How Can I Transfer My Southwest Airlines Flight Ticket?

# **How Can I Transfer My Southwest Airlines Flight Ticket?** You cannot transfer your Southwest Airlines ticket—call 1-888-843-9199—but you can request a name correction or rebook your flight easily. Booking a flight can be a straightforward process, but unexpected changes in schedules, plans, or emergencies may require a traveler to either cancel or modify their booking. For many passengers, a common question arises: Can I transfer my flight ticket to someone else on Southwest Airlines? In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the rules, limitations, and options available if you're trying to transfer your Southwest Airlines flight ticket, along with every related topic you should understand. --- ### 1. Introduction to Ticket Transfer A ticket transfer refers to changing the name on an airline ticket so that another person can use it. While some travel services or event tickets allow this flexibility, airline tickets are more tightly controlled due to security regulations, identification verification, and fare policies. In most cases across major airlines, including Southwest Airlines, passenger name changes that equate to transferring a ticket are not allowed. --- ### 2. Does Southwest Airlines Allow Ticket Transfers? No, Southwest Airlines does **not** allow passengers to transfer a flight ticket to another person. This means that if you’ve booked a ticket under your name, you cannot give or sell that ticket to someone else, even if you're not traveling. Southwest Airlines issues **non-transferable tickets**, which are bound to the individual named on the reservation. This rule is in place for several reasons: * **Security regulations** from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) * **Preventing fraudulent reselling** of airline tickets * **Accurate passenger records and identity verification** --- ### 3. Why Are Transfers Not Allowed? Here are the major reasons why Southwest and other airlines do not allow flight ticket transfers: 1. **TSA Security Protocols**: Government regulations require that the name on your boarding pass matches your valid government-issued ID. Any discrepancy could result in denied boarding. 2. **Airline Revenue Integrity**: Allowing ticket transfers could result in fare manipulation or unauthorized reselling, which hurts airline revenue management strategies. 3. **Frequent Flyer Points and Identity Match**: Each ticket is tied to a specific passenger profile, loyalty program, and purchase history. 4. **Booking Source Verification**: Tickets bought via travel agents, reward points, or company accounts must maintain identity integrity. --- ### 4. What If I Can’t Travel? Options Instead of Transfer If you can’t fly on your booked Southwest flight and can’t transfer the ticket, you still have several options: #### A. Cancel the Flight Southwest Airlines offers one of the most flexible cancellation policies in the airline industry: * **No change or cancellation fees** * **Full travel credit** for the value of the ticket * **Valid for one year from the original booking date** #### B. Rebook for Yourself If your travel plans change, you can reschedule your flight for another date or destination without penalty. Fare differences may apply. #### C. Use Travel Funds Once you cancel your flight, the value of your ticket turns into **travel funds**. These are stored in your Southwest account and can be used by you (not someone else) for a future flight. --- ### 5. Detailed Look at Travel Funds When you cancel a flight on Southwest Airlines, the funds from your ticket are stored as reusable credit, not cash refunds (unless you bought a refundable fare). Here’s what you need to know: * **Non-transferable**: Travel funds are linked to the original passenger and can’t be used by anyone else. * **Expiration**: Usually valid for 12 months from the booking date. In some cases, such as during COVID-era travel, this rule was temporarily relaxed. * **How to Use**: Log in to your Rapid Rewards account, and apply travel funds at checkout. * **Track Funds**: Keep your confirmation number handy. You’ll need it to use your funds. --- ### 6. Southwest Fare Types and Their Flexibility Understanding fare types can help you decide your best option if you can’t travel. Here’s a breakdown: #### A. Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus * Cheapest fare classes * Non-refundable * Not transferable * If canceled, value goes to travel funds (usable only by original passenger) #### B. Anytime * More flexibility * Refundable upon request * If you cancel, you can choose between refund or travel funds #### C. Business Select * Most flexible * Refundable * Higher fares but full benefits including priority boarding, check-in, and refund eligibility --- ### 7. Can I Change the Name on a Southwest Ticket? While full name changes (to transfer the ticket to another person) are not allowed, **minor corrections** are permitted. For example: * Correcting a misspelling (e.g., Jonson → Johnson) * Fixing a missing middle name * Adjusting a typo To request a name correction, you can: * Call Southwest Airlines Customer Service * Reach out via social media or airport counter * Provide documentation if needed (ID, reservation number) --- ### 8. What About Group Bookings? Southwest offers special handling for group travel, typically 10 or more passengers. In these cases: * You may make **limited name changes** up to 72 hours before travel. * Some flexibility is provided in the group booking terms. For group tickets, contact the **Southwest Group Travel Desk** directly. --- ### 9. Can I Book for Someone Else? Yes, you **can book a ticket for someone else**, but the passenger name **must be correct at the time of booking**. Once booked, you cannot switch the name to someone else. So always double-check the spelling and ID of the person you're booking for. When booking for someone else: * Make sure the name matches their government-issued ID * Provide correct birthdate and Rapid Rewards number if applicable --- ### 10. Special Cases and Exceptions Although name transfers are not allowed, there are some special scenarios to consider: #### A. Bereavement or Family Emergency Southwest does not have a formal bereavement policy, but you can contact customer service in urgent situations to see if accommodations can be made. #### B. Medical or Military Changes If travel is impacted by military deployment or serious illness, you may qualify for special assistance. Contact Southwest with supporting documentation. #### C. Refundable Tickets If you booked an Anytime or Business Select ticket, you may be eligible for a **cash refund**, allowing you to repurchase a ticket in someone else’s name separately. --- ### 11. Tips to Avoid Transfer Issues If there’s a chance your plans could change, follow these tips: 1. **Buy a refundable fare** if flexibility is critical 2. **Use travel insurance** to cover unexpected events 3. **Book last-minute** when you're sure about travel plans 4. **Double-check passenger details** before submitting payment 5. **Avoid booking for others unless confirmed** --- ### 12. Contacting Southwest Airlines for Help If you're unsure or need to make a correction, Southwest offers several support channels: * **Phone**: Call 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) * **Website**: Visit [www.southwest.com](http://www.southwest.com) * **Social Media**: Reach out via X (Twitter), Facebook, or Instagram * **Airport Help Desk**: Visit the counter at your nearest airport --- ### 13. FAQ Section **Q: Can I transfer my Southwest ticket to a friend?** **A:** No, name transfers are not permitted. **Q: What happens if I cancel my flight?** **A:** You’ll receive travel funds valid for one year under your name. **Q: Can I change my name after booking?** **A:** Only minor corrections are allowed, such as spelling mistakes. **Q: How do I use travel funds?** **A:** Apply them during checkout when booking your next flight. **Q: Can I sell my unused ticket?** **A:** No, tickets are non-transferable. --- ### 14. Conclusion Southwest Airlines prioritizes flexibility with cancellations and rescheduling, but it holds a firm policy on ticket transfers. No passenger may transfer their flight ticket to another person, as each ticket is issued in the name of the traveler and is bound by TSA and airline identity verification rules. Instead of a ticket transfer, travelers should explore options like cancellation, travel funds, and rebooking for themselves. With thoughtful planning and understanding of fare types, you can minimize financial loss and adjust your travel plans with confidence. If you're facing uncertainty in your travel schedule, always opt for a more flexible fare and contact Southwest Airlines directly for guidance. While transferring a ticket isn’t possible, many accommodations can still help you manage your booking effectively.