Ever found yourself holding onto a Southwest Airlines voucher, unsure of how to turn it into your next adventure? You're not alone! Many travelers accumulate these valuable vouchers, whether they're from a cancelled trip, a generous gift, or even compensation for a travel disruption. But how do you actually use them to book a flight? This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, ensuring you maximize the value of your Southwest voucher and get ready for takeoff!
Before we dive into the "how-to," let's clarify the different types of Southwest "vouchers" you might encounter, as their usage can vary slightly. Southwest primarily uses:
Southwest LUV Vouchers®: These are often issued as compensation for denied boarding, significant delays, or other customer service gestures. They typically have an expiration date (often 6 months to 1 year) and usually cannot be used to cover taxes and fees.
Flight Credits (formerly Travel Funds): These are what you receive when you cancel a flight or change to a lower-priced itinerary. As of July 28, 2022, many flight credits no longer expire, which is a fantastic benefit! However, those created from reservations booked on or after May 28, 2025, will have a specified expiration date. They are tied to the original passenger and can be used for future travel. Flight credits from Wanna Get Away Plus fares are transferable to another Rapid Rewards member.
Southwest Gift Cards: These are pretty straightforward – like cash, but for Southwest flights. They can be used to cover the flight cost and taxes/fees. They generally do not expire.
For the purpose of this guide, we'll primarily focus on using Southwest LUV Vouchers and Flight Credits, as these are the most common "vouchers" travelers need to redeem.
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Using a Southwest Voucher
Ready to turn that voucher into a ticket? Let's get started!
Step 1: Discover Your Voucher's Details and Eligibility
This is where the journey begins! Before you even think about searching for flights, you need to understand the specifics of your voucher.
1.1: Locate Your Voucher Information
For LUV Vouchers: These are typically emailed to you or provided as a physical paper voucher. Look for the voucher number and a security code. Make sure to keep this information handy and, if it's a physical voucher, take a photo of it as a backup!
For Flight Credits: If you have a Rapid Rewards account, your flight credits are usually tied to your account.
Log In: Go to Southwest.com and log in to your Rapid Rewards account.
Navigate to Travel Funds: Look for a section like "My Account" or "View Travel Funds" or "Payment" within your account. This is where you'll see any available flight credits.
Check Details: Click on "View Details" to see the balance and any associated expiration dates for individual flight credits. If you don't have a Rapid Rewards account or the funds aren't showing, you might need the original confirmation number from the cancelled flight. You can often check manually on the Southwest website under "Check Travel Funds" by entering the passenger's name and confirmation number.
1.2: Understand the Expiration Date
This is crucial.
LUV Vouchers: Always have an expiration date, and travel must be completed by that date, not just booked.
Flight Credits:
For credits issued on or before May 27, 2025, they generally do not expire. This is a huge benefit!
For credits created from reservations booked or voluntarily changed on or after May 28, 2025, they will have a specified expiration date, usually 6 or 12 months from the original purchase date, depending on the fare type.
1.3: Note Any Restrictions
LUV Vouchers: Remember, LUV Vouchers cannot be used to cover government-imposed taxes and fees. You'll need another form of payment for these.
Flight Credits: Generally, flight credits can be used for the base fare and taxes/fees. However, flight credits are typically non-transferable unless they originated from a Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, or Business Select fare.
Step 2: Search for Your Flight
Now that you're armed with your voucher details, it's time to find that perfect flight!
2.1: Head to Southwest.com
Go to the official Southwest Airlines website:
2.2: Enter Your Travel Details
Input your departure and arrival cities.
Select your desired travel dates.
Choose the number of passengers.
2.3: Consider One-Way vs. Round-Trip
If your voucher amount is substantial, you might consider booking a round-trip. However, if it's a smaller amount, or you're trying to combine it with another payment method, booking two separate one-way flights might offer more flexibility. This can be especially useful if you're trying to use a LUV voucher for one leg and points or another payment for the other, as Southwest allows a maximum of three LUV vouchers per reservation (and you'll still need to pay taxes/fees separately).
2.4: Browse Fares and Select Your Flight
Review the available flights and fares. Southwest offers different fare types (e.g., Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, Business Select), each with different benefits and refund policies. Select the flight that best suits your travel plans and budget.
Step 3: Apply Your Voucher During Payment
This is the moment of truth!
3.1: Proceed to the Payment Page
After selecting your flights and entering passenger information, you will arrive at the "Payment" or "Passenger & Payment Info" section of the booking process.
3.2: Locate the Voucher/Funds Section
Look for a section titled something like:
"Apply LUV Vouchers"
"Apply Travel Funds, LUV Vouchers and gift cards"
"Payment Method" and then look for options to apply vouchers or credits.
3.3: Enter Your Voucher Information
For LUV Vouchers: Click on the "Apply LUV Vouchers" option. You will be prompted to enter the voucher number and the security code (usually a 4-digit number). Click "Apply."
For Flight Credits: If you are logged into your Rapid Rewards account, your available flight credits should appear. You might see an option to select which flight credit(s) you wish to apply. If not, you may need to enter the original confirmation number and the passenger's name associated with that flight credit. Click "Apply funds."
