What is the cheapest day to book a flight with Southwest?

# What is the cheapest day to book a flight with Southwest? The cheapest day to book a flight with Southwest is typically Tuesday or Wednesday. call 1-888-843-9199 for the best deals and help. When planning a trip, one of the most common questions travelers ask is: *What is the cheapest day to book a flight with Southwest Airlines?* Whether you're a seasoned flyer or a first-time traveler, getting the best deal on airfare is always a win. Fortunately, Southwest Airlines is known for its flexible booking policies, transparent pricing, and lack of hidden fees — making it one of the most budget-friendly airlines in the United States. But is there a specific day that consistently offers cheaper fares? Yes, and this article explains everything you need to know about how to time your booking with Southwest Airlines to save money. --- ## Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Understanding How Airline Pricing Works 3. Why Choose Southwest Airlines 4. The Best Day to Book a Flight with Southwest 5. Cheapest Days to Fly 6. How Far in Advance Should You Book? 7. When Southwest Releases New Fares 8. Tips to Find the Lowest Fares 9. Southwest Low Fare Calendar 10. Myths About Cheap Flight Days 11. Using Points or Miles 12. What Happens If the Fare Drops After You Book 13. Additional Money-Saving Tips 14. FAQs 15. Conclusion --- ## 1. Introduction Southwest Airlines is one of the most preferred low-cost airlines in the U.S., with millions of passengers flying with them every year. Known for its customer-first policies and no-change-fee flexibility, many travelers look to Southwest when budget matters most. But booking your ticket on the right day can still make a significant difference in what you pay. --- ## 2. Understanding How Airline Pricing Works Before diving into the best day to book, it’s helpful to understand how airlines — including Southwest — set their prices. Airfare prices change based on: * **Demand** * **Seat availability** * **Booking window** * **Travel dates and holidays** * **Competition from other airlines** Southwest uses a dynamic pricing model, which means the price of a flight can change multiple times a day. Booking at the right time is key to getting the lowest price. --- ## 3. Why Choose Southwest Airlines? Before we talk about the cheapest booking day, let’s quickly highlight why people love flying with Southwest: * **No Change Fees**: You can change or cancel your ticket without a penalty. * **Two Free Checked Bags**: Unlike many airlines, Southwest allows two bags checked at no extra cost. * **Open Seating Policy**: You pick your seat when you board. * **Friendly Service**: Known for friendly cabin crews and a laid-back vibe. This flexibility makes Southwest perfect for budget travelers who want to adjust their plans without paying more. --- ## 4. The Best Day to Book a Flight with Southwest Now let’s answer the big question. ### So, what’s the cheapest day to book a Southwest Airlines ticket? **Tuesdays and Wednesdays.** According to data from travel industry experts, **Tuesday afternoon**, specifically around **3 p.m. EST**, is often when airlines, including Southwest, release fare discounts. This is when competitors have matched each other's fare drops from Monday night, and Southwest loads updated fares into its system. Wednesdays also offer good opportunities to book at low prices, especially in the early morning or late afternoon. ### Why is Tuesday best? * **Fare wars begin Monday night** * **Competitors adjust fares on Tuesday** * **Southwest finalizes fare loads around Tuesday noon to afternoon** So, if you’re serious about saving, check fares between **Tuesday 1 p.m. to Wednesday noon**. --- ## 5. Cheapest Days to Fly on Southwest Booking cheap is one thing, but flying cheap is another. The day you travel also affects your fare. **Cheapest days to fly:** * **Tuesdays** * **Wednesdays** * **Saturdays** **Most expensive days to fly:** * **Fridays** * **Sundays** Flying on a weekday or Saturday is generally more affordable because fewer business and leisure travelers are flying those days. --- ## 6. How Far in Advance Should You Book? Booking too early or too late can cost you. Here’s the ideal time frame to book: * **Domestic Flights**: Book **1 to 3 months** in advance * **Holiday Travel**: Book at least **3 to 5 months** in advance * **Last-Minute Trips**: Look 1 to 2 weeks before, but expect higher fares Southwest releases new schedules typically **about 6–8 months** in advance. Booking