Last updated: 31 October 2026.
Southwest sells four fare bundles. All fares come with Southwest's cabin service and free entertainment on selected aircraft.
4fare bundles: Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred, Choice Extra
6 monthsexpiry of a Basic flight credit
12 monthsexpiry of a Choice Transferable Flight Credit
0cancel fees on any fare
Fare bundles
Seat
- Basic
- Standard seat given at check-in; Extra Legroom and Preferred can be bought
- Choice
- Choose a Standard seat at booking
- Choice Preferred
- Choose a Preferred or Standard seat at booking
- Choice Extra
- Choose any seat including Extra Legroom
Boarding
- Basic
- Last
- Choice
- General
- Choice Preferred
- Groups 3 to 4
- Choice Extra
- Group 1
Rapid Rewards points per dollar
- Basic
- 2x
- Choice
- 6x
- Choice Preferred
- 10x
- Choice Extra
- 14x
Cancellation
- Basic
- No cancel fee; flight credit expires after 6 months
- Choice
- Transferable Flight Credit, 12 months
- Choice Preferred
- Refundable
- Choice Extra
- Refundable
Flight changes
- Basic
- Allowed with a fare upgrade
- Choice
- Allowed, fare difference applies
- Choice Preferred
- Allowed, fare difference applies
- Choice Extra
- Allowed, fare difference applies
Checked bags
- Basic
- Fees may apply
- Choice
- Fees may apply
- Choice Preferred
- Fees may apply
- Choice Extra
- Two free checked bags
Extras
- Basic
- -
- Choice
- No-charge same-day change or standby (taxes and fees possible)
- Choice Preferred
- Priority Lane and Express Lane
- Choice Extra
- Premium drink on select flights of 251 miles or more
- Basic fares cannot be refunded apart from the 24-hour rule; if cancelled 10 minutes or more before take-off, leftover value may become a flight credit.
- A separately bought seat can only be dropped by cancelling the flight, which returns a flight credit. A-List members and Rapid Rewards cardmembers can choose a seat before check-in on Basic fares.
Questions travellers ask us
Which fare includes free checked bags?
Choice Extra includes two free checked bags.
Can I cancel a Basic fare?
Yes, with no fee, for a flight credit.
Baggage Allowance is an independent information site and is not part of Southwest Airlines. Check the airline's own pages before you travel.
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