Have you ever wanted to surprise a loved one with a trip, or maybe you're organizing travel for a family member or friend and need to handle the booking? Buying a Southwest Airlines ticket for someone else is a straightforward process, and this comprehensive guide will walk you through every step. Let's get them flying!
A Complete Guide: Buying a Southwest Airlines Ticket for Someone Else
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| How Do I Buy A Ticket For Someone Else On Southwest Airlines |
Step 1: Gather Essential Information About the Traveler (Engage! Your Mission, Should You Choose to Accept It...)
Before you even open the Southwest website or pick up the phone, your most critical first step is to collect all the necessary details about the person you're buying the ticket for. Think of yourself as their personal travel agent!
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Full Legal Name: This is absolutely paramount. The name on the ticket MUST EXACTLY MATCH the name on their government-issued identification (e.g., driver's license, passport) they will use for travel. Even a small difference can cause major headaches at the airport. Double-check for middle names, hyphens, and suffixes.
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Date of Birth: Required for all passengers.
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Gender: Also a required field.
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Contact Information (Their Preferred): While you'll use your email for the booking confirmation, it's a good idea to have their email address and phone number. This way, they can receive important flight updates, check-in reminders, and manage their trip directly if needed.
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Southwest Rapid Rewards Number (Optional but Highly Recommended): If the traveler has a Rapid Rewards account, make sure you get their number. The points for the flight will be credited to the person flying, not the person paying. Entering their Rapid Rewards number during booking ensures they earn points for their trip. If they don't have one, you can even sign them up before booking!
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Special Accommodations (If Applicable): Does the traveler require wheelchair assistance, have dietary restrictions for longer flights (though Southwest typically doesn't offer full meals), or need any other special services? It's best to know this upfront.
Step 2: Choose Your Booking Method
Southwest Airlines offers a few convenient ways to purchase tickets. You can pick the one that best suits your comfort level.
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Sub-heading: Online via Southwest.com (Most Common & Easiest) This is generally the quickest and most preferred method for many. The website is user-friendly and allows you to manage all the details.
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Sub-heading: Via the Southwest Airlines Mobile App Similar to the website experience, the mobile app offers a streamlined way to book on the go.
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Sub-heading: By Phone with Southwest Customer Service If you prefer speaking to a representative or have complex travel needs, calling Southwest Customer Service is always an option. They can guide you through the process and ensure all details are accurate.
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Pro Tip: Have all the traveler's information readily available before calling to expedite the process.
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Tip: Patience makes reading smoother.
Step 3: The Online Booking Process (Step-by-Step for Southwest.com)
Let's dive into the specifics of booking online, as it's the most common approach.
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Sub-heading: Navigating to the Booking Page
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Open your web browser and go to
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On the homepage, you'll see the flight search widget.
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Sub-heading: Entering Flight Details
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Select "Round Trip," "One Way," or "Multi-City" based on the traveler's needs.
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Enter the "Depart" and "Arrive" airports (e.g., "Dallas (DAL)" to "Denver (DEN)").
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Choose the "Departure Date" and "Return Date" (if round trip) using the calendar tool.
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Under "Passengers," select "1 Adult" (or the correct number if you're booking for multiple people, all of whom you are paying for).
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Click the "Search" button.
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Sub-heading: Selecting the Flight(s)
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You'll be presented with a list of available flights and their respective fare types (e.g., Basic, Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, Business Select).
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Consider the traveler's needs and your budget:
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Basic: Lowest fare, but most restrictive (e.g., no same-day changes/standby, lower Rapid Rewards earn).
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Wanna Get Away: Good balance of price and flexibility.
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Wanna Get Away Plus: Offers more flexibility like transferable flight credits.
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Anytime & Business Select: Most flexible, often refundable, and come with additional perks.
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Click on the desired departure and return flights. The price will update as you select.
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Once satisfied, click "Continue."
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Sub-heading: Entering Passenger Information (Crucial Step!)
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This is where you'll input the traveler's details, NOT YOURS.
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Carefully enter their First Name, Middle Name (if applicable), and Last Name exactly as it appears on their government-issued ID.
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Enter their Date of Birth and Gender.
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If they have a Rapid Rewards number, enter it in the designated field. This is vital for them to earn points.
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For the "Contact Information" section, you can enter your email address if you want to receive the confirmation, but it's often best to enter their email address so they receive all direct communications. You can add your email as a secondary contact if desired.
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Review everything carefully! This is your last chance to catch any typos in their name or date of birth.
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Sub-heading: Payment Information
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On the payment screen, you'll enter your payment details. Southwest allows you to use your credit card to pay for someone else's ticket.
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Enter your credit card number, expiration date, and security code.
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You can also use other accepted payment methods like Southwest gift cards or LUV vouchers if you have them. Note: There are limits on how many gift cards/vouchers you can use per reservation.
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Review the total cost.
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Click "Purchase" or "Complete Purchase."
