Southwest Airlines offers a flexible policy for changing flight dates. Unlike many carriers, Southwest does not charge change fees. However, if the new flight is more expensive, you will need to pay the fare difference. Conversely, if the new flight is less expensive, the difference may be refunded as Travel Funds for future use. It's important to note that Travel Funds have expiration dates: 12 months from the original ticketing date for most fares, and 6 months for Basic fares. nerdwallet.comsouthwest.com+1southwest.com+1

To change your flight, you can visit the Southwest Airlines website or use the mobile app. Log into your account, navigate to "Manage Reservations," and select "Change Flight." Follow the prompts to choose a new flight that suits your schedule. If you encounter any issues or prefer to speak with a representative, you can call Southwest Airlines at ☎️+1 (877) 443-8285 for assistance.

For same-day changes, Southwest offers a Same-Day Change benefit. If there is space available on a different flight departing on the same calendar day between the same origin and destination, you can switch flights without paying an additional fare difference. However, government taxes and fees may apply and will be refunded if not utilized. To utilize this benefit, you must change your flight or request to be added to the same-day standby list at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled departure of your original flight. mobile.southwest.com+3southwest.com+3southwest.com+3southwest.com+3southwest.com+3southwest.com+3

It's worth noting that Basic fares, introduced in May 2025, have more restrictions. Passengers with Basic fares cannot make same-day changes or standby requests. Additionally, flight credits from canceled Basic fares expire 6 months from the original ticketing date. To make changes to a Basic fare, you would need to upgrade to a higher fare class, such as Wanna Get Away Plus®, Anytime, or Business Select®. businessinsider.com+6southwest.com+6southwest.com+6southwest.com+3southwest.com+3en.wikipedia.org+3nerdwallet.com+4southwest.com+4southwest.com+4

In summary, changing a Southwest Airlines flight date is straightforward and typically incurs no additional fees, provided you pay any fare difference. For same-day changes, Southwest offers flexibility without extra charges, subject to availability. To make changes or for assistance, you can visit the Southwest Airlines website, use the mobile app, or call ☎️+1 (877) 443-8285.southwest.com+2southwest.com+2southwest.com+2