# Southwest Airlines Change Name on Ticket | Date Change – Complete Guide

To change your name or flight date with Southwest Airlines, call **1-888-843-9199** for expert help and flexible support with minimal fees or restrictions.

Life is unpredictable—travel plans change, names get misspelled during booking, or sometimes you just need to move your trip to a different date. Whether it’s a simple typo in your name or a need to reschedule a flight, understanding **Southwest Airlines' Name Change and Date Change policies** can save you time, stress, and money.

This in-depth, updated 2025 guide covers everything you need to know about changing a **name or flight date on Southwest Airlines tickets**—including policies, exceptions, fees (if any), how to make changes online, offline options, and expert tips.

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## Table of Contents

1. Overview: Flexibility with Southwest Airlines
2. Can You Change the Name on a Southwest Ticket?
3. What Name Changes Are Allowed?
4. What Name Changes Are Not Allowed?
5. How to Change a Misspelled Name
6. Legal Name Change Due to Marriage, Divorce, or Court Order
7. What If You Want to Transfer the Ticket to Another Person?
8. How to Change the Passenger Name on a Ticket – Step-by-Step
9. Changing Name for Rapid Rewards Bookings
10. Name Change for Group Bookings
11. Name Correction for International Flights
12. Changing the Date on Southwest Tickets – Policy Overview
13. Change Flight vs Cancel Flight: What’s Better?
14. Fare Types and Change Rules
15. Step-by-Step Guide to Change Your Flight Date
16. How to Change a Flight Online
17. How to Change a Flight Using Mobile App
18. How to Change a Flight by Calling Customer Support
19. Same-Day Flight Change Policy
20. Southwest Standby Policy
21. Is There a Fee for Changing Flights?
22. Changing Flights Booked with Rapid Rewards Points
23. What Happens to EarlyBird Check-In During Changes?
24. Travel Funds and Date Changes – What You Should Know
25. Flight Change for Companion Pass Holders
26. Changing Name and Date Together – Possible?
27. Travel Insurance and Name/Date Changes
28. What If Southwest Changes Your Flight?
29. Real Passenger Scenarios
30. Frequently Asked Questions
31. Final Thoughts

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## 1. Overview: Flexibility with Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines is widely known for its **passenger-friendly policies**, especially regarding:

* **No change fees**
* **No cancellation penalties**
* **Free name corrections in many cases**
* **Rapid Rewards flexibility**

This flexibility makes it a go-to option for travelers who value freedom and peace of mind.

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## 2. Can You Change the Name on a Southwest Ticket?

Yes, **you can correct a name** on a Southwest Airlines ticket **under certain conditions**. However, **full name changes or transferring the ticket to another person is not allowed**.

Southwest allows:

* Minor spelling corrections (up to 3 characters)
* Legal name changes (with proof)
* Correction of typographical errors

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## 3. What Name Changes Are Allowed?

✅ Spelling mistakes (e.g., “Jhon” instead of “John”)
✅ Inverted names (e.g., “Smith John” instead of “John Smith”)
✅ Missing middle names or initials
✅ Adding/removing suffixes like Jr., Sr., II
✅ Legal name change with proper documentation

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## 4. What Name Changes Are Not Allowed?

🚫 Changing the entire passenger
🚫 Giving the ticket to someone else
🚫 Changing first and last name entirely
🚫 Changing a Rapid Rewards number to another person

If you try to change the traveler entirely, you will need to **cancel and rebook** the ticket in the new person's name.

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## 5. How to Change a Misspelled Name

If there is a typo in your name:

1. Call **Southwest Customer Support** at **1-800-435-9792**
2. Provide your confirmation number and correct name
3. The agent will make the correction and reissue the itinerary
4. No fee is charged for minor name corrections

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## 6. Legal Name Change Due to Marriage, Divorce, or Court Order

Southwest permits legal name changes in cases like:

* **Marriage or divorce**
* **Adoption**
* **Court-ordered changes**

### Required Documents:

* Marriage certificate
* Divorce decree
* Legal court name change document
* Updated government-issued ID

Call **1-888-843-9199** to initiate the change. The documents may be emailed or verified in person at the airport.

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## 7. What If You Want to Transfer the Ticket to Another Person?

Unfortunately, **Southwest does not allow ticket transfers**. The passenger who is originally named on the ticket **must travel**.

If you want another person to travel:

* Cancel the original ticket (get a travel credit)
* Book a new flight for the other person

Travel credits may only be used by the original ticket holder unless you booked a **Wanna Get Away Plus fare**, which is **transferable** once to someone else.

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## 8. How to Change the Passenger Name on a Ticket – Step-by-Step

For minor name corrections:

1. Call **Customer Service**: 1-800-435-9792 or 1-888-843-9199
2. Provide confirmation number, and explain the issue
3. Request the correct spelling and reason
4. Agent will correct the ticket
5. You’ll receive an updated confirmation email

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## 9. Changing Name for Rapid Rewards Bookings

If your Rapid Rewards name doesn’t match your government ID:

* Log into Rapid Rewards account
* Go to **“My Account”** > “Profile” > “Personal Details”
* Update the name using the **name correction request form**
* Or call 1-800-445-5764

Southwest may require supporting documents for legal name changes.

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## 10. Name Change for Group Bookings

For group travel (10+ passengers), name corrections must be processed through:

📧 **[[e-mail]](mailto:[e-mail])**
📞 **1-800-433-5368**

Name corrections are generally allowed, but full transfers or last-minute changes might not be permitted depending on group terms.

