We use the footprint filters on the official lib to allow the user to easily select an alternative. This is used to allow the selection of a handsolder alternative or to select the variation with included thermal vias.
This allows the user to exchange the footprint in cvpcb or in the experimental symbol selector as shown in How can i assign a footprint to a symbol?
I would advise against using this for switching between differen packages as such a change also requires the order information to change (and potentially even the pin numbers). For that I suggest you exchange the symbol to the one that represents the other part number (and therefore has already the correct footprint assigned).