Having a Southwest Airlines gift card is like holding a golden ticket to your next adventure! Whether it's a much-needed vacation, a visit to family, or a quick weekend getaway, Southwest gift cards make travel more accessible. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of using your Southwest Airlines gift card, ensuring a smooth and successful booking experience.
Your Gateway to Travel: How to Use a Southwest Airlines Gift Card
So, you've got a Southwest Airlines gift card in hand (or in your email!). Excited about your upcoming travel? You should be! Using your gift card is a straightforward process, but knowing the ins and outs can save you time and hassle. Let's dive in!
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| How Do I Use A Southwest Airlines Gift Card |
Step 1: Prepare Your Gift Card and Check Its Balance
Before you even start dreaming about destinations, it's crucial to have your gift card details ready and know exactly how much you have to spend.
Sub-heading: Locate Your Gift Card Details
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Physical Gift Cards: On the back of your physical gift card, you'll find a 16-digit card number and a 4-digit security code (PIN). These are essential for redemption.
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eGift Cards: If you received an eGift card, these details will be provided in the email you received. It's a good idea to copy and paste them somewhere easily accessible, like a note on your phone or a temporary document, to avoid typing errors.
Sub-heading: Verify Your Balance
It's always a good practice to confirm the balance on your gift card before you begin booking. This helps you plan your trip effectively and avoid any surprises at checkout.
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Online: Visit the official Southwest Airlines website and look for their "Check Gift Card Balance" tool. You'll typically find this under their "Gift Cards" or "Travel Funds" section. You'll need to enter your 16-digit gift card number and 4-digit security code.
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By Phone: You can also call Southwest Airlines customer service directly at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792). Follow the prompts to inquire about your gift card balance.
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Why is this important? Knowing your exact balance helps you determine if you'll need to combine it with another payment method, which we'll discuss later.
Step 2: Navigate to Southwest.com and Search for Your Flight
QuickTip: Skim fast, then return for detail.
Now that you're prepared, it's time for the fun part: finding your flight!
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Access the Website: Open your web browser and go to the official Southwest Airlines website: Southwest.com.
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Enter Your Flight Details: On the homepage, you'll see the flight search widget. Input the following information:
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Departure City: Where you want to fly from.
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Arrival City: Your desired destination.
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Departure Date(s): Your travel dates. Southwest is known for its flexible date options, so feel free to explore different days for potentially lower fares.
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Number of Passengers: How many people will be traveling.
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Consider being flexible with your dates if your travel plans allow, as Southwest's "Low Fare Calendar" can sometimes reveal significant savings!
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Search for Flights: Click the "Search" button to see available flights.
Step 3: Select Your Flights and Review Your Itinerary
Once the search results load, you'll see a variety of flight options.
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Choose Your Flights: Browse through the available flights and select the ones that best suit your schedule and budget. Pay attention to the fare type (e.g., Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, Business Select), as each comes with different benefits and flexibility.
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Review Your Itinerary: After selecting your outbound and return flights (if applicable), carefully review your entire itinerary on the "Review & Pay" page. Double-check dates, times, airports, and passenger names to ensure everything is correct. Making changes later can sometimes incur fees or require rebooking.
Step 4: Proceed to the Payment Section
This is where your gift card comes into play!
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Scroll Down to Payment: Once you've confirmed your itinerary, scroll down to the "Payment" section of the booking page.
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Locate "Apply Funds": You'll see various payment options. Look for a section or link titled something like "Apply Southwest gift card," "Apply LUV Voucher," or "Apply Travel Funds." Click on this option.
Step 5: Enter Your Gift Card Information
Now, input the details you gathered in Step 1.
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Enter Card Number: Carefully type in the 16-digit gift card number from your physical card or eGift card.
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Enter Security Code (PIN): Enter the 4-digit security code (PIN) associated with your gift card.
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Apply Funds: Click "Apply" or a similar button to apply the gift card's value to your purchase.
Sub-heading: Using Multiple Gift Cards
Southwest Airlines generally allows you to use up to three (3) Southwest gift cards per Passenger on each reservation. If your total purchase exceeds the amount on your gift cards, or if you have more than three gift cards to use for a single passenger, you will need to pay the remaining balance with another accepted payment method, such as a credit card or debit card.
Tip: Watch for summary phrases — they give the gist.
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Pro Tip: If you have many gift cards, consider using them for separate one-way tickets or for different passengers on your reservation to maximize their use within the 3-card limit per person per reservation. Some users even book a flight with 3 gift cards, cancel it to get a single flight credit, and repeat to consolidate their funds. However, note that flight credits may have expiration dates depending on when they were issued and the fare type.
Step 6: Complete Your Payment (If Necessary)
If your gift card does not cover the entire cost of your flight, you'll need to provide an additional payment method.
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Select Additional Payment: The system will show you the remaining balance. Choose another payment method, such as a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover), or a debit card.
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Enter Details: Input the required information for your chosen payment method.
