Do Southwest flights get cheaper closer to the date?

[neha]

Explore how Southwest pricing works and whether waiting until the last minute can save you money. Share your booking tips and experiences!

 

[Hazel!]

Southwest fares don’t consistently get cheaper as the departure date gets closer. Often, the lowest prices are available when the flight first goes on sale, and then prices rise as seats fill. Sometimes last-minute deals do pop up, but that’s unpredictable and not something you can count on. If you need a specific flight, booking earlier usually gives you more options and better chances at a lower fare. Being flexible with dates and times can help you find lower prices too.

 

[orivellepenuk]

Southwest flights sometimes drop closer to departure, but prices can also rise — there’s no guarantee of cheaper fares.

 

[Lindadurns]

No, Southwest fees tend to raise up as the time to the departure comes nearer, particularly the last three weeks. Prices tend to be the lowest at the time of initial reservation or on regularly scheduled sales like Wanna Get Away. It is very uncommon to have last-minute deals.

 

[Elodie]

Southwest doesn’t use fixed fare buckets like many airlines — prices are dynamic. They can go up or down as the departure date nears, depending on demand, revenue targets, and seat availability. Sometimes last-minute deals appear, but waiting is a gamble; booking earlier often gives more predictable pricing.

 

[Aslay]

I used to think waiting until the last minute was the best way to snag a deal, but Southwest proved me wrong during a trip to Nashville. I held off booking, hoping for a price drop, only to watch my $140 ticket jump to $350 three days before the flight!

Generally, Southwest flights don't get cheaper closer to the date; they actually tend to spike once you're within that 14-day window. The sweet spot is usually booking 1-3 months out. However, here’s the real "hack": because they have no change fees, I now book as early as possible. If I check back and see the price has actually dropped, I just "modify" my flight to the cheaper fare and pocket the difference as a travel credit.