Canceling a flight can be stressful—especially when you’re unsure whether you’ll get your money back. If you’ve booked a Southwest Airlines Wanna Get Away® fare, the rules are different from many other airlines, and understanding them can save you time, frustration, and money.
This in-depth guide answers the core question:
Can I cancel a Southwest Wanna Get Away fare and get my money back?
We’ll break down Southwest’s cancellation policy in plain English, explain when refunds are possible, when you’ll receive flight credit instead of cash, and how to cancel step by step. The article is written from a consumer-advocacy perspective and grounded in publicly available airline policies, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) rules, and reputable consumer guidance from organizations like Consumer Reports and Harvard Business Review.
Understanding Southwest Wanna Get Away Fares
What Is a Wanna Get Away Fare?
Wanna Get Away® is Southwest Airlines’ lowest-priced fare category. It’s designed for travelers who want maximum savings and flexibility—but not necessarily a cash refund.
Key characteristics include:
- Lowest base fares offered by Southwest
- No change fees
- Nonrefundable to original payment method
- Eligible for flight credit if canceled
- Includes two free checked bags (a Southwest hallmark)
Unlike many ultra-low-cost carriers, Southwest does not charge cancellation fees. However, that doesn’t automatically mean you’ll receive money back.
Can You Get a Refund on Wanna Get Away Tickets?
Short Answer: Usually No
If you cancel a Wanna Get Away ticket:
- You will not receive a cash refund to your credit card or bank
- You will receive Southwest flight credit for the unused portion of the ticket
This policy is consistent with how most U.S. airlines handle deeply discounted, nonrefundable fares, according to consumer aviation analyses published by Consumer Reports.
Important Exception: The 24-Hour Rule
Under U.S. Department of Transportation regulations, airlines must allow customers to cancel a flight within 24 hours of booking for a full refund—provided the booking was made at least 7 days before departure.
Southwest complies with this rule.
Southwest’s 24-Hour Cancellation Rule (DOT Protection)
How the Rule Works
If you meet all three conditions below, you can get your money back:
- You booked directly with Southwest (website, app, or phone)
- You cancel within 24 hours of booking
- Your flight departs 7 or more days later
If eligible:
- The refund goes back to your original payment method
- No fees or penalties apply
According to DOT guidance and airline compliance reviews cited by Harvard Business Review, this rule exists to protect consumers from impulse bookings and pricing errors.
What You Actually Get When You Cancel a Wanna Get Away Fare
Southwest Flight Credit Explained
When canceling outside the 24-hour window:
- The value of your ticket becomes flight credit
- Credit is issued in the passenger’s name
- It can be used for future Southwest flights
Do Southwest Flight Credits Expire?
As of July 28, 2022, Southwest eliminated expiration dates on flight credits.
Based on publicly available information, there is no confirmed data suggesting Southwest has reinstated expiration dates on standard flight credits.
This change significantly improved consumer value and flexibility.
Southwest Fare Types Compared
Understanding fare differences helps clarify why Wanna Get Away refunds are limited.
| Fare Type | Refundable to Original Payment? | Cancellation Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Wanna Get Away | No | Flight credit |
| Wanna Get Away Plus | No (but transferable) | Transferable flight credit |
| Anytime | Yes | Refund or credit |
| Business Select | Yes | Refund or credit |
Key Insight:
Only Anytime and Business Select fares offer true cash refunds beyond the 24-hour window.
Step-by-Step: How to Cancel a Wanna Get Away Flight
Canceling a Southwest ticket is straightforward and can be done online in minutes.
Step 1: Go to Southwest.com
Navigate to “Manage Reservations.”
Step 2: Enter Your Details
Provide:
- Confirmation number
- Passenger name
Step 3: Select “Cancel Flight”
Review cancellation terms before proceeding.
