How Long is Southwest Airlines Credit Good For? Your Ultimate Guide to Flight Funds!
Hey there, fellow traveler! Ever found yourself canceling a flight and wondering, "What happens to my money now?" Or perhaps you're sitting on some Southwest Airlines credit and asking, how long exactly do I have to use this before it vanishes into thin air? You're not alone! Understanding Southwest's credit policies can be a bit like navigating a new airport – sometimes straightforward, sometimes a maze. But don't worry, we're here to de-mystify it all.
Let's dive in and make sure you get the most out of your Southwest Airlines flight credit!
Step 1: Identify Your Southwest Credit Type – It Matters More Than You Think!
Before we talk about expiration dates, the most crucial step is understanding what kind of Southwest credit you have. Southwest has made some significant policy changes recently, especially concerning flight credits. The validity of your credit largely depends on when your original reservation was booked or changed, and the type of fare you purchased.
Here's a breakdown of the primary credit types you might encounter:
Flight Credits (formerly "Travel Funds"): These are typically issued when you cancel a non-refundable flight. Their expiration can vary greatly depending on the original booking date and fare type.
Transferable Flight Credit™: A newer, more flexible type of credit available with certain fare classes (Wanna Get Away Plus®, Anytime, Business Select®). The "transferable" part is a huge perk!
Southwest LUV Vouchers: These are often issued as a gesture of goodwill or for specific promotions.
Southwest Gift Cards: Purchased directly or from retailers, these generally have the most straightforward (and often, best) terms.
Rapid Rewards Points: If you cancelled a flight booked with points, those points are generally returned to your Rapid Rewards account.
Got your credit type in mind? Excellent! Let's move on to the specifics.
Step 2: Decoding Flight Credit Expiration Dates (Post-May 28, 2025 Changes)
This is where things get a bit more intricate, as Southwest introduced significant changes to their flight credit expiration policies for reservations booked or voluntarily changed on or after May 28, 2025.
Sub-heading 2.1: For Reservations Booked/Changed On or After May 28, 2025
For any flight credits created from reservations booked, ticketed, or voluntarily changed on or after May 28, 2025, the expiration rules are tied to the fare type:
Basic Fare Flight Credits: If you cancel a Basic fare (Southwest's lowest price point introduced with these changes), your flight credit will expire six months from the date you originally booked the reservation. Crucially, all travel must be completed by this expiration date.
Wanna Get Away Plus®, Anytime, and Business Select® Fares (Transferable Flight Credit™): If you cancel one of these higher-tier fares, you'll generally receive a Transferable Flight Credit™. This credit will expire 12 months from the date you originally booked the reservation. Again, all travel must be completed by the expiration date.
Important Note: If you used a Southwest LUV Voucher or another flight credit to book a new reservation, and then cancel that new reservation, the new flight credit will adopt the expiration date of the original voucher or credit used, or the standard expiration date (6 or 12 months from original booking), whichever comes first.
Sub-heading 2.2: For Flights Significantly Disrupted by Southwest
If your flight was significantly disrupted by Southwest (e.g., major delays or cancellations by the airline) and you choose a flight credit (or Transferable Flight Credit™ depending on your fare), the validity period is much more generous: five years from the date you originally booked the reservation (for Business Select, Anytime, Wanna Get Away Plus) or five years from the date you cancelled the reservation (for Basic fares). This is a key distinction, as it’s for airline-initiated disruptions, not voluntary cancellations.
Step 3: Understanding Flight Credit Expiration Dates (On or Before May 27, 2025)
Good news for those holding older credits!
Sub-heading 3.1: The "Do Not Expire" Era
For flight credits created from reservations booked and ticketed on or before May 27, 2025, the policy is simpler: these flight credits do not expire. This was a very customer-friendly policy that Southwest had for a while.
However, there's a catch: If you apply a flight credit that does not expire toward a new reservation booked or voluntarily changed on or after May 28, 2025, and then cancel that new reservation, any new flight credit issued will have a specified expiration date based on the new policies (6 or 12 months from the original booking date of the new reservation). So, while the original credit might not expire, re-booking and then canceling can introduce an expiration.
Step 4: LUV Vouchers and Gift Cards – Simpler Terms
Sub-heading 4.1: Southwest LUV Vouchers
Southwest LUV Vouchers typically have an expiration date ranging from six months to one year from the date of issue. The travel must be completed by the expiration date. It's important to note that LUV Vouchers can be applied toward the flight cost but not toward taxes and fees.
Sub-heading 4.2: Southwest Gift Cards
This is the easiest one! Southwest gift cards generally do not expire. They are fully transferable and can be used for flights, including taxes and fees. If you purchase a flight with a gift card and then cancel it, the funds are typically held as a flight credit, and these credits will follow the expiration rules based on the fare type and booking date discussed in Step 2.
Step 5: Rapid Rewards Points – The Gold Standard
Sub-heading 5.1: No Expiration for Your Hard-Earned Points!
This is fantastic news for Rapid Rewards members: Southwest Rapid Rewards points do not expire as long as your account remains open. This gives you incredible flexibility and peace of mind when saving up for reward flights.
Step 6: How to Check Your Southwest Credit Balance and Expiration
Knowing the policy is one thing, but finding your specific credit and its expiration date is another!
Sub-heading 6.1: Checking Online (Logged In)
Log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com or via the Southwest app.
