Best Time to Buy Southwest Flights

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One of the most important things to think about when trying to get the best deal on Southwest Airlines is that you want to fly. Airlines often release sales early in the week, and prices can fluctuate depending on demand and competitor activity. Choosing the right days to book and fly can save you a significant amount of money while also reducing the stress of last-minute planning.

Travelers can save money and have a better trip by booking Southwest flights at the right times. Travelers can make smart choices that get them the most value and convenience by thinking about things like the best days to book, when to save money, seasonal trends, flexible dates, and price alerts. We’ll give useful advice on how to find cheap flights and plan trips well.

Best Days and Booking Windows

Southwest flights are usually the cheapest on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. On Monday nights, airlines often announce new fares. This gives travelers the chance to watch prices over the next few days to see if they go down. Booking your flights six to eight weeks in advance is a good way to travel within the US. It lets you get good deals on flights without having to pay more for last-minute purchases. You can also save money by traveling on less popular days, like Tuesday or Saturday, when airports are less busy.

Timing for Savings

You should book your trip six to eight weeks before you plan to leave. Changing your departure or return dates by a day or two can save you even more money if you have a flexible schedule. Last-minute deals are sometimes available two weeks before you leave, but they are not always available and depend on how full the flights are. Keeping an eye on prices for a few days will help you spot trends and get the best deal.

Morning vs. Evening Fares

Airlines often release new prices early in the morning, which gives people who stayed up late the chance to get the best deals. Airlines may offer last-minute discounts as they look at unsold seats later in the day, which could change prices. To find trends that work for your route, check fares at the beginning and end of the day for several days in a row.

Seasonal Travel Trends

Being aware of high-demand travel periods helps you avoid inflated prices and crowded flights. Some common peak travel times include

• Summer (June to August), when family vacations increase demand and fares
• December holidays, when gatherings and celebrations raise prices
• Spring break (March to April), which drives up demand on popular routes

Flying just before or after busy times or on a Wednesday can help you save money and feel less stressed. If you plan around these trends, you can get lower fares and have a more comfortable trip.

Flexible Dates for Bigger Discounts

Southwest offers a Low Fare Calendar that displays fares for an entire month, making it easier to identify cheaper travel days. Practical steps include:

• Open the Low Fare Calendar on Southwest.com and enter your travel route
• Scan the calendar to find the lowest fares or compare adjacent months for deeper discounts
• Set alerts or check the site regularly to catch any promotional windows

Using this tool allows you to plan your travel around the best prices instead of being tied to fixed dates, which can lead to substantial savings over time.

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Last-Minute Deals

Sometimes waiting to book will get you a deal, but it’s risky. Sometimes, airlines will lower the price of unsold seats one to two weeks before the flight. Southwest lets you change or cancel your flight within 24 hours of booking it, but only under certain conditions. This gives travelers a little bit of wiggle room. If your travel plans are flexible, checking last-minute fares can sometimes save you a lot of money, but there’s no guarantee that they will be available.

Holiday Travel Strategies

Holiday travel requires early planning to avoid high prices. Key strategies include:

• Book at least six to eight weeks in advance to secure reasonable fares
• Fly on less popular days, such as Christmas Eve or New Year’s Day, to avoid crowds and high costs
• Consider early morning or late evening flights, which are often cheaper and less congested

By implementing these strategies, you can reduce costs while maintaining a more comfortable travel experience during busy holiday periods.

Frequent Flyer Programs and Promotions

With Southwest’s Rapid Rewards program, people can earn points on flights that they can use to pay for future trips. It is important to keep an eye on the program’s current rules for how to earn and use points. Also, keeping an eye on sales and promotions, like the “Wanna Get Away” tickets that are cheaper, can help you find the best deals. Signing up for alerts and notifications can also help you save a lot of money on seasonal and limited-time sales.

Setting Price Alerts

Price alerts are an efficient way to monitor fares without constantly checking manually. Best practices include:

• Set alerts for flexible date ranges to capture low fares across multiple options
• Enable real-time notifications on your phone to act quickly when prices drop
• Create alerts for different routes if you are open to alternative destinations

Using multiple alerts ensures you do not miss a sudden drop in fares and allows you to plan your trip strategically.

Avoiding Surge Pricing

High-demand periods can lead to surge pricing. To avoid this, consider:

• Traveling on off-peak days such as Tuesdays and Wednesdays
• Booking six to eight weeks in advance for most domestic trips
• Avoiding peak days around major holidays by leaving a day earlier or later
• Using alerts to quickly secure lower fares when prices drop

These practices help manage costs and make travel planning more predictable and less stressful.

Practical Example

If you’re going from a big city to a beach in late August, for example, start looking at prices in June. Use the Low Fare Calendar to look at different dates and find a fare on a Tuesday that works for you. Set alerts and check prices two weeks before you leave if you want to be able to change your plans at the last minute. Using Southwest’s flexible cancel or change window gives you even more options. Using this method consistently makes booking a process that can be repeated and done quickly.

Final Thoughts

To get the best deals on Southwest flights, you need to plan ahead, be flexible, and pay attention to the time. You can get lower prices by booking six to eight weeks in advance, using the Low Fare Calendar, and setting price alerts. Flying on days when there aren’t many people flying and changing your travel dates by a few days can save you a lot of money. Travelers can save money, avoid stress, and have a smoother experience by making these strategies a regular part of their routine. This way, booking flights won’t be a constant problem. Changing dates and times by even a little bit can save you a lot of money, making travel easier and cheaper.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance should I book Southwest flights to get the best price?

Booking six to eight weeks ahead of time is usually the best way to find a good deal on a trip within the country. People who need to book last-minute trips should start looking for deals on flights two weeks before they leave.

Does Southwest have a Low Fare Calendar, and how do I use it?

Yes. The Low Fare Calendar shows prices for a whole month, which makes it easier to find the cheapest days to travel. To find the best deals, go to Southwest.com, enter your route, look at the calendar, and compare months that are next to each other if you need to.

What are the cheapest days to fly on Southwest?

Most of the time, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the cheapest days. Flying on less busy days around holidays can also lower ticket prices, which helps both the cost and the amount of traffic at the airport.

Can I change or cancel a Southwest booking if the price drops?

According to its published policies, Southwest lets you cancel or change your plans up to 24 hours before your flight. This gives you a short time to change your mind after you book, which can be helpful if you find a better deal soon after.

Which Southwest fares offer the biggest discounts?

Discount fares, historically called “Wanna Get Away,” typically provide the lowest cash prices. These prices come with fewer extras, but they are often part of flash sales and other special events that offer the biggest savings.

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Reviewed and edited by Albert Fang.

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Article Title: Best Time to Buy Southwest Flights

https://fangwallet.com/2025/08/29/best-time-to-buy-southwest-flights/

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