3.4: Review the Applied Amount
Once applied, the system will deduct the voucher amount from your total. The remaining balance (if any) will be displayed.
3.5: Pay Remaining Balance (If Applicable)
For LUV Vouchers: You will always have a remaining balance for taxes and fees. Enter your credit card information or choose another accepted payment method (like a Southwest Gift Card, if you have one) to cover this amount.
For Flight Credits: If your flight credit doesn't cover the entire cost of the new fare, you'll need to pay the difference using a credit card or another valid payment method.
3.6: Complete Your Booking
Once all payment details are entered and confirmed, proceed to finalize your booking. You will receive a confirmation email shortly after.
Step 4: Confirm Your Booking
Check Your Email: Immediately check your email for the flight confirmation. This email will contain your new confirmation number, itinerary details, and a summary of your payment, including the voucher application.
Verify on Southwest.com: It's always a good idea to log into your Southwest account (if applicable) and confirm that the new booking appears under your "Upcoming Trips."
Important Considerations and Tips
Multiple Payment Methods: Southwest generally allows you to combine up to three Southwest LUV Vouchers or flight credits per passenger per reservation. However, if your purchase exceeds the amount available on three vouchers/credits, you may only be allowed to use two and another form of payment will be required. For gift cards, it's typically a maximum of four per reservation.
Name Match: For Flight Credits, the name on the credit usually needs to match the passenger's name on the new booking, unless it's a transferable flight credit from a Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, or Business Select fare.
Value vs. Expiration: If you have a LUV Voucher with an impending expiration date, consider booking any flight within that timeframe, even if you might cancel it later. If you cancel a flight booked with a LUV voucher, the funds may convert into a flight credit, inheriting the voucher's original expiration date, or a new expiration date depending on when the original reservation was booked (after May 28, 2025). This can be a complex area, so it's best to call Southwest if you're trying to extend the life of a voucher.
Cancellation Policy with Vouchers: If you book a flight with a voucher and then cancel it, the funds will typically revert to a flight credit. The expiration date of this new flight credit will depend on the original voucher's terms and when the original reservation was booked (before or after May 28, 2025). Always check the specific terms when dealing with cancellations.
Need Help? Call Southwest: If you encounter any issues or have questions about a specific voucher, don't hesitate to call Southwest Airlines customer service. They can help locate your voucher details, clarify terms, and even assist with the booking process.
10 Related FAQ Questions:
How to check the balance of my Southwest voucher?
To check the balance of a Southwest LUV Voucher, you'll need the voucher number and security code, which are usually found on the email or physical voucher. For Flight Credits, log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com and navigate to "My Account" then "Payment" or "View Travel Funds."
How to find my Southwest LUV Voucher number?
Your Southwest LUV Voucher number and security code are typically provided in the email you received when the voucher was issued, or printed directly on a physical voucher.
How to use multiple Southwest vouchers on one flight?
You can generally use up to three Southwest LUV Vouchers or flight credits per passenger per reservation. When prompted at the payment screen, apply each voucher/credit one by one.
How to use a Southwest voucher for someone else?
Southwest LUV Vouchers are generally transferable. However, Flight Credits are usually tied to the original passenger and cannot be used by someone else, unless they are "Transferable Flight Credits" from Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, or Business Select fares purchased or changed on or after May 28, 2025.
How to extend the expiration date of a Southwest voucher?
Southwest LUV Vouchers have a strict expiration date and generally cannot be extended directly. However, some travelers have reported success in booking a flight before the expiration, then cancelling it to convert the LUV voucher into a flight credit, which may sometimes extend the usable period (though it typically inherits the original voucher's expiration or a new one depending on the booking date after May 28, 2025). It's best to call Southwest customer service for specific guidance.
How to use a Southwest voucher for taxes and fees?
Southwest LUV Vouchers cannot be used to pay for government-imposed taxes and fees. You will need to use a credit card or other accepted payment method for these charges. Flight Credits and Southwest Gift Cards can be used to cover taxes and fees.
How to get a refund for a Southwest voucher?
Southwest vouchers (LUV Vouchers and Flight Credits) are generally non-refundable for cash. Their value can only be redeemed for future Southwest flights.
How to use a Southwest voucher for hotel or car rental?
Southwest vouchers (LUV Vouchers and Flight Credits) can only be redeemed for Southwest Airlines flights. They cannot be used for hotel bookings, car rentals, or other travel services.
How to apply a Southwest voucher if I already booked a flight?
You cannot directly apply a voucher to an already booked flight. If you want to use a voucher for an existing reservation, you would typically need to cancel the original flight (subject to fare rules and potential forfeiture of funds if not cancelled correctly) and then rebook the flight using your voucher. Be aware of any price differences or cancellation penalties.
How to combine different types of Southwest vouchers?
Southwest allows you to combine LUV Vouchers, Flight Credits, and Gift Cards on a single reservation, up to the maximum allowed per passenger (typically three LUV vouchers/flight credits, or four gift cards). The system will prompt you to apply each type of payment during the checkout process.
