Nothing in this world comes with a disclaimer. Even if you purchased a prior reservation with Southwest, you might want to request a Southwest Airlines Same Day Change Flight due to unpredictable family emergencies, excessive traffic, weather disruption, extreme illness, or sudden work commitments. Now, when something like this comes up, they allow their passengers to change their flight on the same day without charging any additional fee. Alternatively, passengers can request same-day standby, too if no flight is available at present fir their desired destination. To know how you can avail any of the facilities, continue reading this comprehensive guide.
Southwest Airlines Same Day Flight Change Policy
Moving forward, we will now discuss briefly about same day flight change and same day standby basic terms and conditions. Whether you’re an adventurous geek or a full-time traveler, it’s must to know about these policies before you opt for same day flight change or same day standby.
- Southwest Airlines doesn’t allow passengers to make modifications to their departure or arrival airport.
- If you purchased Wanna Get Away or Wanna Get Away+ then you must pay for additional taxes and applicable fare charges.
- There are no extra charges for changing a flight on the same day. This is also applicable for same-day standby.
- Passengers can change flights which are only operated and owned by Southwest.
- Eventually, Southwest will cancel your previous seat if you choose to opt for a flight change on the same day.
- On a priority basis, Southwest offers a same-day standby option to passengers who receive accommodation due to significant flight delays.
- Apart from this, A-list and A-list preferred types (Rapid Reward Members) are on priority to receive an open seat on standby aircraft.
- All fare types are applicable for Southwest Airlines Same Day Change Flight or standby.
- Always remember that you must request for same-day standby at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure.
- In exceptional cases, passengers must call up at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) and request the flight specialist to place them on standby.
- Travelers have the liberty to retain their existing flight until they receive any confirmation for the next flight.
- You cannot request for same-day standby service if you don’t have a prior reservation for the same route.
How Can I Change My Flight Same Day On Southwest?
As Southwest is a passenger-centric international airline, it has offered multiple ways for changing a flight reservation on the same-day. Each platform is different henceforth go through the steps mentioned below and proceed accordingly.
Official Website
- Kindly visit the official website of [southwest.com] Southwest Airlines.
- Login first if you are an A-list or A-list preferred member.
- Head to the “Manage Reservation” option on the homepage.
- Access your flight itinerary by entering your basic travel information.
- You must now search for the “Change” option.
- Fill in the date and time as per your preference.
- Let the changes get processed.
- Proceed to checkout by paying the applicable fare difference.
- Look up to your inbox for confirmation mail.
Phone Call
- Make a phone call at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) to ask for a same-day flight change.
- Inform the agent about your issue.
- The agent will ask you to share basic flight information.
- Let them check and update you about flight availability.
- Prefer to choose the flight as per your travel requirements.
- Ask the agent to share the payment link and pay.
- After booking confirmation, you will receive a confirmation mail mentioning your ticket number and other reservation information.
Airport Ticket Counter
- Passengers must search for a help desk executive at the airport.
- If there’s a long queue, wait for your turn.
- Once your turn comes up, notify the agent that you want to request a Southwest Airlines Same Day Change Flight.
- Proceed to provide your booking reference number and full name.
- They will check for the available options and will update you.
- Pick a suitable option that fits your travel schedule.
- Select a preferred mode of payment to pay.
- They will ask you to check for a confirmation email and issue you a new boarding pass.
Does Southwest Charge Any Fee For Same Day Flight Change?
No matter the circumstances, Southwest Airlines will not charge you any fee for confirmed same-day flight change or standby. By using this facility, you can easily swap your seats for a previous or future flight. Make sure that you request for flight change at least 10 minutes before the scheduled departure.
When Do Passengers Request For Same-Day Flight Change On Southwest?
In today’s generation, flight change or cancellation has become quite common. With Southwest Airlines, it’s become much more convenient because they don’t charge any fee for changing a flight itinerary. A few of the common reasons why passengers request flight changes are listed below:
- Personal Family or Work Emergency.
- Disrupted Weather.
- Decrease In Fare.
- Sudden Change In Important Events.
Can I apply for same-day standby on Southwest?
Yes, passengers can request the same-day standby option on Southwest either through the official website, mobile app, via call, or at the airport. If you’re heading for the same-day standby option, then keep in mind that your departure airport, arrival airport, and travel day should be the same. Here are the other important points you must know about.
- Request for a same-day standby option 30 minutes before the scheduled departure if you’re using the mobile app or web version.
- Consider reaching out to an executive at the airport or over a phone call at least 10 minutes before the departure.
- Passengers who opt for group reservations or are unaccompanied minors cannot avail of the same-day standby option.
- Whenever a seat is available, a passenger will receive a confirmation email or text message along with a link to check in and retrieve a new boarding pass for the particular flight.
- You can download the boarding pass through the official website or mobile app or with the help of an airline executive at the departure gate or ticket counter.
- Passengers don’t lose their boarding position on the previous flight until they’re officially transferred to another flight.
Why Can’t I Apply For Same-Day Standby On Southwest?
At times, an unexpected situation might arise when you are unable to request same-day standby. If you face any such scenario, then immediately get in touch with an airline official for assistance. Also, go through the below-written information to know when passengers are prohibited from same-day standby facility.
- A passenger has booked an international reservation.
- Less than 30 minutes are left for the existing flight departure.
Conclusion
Changing flights on the same day is comparatively easy with Southwest Airlines because of zero fees. Passengers simply have to pay for the fare difference when requesting a same-day flight change. However, the applicable conditions are that your new fare is higher than the previous fare. If your fare is the same or less, then there’s no requirement to pay for the difference in fare. Instead, you will receive a refund as the original mode of payment or travel credit, depending on your fare type.
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