Southwest Airlines Student Discount – Everything Students Need to Know!

Last Updated on Feb 18th, 2026 by Neha Sharma, Leave a Comment

Do you want to travel this year during spring break or have a fun weekend getaway, but need to save money? 

Most college students think they cannot afford the cost of flying, but with Southwest, students can now take advantage of student discounts to make travel affordable. 

The airline offers an exclusive discount on airfare via its dedicated student discount program. 

Additionally, you will still receive some of the same great benefits as all other travelers, like free checked luggage & no cancellation fees. 

This guide goes into detail about how to qualify for a discount, how to book your travel using the discount, and how to maximize your savings. 

Does Southwest Airlines Offer a Student Discount?

Southwest Airlines does not currently have an ongoing official airline discount program, unlike many international airlines. However, there are still ways for students to save.

Southwest Airlines will provide students with:

• Historically, we have provided very low, base fare pricing. 
• Frequent sales & promotional fares. 
• No charge for a ticket to be changed or exchanged.
• Two bags are checked free of charge for all Southwest passengers.
• The ability to cancel your reservation without a fee, & fully refundable.

Due to these types of savings, Southwest frequently has lower rates than the traditional, discounted student fare rates available through other airlines.

Suggested – Southwest Airlines Check-in Policy

Why Southwest Is Popular Among Students? 

Here are some reasons why so many college/university students choose to fly on Southwest: 

Free Baggage

• With Southwest, you can check 2 bags for free! (Under certain weight/size restrictions). 
• It costs between $30-$40 PER BAG to check luggage with most other airlines. 
• So if you check 2 bags when you fly home at the end of the semester, the cost can easily be $60-$120 round trip.

Another reason Southwest has so many students flying with them!

No Change Fees

• Plans often change for college students! 
• You will not have to pay any fees for changing your flight when booking with Southwest. 
• The only time you will have to pay to change your flight is if you need to book a new flight and the fares have changed since you originally booked your flight. 
• Another major driver of students on Southwest!

Flight Credits Do Not Expire

• If you need to cancel your flight for any reason, you will receive a flight credit that never expires (may be subject to restrictions based on fare class, however). 
• Another reason so many students fly with Southwest!

Frequent Sale Prices

• Southwest offers limited-time sale fares on several occasions throughout the year (i.e., spring break, summer travel, Thanksgiving & Christmas/winter). 
• One more reason many students choose to fly with Southwest!

How Students Can Get Cheap Southwest Flights? 

While Southwest does not offer a specific student discount, there are several ways students can save money on airfare.

1. Low Fare Calendar

Use the Low Fare Calendar option on the Southwest Airlines website. It can be used to check for the lowest prices on a given flight on any of the 30 days of the month. This makes it easier to select a day or days to travel at a lower price.

2. Book Early 

The best time to book a domestic flight with Southwest Airlines is usually between:

• 1 to 3 months ahead of the desired travel date
• 3 to 6 months for holiday & peak travel seasons.

3. Sign Up for Fare Alert

Set up a Free Southwest Airlines Account so that you can receive email fare alerts for:

• Flash sales
• Travel dates for students
• Discounted travel dates

4. Use Points through the Rapid Rewards Program

Join the Rapid Rewards Program for Free. You earn points for every flight you take & can redeem those points for free flights. Rapid Rewards members can earn free tickets on flights without any blackout dates & will have their points never expire as long as they have flown on a qualifying flight within the last 24 months.

Students who travel home often can accumulate enough points to earn free tickets more quickly than those who do not travel or travel less frequently.

Suggested – Southwest Airlines Baggage Policy

Southwest Airlines Fare Types!

Choose which type is best for you:

• Wanna Get Away – Lowest-price fare, non-refundable, flight credit if cancelled
• Wanna Get Away Plus – Transferable flight credit, same-day confirmed changes, refundable, more flexible than Wanna Get Away fares
• Business Select – Priority landing, premium benefits

Most students choose to fly Wanna Get Away as a means of saving the most money.

Suggested – How to add a TSA PreCheck to Southwest Airlines

Southwest Baggage Policy for Students!

