Planning a trip with Southwest Airlines and wondering how to finally put that gift card to good use? You've come to the perfect place! This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of adding your Southwest gift card to your account and redeeming it for flights, ensuring a smooth and stress-free booking experience. Let's turn that gift into a getaway!
Your Ultimate Guide to Using Southwest Airlines Gift Cards
Southwest Airlines gift cards are fantastic for any travel enthusiast, offering flexibility and no expiration dates. Unlike some other airlines, Southwest makes it relatively straightforward to use these cards. Let's dive in!
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| How To Add Gift Card To Southwest Airlines Account |
Step 1: Prepare Your Gift Card and Account
Ready to fly? Before you even think about booking, let's get your gift card details squared away. This initial preparation will save you time and potential headaches down the road.
Sub-heading 1.1: Locate Your Gift Card Details
First things first, find your Southwest Airlines gift card. Whether it's a physical card or a digital e-gift card received via email, you'll need two crucial pieces of information:
The 16-digit gift card number: This is typically on the back of a physical card or clearly displayed in the email for digital cards.
The 4-digit PIN (Personal Identification Number): Also found on the back of a physical card (often under a scratch-off strip) or in your e-gift card email. Do not share this with anyone!
Sub-heading 1.2: Check Your Gift Card Balance (Optional but Recommended)
While not strictly necessary for redemption, it's always a good idea to know how much value is on your card. This helps you plan your flight purchase accordingly.
Visit the Southwest Airlines website: Navigate to the "Gift Card" section, often found in the footer or under a "Travel Gift Cards" link.
Locate "Check Your Balance": You'll find a dedicated link to check your gift card balance.
Enter your 16-digit gift card number and 4-digit PIN: Follow the prompts to view your remaining balance.
Sub-heading 1.3: Log In or Create a Southwest Account
To make the booking process seamless, it's highly recommended to either log into your existing Southwest Rapid Rewards account or create a new one if you don't have one already.
Existing Users: Go to Southwest.com and click "Log in" at the top right corner. Enter your username and password.
New Users: Click on "Enroll" or "Sign Up" to create a Rapid Rewards account. This will allow you to track your flights, earn points, and manage your bookings more efficiently. While you can book as a guest, having an account offers more benefits.
QuickTip: Pause at transitions — they signal new ideas.
Step 2: Begin Your Flight Search and Selection
Now that you're prepared, it's time for the exciting part – finding your perfect flight!
Sub-heading 2.1: Navigate to the Flight Search
From the Southwest Airlines homepage, you'll see the flight search widget prominently displayed.
Enter Your Departure and Arrival Cities: Input where you want to fly from and to.
Select Your Dates: Choose your desired travel dates. Southwest offers a flexible date search if you're open to different travel times.
Specify Number of Passengers: Indicate how many people will be traveling.
Click "Search": This will take you to the flight results page.
Sub-heading 2.2: Choose Your Flights
Browse through the available flights and fares. Southwest is known for its "Wanna Get Away" fares, which are often the most economical.
Select your desired outbound and return flights: Pay attention to the times, layovers (if any), and fare types.
Review your selection: Double-check your chosen flights to ensure they match your travel plans.
Click "Continue" or "Select" to proceed to the passenger and payment details.
Step 3: Enter Passenger Information and Proceed to Payment
You're almost there! This step involves entering the traveler's details and then moving on to the payment section where your gift card comes into play.
Sub-heading 3.1: Provide Passenger Details
On the passenger information page, fill in the required details for each traveler.
Full Name (as it appears on ID): Ensure accuracy to avoid issues at the airport.
Date of Birth: For all passengers.
Gender: For all passengers.
Contact Information: Your email address and phone number for booking confirmations and updates.
Sub-heading 3.2: Locate the "Southwest Gift Card" Payment Option
Note: Skipping ahead? Don’t miss the middle sections.
Once you've entered all passenger details, scroll down to the payment section. This is where you'll find the option to use your gift card.
