Have you ever found a Southwest Airlines gift card tucked away in a drawer, or received one as a thoughtful present, and then wondered, "How much is actually on this thing?" You're not alone! Knowing your gift card balance is the first step towards planning your next adventure, whether it's a quick weekend getaway or a long-awaited family vacation.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through exactly how to check the balance of your Southwest Airlines gift card, ensuring you can fly with confidence and make the most of your travel funds.
Step 1: Gather Your Essentials – The Card Itself!
Before you do anything else, grab your Southwest Airlines gift card. Whether it's a physical card or a digital e-gift card, you'll need two key pieces of information from it:
The 16-Digit Gift Card Number: This is usually prominently displayed on the front or back of a physical card, or provided in your e-gift card email.
The 4-Digit Security Code (PIN): For physical cards, this is often found under a scratch-off panel on the back. For e-gift cards, it will be included in the same email or digital delivery.
Pro Tip: If you have a physical card, gently scratch the panel with a coin or your fingernail. Be careful not to damage the numbers underneath!
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| How Do I Check The Balance Of My Southwest Airlines Gift Card |
Step 2: Choose Your Preferred Method – Online or Phone?
Southwest Airlines offers two convenient ways to check your gift card balance: online or over the phone. Both are straightforward, so pick the one that best suits your comfort level.
Sub-heading: Online Balance Check – Quick & Easy
This is often the quickest and most popular method.
QuickTip: If you skimmed, go back for detail.
Navigate to the Official Southwest Airlines Website:
Open your web browser and go to
www.southwest.com
Locate the Gift Card Section:
Once on the Southwest homepage, scroll down to the very bottom of the page. You'll usually find a section titled "Southwest Products" or similar in the footer.
Look for a link that says "Southwest Gift Card" or "Travel Gift Cards" and click on it.
Find the "Check Balance" Option:
On the Southwest Gift Card page, you'll typically see an option like "Check Gift Card Balance" or a dedicated tab for balance inquiries. Click this.
Enter Your Gift Card Details:
You'll be prompted to enter your 16-digit gift card number and the 4-digit security code (PIN) into the designated fields. Double-check that you've entered them correctly to avoid errors.
View Your Balance:
After entering the information, click the "Check Balance" or similar button. Your current Southwest Airlines gift card balance will then be displayed on the screen. Voila!
Sub-heading: Phone Balance Check – For Personal Assistance
If you prefer to speak with someone or are having trouble with the online method, checking your balance over the phone is a great alternative.
Dial the Dedicated Gift Card Line:
Call Southwest Airlines' dedicated Gift Card customer service number: 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792).
Note: While the general customer service line can help, using the specific gift card number might get you to the right department faster.
Follow the Automated Prompts:
Listen carefully to the automated voice prompts. You'll likely be asked to select an option for gift card inquiries.
When prompted, enter your 16-digit gift card number followed by your 4-digit security code (PIN) using your phone's keypad.
Receive Your Balance Information:
The automated system will then verbally provide you with your current gift card balance. If you have any further questions or encounter issues, you may be given the option to speak with a customer service representative.
Step 3: Understanding Your Balance & Terms
Once you have your balance, it's important to understand a few key things about Southwest Airlines gift cards to maximize their value.
Sub-heading: Expiration Dates – The Good News!
One of the best features of Southwest Airlines gift cards is that they do not expire and do not have dormancy fees. This means your funds will remain on the card until you use them, giving you plenty of time to plan your perfect trip.
Sub-heading: Where Can You Use It?
Reminder: Focus on key sentences in each paragraph.
Southwest gift cards are primarily for Passenger travel on Southwest Airlines. However, there are some exclusions to be aware of:
Flights: Yes, this is their main purpose!
Taxes and Fees: You can generally use your gift card to cover taxes, security fees, and passenger facility charges associated with your flight.
What you cannot typically use them for:
Southwest Vacations packages
Cargo
Hotel bookings
Rental car bookings
Southwest Airlines merchandise
Southwest Airlines group tickets
EarlyBird Check-In®
Baggage fees (oversized, overweight, or excess)
Upgraded Boarding at the airport
Pet Fares
Unaccompanied Minor service charges
Purchasing additional Southwest gift cards
Sub-heading: Combining Gift Cards and Payment Methods
Southwest Airlines allows you to combine multiple payment methods for a single reservation, including gift cards.