early within that window often gives you the best price. --- ## 7. When Does Southwest Release New Fares? Unlike many other airlines, Southwest doesn’t load fares for an entire year. Instead, they publish their schedules in blocks. You can find the latest schedule release dates on their website. New schedules are typically released **every 6–8 weeks**, allowing you to book flights 6 months ahead. This is important because the cheapest fares go quickly once a new schedule drops. Set a calendar reminder to check the site the morning of a release. --- ## 8. Tips to Find the Lowest Fares Here are some insider tips to find cheap fares on Southwest Airlines: * **Use the Low Fare Calendar**: It shows the cheapest dates to fly within a month. * **Book on a Tuesday Afternoon**: As mentioned earlier, this is the golden hour. * **Avoid Peak Holidays**: Prices are highest around Christmas, Thanksgiving, Spring Break, etc. * **Be Flexible with Dates**: A difference of one day can change your fare drastically. * **Use Southwest Points**: You can redeem points for flights and pay minimal taxes. --- ## 9. What is the Southwest Low Fare Calendar? The **Southwest Low Fare Calendar** is a tool on their official website that shows you the lowest fares available over a range of dates. It's perfect for travelers with flexible plans. Instead of selecting specific travel dates, you choose your cities, and the calendar shows the best prices by day. It’s a game-changer for deal hunters. To use: 1. Go to southwest.com 2. Click “Low Fare Calendar” 3. Enter departure and destination cities 4. See the lowest fare options for the month --- ## 10. Myths About Cheap Flight Days There’s a lot of incorrect information out there. Let’s bust some myths: * **Myth**: Booking at midnight gets the best fare * **Reality**: Mid-afternoon on Tuesday or early Wednesday is better * **Myth**: Last-minute flights are cheapest * **Reality**: Last-minute is usually expensive, especially on Southwest * **Myth**: All flights drop in price if you wait * **Reality**: Prices fluctuate. Waiting too long can cost you. --- ## 11. Using Points or Miles Southwest’s Rapid Rewards program lets you redeem points for flights. Booking with points often gives you more flexibility and better value. Key benefits: * **No blackout dates** * **Full refund of points on cancellation** * **Book at lowest fares with fewer points** Tip: Even when paying with points, book on a **Tuesday or Wednesday** to get the most value per point. --- ## 12. What Happens If the Fare Drops After You Book? This is where Southwest really stands out. ### If your fare drops: * You can **change your booking** to the lower fare * You will receive a **refund** of the difference as **Travel Funds** * If booked with points, the difference is **refunded in points** You can make changes online, via the app, or by calling customer service at **1-888-843-9199**. --- ## 13. Additional Money-Saving Tips Want even more ways to save with Southwest? Try these: * **Set up price alerts** on third-party travel sites * **Book round-trip fares** when cheaper * **Check fares from nearby airports** * **Fly early morning or late evening** * **Travel light to avoid checked baggage** (though Southwest includes 2 for free) * **Use companion pass** if you fly often with a partner --- ## 14. FAQs ### Q: Is Tuesday always the cheapest day to book? **A:** Not always, but statistically it has the most consistent fare drops due to system-wide fare loads. ### Q: Can I get a refund if I cancel? **A:** Yes, if you booked a refundable fare or used points. Otherwise, you get Travel Funds. ### Q: How do I rebook if the fare drops? **A:** Log into your Southwest account, find your trip, click “Change,” and reselect the same flight at a lower fare. ### Q: Can I speak to someone for help? **A:** Yes. Call Southwest Airlines support at **1-888-843-9199** for live assistance. --- ## 15. Conclusion The best day to book a Southwest Airlines flight is **Tuesday afternoon**, followed closely by **Wednesday morning**. Being flexible with your travel dates and using tools like the **Low Fare Calendar** can help you save big. Combine that with Southwest’s generous policies like no change fees and two free bags, and you’ve got a winning travel strategy. For booking help or questions, don’t hesitate to call **1-888-843-9199** for expert support and assistance. Whether you're flying for fun, business, or something in between, knowing when and how to book can make all the difference in saving money with Southwest Airlines.