Do you have a Southwest Airlines gift card burning a hole in your pocket? Excellent! You're about to embark on a journey (pun intended!) to redeem it for some fantastic travel with Southwest. Using a gift card for your flight is a straightforward process, but knowing the steps beforehand can save you time and make the experience even smoother. So, let's get you ready to fly!
Your Ticket to Adventure: How to Use a Gift Card on Southwest Airlines
Using a Southwest Airlines gift card is like unlocking a special payment option for your next adventure. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or a cross-country trip, your gift card can help make it happen. Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide to ensure you redeem it without a hitch.
Step 1: Gather Your Gift Card Information (And Get Excited!)
Before you even think about Browse flights, the very first thing you need to do is locate your Southwest Airlines gift card. This might seem obvious, but sometimes those little cards or digital codes can get misplaced.
Physical Gift Card: If you have a physical card, make sure you have the 16-digit card number and the 4-digit security code (PIN). The security code is usually on the back, often under a scratch-off strip.
E-Gift Card: If it's an e-gift card, you'll have received the card number and PIN via email. Keep that email handy or write down the details.
Pro Tip: It's a good idea to check your gift card balance before you start booking. This will give you a clear idea of how much travel you can cover. You can usually check the balance directly on the Southwest Airlines website or by calling their gift card balance inquiry line (see the FAQ section below for details).
Step 2: Navigate to the Southwest Airlines Website or Mobile App
Southwest Airlines makes it incredibly easy to book flights online.
For Desktop Users: Open your preferred web browser and go to the official Southwest Airlines website: Southwest.com.
For Mobile Users: If you prefer booking on the go, download and open the official Southwest Airlines Mobile App. It's available for both iOS and Android devices.
Step 3: Search for Your Desired Flight
Now comes the fun part – finding your flight!
Enter Your Travel Details: On the homepage (or within the app), you'll see the flight search widget. Input your:
Departure City
Arrival City
Departure Date
Return Date (if you're booking a round trip)
Number of Passengers
Select Your Fare Type: You'll have options like Wanna Get Away®, Wanna Get Away Plus®, Anytime®, and Business Select®. Choose the one that best suits your travel needs and budget. Remember that certain fare types offer more flexibility (like transferable flight credits if you cancel), which can be important.
Click "Search" to view available flights.
Step 4: Choose Your Flights
Once you've searched, you'll be presented with a list of available flights that match your criteria.
Review Flight Times and Prices: Scroll through the options, paying attention to the departure and arrival times, and the cost of each flight.
Select Your Outbound and Return Flights: Click on the flights that work best for your itinerary. As you select them, the total price will update.
Continue to Passenger Information: After choosing your flights, proceed to the next step, which is usually entering passenger details.
Step 5: Enter Passenger Information
This section requires you to input the details for each passenger.
Full Name: Enter the full name of each passenger exactly as it appears on their government-issued ID.
Date of Birth
Gender
Rapid Rewards Number (Optional): If you or any other passengers are Rapid Rewards members, enter their loyalty program number to earn points on the flight.
Contact Information: Provide a valid email address and phone number for booking confirmations and updates.
Step 6: Proceed to the Payment Section
After confirming your passenger details, you'll arrive at the payment screen. This is where your Southwest gift card comes into play!
Locate the "Payment" Section: Scroll down until you see the payment options.
Find the Gift Card Option: You'll typically see a section labeled something like "Southwest Gift Card," "Gift Card/LUV Voucher," or similar.
Step 7: Apply Your Southwest Gift Card
This is the moment you've been waiting for!
Enter Gift Card Number: Carefully type in the 16-digit gift card number from your physical card or e-gift card email. Double-check for accuracy!
Enter Security Code (PIN): Next, enter the 4-digit security code (PIN) associated with your gift card.
Click "Apply" or "Redeem": After entering both numbers, click the "Apply" or "Redeem" button. The system will then validate your gift card and deduct its value from your total flight cost.