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## 11. Name Correction for International Flights

For international flights, name correction is even more crucial due to immigration compliance. Always ensure:

* Your name matches the **passport exactly**
* Any correction is made **at least 72 hours before departure**
* Provide passport details if needed

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## 12. Changing the Date on Southwest Tickets – Policy Overview

Yes, Southwest allows **unlimited date changes** without penalty!

You can:

* Change flight date
* Change departure or arrival airport
* Change time
* Change entire itinerary

The only condition: you must pay the fare difference (if the new fare is higher).

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## 13. Change Flight vs Cancel Flight: What’s Better?

If you still plan to travel but just on a different date—**change the flight**.

If you’re uncertain about when you’ll travel next—**cancel the ticket** and use the **travel credit** later.

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## 14. Fare Types and Change Rules

| Fare Type | Change Allowed? | Fee | Travel Credit? |
| ------------------- | --------------- | --- | --------------- |
| Wanna Get Away | ✅ Yes | \$0 | Valid 12 months |
| Wanna Get Away Plus | ✅ Yes | \$0 | Transferable |
| Anytime | ✅ Yes | \$0 | Refundable |
| Business Select | ✅ Yes | \$0 | Refundable |

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## 15. Step-by-Step Guide to Change Your Flight Date

Here’s how to change your Southwest flight date:

1. Go to [https://www.southwest.com](https://www.southwest.com)
2. Click “Change/Cancel” under the menu
3. Enter confirmation number, first name, and last name
4. Click **Change Flight**
5. Select new travel date and flight
6. Review any fare differences
7. Confirm and pay any applicable balance
8. You’ll get a new confirmation email

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## 16. How to Change a Flight Online

Same as above—just login to your account or lookup your reservation.

✅ Can change for all fare types
✅ Must do before flight departure
✅ Applies to both cash and points bookings

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## 17. How to Change a Flight Using Mobile App

1. Open the **Southwest App**
2. Tap **“My Trips”**
3. Select the flight you want to change
4. Tap “Change Flight”
5. Follow the same steps as the website

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## 18. How to Change a Flight by Calling Customer Support

Call **1-800-435-9792** or **1-888-843-9199** and:

* Give confirmation number
* Specify new travel date or route
* Confirm any fare difference
* Receive updated email confirmation

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## 19. Same-Day Flight Change Policy

Southwest allows **same-day changes** at no cost if:

* Seats are available on your new flight
* You change on the same **calendar day**
* You check in within the allowed time

Same-day standby is available too.

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## 20. Southwest Standby Policy

Eligible fares (Business Select, Anytime, A-List) can use **standby for an earlier flight** on the same day.

* Request at the gate
* No extra cost
* Subject to availability

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## 21. Is There a Fee for Changing Flights?

✅ **Zero change fee**
✅ **Fare difference applies** if new flight costs more
✅ If new fare is cheaper, the difference is **returned as travel credit**

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## 22. Changing Flights Booked with Rapid Rewards Points

You can change award flights just like paid tickets:

* Go to “My Trips”
* Choose your flight
* Select “Change Flight”
* New flight fare is shown in points
* Pay difference or receive points back

No penalty at all.

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## 23. What Happens to EarlyBird Check-In During Changes?

If you change your flight:

* **EarlyBird Check-In is transferred** to the new flight
* If you cancel and rebook, **EarlyBird is forfeited** (non-refundable)

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## 24. Travel Funds and Date Changes – What You Should Know

If you cancel and get travel funds:

* Valid for 12 months from booking (Wanna Get Away)
* Can be applied during checkout for a new ticket
* Wanna Get Away Plus allows **transfer to another person once**

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## 25. Flight Change for Companion Pass Holders

Changing flights as a **Companion Pass holder**?

* Change main traveler’s flight first
* Cancel companion booking
* Re-add companion on new flight
* No fee, but companion seats are subject to availability

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## 26. Changing Name and Date Together – Possible?

You can:

* Change the **date** of travel and
* Correct minor **name issues**

But you **cannot change the full name and date together** to give the ticket to someone else. That’s considered a **passenger change** and is not allowed.

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## 27. Travel Insurance and Name/Date Changes

If you purchased travel insurance, notify your provider about name/date changes. Most insurers require:

* Correct name matching ID
* Accurate itinerary info

Changing plans without updating your insurance may void coverage.

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## 28. What If Southwest Changes Your Flight?

If Southwest changes or cancels your flight:

* You are eligible for **free rebooking**
* Or **full refund** (even for non-refundable tickets)
* Notification is sent by email, text, and app

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## 29. Real Passenger Scenarios

**1. John misspelled his name as “Jonh”**
✅ Called customer service, corrected for free.

**2. Priya changed her travel date due to exams**
✅ Used the app, paid ₹2,000 fare difference, no penalty.

**3. Raj wanted to gift his ticket to his cousin**
❌ Not allowed. He canceled and rebooked in cousin's name.

**4. Sara used points but had to move trip**
✅ Changed date online, got point difference back.

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## 30. Frequently Asked Questions

**Q1: Can I change my name on the ticket?**
Yes, but only for spelling mistakes or legal name changes.

**Q2: Can I give my ticket to someone else?**
Only Wanna Get Away Plus fares can be transferred once.

**Q3: How much is the change fee?**
Southwest charges **zero change fees**.

**Q4: Can I change both name and flight date?**
Yes, if it's a correction, not a transfer.

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## 31. Final Thoughts

Southwest Airlines offers **unmatched flexibility** when it comes to **name corrections and date changes**. With:

* No change fees
* Online and app-based tools
* Excellent customer support
* Rapid Rewards-friendly policies

…it’s one of the best airlines for travelers who need wiggle room.

Before making any changes, always check your **fare type**, use the **Southwest app or website**, or simply call **1-888-843-9199** for personalized help.