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In today’s day and age, with demand ebbing and flowing and in the midst of a global pandemic, airlines may cancel your flights unexpectedly.
And sometimes we have crazy incidents like the one Southwest is currently experiencing with repeated disruptions that have affected the majority of their flights.
For all of you affected by this, I am so sorry! But if you’re looking for your rights if Southwest cancels your flight, I’ve got some information…
Here’s what to do if you have a flight on Southwest that THEY (not you) cancel.
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What to Do If Southwest Cancels Your Flight
Credit: Southwest Airlines, Stephen M Keller
Southwest says they will reach out to you if they cancel your flight.
Unfortunately, they did not say when exactly, only “as soon as possible.”
And if you’re caught in the June 2021 mess, it’s doubtful they will be able to reach out to everyone.
Be sure to check your flights and KEEP checking your flights for changes or cancellations.
Here’s the typical procedure…
They are first going to offer to re-book you to a different flight or a later time.
If that’s not of interest, they will offer you a Southwest travel fund (basically a “credit”) that is good from 12 months from your original booking date and must be used by the same person.
If you can take the credit, you’ll be helping Southwest by allowing them to hold onto to cash at this challenging time.
But if you’d prefer cash…
Am I Entitled to a Refund If Southwest Cancels My Flight?
You ARE entitled to a full refund via your original method of payment EVEN if you booked a nonrefundable Wanna Get Away fare IF Southwest cancels the flight (and not you).
You will likely have to be the one to ask them for it, but, during the pandemic at least, they have said they will offer refunds if you ask.
You should ALSO be refunded any associated fees by law like Early Bird, which is a fee that grants you earlier check-in than everyone else.
Read a complete explanation of your rights if an airline cancels your flight on the Department of Transportation’s website HERE.
You may have to persist to get your refund, but keep at it. You ARE entitled to it!
Want to cancel a Southwest flight yourself? Here’s how to do it…
How to Contact Southwest About Your Cancellation
I know Southwest’s phone lines can sometimes be an hours-long wait.
Other options include opening the app (here’s everything you need to know about the Southwest app) and seeing if online chat is available or trying one of the other numbers listed here to see if they help you bypass the wait.
Stay safe!
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george clettenberg says
This event has only high lighted the SCAM SW has been doing with the Early Bird fee which can amount to up to $100.00 round trip for 2 people for some timer now. If you cancel your flight and do not re-book it you loose you $ 100.00. I strongly feel that there should be a Class Action Lawsuit started on behalf of the folks who are being taken advantage by this action.
Mike C says
Even if you do rebook, you lose the E B fee. You cannot even transfer it to new booking.
Brittnay Youmans says
SW canceled my connecting flight, sent me re book link while I was on the first plane. When I got off plane and went to re book it kept giving an error. By the time the new flights loaded NOTHING was available and me and my child had to sit in the Houston Airport for over 10 hours because I had to purchase a flight from a different airline so we could get home. No options online to re book a flight that SW canceled. Flight status clearly shows connecting flight is canceled but does not give option to re book. There needs to be an update made for this!! If the airline is canceling flights we need to be able to re book these as soon as the canceled notification comes to our phones/emails. The customer service line DOES NOT ANSWER! I NEED A REFUND ON MY CONNECTING FLIGHT FOR ME AND MY DAUGHTER!
Lyn Mettler says
Hi Brittnay,
I’m so sorry that happened to you! It sounds like a lot of people were left stranded Monday and Tuesday. I agree there does need to be an option to help you rebook right away. I have no affiliation with Southwest; I just write about them a lot. But in these cases, I have typically seen Southwest be very generous. I’m sure it will take them a few days to sort all this out since so many people were affected, but I expect they will well compensate you. If you’re not able to get them on the phone, try going into the Southwest app and seeing if the online chat feature is available. You can can also try sending them a message through Southwest.com. Good luck!
Lyn