You're planning a trip, and you've heard whispers of amazing savings on Southwest flights through Costco. Intrigued, aren't you? You've come to the right place! The Costco Southwest Airlines gift card can be a fantastic way to stretch your travel budget, but like any good deal, it comes with a few nuances. Let's dive deep into how it works, step by step, so you can confidently book your next adventure.
The Costco Southwest Airlines Gift Card: Your Gateway to Savings
Costco, known for its bulk savings, periodically offers discounted Southwest Airlines gift cards. These aren't just regular gift cards; they typically provide a significant discount off the face value, meaning you get more for your money. For instance, you might find a $500 Southwest gift card for $430 or $449.99, which is essentially free money to put towards your flight!
 |
| How Does The Costco Southwest Airlines Gift Card Work |
Step 1: Discovering the Deal – Are You Ready to Save?
The first and most crucial step is to actively look for these deals at Costco. They aren't always available, and when they are, they can sell out quickly.
Sub-heading: Where to Find Them
-
Costco.com: This is often the easiest place to check. Navigate to the "Gift Cards & Tickets" section. You might see both physical and e-gift card options. E-gift cards are delivered via email, making them super convenient.
-
In-Warehouse: While less common for such specific airline gift cards, some Costco warehouses might carry them. It's always worth a quick check if you're already there.
Sub-heading: Be a Savvy Shopper
-
Keep an eye on online deal forums: Many travel and coupon websites will announce when Costco brings back their Southwest gift card deals. Set up alerts if you're serious about snagging one.
-
Act fast when you see it: These deals are popular and often have purchase limits (e.g., limit of five per customer). Don't hesitate if the timing is right for your travel plans.
Step 2: Purchasing Your Gift Card – Membership Has its Privileges
Once you've spotted the deal, the purchase process is straightforward, but remember, you need a Costco membership to buy these discounted gift cards.
Sub-heading: Online Purchase
-
Add to Cart: Select the desired denomination and quantity (up to the stated limit).
-
Checkout: Proceed to checkout as you would with any other Costco.com purchase.
-
Payment: Use your preferred payment method. If you have the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi, you can earn 2% cash back on all Costco.com purchases, including these gift cards, adding another layer of savings!
-
Delivery: For e-gift cards, expect an email with your gift card details (number and PIN) within a few minutes to a few hours. For physical cards, standard shipping times apply.
QuickTip: Skim slowly, read deeply.
Sub-heading: Important Considerations
-
Non-refundable: Southwest gift cards purchased from Costco are typically non-refundable. Be sure of your purchase.
-
Activation: The gift card has no value until activated, which usually happens after your payment clears.
Step 3: Redeeming Your Southwest Airlines Gift Card – The Fun Part!
Now that you have your discounted Southwest gift card, it's time to put it to use!
Sub-heading: Booking Your Flight on Southwest.com
-
Search for Flights: Go to Southwest.com and search for your desired flights as usual.
-
Proceed to Payment: Once you've selected your flights and entered passenger details, you'll reach the payment screen.
-
Select "Southwest Gift Card": Look for the payment option that allows you to apply a gift card. It's usually a clearly marked section.
-
Enter Gift Card Details: You'll be prompted to enter the 16-digit gift card number and the 4-digit PIN. These are found on your e-gift card email or the back of your physical card.
-
Apply More Cards (If Needed): Southwest allows you to apply up to three Southwest gift cards per passenger on each reservation. If your purchase exceeds the amount available on those three cards, you'll need another form of payment for the remaining balance. This is a crucial point to remember for larger bookings.
Sub-heading: Other Redemption Methods
-
Southwest Airlines Mobile Apps: You can also use gift cards for initial flight bookings through the mobile apps.
-
By Phone: Call Southwest Airlines at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) to book your flight and redeem your gift card.
-
At Ticket Counter Locations: You can also use your gift card at Southwest Airlines ticket counter locations at the airport.
Sub-heading: What You Can and Cannot Use It For
-
Can be used for: Passenger air travel on Southwest Airlines, including the base fare, taxes, security fees, and passenger facilities charges.
