How to change a flight on Southwest

If you booked your current flight over the phone, you'll also need to call Southwest and make changes over the phone.

Change your Southwest flight online

• Change your flight at least 10 minutes before your original departure. Southwest Airlines offers a generous "no change policy," which means most flights can be changed without penalty. As long as you make the change at least 10 minutes before your original flight departs, you will not pay a penalty for changing your flight.

• If you originally booked your flight over the phone, you must change it over the phone. It cannot be changed online.

• There is no limit to the number of changes you can make without penalty, as long as you do it 10 minutes before departure.

• Navigate to the Southwest Airlines website and log in. Open your Internet browser and go to the Southwest Airlines home page at https://www.southwest.com/. Click "Login" at the top right of the page. Write your username and password. Click the yellow "Login" button.

• If you can't remember your username or password, click the link in the bottom right that says "Need help signing in?" and follow the instructions.

• If you want to skip the login process, go directly to https://www.southwest.com/flight/change-air-reservation.html.

• Click on the "Change/Cancel" tab at the top right of the page. After logging in, the main screen will appear with a variety of options. You will see the blue "Change/Cancel" tab at the top right of the page. Click on that tab.

• Enter your confirmation number, first and last name. You will access a page that will ask you for these three pieces of information. Enter the confirmation number of your reserved flight, as well as your first and last name, in the corresponding boxes. Click "Continue".

• The first and last name must belong to the person who booked the flight.

• If you don't know your confirmation number, view your booked travel in your Southwest account or check the email you received from Southwest right after you booked your original flight.

• Check the flights in your reservation. After entering the requested information, you will be directed to a page that displays your flight itinerary for everyone included in your reservation. If the flight is just for you, only one passenger's information will appear. If you reserved seats for multiple people in the same reservation, they will also appear. Any changes you make will apply to all passengers attached to this reservation.

• Select the flights you want to change. Check the boxes in the left column next to the flights you want to change. You will notice that the flights are displayed in segments: one for the departure and one for the return. You can select only one of them and change a segment of your flight. You can also select the departure and return segments to change your entire itinerary.

• Enter the new dates or cities you need and click "Select new flights". You will be taken to a page titled "Search for new flights". Below the title you will see boxes that allow you to search for new flights by airport and flight date. Enter what you need and click the yellow "Select New Flights" button at the bottom right of the page.

• You can also leave the information the same if you are looking for better same day prices. Southwest does not charge a fee for flight changes, so this feature allows you to search for a better deal.

• Review your options and select your new flight. You'll be taken to a screen that shows all of your new flight options in a list format, along with the price for each. Review these options and make your decision by clicking on the small circle next to your desired flight.

• If the new flight costs more than the original, you will only pay the difference. If your new flight costs less, Southwest will refund the excess to your original method of payment.

• The only exception is if you originally purchased a "Wanna Get Away" flight, as opposed to the "Business Select" or "Anytime" flight options. In this case, you will receive a Travel Funds credit, which can be used for future flights. This bonus will be valid for one year.

• Review your changes, and then click "Continue." Double-check your new itinerary and make sure that's what you want. You will be shown specific numbers for your new ticket total, your exchanged ticket total, and the difference between the two. Once you confirm that everything looks good, click the yellow "Continue" button at the bottom right of the page.

• Click "Buy" to complete the transaction. After clicking "Continue", you will need to click "Buy" to complete the transaction. If there is a price difference you must pay, enter your payment details. If you are due a refund, it will go to the original form of payment you used.

• Please check your email for confirmation and new flight information. Once you've purchased your new flight, you'll receive an email from Southwest almost immediately. It will include information about the money paid or refunded, as well as your new flight reservation.

Change your Southwest flight by phone

• Change your flight over the phone if you booked the original over the phone. If you booked your original flight over the phone, you cannot change it online. You have to make changes over the phone. If you originally booked online but have questions, you can call and change a flight over the phone.

• Please call no later than 10 minutes before your original departure. Southwest Airlines offers a "no change policy" to its customers. This policy allows you to change almost any flight without paying a penalty, as long as you make the change at least 10 minutes before the original flight departs.

• If you miss this time period, the customer service representative will let you know your options and the penalty charge when you call.

• Call the Southwest Reservations Department at 1-800-435-9792. Follow the automated prompts until you reach a live customer service representative. Have your confirmation number ready; the representative will ask for this number immediately. You will also need to provide a first and last name. This must belong to the person who originally booked the flight.

• Tell the representative that you want to change your flight. Give them your confirmation number, last name, and first name. The representative will obtain your current flight information and review it with you. Let them know if you want to change your outbound flight, return flight, or both.

• Provide your new travel details. Please provide the representative with the new dates, times or cities you need to change on your current reservation. The representative will then perform a search and provide you with your new flight options, along with the related prices.

• Select your new flight. After reviewing your new options, let the representative know which new flight you have chosen. The representative will enter your new information and adjust your account. If your new flight costs more than the original, you will have to pay the difference. If the new flight costs less than the original, the difference will be refunded to your original payment method.

• There is one exception: Southwest's low-cost "Wanna Get Away" flights. These fares are non-refundable, but you will earn a Travel Funds credit, which you can use toward future flights. The voucher will be valid for one year from the day of the change.

• Finish the transaction and enter your new flight details. If you owe anything, please provide your credit card number to the representative to complete the transaction. Once the change is official, you will be given all the information of your new flight. Have a pen ready and write it down while the representative goes over it with you.