Planning a Memorial Day trip next year? Southwest has opened their schedule for flights through June 2, 2017.
So you can now book paid and award tickets for late spring trips! This is a terrific opportunity for a quick getaway before the peak summer travel season.
Southwest is my favorite deal in travel, because everyone gets 2 free checked bags, there aren’t any change or cancellation fees, and a companion can travel with you for almost free if you have the Southwest Companion Pass.
Southwest Flies to US and International Destinations, Including Their New Routes to Cuba!
I’ll share the details and remind you of how to make the most of your Southwest flights!
Southwest Extends Schedule
Link: Southwest
You can now book paid and award tickets on Southwest through June 2, 2017.
Late spring is an excellent time to travel, because there are fewer crowds, and hotels and activities tend to be less expensive than in the peak summer months. And with the schedule extended, you can now book trips over Memorial Day weekend.
Remember, Southwest flies to lots of international vacation destinations, like the Bahamas, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Mexico.
Book a Memorial Day Long Weekend Vacation to Destinations Like Los Cabos, Mexico
Even if your travel plans aren’t firm, it’s best to book your Southwest tickets now in case prices go up. That’s because Southwest doesn’t charge fees to change or cancel a paid or award ticket.
And if fares go down, you can always cancel and re-book at the lower price!
1. Paid Ticket Cancellation Policy
You can cancel paid Southwest tickets within 24 hours of booking for a full refund. And refundable (Business Select and Anytime) fares are fully refundable within 1 year of the date of issue. Or you can apply the value towards another ticket.
You can cancel non-refundable tickets (Wanna Get Away fares) without a fee, as long as you cancel at least 10 minutes prior to departure. And the value of the ticket can be used towards another flight within 1 year of the original ticket’s date of issue.
2. Award Ticket Cancellation Policy
There are no fees for changing or cancelling an award ticket. And the points will be immediately returned to your account.
Southwest Companion Pass
Link: How to Earn the Southwest Companion Pass in 8 Easy Steps
Link: 3 Mistakes That Won’t Get You the Southwest Companion Pass
Link: You Can Earn the Southwest Companion Pass With Starwood Points
Link: 1 Couple + 2 Cards = 2 Years of Free Flying + 7 Free Hotel Nights!
I love Southwest because with my Southwest Companion Pass, a friend or family member flies with me for almost free on paid and award tickets.
To get the Southwest Companion Pass, you must earn 110,000 Southwest points in a calendar year. It’s important to get the timing right and avoid these common mistakes that won’t get you the Companion Pass!
The quickest way to earn (almost) enough Southwest points for the Companion Pass is with the sign-up bonuses from the Chase Southwest credit cards like the:
Read my post about tricks for quickly earning the additional points you’ll need for the Companion Pass. You can also earn the Companion Pass With Starwood Points!
And for even Bigger Travel, check out my post on how a couple can earn the Companion Pass and get 7 free hotel nights by opening just 2 cards each!
Bottom Line
Southwest has opened their schedule for flights through June 2, 2017. So you can now book Memorial Day travel!
It’s best to book Southwest flights as early as possible, because even if your plans change, you can cancel or re-book without penalty on paid and award tickets.
Southwest is still my favorite deal in travel, because when you have the Southwest Companion Pass, a friend or family member flies with you for only the cost of taxes and fees for up to ~2 years.
And there are lots of new ways to easily earn the Southwest Companion Pass with Marriott or Starwood points!