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Review Final Cost: Ensure you review the total remaining cost before finalizing the purchase.
Step 7: Review and Purchase Your Flight
The final step!
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Final Review: Take one last look at all the details – flight information, passenger names, and the total payment.
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Agree to Terms and Conditions: Check the box indicating you agree to Southwest's terms and conditions.
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Purchase Flight: Click the "Purchase" or "Complete Booking" button.
Sub-heading: Confirmation and What to Expect Next
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Confirmation Email: You will receive a confirmation email from Southwest Airlines with your itinerary details and confirmation number. Keep this email safe! It's your proof of purchase and essential for managing your reservation.
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Remaining Balance (if any): If there was a remaining balance on your gift card after the purchase, the confirmation email might not explicitly state it, but the balance will remain on your original gift card for future use. You can always check the balance again using the method in Step 1.
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Congratulations! You've successfully used your Southwest Airlines gift card to book a flight!
Important Considerations and Tips
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What can you buy with a Southwest Gift Card? Southwest gift cards are primarily for passenger air travel on Southwest Airlines. This includes the flight fare, as well as taxes and fees associated with your ticket.
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What cannot you buy with a Southwest Gift Card? Gift cards cannot be used for:
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Southwest Vacations packages
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Cargo
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Hotel or rental car bookings (made directly through Southwest.com, separate from flight)
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Southwest Airlines merchandise
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Southwest Airlines group tickets
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EarlyBird Check-In®
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Baggage fees (for oversized/excess bags)
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Upgraded Boarding at the airport
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Pet Fares
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Unaccompanied Minor service charges
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Purchase of additional Southwest gift cards
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Inflight purchases
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Expiration: Southwest Airlines gift cards generally do not expire and do not have dormancy fees. This is a fantastic benefit! However, always double-check the terms and conditions printed on your specific card or listed on the Southwest website.
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Transferability: Southwest gift cards are generally fully transferable, meaning you can use them to book flights for other people.
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Lost or Stolen Cards: Southwest gift cards are generally not replaceable if lost, stolen, or destroyed. Treat them like cash!
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Cancellation with Gift Card: If you book a non-refundable fare with a gift card and later cancel the reservation at least 10 minutes prior to departure, any remaining funds will typically be held as a flight credit or Transferable Flight Credit™ under the confirmation number. For tickets purchased with a gift card and canceled on or after August 9, 2024, any funds remaining will be held as a Transferable Flight Credit regardless of the fare purchased. These flight credits may have their own expiration dates, so pay attention to those.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
QuickTip: Focus on one paragraph at a time.
How to Check My Southwest Airlines Gift Card Balance?
You can check your Southwest gift card balance online at
How to Use Multiple Southwest Gift Cards for One Flight?
You can use a maximum of three Southwest gift cards per Passenger on each reservation when booking online. If you have more than three, you may need to book separate one-way tickets or combine the gift cards into a flight credit by booking and canceling a flight (though be mindful of potential flight credit expiration dates).
How to Apply a Southwest Gift Card and a Credit Card for Payment?
Simply enter your gift card details first in the payment section. If the gift card balance doesn't cover the full cost, the system will prompt you to provide an additional payment method (like a credit card) for the remaining balance.
How to Use a Southwest Gift Card for Someone Else's Flight?
Yes, Southwest gift cards are transferable. You can use your gift card to book a flight for any passenger by entering their name and travel information during the booking process and applying your gift card as payment.
How to Get a Refund if I Cancel a Flight Booked with a Gift Card?
QuickTip: Copy useful snippets to a notes app.
If you cancel a non-refundable flight purchased with a gift card at least 10 minutes before departure, the funds typically convert to a flight credit or Transferable Flight Credit™ tied to the confirmation number, which can be used for future travel (subject to their expiration dates).
How to Use a Southwest Gift Card for EarlyBird Check-In or Baggage Fees?
Southwest gift cards cannot be used for EarlyBird Check-In, oversized/excess baggage fees, or other ancillary services. They are primarily for airfare and associated taxes/fees.
How to Find the Security Code (PIN) on My Southwest Gift Card?
For physical gift cards, the 4-digit security code (PIN) is usually on the back of the card. For eGift cards, it will be included in the email that delivered the gift card.
How to Use a Southwest Gift Card on the Mobile App?
The process is very similar to the website. After selecting your flight, proceed to the payment screen within the Southwest Airlines mobile app, and you'll find an option to "Apply Gift Cards" or "Apply Travel Funds."
How to Combine Multiple Small Southwest Gift Cards?
Southwest allows a maximum of three gift cards per passenger per reservation. To consolidate more, some users book a flight with three cards, cancel it to receive a single flight credit for the total amount, and repeat this process (being aware of flight credit terms).
How to Know if My Southwest Gift Card Has an Expiration Date?
Southwest Airlines gift cards generally do not expire. This is a significant benefit. However, it's always wise to review the specific terms and conditions provided with your gift card or on the Southwest Airlines website for any specific exceptions.
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