Your Ultimate Guide: How to Check Your Flight Credit with Southwest Airlines
Hey there, fellow traveler! Ever found yourself staring at your screen, wondering where that elusive Southwest flight credit is hiding? Or perhaps you canceled a trip a while back and now need to put those funds to good use? You're not alone! Southwest Airlines has a reputation for being customer-friendly, and that often extends to their flight credit policies. However, navigating the various types of credits and where to find them can sometimes feel like a treasure hunt. But don't worry, I'm here to be your guide and make this process as smooth as a Southwest landing!
Let's dive in and unlock your Southwest flight credit with this step-by-step guide.
Understanding Southwest Flight Credits: What Are They?
Before we jump into checking your balance, it's helpful to understand what "flight credit" means at Southwest. Unlike some airlines that issue strict e-vouchers, Southwest typically refers to two main types of credits:
Travel Funds/Flight Credits: These are essentially the value of a non-refundable ticket that you cancelled. They are usually tied to the original passenger and the original confirmation number.
LUV Vouchers: These are specific vouchers issued by Southwest, often as a gesture of goodwill or compensation. They have a distinct voucher number and security code.
The good news is that Southwest has made some changes to their expiration policies, which we'll touch upon later. For now, let's focus on finding those credits!
Step 1: Ready to Uncover Your Credit? Let's Start with the Easiest Way!
The absolute first place you should always check for your Southwest flight credit is directly through your Rapid Rewards account or the dedicated "Check Travel Funds" portal. This is often the quickest and most straightforward method.
Sub-heading: Checking Through Your Rapid Rewards Account (Recommended for Members)
If you're a Rapid Rewards member and were logged in when you booked or canceled your flight, chances are your flight credit is linked to your account.
Log In to Your Southwest Account: Head over to the official Southwest Airlines website (southwest.com) or open the Southwest mobile app. Look for the "Log In" button, usually located in the top right corner. Enter your Rapid Rewards number or username and password.
Navigate to "My Account": Once logged in, you'll see a menu or link that says "My Account." Click on it.
Find "My Travel Funds" or "Payment": Within the "My Account" section, look for a tab or link related to "My Travel Funds," "Flight Credits," or sometimes simply "Payment." The exact wording might vary slightly depending on whether you're on the desktop site or the app, but it will be in that general vicinity.
View Your Available Credits: Here, you should see a list of any available flight credits associated with your name and Rapid Rewards account. Pay close attention to the expiration dates listed next to each credit.
Sub-heading: Checking Via the "Check Travel Funds" Page (For Non-Members or Specific Bookings)
Even if you're not a Rapid Rewards member, or if the credit isn't showing in your account for some reason, Southwest has a dedicated page for checking travel funds using your flight details.
Access the "Check Travel Funds" Page: Go to southwest.com and scroll down to the footer or look for a "Help Center" or "Customer Service" link. Often, there's a direct link to "Check Travel Funds" or "Travel Credit Quick Lookup" on their support pages.
Enter Required Information: You'll typically need to provide the following:
First Name of the passenger
Last Name of the passenger
The Confirmation Number of the original flight booking that resulted in the credit.
Submit and View: After entering the details, click "Submit" or "Check Travel Funds." If the information matches, your flight credit details, including the balance and expiration date, should appear.
Step 2: Locating LUV Vouchers - A Separate Treasure Chest!
Southwest LUV Vouchers are handled a bit differently than general travel funds. These are often sent via email or mail and have a unique number and security code.
Check Your Email and Physical Mail: If you recall receiving a Southwest LUV Voucher, the first place to look is your email inbox. Search for emails from Southwest Airlines, especially around the time you received the voucher. Check your spam or junk folders too! If it was a physical voucher, make sure you've kept it in a safe place.
Utilize the "Redeem LUV Vouchers & Gift Cards" Section: On the Southwest website, during the booking process, or by searching their help center, you can find a section specifically for redeeming LUV Vouchers and Gift Cards.
Enter LUV Voucher Details: You will need both the LUV Voucher number and its associated security code to check its balance or apply it to a new booking.
Step 3: What if You Can't Find Your Confirmation Number or Credit? Don't Panic!
It happens to the best of us. Confirmation numbers get lost, emails go missing. If you've tried the above steps and are still coming up empty-handed, there are still avenues to explore.
Sub-heading: Reaching Out to Southwest Customer Service
This is often your best bet if you're having trouble locating a credit. They have access to more comprehensive records.
Gather Your Information: Before calling, try to have as much of the following information ready as possible:
Full Name of the Passenger(s) on the original booking.
Original Booking Date (even an approximate date helps).
Original Departure and Arrival Airports.
The Email Address used for the booking.
Last four digits of the Credit Card used for the original purchase.
Call Southwest Airlines Customer Service: The general customer service number for Southwest Airlines is 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792). Be prepared for potential wait times, especially during peak hours. Clearly explain that you are trying to locate a flight credit and provide the information you've gathered. They can often search by name, email, or other identifying details.
