Have you ever had a flight cancelled or needed to change your travel plans on Southwest Airlines, only to find yourself with a flight credit? It can be a little confusing knowing how to use these credits for your next adventure. But fear not, fellow traveler! This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of redeeming your Southwest flight credit, ensuring you make the most of your unused travel funds.
Let's dive in and unlock the value of your Southwest flight credit!
Your Ultimate Guide to Using Southwest Flight Credits
Southwest Airlines has a fairly straightforward, yet sometimes nuanced, system for flight credits. Understanding the different types of credits and their associated rules is key to a smooth rebooking process.
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| How Can I Use My Flight Credit On Southwest Airlines |
Step 1: Discover Your Flight Credit Details (Engage User!)
Before you even think about booking your next trip, the absolute first thing you need to do is find and understand the details of your flight credit. This is crucial because Southwest has different types of flight credits with varying rules.
Sub-heading: Where to Find Your Flight Credit Information
There are a few ways to access your flight credit information:
Online via Southwest.com (Recommended!):
If you're a Rapid Rewards member: Log in to your Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards account. Once logged in, navigate to "My Account" and then select the "Payment" tab or "My Travel Funds." You should see a list of any available flight credits associated with your name and account number, along with their expiration dates.
If you're not a Rapid Rewards member or just want to check a specific credit: Go to Southwest.com and look for the "Check Travel Funds" option (usually found in the footer or under the "Flight" menu). You'll typically need to enter the original confirmation number from the cancelled flight and your first and last name.
Through the Southwest Mobile App: The process is similar to the website. Log in to your account, look for "My Travel Funds" or a similar "Payment" section.
By Phone: You can call Southwest Airlines Customer Service at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792). Have your original confirmation number and personal details ready. They can look up your credit for you.
At a Southwest Ticket Counter: If you're at the airport, a Southwest agent can assist you in checking your flight credit.
Sub-heading: Understanding Your Flight Credit Type and Expiration
Southwest has recently made some changes to its flight credit policies, so it's essential to know what kind of credit you have:
QuickTip: A quick skim can reveal the main idea fast.
Flight Credits (General): These are issued when you cancel a non-refundable fare (like Wanna Get Away) or change to a lower-priced itinerary.
Important Note on Expiration: For flight credits created on or before May 27, 2025, they generally do not expire. However, for flight credits created from reservations booked or changed on or after May 28, 2025, they will have a specified expiration date. This is typically six months for Basic fares and twelve months for Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, and Business Select fares from the date the fare was purchased/ticketed. All travel must be completed by this expiration date.
Transferable Flight Credits™: These are a fantastic perk offered with Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, and Business Select fares. If you cancel a flight booked with one of these fares, you receive a Transferable Flight Credit.
Key Feature: These credits can be transferred once to another Rapid Rewards Member.
Expiration: Similar to general flight credits, those created on or before May 27, 2025, do not expire. Those created on or after May 28, 2025, will have a specified expiration date, usually 12 months from the original booking date.
LUV Vouchers: These are different from flight credits. LUV Vouchers are typically issued as compensation for a disrupted flight, missing baggage, or for volunteering to be bumped.
Key Difference: LUV Vouchers cannot be used to cover taxes and fees directly, only the airfare portion. You'll need another form of payment for taxes and fees.
Expiration: LUV Vouchers have their own expiration dates, typically 6 months to 1 year from the issue date.
Take a moment right now to find your confirmation number and check your flight credit details. Knowing the type of credit and its expiration date will save you a lot of time and potential headaches later!
Step 2: Search for Your New Flight
Now that you know what you're working with, it's time for the fun part: finding your next Southwest adventure!
Sub-heading: Using Southwest's Website or Mobile App for Booking
This is the most common and easiest method.
Go to Southwest.com or open the Southwest App.
Enter your desired travel details:
Departure and arrival cities.
Travel dates (keep your flight credit's expiration in mind!).
Number of passengers.
Click "Search."
Sub-heading: Considering Fare Types and Credit Compatibility
As you browse flights, remember the different fare types (Basic, Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, Business Select). While your flight credit can be applied to any cash fare, keep in mind that the type of fare you book now will determine the type of credit you receive if you have to cancel this new flight.
Wanna Get Away & Basic Fares: If you cancel a flight booked with these fares, you'll generally receive a non-transferable flight credit with a new expiration date (6 months for Basic, 12 months for Wanna Get Away from the original purchase date of the new ticket if booked on or after May 28, 2025).
Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, & Business Select Fares: If you cancel a flight booked with these, you'll get a Transferable Flight Credit.
Step 3: Apply Your Flight Credit During Payment
This is where your flight credit comes into play!
Tip: Read once for flow, once for detail.
Select Your Desired Flight: Once you've found the perfect itinerary, proceed to the payment screen.
Locate the "Apply Travel Funds" Section: On the payment page, look for an option that says "Apply Travel Funds," "Flight Credit," or "LUV Voucher."
Enter Your Confirmation Number(s):
For Flight Credits (including Transferable Flight Credits): You will typically enter the original confirmation number from the flight that generated the credit.
For LUV Vouchers: You'll enter the specific voucher number and security code provided.