You'll typically see a section for "Payment Options" or "Apply Funds." Look for a clear heading or checkbox labeled "Southwest Gift Card" or something similar.
Do not mistakenly enter your gift card number into a credit card field. Southwest has a dedicated section for gift cards.
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Step 4: Redeem Your Southwest Gift Card
This is the moment you've been waiting for!
Sub-heading 4.1: Input Your Gift Card Details
Click on the "Southwest Gift Card" option. New fields will appear.
Enter the 16-digit gift card number: Carefully type or paste the number into the designated field.
Enter the 4-digit PIN: Input the PIN associated with your gift card.
Click "Apply" or "Add": Once you've entered both, click the button to apply the gift card balance to your purchase.
Sub-heading 4.2: Handling Multiple Gift Cards
Southwest Airlines generally allows you to use up to three Southwest gift cards per Passenger on each reservation. If your purchase exceeds the value of three gift cards, or if you have more than three gift cards to use for one person's fare, there are a couple of things to keep in mind:
If your purchase exceeds the value of the gift cards: You can pay the remaining balance with another accepted form of payment, such as a credit card.
If you have more than three gift cards: You might need to contact Southwest Customer Support to combine the balances onto a single card, or consider splitting your booking if possible (e.g., booking two one-way flights if that works for your itinerary and allows you to use more gift cards).
Sub-heading 4.3: Complete Your Purchase
After applying your gift card(s), the total amount due will update.
Review the remaining balance: If there's any remaining balance after applying your gift card(s), you'll need to pay it with a credit card or another accepted payment method.
Confirm all details: Before finalizing, take a moment to review all flight details, passenger information, and the final payment breakdown.
Click "Purchase" or "Complete Booking": Once you're satisfied, click the final button to complete your reservation.
Congratulations! You've successfully used your Southwest Airlines gift card to book your flight. You should receive a confirmation email shortly with your itinerary.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Tip: Read in a quiet space for focus.
Here are some 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 on the Southwest.com website under their "Gift Card" section, usually by entering your 16-digit card number and 4-digit PIN.
How to use multiple Southwest gift cards for one booking?
Southwest typically allows you to use up to three gift cards per passenger on a single reservation. If you have more, you may need to call customer service to combine them or use them across separate bookings if feasible.
How to combine several Southwest gift cards into one?
Currently, Southwest doesn't offer an online tool to combine gift cards. You might be able to do this by calling Southwest Customer Support and requesting a balance transfer onto one card, especially for larger amounts or if you have many small-value cards.
How to use a Southwest gift card for taxes and fees?
Yes, Southwest gift cards can be used to cover the entire cost of your flight, including airfare, taxes, security fees, and passenger facility charges.
How to use a Southwest gift card for in-flight purchases?
Southwest gift cards cannot be used for in-flight purchases (like drinks or snacks), EarlyBird Check-In, Upgraded Boarding at the airport, Pet Fares, or Unaccompanied Minor service charges. They are primarily for air travel itself.
QuickTip: Read line by line if it’s complex.
How to apply a Southwest gift card to an existing reservation?
Generally, Southwest gift cards are applied during the initial booking process. It's usually not possible to add a gift card to an already confirmed reservation. You would typically need to cancel and rebook (subject to cancellation policies and fare rules).
How to know if my Southwest gift card has an expiration date?
Southwest Airlines gift cards do not expire and do not have any dormancy or maintenance fees. This makes them a very flexible and valuable gift.
How to get a refund if I cancel a flight booked with a gift card?
If you cancel a flight purchased with a Southwest gift card, the funds are typically held as a flight credit under the confirmation number. This credit will then be available for future use and will not be refunded back to the original gift card.
How to use a Southwest gift card for Southwest Vacations packages?
Southwest gift cards are not valid for the purchase of Southwest Vacations packages directly through Southwest.com. They are for air travel only. Southwest Vacations has its own separate gift cards.
How to purchase a Southwest gift card?
You can purchase Southwest gift cards directly from Southwest.com, at approved retail locations like Walmart or Target, or through some online marketplaces.
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