You can typically apply a maximum of three Southwest gift cards per passenger on each reservation.
If your purchase exceeds the combined value of your gift cards, you'll need to use another form of payment (like a credit card) to cover the difference. Only one credit card can usually be applied per reservation.
Step 4: Troubleshooting Common Issues
While checking your balance is usually straightforward, sometimes you might encounter a snag.
Sub-heading: Incorrect Card Number or PIN
Double-check: The most common issue is a simple typo. Carefully re-enter your 16-digit gift card number and 4-digit security code.
Scratch-off panel: If it's a physical card, ensure the scratch-off panel is fully removed and the numbers are clear.
e-Gift card email: For digital cards, refer back to the original email or digital delivery for the precise numbers.
Sub-heading: "Card Not Found" or "Invalid" Message
QuickTip: Reading twice makes retention stronger.
Activation delay: If the gift card was recently purchased, it might take a short while for it to be fully activated in the system. Wait a few hours and try again.
Purchased from a third-party: If you bought the card from a third-party retailer, ensure it was from an authorized vendor.
Contact Customer Service: If you've tried everything and still can't check the balance, it's best to contact Southwest Airlines customer service directly at 1-800-435-9792 for assistance. Have your gift card details ready.
Step 5: Making the Most of Your Gift Card
Now that you know your balance, it's time to plan how to use it!
Sub-heading: Booking Flights
When booking a flight on Southwest.com, you'll reach the "Payment method" section during the checkout process. Here, you'll see an option to "Apply Gift Cards." Enter your gift card number and security code, and the amount will be deducted from your total.
Sub-heading: Flight Credits vs. Gift Cards
It's important to differentiate Southwest Gift Cards from Southwest Flight Credits (formerly called Travel Funds) and LUV Vouchers.
Gift Cards: Purchased outright, have no expiration date, and are generally more flexible.
Flight Credits: Issued when you cancel a flight or change a flight to a lower-priced itinerary. They are tied to your original itinerary's confirmation number and typically have an expiration date (though this can vary based on the fare type). You can view these in your Rapid Rewards account under "My Account" and then "Payment."
LUV Vouchers: Promotional vouchers that have specific terms and conditions, and typically have an expiration date.
Knowing the distinction will help you manage your various Southwest funds effectively.
QuickTip: Revisit key lines for better recall.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about Southwest Airlines gift cards, with quick answers:
How to check the balance of a lost or stolen Southwest gift card? Unfortunately, Southwest gift cards are generally not replaceable if lost, stolen, or destroyed. It's crucial to treat them like cash. If you have a record of the card number and PIN, you may still be able to check the balance online or by phone.
How to use a Southwest gift card for an international flight? Southwest gift cards can be used for international travel flights just like domestic flights, but keep in mind that only the flight portion is covered. You will likely need another form of payment for taxes, fees, and other government/airport charges associated with international reservations.
How to combine multiple Southwest gift cards for one booking? You can combine up to three Southwest gift cards per passenger on a single reservation during the payment step on Southwest.com or when booking by phone.
How to redeem a Southwest gift card online? During the payment step of your flight booking on Southwest.com, select the "Apply Gift Cards" option and enter your 16-digit gift card number and 4-digit security code.
How to apply a Southwest gift card to an existing reservation? Generally, Southwest gift cards are applied at the time of booking. It's usually not possible to apply a gift card to an already confirmed reservation. You would typically need to cancel and rebook (subject to fare rules and potential fees) or use the gift card for a new booking.
How to use a Southwest gift card for EarlyBird Check-In? Southwest gift cards cannot be used for EarlyBird Check-In®, baggage fees, or Upgraded Boarding at the airport. These must be paid with another accepted form of payment.
How to convert a Southwest gift card to cash? Southwest gift cards are not redeemable or exchangeable for cash, check, or credit, except where required by federal or applicable state law.
How to purchase a Southwest gift card? You can purchase Southwest gift cards directly from Southwest.com or from authorized retail locations.
How to check if a Southwest gift card has expired? Southwest Airlines gift cards do not expire and do not have dormancy fees. Your balance remains valid until used.
How to find the security code (PIN) on a Southwest e-gift card? The 4-digit security code for an e-gift card will be included in the original email or digital delivery you received, typically alongside the 16-digit gift card number.
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