Dreaming of your next adventure? Got a Southwest Airlines gift card burning a hole in your pocket? Excellent! You're about to unlock some fantastic travel opportunities with one of America's favorite airlines. Using your Southwest gift card is a straightforward process, whether you're booking a quick getaway or a longer journey.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of redeeming your Southwest Airlines gift card, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free booking experience. Let's get started!
How to Use a Southwest Airlines Gift Card: Your Complete Guide
Using your Southwest gift card is primarily done online, though you have other options too. We'll focus on the most common and convenient method: booking your flight directly on the Southwest Airlines website.
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| How To Use Southwest Airlines Gift Card |
Step 1: Gather Your Gift Card Information and Get Ready to Fly!
Before you even think about destinations, make sure you have your gift card in hand (or digitally accessible). You'll need two crucial pieces of information:
The 16-Digit Gift Card Number: This is your primary identifier.
The 4-Digit Security Code (PIN): This acts like a security measure and is usually found on the back of a physical card or clearly stated in your digital gift card email.
Without both of these, you won't be able to redeem your gift card. So take a moment to locate them now. Got them? Great! Let's move on to finding your perfect flight.
Step 2: Browse for Flights on Southwest.com
This is where the excitement truly begins! Head over to the official Southwest Airlines website: southwest.com.
A. Input Your Travel Details
On the homepage, you'll see the flight search bar. Enter the following information:
Departure City: Where your adventure begins.
Arrival City: Your dream destination.
Departure Date: When you want to take off.
Return Date: When you plan to come back (if it's a round trip).
Number of Passengers: How many people are traveling.
B. Search for Flights
Once all the fields are filled, click the "Search" button. Southwest will then display a variety of flight options, including different times and fares. Take your time to compare prices and schedules to find what best suits your needs.
Tip: Review key points when done.
Step 3: Select Your Ideal Flight and Proceed to Checkout
After reviewing the available flights, choose the one that fits your travel plans and budget.
A. Choose Your Outbound and Return Flights
Click on your preferred outbound flight, then your preferred return flight (if applicable). You'll see the total price update as you make your selections.
B. Review Your Itinerary
Before proceeding, carefully review your chosen itinerary. Double-check the dates, times, and airports to ensure everything is accurate. Mistakes can be costly to fix later!
C. Provide Passenger Information
You'll then be prompted to enter the passenger information, including names, dates of birth, and contact details. Make sure this information matches the traveler(s) exactly as it appears on their government-issued ID.
Step 4: Apply Your Southwest Gift Card at the Payment Stage
This is the moment you've been waiting for! On the payment page, you'll see various payment options.
A. Locate the "Apply Travel Funds" Section
Look for a section typically labeled "Apply Travel Funds" or something similar. It might be a small link or a dropdown menu. Click on it to expand the gift card entry fields.
Tip: Skim once, study twice.
B. Enter Your Gift Card Details
Here, you will input your:
16-digit Southwest Gift Card Number
4-digit Security Code (PIN)
C. Apply the Gift Card
After entering the details, click "Apply" or a similar button. The system will then validate your gift card and deduct its value from your total flight cost.
D. Using Multiple Gift Cards
Good news! You can typically use up to three Southwest gift cards per passenger on each reservation. If your purchase exceeds the combined amount of three gift cards, you'll be prompted to use an additional form of payment for the remaining balance. If you're booking for multiple passengers, you can apply up to three gift cards per individual passenger. This flexibility is a huge plus!
Step 5: Complete Your Purchase
Once your gift card has been applied, observe the remaining balance.
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A. If Your Gift Card Covers the Full Amount
If the gift card's value is equal to or greater than the cost of your flight, the remaining balance will be zero or will show as a credit on your gift card (though typically any excess balance remains on the gift card for future use). You can then proceed to finalize your booking.
B. If There's a Remaining Balance
If the gift card doesn't cover the entire cost, you'll need to pay the remaining balance using another accepted payment method, such as a credit card, debit card, PayPal, or even another Southwest LUV Voucher if you have one.
