Everything to Know About Southwest Airlines Fare Types

Here’s what you need to know before booking a Southwest ticket.

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Published on January 20, 2024

What’s Included in Southwest Fares

“Southwest offers two free checked bags (weight and size limits apply) to every customer, no change or cancellation fees (fare differences will apply), and flight credits that don’t expire, which is an industry first – and Southwest is the only carrier to offer,” says Valdez. “Earlier this year, we made new enhancements, adding same-day standby to Wanna Get Away, giving our customers more options while maintaining all the benefits our customers know and love about our existing fares.”

In addition to baggage allowances and flight credits, all Southwest fares offer free inflight entertainment, including a flight tracker, arrival information, live TV, movies, messaging, and destination guides. No matter the fare, passengers cannot reserve a seat. Seats are chosen on a first-come, first-served basis. If you want an aisle or window seat, you should book a fare that allows you to get an earlier boarding group. Travelers can list for same-day standby on any fare by contacting a Southwest customer service agent at the airport or through the Southwest app.

Baggage drop at southwest counter — Courtesy of Southwest Airlines

Wanna Get Away

Fare Details

The Wanna Get Away fare is equivalent to a basic economy fare on other airlines.

Earning Miles

Travelers will earn six Rapid Rewards points per dollar on the base fare on qualifying flights — a solid amount of points for the lowest fare category. For reference, travelers in Delta’s basic economy fare class don’t earn any SkyMiles on their flights.

Cancellations

Wanna Get Away fares are non-refundable. However, you can receive a flight credit for non-refundable fares if the flight is canceled at least 10 minutes before the scheduled departure. This flight credit is not transferable.

Changes

Even on the lowest fare, changes are allowed with no change fees. However, travelers with the Wanna Get Away fare must pay any fare difference to change their flight. Still, this is one of the industry's most flexible basic economy fares.

Check-in and Boarding Order

You can check in for your flight beginning 24 hours prior to departure. The sooner you check in, the higher your boarding spot will be. Southwest has boarding groups A, B, and C, with positions 1-60 in each group. As long as you check in right when it opens, you can board relatively early on in the process.

What kind of traveler is this fare best for?

Wanna Get Away fares are designed for travelers who don’t need quite as much flexibility but still want to take a trip. This fare comes with many more perks than basic economy fares on other airlines, so you don’t have to worry about missing out on things like free checked bags. However, if you think you might change your flight and want to avoid paying a fare difference, you should go with the Wanna Get Away+ fare.

Related: 9 Best Frequent Flier Programs

Wanna Get Away+

Fare Details

The Wanna Get Away+ fare was introduced in 2022 and offers slightly more flexibility than the Wanna Get Away fare.

Earning Miles

Travelers who purchase the Wanna Get Away+ fare will earn eight Rapid Rewards points per dollar on their base fare on qualifying flights. That’s two additional points per dollar over the Wanna Get Away fare.

Cancellations

You can cancel your flight at least 10 minutes before your scheduled departure and receive a transferable flight credit for the value of your unused ticket.

Changes

With the Wanna Get Away+ fare, you can switch to another flight on the same day with space available, as long as the origin and destination airports stay the same. The main difference is that Wanna Get Away+ does not charge a fare difference for these changes.

Check-in and Boarding Order

Check-in and boarding orders for Wanna Get Away+ are the same as Wanna Get Away. If you want to board early, you need to check in for your flight as soon as possible.

What kind of traveler is this fare best for?

The most significant differences between Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away+ are the additional two points per dollar earnings, same-day changes with fewer restrictions, and a transferable flight credit for cancellations. This flight credit can be transferred to anyone with a Rapid Rewards number. Travelers who want a bit more flexibility while keeping costs low are better off with this fare.

Empty interior of plane — Courtesy of Southwest Airlines

Anytime

Fare Details

The Anytime fare is a mid-tier fare that offers flexibility while remaining affordable.

Earning Miles

Travelers will earn 10 Rapid Rewards points per dollar on their base fare for qualifying flights.

Cancellations

The Anytime fare allows you to get a refund to your original form of payment if you cancel at least 10 minutes before your flight's scheduled departure. This is a notable difference from the previous two fares — you get your money back rather than a credit.

Changes

On the day of travel, you can switch (free of airline charges) to another flight with space available departing on the same day between the same origin airport and destination airport as your original flight. This is the same as the Wanna Get Away+ fare.

Check-in and Boarding Order

Enjoy automatic check-in 36 hours before your scheduled departure with EarlyBird Check-in. With EarlyBird Check-in, you can board the plane quicker, making it more likely that you will get the seat you want.

What kind of traveler is this fare best for?

The Anytime fare is best for people traveling together who want to ensure they can sit together during their flight. With EarlyBird Check-in (which opens 12 hours before standard check-in), you know you’ll be able to board earlier. This fare is also ideal for folks who want even more flexibility and the opportunity to cancel their trip and get a full refund to their original form of payment.

Sign for Priority lane — Courtesy of Southwest Airlines

Business Select

Fare Details

Business Select fares are ideal for maximum flexibility and earnings.

Earning Miles

Travelers will earn 12 Rapid Rewards points per dollar on their base fare for qualifying flights — double the amount earned on Wanna Get Away fares.

Cancellations

Business Select flights are fully refundable if you cancel your reservation at least 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time. You can get your refund back to your original form of payment.

Changes

On the day of travel, you can switch to another flight with space available departing on the same day between the same origin airport and destination airport as your original flight, free of airline charges.

Check-in and Boarding Order

Business Select passengers will be among the first to board, which means you get your choice of seat. Passengers in this fare class can utilize the priority lanes at Southwest check-in counters and express lanes at security checkpoints to further speed up their journey. It is important to note that Southwest is an economy-only airline, so there aren’t any dedicated business-class seats. The seats throughout the plane are the same, but as you are the first to board, you can sit at the front of the aircraft.

Other Inclusions

Business Select travelers can enjoy one complimentary premium drink on flights of 176 miles or more. These fares will also include complimentary Wi-Fi on Wi-Fi-enabled aircraft.

What kind of traveler is this fare best for?

This is the most expensive fare, but it also comes with the most perks. If you want the comfort of boarding first and using priority lanes, all while keeping the same cancellation and change perks of the Anytime fare, you should go with Business Select. This is also a great option to accelerate your Rapid Rewards point earning.