Are Southwest Wanna Get Away Fares Refundable?
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Booked a Southwest Wanna Get Away fare and now your plans changed? You’re not alone. Wanna Get Away is Southwest’s most popular low-cost fare, but many travelers wonder: what happens to my money if I cancel?
The short answer: Wanna Get Away fares are not refundable as cash—but you won’t lose your money either. Let’s walk through exactly how it works, and how to get the most value if your plans shift.
Wanna Get Away is Southwest’s lowest fare class, designed for budget-conscious travelers who don’t need full flexibility.
What it includes:
What it limits:
Traveler note: Wanna Get Away fares are perfect for saving upfront, but you need to understand how cancellation works.
The key detail: No cash refunds.
If you cancel, Southwest converts your ticket into travel credits (called Travel Funds). These credits:
So, while you won’t get your money back in your bank account, you will have full credit with Southwest to apply later.
Data-backed insight: According to Southwest’s official policy, Wanna Get Away fares are “nonrefundable but reusable.”
Here’s what happens if you cancel:
If the new ticket is cheaper, you’ll keep the leftover balance as credit.
Example: You cancel a $200 fare and rebook later for $150 → you’ll still have $50 in credit left.
Traveler story: A couple canceled their Vegas trip, then used the credit for a last-minute family visit to Dallas—without losing a penny.
Southwest recently introduced Wanna Get Away Plus, which adds one big perk:
This can be a lifesaver for families or groups, especially if one person cancels but someone else still needs the flight.
Visual idea: Side-by-side comparison table of refund rules.
Pro tip: If there’s even a chance of canceling, book with points—refunds are instant, no strings attached.
No—Southwest Wanna Get Away fares aren’t refundable as cash. But you don’t lose your money either: the full value is returned as travel credits for future flights.
For more flexibility, Wanna Get Away Plus lets you transfer those credits to someone else. At the end of the day, Southwest still gives you peace of mind knowing your money won’t go to waste.
Call (831-298-4213) today if you need help canceling, rebooking, or using your Southwest credits for an upcoming trip.
The short answer: Wanna Get Away fares are not refundable as cash—but you won’t lose your money either. Let’s walk through exactly how it works, and how to get the most value if your plans shift.
What Are Southwest Wanna Get Away Fares?
Wanna Get Away is Southwest’s lowest fare class, designed for budget-conscious travelers who don’t need full flexibility.
What it includes:
2 free checked bags (a Southwest staple).- No change fees (on all Southwest fares).
- Same great in-flight service as higher fares.
What it limits:
Not refundable as cash.- Travel funds usually non-transferable (unless you buy Wanna Get Away Plus).
Traveler note: Wanna Get Away fares are perfect for saving upfront, but you need to understand how cancellation works.Are Wanna Get Away Fares Refundable?
The key detail: No cash refunds.
If you cancel, Southwest converts your ticket into travel credits (called Travel Funds). These credits:
- Can be used for future flights.
- Expire after a set period (typically 12 months, though recent policies sometimes extend this).
- Can only be used by the same traveler (unless upgraded to Wanna Get Away Plus).
So, while you won’t get your money back in your bank account, you will have full credit with Southwest to apply later.
Data-backed insight: According to Southwest’s official policy, Wanna Get Away fares are “nonrefundable but reusable.”How Do Travel Credits Work with Wanna Get Away?
Here’s what happens if you cancel:
- Cancel your flight before departure.
- Southwest issues a credit equal to your ticket value.
- Apply that credit toward a new booking.
If the new ticket is cheaper, you’ll keep the leftover balance as credit.
Example: You cancel a $200 fare and rebook later for $150 → you’ll still have $50 in credit left.
Traveler story: A couple canceled their Vegas trip, then used the credit for a last-minute family visit to Dallas—without losing a penny.Wanna Get Away vs. Wanna Get Away Plus (Refund Flexibility)
Southwest recently introduced Wanna Get Away Plus, which adds one big perk:
- Standard Wanna Get Away: Travel funds are locked to the original traveler.
- Wanna Get Away Plus: Travel funds can be transferred to another traveler.
This can be a lifesaver for families or groups, especially if one person cancels but someone else still needs the flight.
Visual idea: Side-by-side comparison table of refund rules.Tips for Maximizing Value When Canceling a Wanna Get Away Fare
- Cancel early: If you’re a no-show, you may forfeit funds entirely.
- Track expiration dates: Don’t let credits expire unused.
- Use points when unsure: Rapid Rewards points bookings are fully refundable into your points balance.
- Consider Wanna Get Away Plus: Transferable funds can save stress if plans are uncertain.
Pro tip: If there’s even a chance of canceling, book with points—refunds are instant, no strings attached.Final Thoughts — Are Southwest Wanna Get Away Fares Refundable?
No—Southwest Wanna Get Away fares aren’t refundable as cash. But you don’t lose your money either: the full value is returned as travel credits for future flights.
For more flexibility, Wanna Get Away Plus lets you transfer those credits to someone else. At the end of the day, Southwest still gives you peace of mind knowing your money won’t go to waste.
Call (831-298-4213) today if you need help canceling, rebooking, or using your Southwest credits for an upcoming trip.Similar threads
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