Southwest schedule now available through October 2024 — book today to save on flights

If you haven't secured your flights for the upcoming months, now is a fantastic opportunity to grab Southwest Airlines tickets.

While some airlines let you reserve flights up to 11 months in advance, Southwest releases its booking windows in short increments of a few months at a time.

Previously, bookings were available only until early August 2024. However, as of Thursday, Southwest has expanded its schedule through October 2, 2024. This is a great chance to find deals on Southwest flights for next summer and fall, particularly during the busy summer vacation season.

Here’s what you should know about making the most of Southwest's latest schedule extension.

Why should you book when Southwest updates its schedule?

Quickly booking flights after Southwest extends its schedule can lead to significant savings, as it's unlikely that lower prices will be available later for peak travel times.

Southwest's policies on changes and cancellations make it convenient to book now, even if your trip plans are uncertain. Here are the rules for cancelling with Southwest, as long as you do so at least 10 minutes before your flight's scheduled departure:

• If you purchased a Wanna Get Away or Wanna Get Away Plus fare: You'll receive Travel Funds.
• If you opted for an Anytime or Business Select fare: You can either request a refund to your original payment method or choose to accept Travel Funds.
• If you used Southwest points: Points will be returned automatically to the account they were booked from, and you can ask Southwest to refund taxes and fees to your original payment method.

You can cancel your flight without any charge if your family’s travel plans change. If the fare drops after you've booked, you can rebook and get the difference as Travel Funds or points. Thus, booking Southwest flights for trips you’re considering carries minimal risk.

Tips for scoring the best Southwest bargains

Here are five strategies for securing the best deals on Southwest flights.

Make your reservation now

We suggest you secure your Southwest flights as soon as the booking window opens, particularly if you plan to travel during busy periods. Even though some flights are already available, there may still be great deals to catch.

As noted earlier, there's little risk in booking Southwest flights thanks to the airline's accommodating policies. Therefore, it might be wise to book now even if your plans aren't set in stone. If you want a complete refund to your original payment method, consider redeeming Southwest points for your flights or selecting the pricier Anytime or Business Select fares.

Convert Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Southwest

Given the airline's accommodating award policies, using Southwest points is generally the best way to book a Southwest flight. If you need to cancel a points reservation, your points will be credited back to your Rapid Rewards account, and any taxes and fees you paid will be refunded to your card.

Receiving a sign-up bonus from a new Southwest credit card is a fantastic method to increase your account balance, although it may take a while. Additionally, if you hold an Ultimate Rewards-earning card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, or Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Southwest at a 1:1 ratio.

Keep in mind that Chase has recently simplified the process to book Southwest flights through Chase Travel, which might provide a better value for your Ultimate Rewards points.

Utilize a Companion Pass

The Southwest Companion Pass is among the most prized rewards in the travel industry. With this pass, a friend or family member can fly alongside you for free (just pay the taxes and fees), making it a fantastic perk. Typically, the pass is valid until December 31 of the year following the year in which you earned it.

If you haven't yet obtained a Companion Pass but intend to earn one before your flight, you can still make your booking now and add your companion's ticket later. The only stipulation is that there must be at least one available seat for sale. However, keep in mind that if you’re traveling during busy periods on popular routes, your flight might sell out if you delay too long.

To expedite your journey toward obtaining a Companion Pass, consider applying for one of the following credit cards:

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Earn 50,000 bonus points after making $1,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: Earn 50,000 bonus points after making $1,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Earn 50,000 bonus points after making $1,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening.

Additionally, there are two small-business credit cards that provide Southwest Rapid Rewards points:

• Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card: Earn 60,000 bonus points after making $3,000 in purchases within the first three months of opening your account.
• Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card: Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Combining any of these cards can be an excellent strategy to earn the Companion Pass.

The details for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier have been gathered independently by Dinogo. The card information on this page has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Consider alternative travel dates

If you have some leeway in your travel plans, leverage that when booking your flights. Utilize Southwest's low-fare calendar to identify the cheapest dates for your desired flights.

Typically, the priciest days to travel are Fridays and Sundays, so if you can adjust your travel dates by a few days, you might discover significantly lower fares.

Keep an eye out for fare reductions

If the cost of your flight drops between the time you book and your travel date, you can easily recover the difference in Rapid Rewards points back into your account. These flexible policies also apply when you pay for your ticket with cash, but in that case, you will receive Southwest Travel Funds.

Sample pricing

Here are some example fares for travel in May. You'll notice that you can save significantly if your travel dates are flexible and you're open to flying connecting routes.

From Houston's William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) to Cancun International Airport (CUN)

There are numerous opportunities to save on your upcoming trip to Mexico using points and miles. Starting at just over 10,000 Rapid Rewards points (plus around $45 in taxes and fees), you can fly from Houston to Cancun next September.

From Oakland International Airport (OAK) to Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA)

You can reach Hawaii's Big Island for as low as 13,110 Southwest Rapid Rewards points, along with approximately $6 in taxes and fees on select dates in September. Plus, with your Southwest Companion Pass, you can enjoy a 2-for-1 deal on flights to Hawaii.

From Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) to Midway International Airport (MDW)

If you're planning a trip to Chicago, you can fly from Baltimore for just 9,111 points (plus around $6 in taxes and fees) on any day in September. While organizing your journey, don't forget to check out our articles on the best hotels in Chicago and family-friendly activities in Chicago.

From Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Miami International Airport (MIA)

While Southwest may not boast the most extensive route network in Atlanta, there are still some hidden gems. If you're considering a late fall getaway to South Florida, you can fly for as little as 6,872 points (plus approximately $6 in taxes and fees) per person in September.

Keep in mind that Southwest permits all travelers to check in two bags (weighing up to 50 pounds each) for free on its flights, which is a significant advantage over most other U.S. airlines.

Bottom line

Understanding the details of booking a Southwest flight can help you secure the best fares for your family at the lowest price. If you're planning to travel this summer and fall, it's wise to book now to take advantage of the best offers on Southwest.

For those needing to arrange flights further in advance, be aware that Southwest is set to extend its schedule again on February 8, 2024, covering flights until November 2, 2024.