Important Considerations:
Multiple Gift Cards: Southwest Airlines allows you to use up to three Southwest gift cards per passenger per reservation. If your purchase exceeds the amount available on three gift cards, you'll only be allowed to use two and will need to provide another form of payment for the difference.
Insufficient Funds: If your gift card doesn't cover the entire cost of the flight, don't worry! The remaining balance will be displayed, and you'll be prompted to provide another form of payment (e.g., a credit card, PayPal, or another Southwest gift card if you have one) to cover the difference.
Overpayment with Gift Card: If the value of your gift card is more than the flight cost, the remaining balance will stay on the gift card for future use. Keep your gift card in a safe place even after using it!
Step 8: Complete Your Purchase
Once your gift card has been successfully applied and any remaining balance is covered by another payment method (if necessary), you're almost done!
Review Your Itinerary: Take a moment to carefully review all the details of your booking: flight times, dates, passenger names, and the total cost.
Agree to Terms and Conditions: Check the box to confirm you agree to Southwest Airlines' terms and conditions.
Click "Purchase" or "Book Flight": This final click will process your payment and confirm your reservation.
Step 9: Receive Your Confirmation
Congratulations! You've successfully used your Southwest Airlines gift card.
Confirmation Email: You'll receive a confirmation email from Southwest Airlines with your itinerary, confirmation number, and all relevant details.
Check Your Itinerary: It's always a good idea to check your confirmed itinerary on the Southwest website or app to ensure everything is correct.
You're now all set for your trip! Enjoy your flight with Southwest Airlines, paid for (at least in part) by your convenient gift card.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions about using Southwest Airlines gift cards, with quick answers:
How to check my Southwest gift card balance?
You can check your Southwest gift card balance directly on the Southwest Airlines website (
How to use multiple Southwest gift cards for one booking?
You can use a maximum of three Southwest gift cards per passenger per reservation. If your purchase exceeds the amount available on three gift cards, you'll need to use another form of payment for the difference.
How to use a Southwest gift card if the value is less than the flight cost?
If your gift card value is less than the flight cost, the gift card amount will be applied, and you will be prompted to pay the remaining balance using another accepted payment method (e.g., credit card).
How to use a Southwest gift card if the value is more than the flight cost?
If your gift card value exceeds the flight cost, the remaining balance will remain on the gift card for future use. Do not discard your gift card!
How to use a Southwest gift card for other services besides flights?
Southwest gift cards can be used for passenger air travel. They are not valid for the purchase of Southwest Airlines Vacations packages, cargo, hotel, rental car, Southwest Airlines merchandise, group tickets, EarlyBird Check-In, oversized and excess baggage fees, upgraded boarding at the airport, Pet Fare, or unaccompanied minor service charges. However, they can be used for sales tax, security fees, and passenger facilities charges.
How to know if my Southwest gift card expires?
Southwest Airlines gift cards do not expire and do not have dormancy fees.
How to get a refund if I cancel a flight booked with a gift card?
If you cancel a non-refundable fare purchased with a gift card at least 10 minutes prior to scheduled departure, the funds will be held as a flight credit or Transferable Flight Credit™ (depending on the fare type) with an expiration date. If your flight credit is from a reservation booked with a gift card, it will not expire. For refundable fares purchased with a gift card and canceled, the Transferable Flight Credit will not expire.
How to use a Southwest gift card for someone else's flight?
Yes, Southwest gift cards are fully transferable. You can use your gift card to book a flight for someone else.
How to protect my Southwest gift card from loss or theft?
Treat your Southwest gift card like cash. It is not replaceable if lost, stolen, or destroyed. Keep the physical card or the e-gift card details (number and PIN) in a secure place.
How to combine a Southwest gift card with other payment methods?
You can combine a Southwest gift card with other accepted payment methods, such as a credit card, if the gift card balance doesn't cover the full cost of your flight. Remember the limitations on the number of gift cards you can use per reservation.