On the desktop site, go to "My Account" at the top of the page.
On mobile or the app, scroll down to "My Travel Funds."
Select "Payment" from the menu options within your account.
Any available flight credits associated with your name and Rapid Rewards account number should be listed, along with their corresponding expiration dates.
Sub-heading 6.2: Checking Online (Not Logged In) or for Credits Not Associated with Rapid Rewards
Visit the official Southwest Airlines "Check Travel Funds" page (you can usually find this by searching "Southwest check travel funds" on Google).
You'll need the confirmation number from your original flight and the first and last name of the passenger to whom the credit belongs.
Sub-heading 6.3: For LUV Vouchers and Gift Cards
For LUV Vouchers, the expiration date is usually printed on the voucher itself. You can also sometimes check the balance and expiration on the Southwest website by going to "Flight" -> "Manage Reservations" and looking for "Apply LUV Vouchers."
For Gift Cards, go to Southwest.com, scroll to the bottom, click on "Southwest gift card" under "Southwest Products," and then click "Check Your Balance." You'll need the card number and security code.
Step 7: Tips for Using Your Southwest Credit Before It Expires
Don't let your valuable credit go to waste!
Book Sooner Rather Than Later: Even if your travel date is far in the future, you need to book the flight with the credit before its expiration date. Remember, for credits issued after May 28, 2025, the travel must be completed by the expiration date. This is a critical distinction.
Consider a "Throwaway" Booking (with caution): For older, non-expiring credits, some travelers might book a cheap flight far in the future and then cancel it if their plans change. However, be mindful of the new policy if you cancel a flight booked with a non-expiring credit on or after May 28, 2025. The resulting credit will then have an expiration date.
Look for Short Trips: If you're nearing an expiration, consider a quick weekend getaway.
Transferable Flight Credit™ Advantage: If you have a Transferable Flight Credit™, remember you can transfer it to another person for their use. This is a fantastic option if you can't use it yourself.
Contact Southwest Customer Service: If you're really stuck or have a credit with unusual circumstances, calling Southwest customer service can sometimes yield a solution, especially in cases of significant airline-initiated disruptions.
10 Related FAQ Questions (How to...)
How to Check My Southwest Airlines Flight Credit Balance?
You can check your flight credit balance by logging into your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com, going to "My Account," then "Payment." Alternatively, use the "Check Travel Funds" page on Southwest's website and enter your original confirmation number and name.
How to Use a Southwest Airlines Flight Credit for a New Booking?
When booking a new flight on Southwest.com, proceed to the payment screen. You will see an option to "Apply Flight Credits" or "Apply Travel Funds." Enter the confirmation number from your original cancelled flight along with the passenger's first and last name, then click "Apply funds."
How to Find the Expiration Date of My Southwest Airlines Flight Credit?
For credits associated with your Rapid Rewards account, log in and view your "Payment" section under "My Account." For other credits, use the "Check Travel Funds" page on Southwest.com, which will display the expiration date alongside the credit details.
How to Extend the Expiration of a Southwest Airlines Flight Credit?
Generally, you cannot directly extend the expiration of a Southwest Airlines flight credit. However, if your flight was significantly disrupted by Southwest, the credit might have a longer validity (five years). Re-booking a new flight with an expiring credit does not reset the expiration date; the new travel must be completed by the original credit's expiration.
How to Transfer a Southwest Airlines Flight Credit to Another Person?
Only "Transferable Flight Credits™" (issued for Wanna Get Away Plus®, Anytime, and Business Select® fares booked/changed on or after May 28, 2025) can be transferred. To do so, the original recipient can provide the confirmation number and their name to the new traveler, who can then use it on Southwest.com by applying the credit during booking.
How to Use Multiple Southwest Airlines Flight Credits for One Booking?
Southwest allows you to use up to three forms of payment per booking. Each flight credit counts as one form of payment. So, yes, you can use multiple flight credits for a single reservation, as long as you don't exceed three total payment methods (e.g., two flight credits and one credit card).
How to Get a Refund Instead of a Southwest Airlines Flight Credit?
Refunds are typically only issued for refundable fares (like Business Select or Anytime fares, if canceled within the policy guidelines) or in cases of significant flight disruptions by Southwest where you explicitly request a refund to your original form of payment instead of a credit. Basic and Wanna Get Away Plus fares are generally non-refundable and result in flight credit upon cancellation.
How to Know if My Southwest Airlines Flight Credit Will Expire?
The primary factor is the date your original reservation was booked or voluntarily changed. If it was on or before May 27, 2025, your flight credit generally does not expire. If it was on or after May 28, 2025, your flight credit will expire (6 months for Basic, 12 months for Wanna Get Away Plus/Anytime/Business Select) and travel must be completed by that date. Always check the specific expiration date displayed when you look up your credit.
How to Use a Southwest LUV Voucher?
To use a Southwest LUV Voucher, proceed with your flight booking on Southwest.com. On the payment screen, select the option to "Apply LUV Vouchers." Enter the voucher number and security code. Remember, LUV Vouchers typically only cover the base fare and not taxes and fees.
How to Check the Balance of a Southwest Airlines Gift Card?
Go to Southwest.com, scroll to the very bottom of the page, and under "Southwest Products," click on "Southwest gift card." Then, select the "Check Your Balance" tab and enter your gift card number and security code.
