southwest missed flight policy

Travel can often be unpredictable, and even the most carefully arranged plans may occasionally go awry, resulting in a missed flight. In the event of such an unfortunate occurrence with Southwest Airlines, it is essential to understand the Southwest airlines missed flight policy to navigate the subsequent steps with minimal inconvenience. This guide provides comprehensive information, including potential fees and available rebooking options, to better prepare you for this situation.

What happens if You miss a Southwest flight?

A missed flight is when a passenger fails to board their schedule flight for any cause, whether due to personal failure, unexpected delays, or other factors. Southwest Airlines, having a customer-friendly approach, will try to help the passenger in this event, but knowing the details can save time and stress.

Why is the 10-Minute Rule Important?

You are allowed to board up to 10 minutes before the departure time. When you arrive at the gate after this time, you will not be boarded, though the flight is yet to take off. This policy makes someone remember to be on time and know his or her flight time.

What to Do If You Miss Your Flight: Steps to Take

Stay Calm: Panicking won't do any good. Take a deep breath and see what you can do.

Reach Southwest Airlines Customer Service: Call Southwest customer service hotline as soon as you realize you've missed a flight. If you still have access to a phone, send them an SMS message through the Southwest app, or report directly to the customer service desk at the airport. The sooner you contact Southwest, the better your chances of a positive outcome.

Check Your E-mail and Notifications: If you requested notifications, then make sure to keep an eye on your e-mail along with the Southwest app for any new flight status information as well as rebooking updates.

Southwest Rebooking Options

Same-Day Standby

You can fly stand-by on the same day when your flight gets missed. To do that you will need to come to the destination airport on the same day when your flight was missed. This is how it's done:

Eligibility: A ticket for a flight that has not yet departed is required for same-day standby.

No Fee: Southwest Airlines does not impose any charges for obtaining a standby ticket; however, boarding is contingent upon the availability of seats on a flight to your intended destination.

How to do it: Go to the ticket counter at the airport and ask for a standby ticket for the next flight to your destination, or submit your request via the app.

Rebooking on Another Flight

In case you get a no, you can rebook on another flight. Here's how you can do this;

Online Booking: You can use their website or app to check for other flights and book a space on another flight.

In-Person Booking: You can visit a customer agent service desk. They will help find the next available flight and book a space for you on another flight.

Southwest No-Show Policy

In case you do not cancel the flight and do not show up, Southwest will consider their policy that refers to the no-show. Here are the implications:

Ticket Status: If you have a non-refundable fare and miss your flight without informing the airline, your ticket may be forfeited.

Change Fee: If you had flexible fare and missed the flight without informing Southwest, you may still be charged a fee to change your ticket.

Southwest Airlines Fees and Charges

Southwest Flight Change Fees

One of the attractive features of Southwest Airlines is that they have a no change fees policy. If you miss your flight, you would not be charged extra money on your flight change, as long as you have booked a new flight before your scheduled travel date.

Fare Difference

You are charged the price difference, however, as your rebooked flight might cost you more money than the fare you initially paid for. But if your flight is cheaper than the one you paid for, you get the difference refunded and can apply it to future travel.

Some Tips to Avoid Missing Your Flight

Arrive Well Ahead of Time: Plan your arrival at the airport two hours prior to a domestic flight and three hours prior to an international flight. These make allowances for any delays that might be expected.

Take Advantage of Mobile Alerts: Sign up for flight status alerts using the Southwest app or website. Such alerts may send automated messages to you should your flight status change.

Check Airport Traffic: Not to certify a delay, but more often than not, traffic at the airport can be a concern. Have a plan of how you will get to the airport in time.

Understand Your Airport: Know your gates, at least the general area where they are located, so you won't waste precious minutes getting to your destination.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if My Flight is Delayed?

If your flight has been delayed, you are encouraged to stay updated with the Southwest application or by in-flight announcements. In case you miss one of your connecting flights because your flight was delayed, Southwest automatically places you on the next available flight with no extra charge.

Can I Get a Refund if My Flight Gets Missed?

Refund policies vary depending on the type of fare you bought. Generally, you are not going to get a refund if you don't catch your flight if the tickets are non-refundable. You can, however, get credit for another journey.