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Step 4: Confirmation and Post-Booking Steps
Congratulations, you've successfully booked a ticket for someone else! But you're not quite done yet.
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Sub-heading: Confirmation Email
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You will receive a confirmation email to the address provided during booking (ideally, the traveler's email, or yours if you chose that).
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This email will contain the confirmation number (a 6-digit alphanumeric code), the itinerary details, and important information about check-in.
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Sub-heading: Forwarding the Itinerary
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Immediately forward the confirmation email to the traveler. This is crucial so they have all the necessary information for their trip.
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Emphasize to them the importance of the confirmation number. They'll need it to check-in, make changes, or access their reservation.
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Sub-heading: Managing the Reservation
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The traveler can use the confirmation number on Southwest.com or the mobile app to manage their reservation. This includes:
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Adding EarlyBird Check-In (for earlier boarding position)
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Making changes to the flight (fare difference may apply)
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Canceling the flight
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Checking in for their flight 24 hours before departure
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Adding their Known Traveler Number (KTN) for TSA PreCheck (if they have one)
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Sub-heading: Reminders and Assistance
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Consider setting a reminder for the traveler to check in 24 hours before their flight. Southwest has open seating, so checking in early helps secure a better boarding position.
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Be available to assist them with any questions or issues they might encounter before or during their travel.
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Important Considerations When Booking for Someone Else
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Name Accuracy is Paramount: Seriously, this cannot be stressed enough. A mismatch can lead to denied boarding.
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Rapid Rewards Points: Remember, points go to the traveler, not the purchaser.
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Flight Credits/LUV Vouchers: Generally, flight credits and LUV vouchers are non-transferable and can only be used by the original recipient. If you have a Transferable Flight Credit (from eligible fares booked after May 28, 2025), you can transfer it to another Rapid Rewards Member. Check the specific terms of any credit or voucher you intend to use.
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Companion Pass: If you have a Companion Pass, you must book your flight first, and then you can add your designated Companion to your reservation for free (they pay only taxes and fees). You cannot "gift" a Companion Pass flight without you also being on the reservation.
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Unaccompanied Minors: Southwest has specific policies for unaccompanied minors (children aged 5-11 traveling alone). You cannot book these online; you must call Southwest reservations.
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Group Travel: If you're booking for a large group (typically 10 or more), Southwest has a dedicated Group Travel department that offers special rates and policies.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Tip: Don’t just scroll to the end — the middle counts too.
How to add a Rapid Rewards number after booking a Southwest flight for someone else?
If you forgot to add the Rapid Rewards number during booking, the traveler can add it themselves by logging into their Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com, going to "My Trips," finding the reservation, and editing the passenger details. Alternatively, they can contact Southwest Customer Service.
How to use my credit card to buy a Southwest ticket for someone else?
Simply proceed with the normal booking process online or over the phone. When you reach the payment step, enter your credit card details. Southwest allows the credit card holder to be different from the traveler.
How to send the flight confirmation to someone else after booking on Southwest?
Once you receive the confirmation email, simply forward that email to the traveler. It contains all the necessary details, including the confirmation number.
QuickTip: A careful read saves time later.
How to change the name on a Southwest ticket for someone else if I made a mistake?
Minor name corrections (e.g., a typo) can often be made by calling Southwest Customer Service. Major name changes (e.g., completely different person) are typically not allowed, and you might need to cancel and rebook (subject to fare rules).
How to apply a Southwest gift card when booking a ticket for someone else?
On the payment page during the online booking process, there will be an option to enter a Southwest gift card number and its associated security code. You can use up to three gift cards per passenger per reservation.
How to book a Southwest flight for an unaccompanied minor?
You cannot book an unaccompanied minor (ages 5-11 traveling alone) online. You must contact Southwest Airlines by phone to make this type of reservation, as there are specific procedures and fees involved.
QuickTip: Stop to think as you go.
How to use my Rapid Rewards points to book a flight for someone else on Southwest?
Yes, you can use your Rapid Rewards points to book a flight for someone else. Log into your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com, search for flights, and when you enter the passenger information, input the details of the person you are booking for. The points will be deducted from your account.
How to use a Southwest flight credit or LUV Voucher for someone else's ticket?
Generally, flight credits and LUV vouchers are non-transferable. However, if the flight credit is a Transferable Flight Credit (available on eligible fares booked on or after May 28, 2025), you can transfer it to another Rapid Rewards Member who can then use it for their own booking. Otherwise, the original traveler must use the credit.
How to ensure the person I booked for gets their Rapid Rewards points?
Ensure you enter their Southwest Rapid Rewards number in the designated field during the passenger information step of the booking process. If you forget, they can add it to their reservation themselves later or by contacting Southwest.
How to book multiple passengers in one Southwest Airlines reservation for others?
On the Southwest.com flight search widget, simply select the total number of adults (or children) under the "Passengers" field. You can book up to 9 passengers in a single reservation online. For groups of 10 or more, it's recommended to contact Southwest's Group Travel department.
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