-
Cannot be used for:
-
Southwest Vacations Packages (flight + hotel/car)
-
Cargo
-
Hotel bookings (unless part of a flight booking where the gift card is used for the flight portion)
-
Rental cars
-
Southwest Airlines merchandise
-
Southwest Airlines group tickets
-
EarlyBird Check-In®
-
Baggage fees (for oversized/excess baggage)
-
Upgraded Boarding at the airport
-
Pet Fares
-
Unaccompanied Minor service charges
-
Essentially, think of it as covering the cost of the actual flight ticket and associated mandatory fees, but not extra services or vacation packages.
 |
Step 4: Managing Your Balance and Cancellations – Know the Rules
What happens if you don't use the full amount, or if you need to cancel a flight booked with a gift card?
Sub-heading: Checking Your Balance
QuickTip: Keep a notepad handy.
Southwest Airlines does not have a dedicated page on their website to check gift card balances. You typically have to pretend to book a flight and enter the gift card details at the payment stage to see the remaining balance. Alternatively, you can call their gift card support line.
Sub-heading: Cancellations and Credits
-
If you cancel a refundable fare purchased with a gift card, the funds will be held as a Transferable Flight Credit under the confirmation number. This credit generally does not expire.
-
If you cancel a non-refundable fare purchased with a gift card, the funds will also be held as a flight credit or Transferable Flight Credit under the confirmation number. Note: Flight credits and Transferable Flight Credits created from reservations booked and/or voluntarily changed on or after May 28, 2025, will have a specified expiration date. All travel must be completed by this expiration date.
-
If a gift card was used to pay for a reservation with multiple passengers, any remaining funds after cancellation will be held for each passenger as a flight credit or Transferable Flight Credit, depending on the fare purchased.
Step 5: Maximizing Your Savings – Beyond the Discounted Card
The Costco gift card is a fantastic starting point, but you can layer on even more savings.
Sub-heading: Combine with the Costco Anywhere Visa Card
As mentioned, using your Costco Anywhere Visa Card for the gift card purchase earns you 2% cash back. That's a direct return on your discounted travel!
Sub-heading: Look for Southwest Sales and Promotions
Southwest frequently has fare sales. Combining a discounted gift card with a sale fare can lead to truly significant savings.
Sub-heading: Rapid Rewards Points
While gift cards don't earn Rapid Rewards points directly when purchased, using them to book flights will earn you points based on the fare type, contributing to your A-List status and future free flights.
QuickTip: Look for patterns as you read.
Sub-heading: Consider the Southwest Credit Card
If you're a frequent Southwest flyer, a Southwest credit card (like the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Card) can offer additional perks such as annual travel credits, bonus points, and upgraded boarding, further enhancing your travel experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How to check the balance on a Southwest gift card?
You can check the balance by initiating a flight booking on Southwest.com and entering the gift card details at the payment stage, or by calling Southwest Airlines' gift card support line.
How to combine multiple Southwest gift cards?
Southwest allows you to use a maximum of three Southwest gift cards per passenger on each reservation. If your total exceeds the value of three cards, you'll need to use another form of payment for the remainder.
How to use a Southwest gift card for EarlyBird Check-In?
Southwest gift cards cannot be used for EarlyBird Check-In or other optional services like pet fares or upgraded boarding. They are primarily for air travel itself.
How to replace a lost or stolen Southwest gift card?
Southwest gift cards are generally not replaceable if lost, stolen, or destroyed. Treat them like cash.
QuickTip: Look for repeated words — they signal importance.
How to use a Southwest gift card for international flights?
Southwest Airlines primarily operates within the United States and to select international destinations. If a Southwest flight is available to your international destination, you can use the gift card for the airfare portion, subject to the same terms and conditions as domestic flights.
How to use a Southwest gift card for Southwest Vacations?
Southwest gift cards are not valid for the purchase of Southwest Vacations packages (flight + hotel/car bundles).
How to redeem a Southwest gift card over the phone?
You can redeem your Southwest gift card by calling Southwest Airlines at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) and providing the gift card number and PIN to the representative.
How to know if a Southwest gift card has an expiration date?
Southwest gift cards do not expire and do not have dormancy fees. However, any flight credits generated from bookings made with a gift card (especially for flights booked on or after May 28, 2025) may have an expiration date.
How to use a Southwest gift card if the flight cost is less than the card value?
If your flight cost is less than the gift card's value, the remaining balance will stay on the gift card until it is depleted to zero.
How to use a Southwest gift card for someone else?
Yes, Southwest gift cards are fully transferable. You can purchase them and give them to anyone to use for their Southwest flights.
 |