Southwest has one of the most student-friendly policies regarding baggage.

Carry On:

• 1 carry-on and 1 personal item.

Checked Baggage:

• 1st bag – FREE
• 2nd bag – FREE

Each bag may weigh no more than 50 lbs.

This is a huge cost savings for any students who are moving back & forth between their college and their home city! 

Can International Students Get a Southwest Student Discount?

Internationally, Southwest mainly operates within: 

(1)United States

(2)Mexico

(3)Caribbean

(4)Central America. 

There is no separate international student discount. However, due to the low Southwest fares & free bags, Southwest is usually a very competitive option for international travel.

Southwest Airlines Student Discount vs Other Airlines!

Other airlines may provide student discounts, but these may come with the following conditions:

• Higher base fares
• Tight eligibility criteria
• Limited baggage allowance
• Blackout dates

Southwest Airlines provides flexibility rather than the constraints of a student discount.

For instance, considering that other airlines charge for baggage, the free baggage allowance at Southwest Airlines may make it cheaper, even without a student discount.

How to Book Southwest Flights as a Student? 

1. Go To The Southwest Website

2. Fill In Your Departure And Destination Cities

3. Check The Low Fare Calendar

4. Choose The Affordable Day Option

5. Choose The Fare Type You Want (wanna get away)

6. Enter Your Rapid Rewards Number (If You Have One)

7. Finalize Your Purchase

There Is No Official Student Category, No Student ID Required

Best Times for Students to Book Southwest Flights!

Students should keep an eye out for specials throughout the year:

• Back-to-school (Aug.-Sept)
• Fall break
• Thanksgiving
• Winter holiday
• Spring break
• Early summer

Visit on Tuesday or Wednesday, when Southwest typically launches its sales.

Does Southwest Offer Student Group Discounts?

If you’re flying with:

• College athletic teams
• University clubs
• Study groups

You can contact the Southwest Group Travel Team, which can assist you with booking a group of passengers. Group Travel may have:

• Flexible payment options
• Designated boarding area
• Group rate discounts

There may be a requirement for your group to have a sufficient number of people to meet Southwest’s group minimum.

Southwest Cancellation Policy!

The biggest advantage:

• No Cancellation Fees
• You can cancel up to 10 minutes before departure
• A Refund/Credit will be issued for that ticket, depending on the fare

The Southwest Airlines cancellation policy is very beneficial to students, whose schedules fluctuate with exams & classes. 

Tips to Maximize Student Savings on Southwest!

• Book Round Trip Tickets Instead of one way if less expensive
• Avoid Traveling on Major Departure Days (Friday and Sunday)
• Travel on Tuesday & Wednesday if Possible
• Use a Combination of Points and Cash
• Compare Prices Between Esoteric Airports
• Reprice Your Itinerary after Buying It (If the Cost Decreases, You May Re-Book with a Credit)

Is Southwest Airlines Good for College Students?

College students can travel domestically on one of the country’s best student-friendly airlines, Southwest Airlines. Southwest offers:

• 2 Free Checked Bags
• No Change Fees
• Flexible Flight Cancellations
• ReasonableAirfare
• Rewards Program

Conclusion!

Even though there is no official discount program for students on Southwest Airlines,

Southwest Airlines continues to be an airline that provides students with cost-effective, flexible, & hassle-free travel options. reasons include:

• 2 free checked bags
• 0 fees for changing travel plans
• Ability to modify or cancel a ticket
• Low-cost fares compared to competitors
• Earn Rapid Reward Points while travelling

Keep your cost-conscious, yet flexible travel option, as a college student, Southwest Airlines will offer you exceptional value!

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About Neha | View Posts

Neha Sharma, a passionate travel blogger with more than 2 years and 6 months of experience, captures the beauty of the world through her words. With her adventurous spirit and a keen eye for detail, Neha takes her readers on mesmerizing journeys to exotic destinations. Her vivid descriptions and insightful tips make her the go-to guide for wanderlust seekers. Join Neha as she explores the globe, sharing her love for travel and inspiring others to go on their unforgettable adventures.