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Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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Southwest Airlines schedule extended into January 2026 — book now to save on flights
Featured image by AARONP/BAUER-GRIFFIN/GC IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES
Jennifer is a contributing writer to The Points Guy where she focuses on family travel. She is also the founder of Deals We Like where she helps her readers travel on a deal.
Kyle Olsen is the former points and miles reporter at TPG. He specializes in maximizing points and miles, elite status and credit cards so readers travel more comfortably and at a lower cost.
also contributed to this story
March 28, 2025 • 9 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick summary
Southwest Airlines has extended its booking schedule through Jan. 5, 2026, allowing travelers to secure flights for winter and holiday periods.
Booking early during the schedule extension can help secure lower fares, especially for peak travel dates.
Southwest continues to offer flexible change and cancellation policies, but recent and upcoming policy changes—including the introduction of a more restrictive basic fare—should be reviewed before booking.
Flexible booking options, such as using points or a companion pass, can further maximize value and minimize risk.
What to consider
Travel Funds from canceled flights now have shorter expiration periods, depending on fare type.
Southwest is introducing a new basic fare with more restrictions, replacing the previous Wanna Get Away fares as of May 28.
Award pricing is increasingly dynamic, so point requirements may vary significantly by date and route.
What you'll miss from the article
Detailed strategies for maximizing Southwest's flexible policies, including tips on securing the best deals and using the companion pass effectively.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
If you have yet to book flights for the upcoming months, now is an excellent time to snag Southwest Airlines flights.
Southwest has extended its schedule through Jan. 5, 2026. This is a good time to score a decent deal on Southwest flights for winter, including during the popular holiday break period.
Just remember that Southwest is making major changes to its policies, so be sure to check that the airline still works for your travel priorities.
Here’s what you need to know about maximizing Southwest’s most recent schedule extension.
Why book when Southwest extends its schedule?
KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
Booking flights quickly when Southwest extends its schedule can save you serious money, as you likely won’t find lower prices available now for peak travel dates.
Southwest’s change and cancellation policy also makes it easy to book now, even if you're not sure you’ll take the trip. Here are Southwest’s cancellation rules if you cancel at least 10 minutes before a flight’s scheduled departure:
If you paid for a Wanna Get Away (new basic economy fares — see below): You will receive Travel Funds (which now expire after six months).
If you paid for a Wanna Get Away Plus fare: You will receive Travel Funds (which now expire after 12 months).
If you paid for an Anytime or Business Select fare: You can request a refund to your original form of payment or accept Travel Funds (which now expire after 12 months).
If you redeemed Southwest Rapid Rewards points: Points will automatically go back into the account from which they were booked, and you can request that Southwest refunds taxes and fees to your original form of payment.
So, if your travel plans change, you can cancel your flight for free. If the price decreases after booking, you can rebook and receive the difference as Travel Funds or points. In this sense, booking Southwest flights for trips you hope to take is a very low risk.
Remember that Southwest has announced a slew of changes in the past few months — for example, the carrier did away with its two-free-checked-bags policy. Among the other changes, Southwest is introducing a basic fare class that will replace the Wanna Get Away fares. The airline is calling it "Basic," and the fare has more restrictions; keep that in mind if considering those types of fares. (Changes go into effect May 28.)
Here are five tips for getting the best deal on Southwest flights.
Book right away
We recommend booking Southwest flights immediately when the booking window opens, especially if you want to fly during peak times. Although flights have already opened up, you may still be able to snag some good deals.
As mentioned above, there is minimal risk with booking Southwest flights due to the airline’s fairly flexible policies. So, you may want to book now even if you are not 100% certain of your plans. If you want a full refund to your original payment method, redeem Southwest points for your flights or book more expensive Anytime or Business Select fares.
Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Southwest
KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
With the airline’s flexible award policies, redeeming Southwest points is typically the preferred method for booking a Southwest flight. If you need to cancel a flight booked with points, your points go straight back into your Rapid Rewards account, and you can get the taxes and fees you paid returned to your card.
Earning a sign-up bonus on a new Southwest credit card is an excellent way to boost your account balance, but it will take some time. If you have a Chase Ultimate Rewards-earning card, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees), the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees) or the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees), you can also transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Southwest at a 1:1 ratio.
The Southwest Companion Pass is one of the most valuable rewards in the travel industry. After all, a friend or family member can fly with you for free (plus taxes and fees) as a perk of the Companion Pass. The pass typically expires Dec. 31 of the year following the year you earned it.
If you do not yet have a Companion Pass but plan to earn one before your flight, you can still book now and add your companion’s ticket later. The only requirement for adding your companion to your reservation is that there must be at least one seat left for sale. Just keep in mind that if you are flying during peak times on popular routes, there is a chance that your flight will sell out if you wait too long.
If you want a faster path toward the Companion Pass, consider opening one of the following credit cards:
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card (see rates and fees)
The information for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
If you have some flexibility, use that to your advantage when booking your flights. You can use Southwest’s low-fare calendar to check the least expensive dates for your desired flights.
The most expensive days to fly are typically Fridays and Sundays, so if you can shift your dates a few days, you may find the price significantly cheaper.
Look for price drops
If your flight decreases in price between when you book and when you fly, you can easily get the difference in Rapid Rewards points back into your account. Of course, these flexible policies still exist when you pay for your fare with cash, but you’ll end up with Southwest Travel Funds (that now expire).
Example pricing
Southwest Boeing 737 MAX 8. KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY
Here are some sample fares. You’ll see that you can save a lot of money if your dates are flexible (and also if you’re willing to fly connecting itineraries).
Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) to Cancun International Airport (CUN) in Mexico
There are plenty of ways to save on your next trip to Mexico with points and miles. Starting at just 11,500 Rapid Rewards points (plus about $47 in taxes and fees), you can fly from Houston to Cancun for a warm-weather break in December. Keep in mind that Southwest is moving to more dynamic pricing and award prices can vary.
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
We saw the same itinerary as low as 7,055 points during spring break.
San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport (OAK) to Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA) in Hawaii
For a fall break, you can fly to Hawaii’s Big Island for as few as 12,500 Southwest Rapid Rewards points plus about $6 in taxes and fees on some dates in December. You can even fly two-for-one to Hawaii with your Southwest Companion Pass.
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to Miami International Airport (MIA)
If you want to book a late spring trip to South Florida, you can fly for as few as 16,000 points per person (plus about $6 in taxes and fees) in December.
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
Keep in mind that you could have booked that same flight for as few as 4,261 points (plus about $6 in taxes and fees) last May.
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
Bottom line
Despite the recent changes at Southwest, the airline can still offer value. Knowing the ins and outs of booking a Southwest flight can help you secure the best flights for your family at the lowest cost. Those looking to travel this winter should book now to score the best deals on Southwest.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
