Southwest Airlines quietly tweaked its 'extra seat' policy — here’s what it means for your wallet and flight comfort. Travelers who purchase a second seat for extra space can no longer get a refund for that seat after travel, but instead must request a refund before the flight departs. If you’ve ever bought two seats to avoid being squeezed, this change means you lose your $80-$120 if you don’t cancel in time. With Southwest’s open seating system, consumer advocates warn this puts the financial burden back on passengers who need extra space for medical or comfort reasons. Bottom line: if you think you might need that extra seat, buy it early but set a calendar reminder to cancel it 24 hours before boarding or risk being stuck with the cost.