It is disheartening to see readers expressing disappointment on social media when they realize they missed out on a Southwest Airlines fare sale after already purchasing a ticket.
This missed opportunity to take advantage of the cost savings offered by the beloved Dallas-based airline is regrettable.
Fortunately, Southwest Airlines has implemented a customer-friendly change policy that enables passengers to cancel and rebook their flights without incurring any change fees. This means that if a lower fare becomes available, passengers have the flexibility to modify their tickets accordingly.
If you have already booked a flight with Southwest Airlines and later discover that the fare has decreased due to a sale, you have the opportunity to receive a refund in the form of money or points for future flights.
For instance, let’s say you had previously booked a flight to Las Vegas for August and Southwest subsequently launched a three-day fare sale in June. Initially, you settled for a less desirable flight time to save on costs.
However, during the fare sale, you noticed that the price for your preferred flight had dropped below the one you had originally chosen. In such a situation, you can cancel your existing booking, rebook the same flight at the lower fare, and receive a refund of 800 Rapid Rewards points credited back to your account. This process allows you to secure a better flight without having to make any changes to your itinerary.
The steps to accomplish this are relatively straightforward. Here’s a guide on how to proceed.
1. Log into your reservation
To begin the process, access your reservation by logging into your account on the Southwest Airlines website. If you’re a member of the Rapid Rewards program, all of your reservations will be displayed upon logging in. Simply choose the specific flight you wish to modify or cancel.
If you are not a Rapid Rewards member, locate your confirmation code, and then visit the Southwest Airlines website. Navigate to the “change/cancel” tab and provide your confirmation code, as well as your first and last names, to retrieve your reservation details.
2. Select your flight
Once you have accessed your reservation, you will be prompted to choose the specific flight(s) you wish to modify. Select the flights that you want to reprice, and this will direct you to a screen where you can search for available flights.
On this screen, you will notice that the flight date is pre-filled. Double-check to ensure its accuracy and then proceed by pressing the “Enter” key.
The subsequent screen will display all the flights scheduled for that particular day. If the fare for your selected flight(s) has decreased, you will see a negative amount of points or dollars indicated next to the flight details.
Click on the flight you wish to take, and if necessary, repeat this process for any additional flights you intend to reprice.
3. Get your refund
If you made the payment using Rapid Rewards points, the price difference will be credited back to your Rapid Rewards account. However, if you paid with cash, the refund process will depend on the type of fare you purchased—refundable or nonrefundable.
For refundable fares such as Business or Anytime fares, the price difference will be refunded to the original form of payment, which is usually the credit card used for the purchase.
On the other hand, for nonrefundable fares like Wanna Get Away fares, the refund will be issued as “travel funds” credited to the original Southwest confirmation code associated with your booking. These travel funds can be used for future Southwest flights within one year from the original purchase date. Remember to keep your confirmation code handy for future use.
4. Using your travel funds
The important thing to remember is to utilize your travel funds before they expire. These funds are valid for one year from the original purchase date. To ensure you don’t forget, consider setting a reminder on your phone or calendar to use them in time.
When you reach the Payment Method page while booking your next flight, locate the section that says “Southwest gift card, Travel Funds or Southwest LUV voucher.” Expand that field by clicking on the arrow. Then, select “Travel Funds” and provide the necessary information, including the confirmation code from your original flight. Afterward, click on “apply funds” to apply the available amount to your new ticket. Proceed with the booking process until you successfully complete your purchase.