Step 4: Confirm Cancellation
You’ll receive:
- Email confirmation
- Flight credit confirmation (if applicable)
Step 5: Save Your Credit Details
Your credit is automatically stored in your Rapid Rewards profile (if logged in), or accessible via confirmation number.
Real-World Cancellation Examples
Example 1: Canceling After 3 Days
- Fare: Wanna Get Away
- Ticket Cost: $220
- Cancellation Time: 3 days after booking
Outcome:
$220 issued as Southwest flight credit, usable for future travel.
Example 2: Canceling Within 24 Hours
- Fare: Wanna Get Away
- Ticket Cost: $180
- Cancellation Time: 6 hours after booking
Outcome:
$180 refunded to original credit card.
Example 3: Last-Minute Cancellation
- Fare: Wanna Get Away
- Cancellation Time: 2 hours before departure
Outcome:
Full ticket value issued as flight credit (no penalty).
This flexibility is often cited in airline customer satisfaction studies referenced by Consumer Reports.
Wanna Get Away vs. Wanna Get Away Plus
Southwest introduced Wanna Get Away Plus® for travelers wanting added flexibility.
Key Differences
| Feature | Wanna Get Away | Wanna Get Away Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Refundable | No | No |
| Transferable credit | No | Yes |
| Same-day change | Limited | Included |
| Price | Lower | Slightly higher |
Expert Tip:
If you’re booking for someone else or expect plans to change, Wanna Get Away Plus may justify the higher fare.
Common Mistakes That Cost Travelers Money
Avoid these frequent errors:
- Missing the 24-hour refund window
- Assuming “no change fees” means “cash refund”
- Confusing flight credit with LUV Vouchers
- Booking third-party tickets (refund rules may differ)
According to consumer travel research, misunderstanding fare rules is one of the top causes of post-booking dissatisfaction.
Expert Tips to Maximize Value After Cancellation
1. Rebook When Prices Drop
Southwest allows free price adjustments. Cancel and rebook at a lower fare to generate credit.
2. Track Fare Changes
Use fare alerts or check prices manually every few weeks.
3. Pair Credits Strategically
Credits can be combined with cash for future bookings.
4. Upgrade Wisely
If flexibility matters, consider upgrading to Anytime fares during sales.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I cancel a Wanna Get Away flight and get cash back?
Only if you cancel within 24 hours of booking and your flight is at least 7 days away.
2. Do Wanna Get Away credits expire?
No. Based on publicly available information, Southwest flight credits do not expire.
3. Can I cancel my flight after check-in?
Yes. You’ll still receive flight credit.
4. Is Wanna Get Away refundable for medical emergencies?
Southwest does not generally offer cash refunds for nonrefundable fares, even for medical reasons.
5. What if Southwest cancels my flight?
If Southwest cancels, you are entitled to a refund or rebooking.
6. Are Wanna Get Away credits transferable?
No. Only Wanna Get Away Plus credits are transferable.
7. Can I use flight credit for someone else?
No, unless it’s a transferable credit (Plus fare).
8. Does canceling affect Rapid Rewards points?
Points earned from flown segments are unaffected; canceled flights earn no points.
9. Can I cancel part of my itinerary?
Yes. Unused segments become flight credit.
10. Is it better to cancel or no-show?
Always cancel. No-shows may forfeit value.
Final Verdict: Is Canceling a Wanna Get Away Fare Worth It?
Yes—if you understand what you’re getting.
While you usually won’t receive cash back, Southwest’s no-fee cancellation policy, non-expiring flight credits, and consumer-friendly rules make Wanna Get Away fares one of the least risky low-cost options in the U.S. airline market.
From a consumer advocacy standpoint, Southwest’s policies align closely with recommendations from organizations like Consumer Reports, which consistently emphasize transparency and flexibility as key indicators of airline value.
If cash refunds are critical, consider Anytime or Business Select fares. But for most travelers, Wanna Get Away offers a smart balance of affordability and flexibility—especially when plans change.
