Southwest Airlines Review 2026: Travelers whose plans often change and who want no change or cancel fees on any fare, and are happy to take a flight credit instead of cash.
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Our verdict
Southwest ranks first because its published change rules are the most forgiving we found. Its optional charges page lists a $0 change fee and a $0 cancellation fee (as of 2026-10-02), and its fare rules page says every fare type can be cancelled for a flight credit up to 10 minutes before departure. Choice, Choice Preferred and Choice Extra credits are transferable and last 12 months; Choice Preferred and Choice Extra refund to your original payment. The honest trade-offs: Basic fares cannot be changed without upgrading, have no seat selection and give a credit that expires after 6 months, and checked bags now cost $45 and $55 on most fares for mainland trips booked on or after April 9, 2026. Policies change, so check Southwest's fare rules page before you buy. This rating reads Southwest's published rules; we did not fly with any airline here.
Score breakdown
- Value (30%)7.0/10
- Experience (25%)6.0/10
- Flexibility (20%)9.0/10
- Transparency (15%)8.0/10
- Service (10%)6.0/10
Scored per our review methodology.
Who it's for
Best for: Travelers whose plans often change and who want no change or cancel fees on any fare, and are happy to take a flight credit instead of cash..
Pricing
Fares are dynamic and not listed here. Southwest charges $0 to change or cancel on every fare type; checked bags on Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred cost $45 for the first and $55 for the second bag on U.S. mainland trips booked on or after April 9, 2026 (as of 2026-10-02).
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | Dynamic fare; bags $45 / $55 (as of 2026-10-02) | Non-refundable; cancel 10+ minutes before departure for a flight credit valid 6 months from booking. Changes only by upgrading to a Choice fare. No seat selection. |
| Choice | Dynamic fare; bags $45 / $55 (as of 2026-10-02) | Changes allowed, fare difference may apply. Non-refundable; cancellation gives a Transferable Flight Credit valid 12 months. Standard seats toward the back of the aircraft. |
| Choice Preferred | Dynamic fare; bags $45 / $55 (as of 2026-10-02) | Fully refundable if cancelled 10+ minutes before departure. Preferred seat with standard legroom near the front. |
| Choice Extra | Dynamic fare; 2 checked bags included (as of 2026-10-02) | Fully refundable if cancelled 10+ minutes before departure. Extra Legroom seat selection. |
What the evidence says
- Fare types: Choice Extra and Choice Preferred are fully refundable if cancelled at least 10 minutes before departure; Choice and Basic cancel to a flight credit; Choice-family credits expire 12 months from booking and Basic credits 6 months; Basic fares have no seat selection and can only change by upgrading. (Southwest Airlines, Fare Information and Rules (official))
- Change fee $0 and cancellation fee $0; for U.S. mainland travel booked on or after April 9, 2026, first and second checked bags cost $45 and $55 on Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred, and are free on Choice Extra (as of 2026-10-02). (Southwest Airlines, Optional Travel Charges (official))
- Under U.S. DOT rules, you are owed a refund if the airline cancels or significantly changes your flight (for example a domestic departure moved 3 or more hours earlier or arrival 3 or more hours later) and you do not accept the alternative or a credit; refunds are due within 7 business days for credit card purchases and 20 calendar days for other payment methods. (U.S. Department of Transportation, Refunds (official))
Pros & cons
Pros
- No change or cancellation fee on any fare: Southwest's optional charges page lists both the change fee and the cancellation fee as $0 (as of 2026-10-02)
- Cancelled fares keep their value: Choice, Choice Preferred and Choice Extra cancellations become a Transferable Flight Credit valid 12 months from booking, and Choice Preferred and Choice Extra are fully refundable if cancelled at least 10 minutes before departure
- Choice Extra includes two free checked bags, and Rapid Rewards credit cardmembers get the first bag free, per Southwest's published fee table
- Fare rules for all four fare types sit on one plain page, which makes the trade-offs easy to compare before you book
Cons & red flags
- Basic fares are restrictive: no seat selection, changes only by upgrading to a Choice fare, and Basic flight credits expire 6 months from booking
- Checked bags are no longer free on most fares. On U.S. mainland trips booked on or after April 9, 2026, Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred pay $45 for the first bag and $55 for the second (as of 2026-10-02)
- Choice and Basic fares are non-refundable to your card: cancelling gives you a flight credit, not cash, unless the DOT refund rules apply because Southwest cancelled or significantly changed the flight
How it compares
Southwest Airlines scores 7.2/10 in our flights & airlines evaluation. See where it lands in the full ranking: Best U.S. Airlines for Flexible Fares of 2026.
- Delta Air Lines review — 7.1/10, travelers who buy main classic or higher fares and want no change fees, plus a fee-based way out of basic fares.
- Alaska Airlines review — 6.8/10, travelers who book main or first class and want free changes, plus atmos rewards members who use same-day changes.
Frequently asked questions
Does Southwest charge a change fee?
No. Southwest's optional charges page lists the change fee and the cancellation fee as $0 (as of 2026-10-02). You still pay any fare difference, and Basic fares can only be changed by upgrading to a Choice fare.
Are Southwest checked bags still free?
Not on most fares. For U.S. mainland travel booked on or after April 9, 2026, Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred pay $45 for the first bag and $55 for the second; Choice Extra includes two free bags, and Rapid Rewards credit cardmembers get the first bag free (as of 2026-10-02).
How long do Southwest flight credits last?
Credits from Choice, Choice Preferred and Choice Extra fares expire 12 months from the date the fare was booked; Basic fare credits expire after 6 months, per Southwest's fare rules page. Check that page before relying on a date, because policies change.
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