Does finding cheap flights turn out confusing or stressful? Well, when you wish to travel with Southwest Airlines without spending more than you have to, one of the best tools you can use is the Southwest Low Fare Calendar. This simple feature lets you see the lowest ticket prices for an entire month at a glance.

Whether you are planning a holiday vacation, a weekend getaway, or a trip with your companion, knowing how to use this calendar helps you snag the best deals. In this guide, we will break down how it works, step-by-step booking tips, and clever ways to save.

Let’s dive in!

What is the Southwest Low Fare Calendar?

Southwest Airlines Low Fare Calendar is an online flexible-date search tool that displays the lowest available ticket prices for Southwest Airlines flights for an entire month. It is designed specifically for budget-conscious travelers with flexible schedules who can then find the cheapest days to fly. It even lets you compare outbound and return fares easily to spot amazing deals.

How Does It Work?

The Southwest Airlines low fare flight calendar is very easy to access and navigate. Users begin by entering key details, such as departure and destination cities, preferred travel dates, and passenger counts.

When all the info has been submitted, the tool produces a monthly view showing the lowest starting fare for each day. If you choose a particular date, all the flight options and exact schedules for that day will be displayed. With this arrangement, you can easily compare the outbound and return fares for various dates and swiftly identify the days when it is the cheapest to fly.

Step-by-Step Guide to Use the Southwest Airlines Low Fare Calendar

Southwest fares do not appear on third-party comparison sites like Google Flights, so you must use the Southwest finder tool directly on the airline’s website. Here is exactly how to access, navigate, and maximize the tool to score the lowest possible prices.

• Navigate to the official Southwest Website. 
• Click the Southwest Low Fare Calendar link, which is located directly next to the standard flight search button.
• Fill in your departure and arrival cities.
• Choose between round-trip or one-way travel.
• Select your ideal departure and return months instead of exact dates.
• Choose passenger count and input the total number of travelers.
• Select currency type by toggling between Dollars or Points to search with cash or Rapid Rewards points, and click the search button.
• To book your flight, just find the cheapest dates on the monthly calendar. If necessary, use the arrows to compare months side by side, then choose your preferred dates and flight times before going to checkout.

Low-Fare Calendar for Southwest Airlines: Rebook at Cheaper Rates 

You can easily rebook your Southwest Airlines flight at a lower rate using Southwest’s Low Fare Calendar because the airline does not charge any change fees. If you find a lower fare for your exact flight or need to fly on a different date, you can modify your reservation to claim the price difference as future travel credit or Rapid Rewards points will be refunded. 

If you spot a cheaper rate for your route, do not cancel your original flight. Instead, follow these steps to change it.

• Firstly, log into your account on the Southwest Airlines website or mobile app.
• Go to Manage Reservations and select your upcoming trip.
• Click the Change Flight button, re-enter your route, and select the Low Fare Calendar option to see the updated pricing grid.
• Select your new low-priced flight and confirm the change.

How Are Fares Refunded?

Any extra cost is returned as a Non-expiring Flight Credit for future trips. You can also choose a full refund to your original payment method or keep the credit instead. Moreover, if you have paid with Rapid Rewards points, the remaining points are returned to your account balance right away. 

Southwest Airlines Delays, Cancellations, and Missed Flights

Dealing with unexpected flight changes can be stressful, but by knowing the options, you can control your trip. In case of cancellations or delays, Southwest Airlines usually lets passengers rebook onto a different flight without paying extra. One simple way to find alternative travel days is to check the Southwest Airlines Low-Fare Calendar. If a delay has caused you to miss a connecting flight, customer service will quickly help you rebook.

Refund Claims & Compensation 

Is your flight missed, delayed, or canceled? Stop worrying; Southwest Airlines offers full refunds if you decide not to fly. They provide rebookings and points instead of compensation for the issues. You can easily request refunds or get assistance by contacting Southwest directly through its official support channels.

Best Time to Book Southwest Flights

The best time to book Southwest Airlines flights for domestic travel is 1 to 3 months before departure, while international flights should ideally be booked 3 to 6 months in advance. Because of Southwest’s flexible policies, the single best strategy is to book as early as possible and leverage their fee-free rebooking if prices drop.

Optimal Booking Windows

You should book domestic flights 1 to 3 months in advance to avoid price hikes. For international trips and busy holiday periods like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring Break, a window of 3 to 6 months is recommended. 

Here is a general overview of the best times to book.

Best Days to Book & Fly	Midweek (Tuesday/Wednesday)
Best Time of the Day to Book	Tuesday Afternoons (3 PM ET), Early Morning/Late Night
Best Season	Off-Season
Booking Window	1-3 months in advance

Southwest Finder vs. Search Engines

The Southwest Low Fare Calendar is best if you are committed to flying Southwest and have highly flexible dates. At the same time, third-party search engines are superior if you want to compare multiple airlines, track price drops, or search multiple nearby airports at once.

Feature	Southwest Low Fare Calendar	Third-Party Search Engines
Airlines Included	Only Southwest Airlines	Multiple airlines
Date Flexibility	Full-month grid layout	Dynamic price calendars
Airport Flexibility	One airport per search	Multiple airports
Price Tracking	Manual checking required	Automated email price alerts
Baggage & Perks	Shows base fares & includes 2 free bags	May show ‘basic economy’ from other airlines
Points Booking	Easily switch to Rapid Rewards Points	Restricted to cash fares

Save More with Southwest Companion Pass

Combining the Southwest Low Fare Calendar and the Companion Pass is the ultimate budget travel hack, allowing you to secure the lowest possible base price for yourself and then bring your companion along for free. Because the Southwest Companion Pass functions identically whether you book a full-priced ticket or a deeply discounted fare, combining these two tools effectively multiplies your travel savings.

Booking Strategy

• Search for Fares: Open the Southwest Airlines Low Fare Calendar, fill in the details and find the lowest daily rates.
• Book Your Ticket: Buy one ticket using cash, Rapid Rewards points, or both.
• Add Your Companion: Find your reservation under ‘My Trips’ in your account profile, then select ‘Add Companion.’
• Pay Taxes/Fees: Pay only the mandatory government taxes and fees for the companion ticket.

Tips to Maximize Savings with Southwest Low Fare Calendar

• Maintain flexible dates so you can easily shift your departure by a day or two to lock in the lowest rates.
• Target midweek flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays directly on the calendar since these days traditionally feature significantly lower pricing.
• Toggle between cash and Rapid Rewards points to see which payment method stretches your booking value the furthest.
• Combine with Tuesday morning sales when Southwest frequently drops new promotional fares to grab the absolute cheapest calendar slots early.
• Recheck the calendar after booking to see if your exact flight dropped in price, allowing you to rebook and claim a Southwest travel credit.

To Sum Up!

The Southwest Low Fare Calendar makes booking affordable flights quick and easy. By remaining flexible with your travel dates, rebooking whenever prices drop, and taking advantage of perks like the Companion Pass, you can save big on every trip. 

Start searching today and make your next vacation much more affordable!

FAQs