Southwest Airlines Fare Classes: What You Need to Know

If you’ve flown with Southwest Airlines, you know this budget carrier does things a little differently. From free checked bags to no seat assignments (though Southwest says it's changing to assigned seats later this year), the Southwest experience — including its unique fare classes — is truly one-of-a-kind when it comes to domestic airlines.

So if you’ve ever wondered what the difference between the airline’s fare class options or how to navigate booking in Southwest, you’re in the right place. Here’s everything you need to know about Southwest fare types, how they’re different and what to expect with each.

» Learn more: Your guide to booking award flights on Southwest

There are four fare classes on Southwest flights:

• Business Select.

• Anytime.

• Wanna Get Away Plus.

• Wanna Get Away.

Here’s an overview of what each ticket type entails.

All ticket types come with additional benefits:

• Two checked bags fly free (plus a carry-on and personal item).

• No change fees if you need to switch flights (though you may have to pay the difference in fare depending on status and purchased fare type).

• No cancel fees as long as you cancel more than 10 minutes before scheduled takeoff.

• Flight credits received after changed or canceled flights don't expire.

That said, you shouldn’t think of Southwest Airlines fares like you do fare classes on other airlines. For starters, there is no first or business class on Southwest flights. There aren’t even extra large seats like on Spirit Airlines or Delta Air Lines’ Comfort Plus (though that is also changing when Southwest reconfigures its airplanes next year). So upgrading to a higher fare class has more to do with other benefits than perks like more legroom or lay-flat seats.

» Learn more: 12 things to know before flying Southwest

This is the most expensive fare class that Southwest offers, but it comes with the most benefits and flexibility regarding flight changes and cancellations.

• Tickets are fully refundable, meaning you’ll get refunded to your original form of payment (not just a flight credit) as long as you cancel your reservation at least 10 minutes before your flight is scheduled to take off.

• Get automatic access to priority boarding in group A1-A15, meaning you’ll be one of the first to board and select where you want to sit.

• Enjoy a free premium drink like beer or wine on flights that are at least 176 miles.

• Get access to free in-flight internet, which is typically offered for an additional fee.

• Earn 12 Rapid Rewards points per dollar, the most of any fare class.

• Plus score all the benefits of Anytime fares like access to priority and express lanes for faster check-in and security.

» Learn more: The guide to Business Select, Southwest’s ‘first’ class

The next highest fare class is Anytime, which still offers a fair amount of flexibility and point-earning potential, but at a slightly lower cost.

• Tickets are fully refundable, meaning you’ll get a refund to your original form of payment as long as you cancel your reservation at least 10 minutes before your flight is scheduled to takeoff.

• EarlyBird Check-In, which means you’ll get automatically checked in 36 hours before takeoff. That means you'll have a better shot at an earlier boarding position, so you can be one of the first to claim a seat and coveted overhead bin space. EarlyBird check-in generally costs $15 to $99 each way per customer.

• Access to Priority and Express Lanes (if available) so you can check in and even get through security faster.

• Earn 10 Rapid Rewards points per dollar on your flight.

• Plus score all the benefits of Wanna Get Away Plus fares like a transferable flight credit and free same-day changes.

» Learn more: How Anytime fares on Southwest work

For those who want to save some cash but are looking to earn a few more points per dollar spent on airfare, there’s Wanna Get Away Plus.

• Fares are nonrefundable, but you will still receive a Southwest flight credit for the amount you paid if you cancel your travel plans.

• If you cancel, you'll receive a transferable flight credit that lets you transfer your credit to another Rapid Rewards Member.

• The option to take advantage of free same-day confirmed flight changes if you need to switch your flight last minute (though taxes and fees may cost extra).

• Earn 8 Rapid Rewards points per dollar.

• Plus get all the benefits of Wanna Get Away, like free same-day standby.

» Learn more: The guide to Southwest Airlines Wanna Get Away+ fares

This is Southwest’s base fare and the most affordable option for those looking for a no-frills booking.

• Tickets are nonrefundable, but you will receive a flight credit if you cancel your travel plans.

• Access to free same-day standby that allows you to keep your current flight and boarding position but also list yourself for standby on an earlier flight in case a seat is available.

• Earn six Rapid Rewards points per dollar.

» Learn more: The guide to Southwest Wanna Get Away fares

Naturally, which of the Southwest fares you should choose depends on how you like to travel and what kinds of point-earning potential you want. After all, the higher the fare class, the more Rapid Rewards points you’ll earn, which is compounded by the fact that you’ll also be spending more on the fare itself.

For example, a Wanna Get Away flight from San Diego to Dallas might cost $204. At six points per dollar, that means you’ll net 1,224 Rapid Rewards points. But a Business Select fare for the same flight costs $334 and scores you 12 points per dollar, resulting in a whopping 4,008 points.

According to NerdWallet valuations, Southwest Rapid Rewards are worth 1.5 cents each. Based on that valuation, 4,008 points are worth $60.12 and 1,224 points are worth $18.36. So, you would pay an extra $130 out-of-pocket to net $41.76 in extra value from the additional points earned.

If perks like early boarding, refundability, in-flight internet and a premium drink onboard sound good to you, then buying the higher ticket is worth it. But despite the significant difference in point earning potential, points alone may not be enough to warrant the upgrade.

That said, those reaching for elite status, which can be achieved by flying a certain number of segments or earning a set amount of points (starting at 35,000) may find it worth the higher cost.

But whether the difference in price is worth it depends on whether you’ll benefit from the other perks of higher fare classes like refunds, early boarding and transferable credits, so consider all of the costs and benefits together before deciding.