Enter Passenger Name: You'll usually need to enter the first and last name of the passenger for whom the credit was issued.
Apply the Credit: Click "Apply" or a similar button. The system will then deduct the value of your flight credit from the total cost of your new flight.
Sub-heading: Important Considerations When Applying Credits
Multiple Forms of Payment: Southwest generally allows up to three forms of payment per transaction. This means you can combine multiple flight credits (up to three) or combine flight credits with a gift card, LUV Voucher, or credit card.
If your flight credit doesn't cover the entire cost: You will need to use a credit card or another accepted form of payment to cover the remaining balance.
If you're using LUV Vouchers: Remember, they don't cover taxes and fees, so you'll definitely need an additional payment method for that portion.
Combining Credits (A Special Note for Credits Issued Before May 28, 2025): While Southwest doesn't have a direct "combine credits" button, a common workaround for non-expiring credits issued before May 28, 2025, was to book a new Wanna Get Away Plus fare close to the combined value of your credits, then immediately cancel it. This would convert all those individual credits into one larger, transferable credit that also didn't expire. However, with the new expiration policies for credits issued on or after May 28, 2025, this strategy is less advantageous as the new credit will have an expiration date. Always check the current policy on Southwest.com or with customer service.
Using Credit for Others:
General Flight Credits: These are generally non-transferable and can only be used by the original passenger.
Transferable Flight Credits™: These are the exception! They can be transferred once to another Rapid Rewards member. To do this, the original recipient must log into their Rapid Rewards account, go to "My Account" then "Payment" or "My Travel Funds," and there should be an option to transfer the credit. The recipient must also have a Rapid Rewards account.
Step 4: Complete Your Booking
Once your flight credit has been applied and any remaining balance is paid, review all the details of your new reservation one last time.
Review Flight Details: Double-check dates, times, and passenger names.
Confirm Payment: Ensure the flight credit was applied correctly and any additional payment went through.
Receive Confirmation: You should receive a confirmation email for your new booking shortly after completing the transaction. Keep this confirmation number handy!
Congratulations! You've successfully used your Southwest flight credit to book your next trip. Enjoy your flight!
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about using Southwest flight credits, with quick answers:
How to check my Southwest flight credit balance?
You can check your flight credit balance by logging into your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com, going to "My Account" and then "Payment" or "My Travel Funds," or by using the "Check Travel Funds" option on Southwest.com by entering your original confirmation number and name.
QuickTip: Scan for summary-style sentences.
How to use Southwest flight credit for a different passenger?
Generally, standard flight credits are non-transferable and can only be used by the original passenger. However, Transferable Flight Credits™ (issued from Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, or Business Select fares) can be transferred once to another Rapid Rewards Member through your "My Account" section on Southwest.com.
How to combine multiple Southwest flight credits?
Southwest doesn't have a direct "combine" feature. For credits issued before May 28, 2025, with no expiration, a common strategy was to book a new Wanna Get Away Plus fare close to the combined value of your credits and then cancel it to get one larger, non-expiring, transferable credit. For credits issued on or after May 28, 2025, this method is less effective as the new combined credit will inherit an expiration date. You can, however, use up to three separate flight credits per transaction when booking.
How to rebook a flight with Southwest flight credit if my original flight was delayed or cancelled by Southwest?
If Southwest significantly disrupted your flight and you chose a flight credit, it might have a longer validity period (e.g., five years from the original booking date for some disruptions). The process for using it is the same: find the credit using your original confirmation number and apply it during the booking process.
How to use a Southwest LUV voucher?
LUV Vouchers are applied during the payment step, similar to flight credits. You'll enter the voucher number and security code. Remember that LUV Vouchers cover only the airfare portion and not taxes and fees, so you'll need another form of payment for those.
How to know if my Southwest flight credit expires?
QuickTip: Reread for hidden meaning.
Flight credits created from reservations booked or changed on or after May 28, 2025, will have a specific expiration date (6 months for Basic fares, 12 months for Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, and Business Select fares from the original purchase date). Flight credits created on or before May 27, 2025, generally do not expire. Always check the details displayed with your credit in your Southwest account.
How to find my original confirmation number if I lost it?
If you're a Rapid Rewards member, your past itineraries and associated confirmation numbers are usually accessible in your "My Account" section. If not, you can call Southwest Customer Service (1-800-I-FLY-SWA) with your name and travel dates; they can often help you retrieve it.
How to use a flight credit if my new flight is cheaper?
If your new flight costs less than your flight credit, the remaining balance will typically be issued as a new flight credit, usually tied to the original confirmation number and retaining the original credit's expiration policy (or a new expiration if the original credit was from a ticket booked after May 28, 2025).
How to use flight credit for taxes and fees on a points booking?
Yes, Southwest flight credits can be used to pay for the taxes and fees on award flights booked with Rapid Rewards points. This is a great way to utilize smaller credit amounts!
How to get help if I'm having trouble using my Southwest flight credit?
The best way to get personalized assistance is to call Southwest Airlines Customer Service at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792). They can help you look up credits, understand policies, and assist with the booking process. You can also visit a Southwest ticket counter at the airport.
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