Southwest.com • Fare Types and Benefits • Same-Day Change

Same-Day Change and Same-Day Standby

We get it, plans change. Same-day change¹ and same-day standby² benefits give you even greater flexibility on your day of travel so you can hop on a different flight (as long as your origin airport and destination airport are the same).

When you wanna change your departure time, you have options.

Same-day standby list

List yourself for another flight.

Same-day standby allows you to retain your current flight while listing for standby on an earlier flight via the Southwest app or mobile web, should one become available.

How to list for same-day standby.

Step 1

View your itinerary on the Southwest app and select same-day standby.

Step 2

Select your desired flight and list for standby at least 30 minutes ahead of the scheduled departure. We will let you know if you're cleared via your contact preference.

Step 3

Once you are cleared, a seat will be assigned to you.

Same-day confirmed change

Confirm a seat on another flight.

Same-day change lets you swap your flight on the day of travel for an earlier or later one—as long as there's an open seat and your origin and destination airports are the same.

How to make a same-day confirmed change.

Step 1

View your itinerary on the Southwest app and select same-day change.

Step 2

Select a new flight (and seat if eligible).

Step 3

You did it!
Check in and retrieve your boarding pass.

Same-day change and same-day standby benefits vary by fare type.

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This chart compares all four of our air fares side-by-side. Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred, and Choice Extra.
	Basic	Choice	Choice Preferred	Choice Extra
Same-Day Change¹	no	yes	yes	yes
Same-Day Standby²	no	yes	yes	yes

*A-List and A-List Preferred Members can take advantage of same-day standby even with Basic fares.

Same-Day Change and Same-Day Standby FAQs

View the full list of same-day change and same-day standby FAQs for Southwest Airlines in our Help Center.

Yes, same-day standby is free of airline charges. Customers are no longer required to pay any fare difference. However, government taxes and fees may apply but will be refunded.

Note: some managed business travelers will be directed to see a Southwest Agent at the gate to list for standby.

You may need to speak with a Customer Service Agent to be added to the same-day standby list for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to:

You are attempting to add yourself to the same-day standby list less than 30 minutes prior to your desired flight's scheduled departure.
Your desired itinerary change may result in a collection or refund of taxes and fees.
You are traveling on an international itinerary.
Your desired itinerary change will result in a different connection city than your confirmed itinerary.
You are trying to list for a flight later than your original flight.

Keep in mind that group bookings and Unaccompanied Minors are not eligible for same-day standby.

Customers who are re-accommodated following flight disruptions
A-List Preferred and A-List Rapid Reward^® Members prioritized based on fare (Choice Extra, Choice Preferred, Choice)
All other Customers prioritized by the same fare order

You may be separated from your checked bags. Your baggage may arrive on your original flight rather than your standby flight. Southwest will only be responsible for delivery in the event your baggage doesn't arrive on the original flight it was checked on.

For all standby listings, if you are cleared and purchased a seat on your original flight, seats are non-refundable.
For a same-day change at the airport, a seat purchased on your original flight is non-refundable. However, for a same-day via telephone, Southwest.com, or the Southwest app, if you purchase a seat on the new flight that costs more than the original seat, you will pay the full price of the new seat and be automatically refunded for the original seat. This will be processed separately.

¹Same-day change: On the day of travel, you can switch free of airline charges to another flight with space available departing on the same calendar day between the same origin airport and destination airport as your original flight. Free same-day change is only available for Choice Extra, Choice Preferred, or Choice fares. Basic fares and Rapid Rewards^® A-List Preferred and A-list Members are not eligible for free same-day change unless the Member purchases a qualifying fare.

²Same-day standby: You can list for same-day standby on an earlier flight via a Southwest^® Customer Service Agent at the airport or the Southwest app or mobile web. You will receive a message based on the contact preference selected during booking if you are cleared on the flight. With the exception of A-List Preferred and A-List Members, Customers who purchase Basic fares are not eligible for free same-day standby.

For both same-day change and same-day standby, 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 or the no-show policy will apply. If using the app or mobile web for standby, you must list your name 30 minutes ahead of scheduled departure. You will be required to pay any government taxes and fees associated with these itinerary changes, but refunds will be provided. Your original boarding position is not guaranteed. Southwest^® Business Customers booked through travel agencies may need to see a Southwest Agent at the airport for both a same-day change or standby listing.