I’ve been flying Southwest for years, and I’ve really noticed how much their fare classes have evolved recently. When I first started booking with them, it was pretty straightforward — you just picked a cheap Wanna Get Away fare, and that was it. But last year, when I was planning a trip from Austin to Portland, I noticed new fare options popping up, like Wanna Get Away Plus, and decided to dig in a little to see what had changed.
I called Southwest’s customer service to make sure I understood what I was booking (since I’m the kind of person who likes to get the details right), and the rep broke it down in the simplest way. The new Wanna Get Away Plus fare sits between the basic Wanna Get Away and the more flexible Anytime fare. It gives you perks like transferable flight credits and same-day confirmed changes — which came in handy for me when I had to move my return flight back a day.
On that trip, I learned that Southwest’s “Economy” isn’t about being cramped or limited — it’s actually really flexible and fair compared to other airlines. Every fare, even the cheapest one, still comes with two free checked bags, no change fees, and friendly staff who actually seem to care when you call.
Now, I usually book Wanna Get Away Plus for the extra flexibility — it’s the perfect balance between saving money and keeping options open. Southwest’s updates make flying with them feel even more traveler-friendly, especially when plans change last minute (which mine always do!).
