How to Find Cheap Southwest Flights & Group Deals

Ever wondered why your flight fare changes just a day after you book? With airlines like Southwest, prices can shift at any time. You may book a flight today and then notice the price is higher or lower the very next day. It happens often and without any clear reason. That's because airline prices follow patterns. When you book matters. When you fly matters too. And if you're travelling with a group, there are more chances to save.

Southwest Airlines has a unique booking system. It doesn't appear on popular flight search websites, so you need to plan smarter in this blog. In this, we explain the best day to book Southwest flights, now to save money while flying in groups, and when flight prices are lowest. This simple guide will help you spend less and travel more. 

Why Timing Matters? Understanding Southwest's Fare Model

Southwest Airlines follows a different pricing model compared to other airlines. You won't find their tickets on platforms like Google Flights or Expedia. The only way to see accurate prices is through their official website or mobile app. What makes it tricky is that Southwest updates its fares multiple times a week, sometimes even in hours. Most price drops happen on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so these are great days to check for cheaper options. On the other hand, weekend fares, especially on Fridays and Sundays, are often more expensive due to higher travel demand. While booking early might seem to be a good idea, it doesn't even guarantee the best price if you wait too long for it. 

Southwest’s Fare Model

Southwest Airlines follows a different pricing model compared to other airlines. You won’t find their tickets on platforms like Google Flights or Expedia. The only way to see accurate prices is through their official website or mobile app. What makes it tricky is that Southwest updates its fares multiple times a week, sometimes even within hours. 

Most price drops happen on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so these are great days to check for cheaper options. On the other hand, weekend fares, especially on Fridays and Sundays, are often more expensive due to higher travel demand. While booking early might seem like a good idea, it doesn't always guarantee the best price. If you wait too long, seats may sell out or become more expensive. That’s why it's important to aim for the right booking window, not too early, not too late, for the best deals on Southwest flights.

What Is the Cheapest Day to Book Flights on Southwest?

Booking on the right day can help you save a lot of money. Based on many travel studies and Southwest's pattern, here’s what you should know:

• Tuesday is the cheapest day to book Southwest flights. Prices often drop early in the morning.

• Best time on Tuesday: Between 6 AM and 9 AM Central Standard Time (CST).

• The earlier in the week you book, the better. Tuesdays and Wednesdays show the lowest fares.

• Avoid booking flights on Friday evenings or Sundays, as demand is higher and prices go up.

• Set reminders for Tuesday mornings to check fares every week.

Booking flights on Tuesday can help save anywhere from $20 to $60 per ticket compared to other days.

Also read  Southwest Airlines Sale 69

Group Travel Hacks on Southwest

Travelling with family, friends, or a big group? Southwest has special options that can help you save.

Here are some helpful tips for group bookings:

• If you're travelling with 10 or more people, use the Southwest Group Travel Desk to request a group fare.

• You don’t have to pay the full amount upfront. You can hold the seats for just $50 per person.

• You can change names on the booking up to 72 hours before the flight without extra charges.

• Group fares may not always be the lowest, but they are locked-in prices, so they won't increase later.

• You don’t need to book all tickets together online; you can call Southwest and plan with a representative.

This makes group travel with Southwest more flexible and affordable than many other airlines.

If you’re planning a group trip, don’t miss our detailed guide on Southwest Airlines Group Travel

Best Days to Fly Southwest for Lower Prices

Just like the day you book matters, the day you choose to fly can make a big difference, too.

Here are the cheapest days to fly with Southwest:

• Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays are usually the lowest-priced days to fly.

• Flights on Friday, Sunday, and Monday tend to be the most expensive.

• Early morning flights (before 8 AM) or late-night flights (after 8 PM) often cost less.

• Try to avoid travelling during busy holiday weekends unless you book months in advance.

• If you fly on a weekday, you can sometimes save up to $50 or more per passenger.

When you plan a trip, try to choose both your booking date and flight day carefully for maximum savings.

Use These Tools to Track Fare Drops on Southwest

Southwest doesn’t show up on common flight comparison websites. That means you need to depend on their tools and a few outside apps to get alerts. These tools can help you track when fares go down so you can rebook or plan better.

• Low Fare Calendar: Available on Southwest's website. Shows you the cheapest dates to fly in a month.

• Email Alerts: Sign up on Southwest.com to get updates about sales and fare drops.

• Set Reminders: Check every Tuesday and Wednesday morning for new deals.

• Use Hopper or Kayak Explore: While Southwest is not listed there, these tools give price trends for planning.

• Rebook if Price Drops: If your fare goes down later, Southwest allows rebooking without penalties. You get the price difference as travel credit.

Using these tools gives you more control and can help you save up to $40–$80 per flight.

Conclusion

Finding cheap Southwest flights doesn’t have to be confusing. With a few simple steps, like booking on Tuesdays, flying midweek, using tools like the Low Fare Calendar, and checking group travel options, you can easily save hundreds of dollars a year. Planning and staying flexible with your travel dates also helps. Whether you're flying solo or with a group, smarter planning leads to better prices.

Book your next affordable Southwest flight with Flightsquest and travel with confidence. Don’t wait too long, your best fare might be just a Tuesday away!

FAQs: 

1. Can I get a refund if the price drops after I’ve booked my Southwest flight?

Yes. If the fare drops after you book, you can cancel and rebook the same flight. The price difference will be saved as Travel Funds in your account. You can use it for future flights within 12 months.

2. Are Southwest flash sales real or just marketing?

They’re real. Southwest often runs limited-time sales, mostly announced on Tuesdays. These sales can offer discounts of $30–$100, depending on the route and travel dates. But you need to act fast—seats are limited.

3. Does booking a round-trip cost less than two one-way tickets?

Not always. On Southwest, one-way and round-trip fares are often priced similarly. Sometimes booking two one-way flights on different dates gives you more flexibility and may even cost less.

4. Can I combine points and cash while booking to save more?

Yes. If you have Rapid Rewards points, you can combine them with cash for many bookings. It helps reduce your out-of-pocket costs, especially on short domestic trips.

5. Are Southwest fares cheaper if I book at the airport instead of online?

No. Southwest does not offer lower fares at the airport. In fact, the cheapest and fastest way to book is through their official website or app.

6. Does Southwest have student or senior discounts?

Southwest does not offer special discounts for students or seniors. But they do offer group travel deals and consistently low fares that are competitive for all age groups.

7. Is it better to use the Southwest app or the desktop site for booking?

Both options work well, but the app is often faster and easier for checking prices on the go. You can also get push alerts for fare drops directly on your phone.

8. Can I book Southwest flights through travel agents or deal sites?

No. Southwest only sells tickets on its own platform. You won’t find Southwest flights on sites like Expedia, Skyscanner, or Google Flights. Always book directly to find the best fare.