Southwest Low Fare Calendar: Your Key to Budget-Friendly Travel

In the ever-changing world of airfare, one tool has consistently helped travelers save money without sacrificing convenience—the Southwest Low Fare Calendar. Whether you're a frequent flyer or someone planning a long-awaited vacation, this dynamic fare calendar gives you a bird's-eye view of the cheapest days to fly.

This guide explores how the Southwest Low Fare Calendar works, how to use it effectively, and why it's a game-changer for cost-conscious travelers. We'll also touch on frequently asked questions, real-world examples, and strategies to unlock the best possible airfare deals using this tool.

✅ What is the Southwest Low Fare Calendar?

The Southwest Low Fare Calendar is an intuitive fare search tool provided by Southwest Airlines. Unlike typical airline booking interfaces that require you to enter exact dates, this tool offers a month-long view of available fares, helping users pinpoint the lowest fare days for both departure and return flights.

It's especially useful for travelers with flexible travel dates, as it shows fares for every day in a particular month. This way, you don’t have to guess which day is cheapest — the calendar tells you upfront.

🧭 How Does Southwest Low Fare Calendar Work?

Wondering how does Southwest Low Fare Calendar work exactly?

Here’s a breakdown:

1. You Enter Your Departure & Arrival Cities
   Begin by inputting your departure and arrival airports. The tool is accessible from the main Southwest Airlines homepage under the “Low Fare Calendar” link.

2. Choose the Month You Want to Travel
   Unlike standard search tools, the SWA Low Fare Calendar lets you view fare estimates for an entire month. This lets you identify the cheapest day to fly.

3. View and Compare Prices
   You’ll be shown a calendar with each date displaying the lowest available fare. Click on the dates that work for you, and then proceed to customize your flight.

4. Select and Book Your Flight
   Once you’ve found the fare and date combo that suits your plans, booking is straightforward. You can choose different fare types (Wanna Get Away, Anytime, Business Select).

✅ Bonus: Southwest doesn’t charge change fees, so even after booking, if you find a lower fare later on, you can modify your reservation easily.

🔄 SWA Low Fare Calendar vs. Traditional Booking Tools

Here's how the SWA Low Fare Calendar stands apart from conventional booking systems:

The flexibility of the calendar tool encourages smarter booking behavior and allows you to align your travel with the best possible prices.

🎯 Why Use the Southwest Low Fare Calendar?

Here are the key benefits that make this tool a favorite among budget travelers:

1. Save Big on Flights

The most obvious benefit is price savings. You may find that shifting your flight by a day or two results in significantly lower fares.

2. Plan Ahead Efficiently

The monthly view helps you plan vacations, business trips, or spontaneous getaways well in advance while staying within budget.

3. No Hidden Fees

Unlike other airlines, Southwest includes taxes and fees in the fare shown on the calendar. What you see is (almost) what you pay.

4. Use Rapid Rewards

The calendar works not only with dollars but also with Rapid Rewards points, making it easier to redeem points on cheaper days.

5. Change-Friendly Policies

If plans shift, you can modify or cancel your trip with no change fees—giving you peace of mind.

💡 Tips to Maximize Savings with the SWA Low Fare Calendar

Want to stretch your travel dollars even further? Try these proven tips:

✅ Be Flexible with Travel Dates

If you’re not tied to a specific day, look for midweek flights (Tuesdays and Wednesdays usually have the best rates).

✅ Book Early

Southwest flights can open up 6 to 9 months in advance. Booking early increases your chances of grabbing the lowest fares.

✅ Use Points Strategically

Check the calendar in both cash and Rapid Rewards points. Sometimes the points-to-dollar conversion works more in your favor.

✅ Check Often

Fares fluctuate. If you book and then notice the fare drops, you can rebook the lower fare and get a credit or refund.

✅ Compare Return Dates

Outbound and return legs of your trip can vary widely in cost. Don’t assume round-tripping on the same weekday is the best deal.

🌍 Real-World Example

Let’s say you’re flying from Chicago (MDW) to Denver (DEN).

1. You enter your departure and arrival cities in the Southwest Low Fare Calendar.

2. You select October as your travel month.

3. The calendar shows the cheapest outbound fare is $59 on October 12th.

4. You hover over return fares and see October 19th is only $69.

5. Final roundtrip fare: $128. A steal, especially compared to weekend rates that jump above $250.

In minutes, you’ve secured a cost-effective trip by simply having flexibility and visibility.

📱 Accessing the Calendar on Mobile

The Southwest app also includes the low fare calendar, which is perfect for on-the-go price hunting. Navigate to “Flight” > “Low Fare Calendar” and follow the same steps.

🧭 Limitations of the Southwest Low Fare Calendar

While powerful, the tool isn’t without minor drawbacks:

• No Multi-city or Complex Routing: It's designed for simple one-way or roundtrip bookings.

• Not All Fare Types Shown: The calendar shows the lowest fare only, which is usually "Wanna Get Away." You’ll need to check for Business Select separately.

• No Alerts for Fare Drops: You’ll have to check back manually or use third-party apps for alerts.

🌟 Final Verdict: Is the Southwest Low Fare Calendar Worth Using?

Absolutely.

Whether you’re a frequent flyer or an occasional traveler, the Southwest Low Fare Calendar offers an easy, visual way to track down the most affordable flights. With Southwest's customer-friendly policies, transparent pricing, and rebooking flexibility, this tool stands out as one of the best fare-finding features in the industry.

So the next time you're planning a trip—whether it's a family vacation, a business meeting, or a weekend getaway—start with the SWA Low Fare Calendar. Your wallet will thank you.

🟨 Conclusion

The Southwest Low Fare Calendar is a must-use tool for any traveler looking to save money and stay flexible. From visualizing low prices to finding ideal dates for travel, this intuitive feature helps you avoid overpaying and plan smarter. With fare transparency, change-friendly policies, and a simple interface, it’s no wonder savvy flyers turn to the SWA Low Fare Calendar time and again.

So go ahead—fire up the calendar, explore the months, and let the savings begin.

🙋‍♂️ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Southwest Low Fare Calendar?

It’s a monthly fare search tool by Southwest Airlines that helps users find the cheapest flight days within a specific month.

2. How does Southwest Low Fare Calendar work?

You input your cities and month, and it shows the lowest available fares for each day. You then select the dates with the best prices and book accordingly.

3. Is the SWA Low Fare Calendar available on mobile?

Yes. You can access it through the Southwest Airlines app by selecting “Flight” and then “Low Fare Calendar.”

4. Can I use points with the Southwest Low Fare Calendar?

Absolutely. You can view fares using Rapid Rewards points and choose the lowest redemption rate days.

5. Does Southwest charge a fee if I rebook after finding a cheaper fare?

No. Southwest allows you to change your flight with no change fees, and you may receive travel credit or a points refund.