a Transferable Flight Credit valid for one year. Points are redeposited to the account holder.
Choice & Basic no-shows: All segments are canceled and funds are completely forfeited — both the cash paid and any Rapid Rewards points used. This is a total loss with no recovery.
Southwest maintains an informal 'Flat Tire Rule' — gate agents will often place late-arriving passengers on standby for the next available flight if you arrive within roughly 2 hours of your missed departure. This is not guaranteed and not in the Contract of Carriage, but is widely practiced.
For any fare type canceled at least 10 minutes before departure, Rapid Rewards points are returned to the account holder who made the booking. The taxes and fees paid alongside the points (typically $5.60 per domestic segment) can be refunded to your original payment method or held as a reusable flight credit.
The critical risk: if you booked with points on a Basic or Choice fare and no-show, both the points and taxes/fees are forfeited entirely. For Choice Preferred and Choice Extra, points are still redeposited even on a no-show.
Same-day changes are free for Choice Extra, Choice Preferred, and Choice fares. On the day of travel, you can switch to a different flight on the same route departing the same calendar day at no airline charge — provided you initiate it at least 10 minutes before your original flight's departure.
Basic fares are excluded from same-day changes and same-day standby, with one exception: A-List and A-List Preferred Rapid Rewards members retain these privileges regardless of fare type. This is a major change from pre-2025 policy, when all passengers could use same-day standby.
Southwest's new fare rules can be confusing — especially when it comes to flight credit expiration dates, no-show policies, and what's refundable on a mixed itinerary. If you're unsure about your options or need immediate assistance, our travel agents can help you navigate the process quickly.
If you booked a ticket with a misspelled name or need a legal name correction before you cancel or rebook, that's a separate process from cancellation. Southwest handles name corrections through its own policy — including online fixes for simple typos and phone-based updates for legal name changes. For a complete walkthrough of every method, fees involved, and what documentation you'll need, see our full guide: Southwest Airline Name Change Policy: A Detailed Guide. Resolving a name issue before cancelling can sometimes save the refund value of your ticket.
Does Southwest charge a cancellation fee?
No. Southwest Airlines charges zero cancellation fees on all fare types in 2026. However, lower fares like Basic and Choice produce flight credits rather than cash refunds on cancellation.
Can I get a cash refund on a Southwest Basic fare?
Only if you cancel within 24 hours of booking and the flight is at least 7 days away. After the 24-hour window, Basic fares receive a non-transferable flight credit that expires 6 months from the original booking date.
How long does a Southwest refund take?
Credit card refunds take up to 7 business days on Southwest's end, plus up to 10 additional business days for your card issuer to post it. Cash refunds are issued by check within 20 calendar days.
What happens if I miss my Southwest flight without cancelling?
For Basic and Choice fares, a no-show results in complete forfeiture of all funds and points. For Choice Preferred and Choice Extra, a no-show converts your funds to a Transferable Flight Credit valid for one year. Always cancel at least 10 minutes before departure to avoid losing everything.
Can I transfer my Southwest flight credit to someone else?
Only if you have a Choice (formerly Wanna Get Away Plus) fare or higher. Choice fares produce a Transferable Flight Credit that can be transferred once to any Rapid Rewards member. Basic fare credits are non-transferable and non-refundable.
Can I change a Southwest Basic fare without cancelling?
No. Basic fares cannot be freely changed. To make any change to a Basic fare flight, you must first upgrade it to a Choice or higher fare (paying the fare difference), then make your change. This is a significant restriction compared to the old Wanna Get Away fare.
Last Updated: March 2026 | Information sourced from southwest.com official fare and policy pages.