Sub-heading: Checking for Old Emails and Bank Statements
Sometimes, a quick search through your digital archives can yield results.
Email Search: Search your email for keywords like "Southwest Airlines confirmation," "Southwest booking," "flight cancellation," or "travel funds."
Bank/Credit Card Statements: If you used a credit card to pay for the original flight, your bank statement might show the transaction, which could help narrow down the booking date for customer service.
Step 4: Understanding Flight Credit Expiration Dates
This is crucial! Southwest has recently updated its policy regarding flight credit expiration.
Credits Issued On or Before May 27, 2025: These flight credits do not expire. This was a fantastic, customer-friendly policy that many appreciated. If you have older credits, they're likely still good to use.
Credits Issued On or After May 28, 2025: Flight credits created from reservations booked and/or voluntarily changed on or after May 28, 2025, will have a specified expiration date.
Business Select®, Anytime, and Wanna Get Away Plus® Transferable Flight Credits: These generally expire twelve months from the date the fare was originally booked and ticketed.
Basic Fare Flight Credits: These typically expire six months from the date the fare was originally booked and ticketed.
Important Note for LUV Vouchers: If a flight credit originated from a LUV Voucher, it will generally adopt the expiration date of the original LUV Voucher.
Significantly Disrupted Flights: If your flight was significantly disrupted and you chose a flight credit, it may be valid for five years from the date you originally booked the reservation (for most fares) or five years from the date you canceled the reservation (for Basic fares). It can take up to 48 hours for the accurate expiration date to reflect in the system for disrupted flights.
Always double-check the specific expiration date when you view your flight credit online or with a Southwest representative. It's your responsibility to use the credit before it expires!
Step 5: Using Your Southwest Flight Credit
Once you've located your flight credit, using it is straightforward.
Begin a New Booking: Go through the regular flight booking process on southwest.com or the app.
Proceed to the Payment Screen: As you get to the payment section of your new reservation, you'll see options for payment methods.
Apply Travel Funds/Flight Credit: Look for an option to "Apply Travel Funds," "Use Flight Credit," or similar. You will typically be prompted to enter the original confirmation number associated with the credit.
Apply LUV Voucher/Gift Card: If you're using a LUV Voucher, there will be a separate section for "Southwest LUV Vouchers & Gift Cards." You'll need to input the voucher number and security code.
Multiple Payment Methods: Southwest allows you to use up to three forms of payment per booking. This means you can combine multiple flight credits, or a flight credit with a credit card, to cover the cost of your new ticket.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions about Southwest flight credits, answered quickly:
How to check my Southwest flight credit balance?
You can check your Southwest flight credit balance by logging into your Rapid Rewards account under "My Travel Funds" or by using the "Check Travel Funds" tool on southwest.com with your original confirmation number, first name, and last name.
How to use Southwest LUV Vouchers for a new flight?
To use a Southwest LUV Voucher, proceed to the payment screen when booking a new flight online and select the "Southwest LUV Vouchers & Gift Cards" option, then enter your voucher number and security code.
How to find a lost Southwest flight credit confirmation number?
If you've lost your Southwest flight credit confirmation number, contact Southwest Customer Service with details like your name, original booking date, and email address, and they can help retrieve it.
How to know if my Southwest flight credit has expired?
Flight credits issued on or before May 27, 2025, do not expire. For credits issued after this date, check the expiration date displayed when you view the credit in your Rapid Rewards account or through the "Check Travel Funds" portal.
How to transfer a Southwest flight credit to another person?
As of May 28, 2025, only "Wanna Get Away Plus," "Anytime," and "Business Select" fares can generate Transferable Flight Credits, which can be transferred one time to another Rapid Rewards member. Basic fare credits are generally non-transferable.
How to apply multiple Southwest flight credits to one booking?
Yes, Southwest allows you to use up to three forms of payment per booking, meaning you can combine multiple flight credits to pay for a single new reservation.
How to get a refund instead of a flight credit from Southwest?
Southwest's "Business Select" and "Anytime" fares are typically refundable to the original form of payment if canceled at least 10 minutes prior to departure. "Wanna Get Away Plus" fares generate Transferable Flight Credits. "Wanna Get Away" and "Basic" fares are non-refundable and result in flight credits (if cancelled in time).
How to use Southwest flight credit if I'm not a Rapid Rewards member?
You can still use the "Check Travel Funds" page on southwest.com by providing your first name, last name, and the original confirmation number, then apply the credit during the payment process for a new booking.
How to resolve issues with a Southwest flight credit not showing up?
If your Southwest flight credit isn't showing up, first verify you're using the correct name and confirmation number. If it's a new credit from a disrupted flight, allow up to 48 hours for it to appear. If still unresolved, contact Southwest Customer Service.
How to check the terms and conditions for my specific Southwest flight credit?
The terms and conditions, including expiration, are usually displayed when you view your flight credit online in your Rapid Rewards account or through the "Check Travel Funds" tool. For detailed policy questions, consult the "Travel Funds, Refunds, & Reimbursements" section of the Southwest website or contact customer service.