Tip: Don’t just glance — focus.
C. Final Confirmation
After all payments are processed, you'll receive a confirmation email with your itinerary and e-ticket information. Keep this email safe! It contains all the essential details for your trip.
Important Considerations and Tips:
Checking Your Balance: Before you start booking, it's always a good idea to check your Southwest gift card balance. You can usually do this on the Southwest Airlines website or by calling their customer service number (1-866-393-2081).
Expiration Dates: Southwest gift cards themselves do not expire. This is a fantastic benefit! However, if you book a flight with a gift card and then cancel it, the funds may be held as a flight credit, and these flight credits can have expiration dates depending on the type of fare and when the reservation was booked/canceled. Be mindful of this if your plans change. For reservations booked on or after May 28, 2025, flight credits will have a specified expiration date.
What a Gift Card Can Be Used For: Southwest gift cards are primarily for passenger air travel on Southwest Airlines. They generally cannot be used for:
Southwest Vacations packages
Cargo
Hotel or rental car bookings (unless specifically offered as part of a bundle directly on Southwest.com)
Southwest Airlines merchandise
Group tickets
Optional travel charges like EarlyBird Check-In®, Pet Fares, Unaccompanied Minor fees, or Upgraded Boarding at the airport.
However, they can be used for sales tax, security fees, and Passenger facilities charges associated with your flight.
Lost or Stolen Gift Cards: Treat your gift card like cash. Southwest Airlines is generally not responsible for lost, stolen, or destroyed gift cards.
Troubleshooting: If you encounter any issues while trying to redeem your gift card, double-check that you've entered the 16-digit number and 4-digit PIN correctly. If the problem persists, contact Southwest Airlines Customer Service directly.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check my Southwest gift card balance?
You can easily check your Southwest gift card balance by visiting the Southwest Airlines website's gift card section or by calling 1-866-393-2081.
How to combine multiple Southwest gift cards for one purchase?
You can use a maximum of three Southwest gift cards per passenger on each reservation. If your purchase exceeds the combined value, you will need to use another payment method for the remainder.
How to use a Southwest gift card for someone else's flight?
Yes, you can use your Southwest gift card to book travel for someone else. Simply enter their name and travel information during the booking process and apply your gift card as payment.
How to use a Southwest gift card if the flight cost is less than the card value?
If the flight cost is less than the gift card's value, the remaining balance will typically stay on the gift card for future use.
Tip: Reading in chunks improves focus.
How to use a Southwest gift card if the flight cost is more than the card value?
If the flight cost exceeds your gift card's value, you can use another accepted payment method (like a credit card or debit card) to cover the remaining balance.
How to apply a Southwest gift card to an existing reservation?
Southwest gift cards are generally applied at the time of booking. You typically cannot apply a gift card to an already confirmed reservation. You would need to cancel and rebook (subject to fare rules and potential fees) to use the gift card.
How to know if my Southwest gift card has an expiration date?
Southwest gift cards themselves do not expire. However, if you cancel a flight booked with a gift card, the funds may convert into a flight credit, and flight credits can have expiration dates depending on when the original booking was made and the fare type.
How to use a Southwest gift card for in-flight purchases like Wi-Fi or drinks?
Unfortunately, Southwest gift cards cannot be used for in-flight purchases such as Wi-Fi, drinks, or snacks. They are primarily for air travel.
How to resolve issues if my Southwest gift card isn't working?
First, double-check the 16-digit card number and 4-digit security code. If the issue persists, contact Southwest Airlines Customer Service at 1-800-435-9792 (1-800 I FLY SWA) for assistance.
How to get a refund if I cancel a flight booked with a Southwest gift card?
If you cancel a flight booked with a Southwest gift card, the funds will generally be held as a non-refundable flight credit. For refundable fares purchased with a gift card and canceled, the funds will be held as a Transferable Flight Credit™ which generally does not expire. For other fares, flight credits created on or after May 28, 2025, will have a specified expiration date.
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