Ever Wonder Where Your Southwest Airline Credits Are Hiding? Let's Find Them Together!
Have you ever had to change or cancel a Southwest flight and found yourself wondering, "Do I have a credit with Southwest Airlines, and if so, how do I even find it?" You're not alone! Southwest's credit policy can sometimes feel a bit like a treasure hunt, but with this detailed guide, you'll be a credit-finding pro in no time. Let's dive in and uncover your valuable travel funds!
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| How Do I Check If I Have A Credit With Southwest Airlines |
Step 1: Engage Your Inner Detective - What Kind of Credit Are You Looking For?
Before we start clicking, it's helpful to understand the different types of "credits" Southwest Airlines offers, as this will influence where and how you look. Are you looking for:
Flight Credits (formerly Travel Funds): These are the most common and are typically issued when you cancel a non-refundable ticket. They are tied to the original passenger's name and the confirmation number of the canceled flight.
Transferable Flight Credits™: Available with certain fare types (Business Select, Anytime, and Wanna Get Away Plus), these credits offer the flexibility to transfer the credit to another Rapid Rewards Member.
Southwest LUV Vouchers®: These are promotional vouchers issued by Southwest, often as a gesture of goodwill or compensation. They have their own unique number and security code.
Southwest® Gift Cards: Purchased gift cards with a specific monetary value.
Knowing what you're looking for will significantly streamline your search!
Step 2: The Digital Search - Your Rapid Rewards Account is Your Best Friend
The easiest and most comprehensive way to check for most of your Southwest credits is through your Rapid Rewards account. If you don't have one, it's highly recommended to create one – it's free and makes managing your travel funds much simpler.
Sub-heading 2.1: Logging In and Navigating to Your Funds
Head to the Southwest Airlines Website: Open your web browser and go to Southwest.com.
Log In to Your Rapid Rewards Account: Look for the "Log In" button at the top right corner of the page. Enter your Rapid Rewards number or email address and password.
Access "My Account": Once logged in, click on "My Account" in the top menu (desktop version) or scroll down to "My Travel Funds" (mobile and app).
Find the "Payment" or "Travel Funds" Section: Within "My Account," look for a section or tab related to "Payment" or "Travel Funds." This is where your available flight credits should be displayed.
Sub-heading 2.2: What You'll See in Your Account
When viewing your travel funds within your Rapid Rewards account, you should see:
Tip: Absorb, don’t just glance.
Total Available Travel Funds: This will be a summary of all flight credits associated with your account.
Individual Flight Credit Details: Click on "View Details" to see each individual flight credit, including:
The original confirmation number it originated from.
The value of the credit.
The expiration date (note: Southwest has changed its expiration policy for credits issued on or after May 28, 2025. Credits issued before this date do not expire. Newer credits generally expire 6-12 months from the original booking date, depending on the fare type).
The original passenger name associated with the credit.
Remember, only flight credits issued in your name and associated with your Rapid Rewards account will appear here. If your Rapid Rewards number wasn't linked to the original booking, you might need to use the alternative method in Step 3.
Step 3: The "Check Travel Funds" Page - For When You Don't Have an Account or Confirmation Number Handy
What if you don't have a Rapid Rewards account, or perhaps the credit isn't showing up, or you only have the confirmation number? Southwest has a dedicated "Check Travel Funds" page that can help!
Sub-heading 3.1: Locating the Check Travel Funds Page
Direct Link or Navigation: You can often find a direct link to "Check Travel Funds" on the Southwest Airlines homepage, usually under the "Travel" or "Help Center" sections, or by simply searching for it on Southwest.com. Alternatively, you can typically find it by navigating to Southwest.com and looking for options related to "Travel Funds" or "Manage Reservations."
Required Information: On this page, you'll need to enter the first name, last name, and the confirmation number of the original reservation that generated the credit.
Sub-heading 3.2: Important Considerations for This Method
Exact Match is Key: The name you enter must exactly match the name on the original reservation. Even a small typo can prevent the system from finding your credit.
Confirmation Number is Crucial: This method heavily relies on having the original confirmation number. If you don't have it, you might need to try contacting Customer Service (Step 4).
Limited Information: This page will typically show you the value and expiration of the specific credit you're looking up, but it won't give you a comprehensive overview of all your available funds like your Rapid Rewards account would.
Step 4: Calling in the Reinforcements - When All Else Fails, Contact Customer Service
If you've tried the above methods and still can't locate your credit, don't despair! Southwest's customer service team is there to assist you.
Sub-heading 4.1: Preparing for Your Call
Before you call, gather as much information as possible:
QuickTip: Check if a section answers your question.
Your Full Name: As it appeared on the original reservation.
Original Flight Dates and Route: Even if you don't have the confirmation number, this can help them locate the reservation.
Any Email Confirmations: Look for any emails from Southwest related to the original booking or cancellation.
Rapid Rewards Number: If you have one.
Any Partial Confirmation Numbers: Even if incomplete, it might help.
Sub-heading 4.2: Contacting Southwest Customer Service
Phone Number: Call Southwest Airlines at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792).
Be Patient: Hold times can vary, so be prepared to wait.
Explain Your Situation Clearly: Provide the representative with all the details you've gathered. They have access to more detailed reservation histories and can often track down credits even with limited information.
Pro Tip: While on the phone, ask the representative to associate any found credits with your Rapid Rewards account for easier future access!
Step 5: Understanding and Using Your Southwest Credit
Once you've successfully located your credit, understanding its terms and how to use it is the final piece of the puzzle.
Sub-heading 5.1: Credit Expiration Dates - A Recent Change
Credits Issued On or Before May 27, 2025: These credits do not expire! This was a fantastic customer-friendly policy that Southwest had for a long time.
Credits Issued On or After May 28, 2025: These credits now have expiration dates.
Business Select, Anytime, and Wanna Get Away Plus Fares: Flight credits typically expire 12 months from the original date the reservation was booked.
Basic Fares: Flight credits typically expire 6 months from the original date the reservation was booked.
Significantly Disrupted Flights: If your flight was significantly disrupted (e.g., canceled by Southwest), and you chose a flight credit, it might be valid for five years from the date you originally booked the reservation or five years from the date you canceled the reservation, depending on the specific circumstances. Always check the details of your credit!
Always double-check the specific expiration date of your credit to avoid losing its value.
Sub-heading 5.2: Applying Your Credit to a New Flight
Start a New Booking: Go to Southwest.com and begin the process of booking a new flight as you normally would.
Proceed to the Payment Screen: After selecting your flights and entering passenger details, you'll reach the "Passenger & Payment Info" page.
Locate "Apply Travel Funds, LUV Vouchers, and gift cards": On the payment screen, you'll see a section that allows you to apply various forms of payment. Click to expand this section.
Enter Credit Details:
For Flight Credits, you'll need the confirmation number of the original canceled flight and the first and last name of the passenger the credit belongs to.
For LUV Vouchers or Gift Cards, you'll enter the specific voucher/card number and security code.
Apply Funds: Click "Apply funds" to see the credit applied to your new booking.
Pay Remaining Balance (if any): If your credit doesn't cover the full cost of the new flight, you'll need to pay the remaining balance with another accepted form of payment (credit card, another flight credit, etc.).
You can generally use up to three forms of payment per passenger per booking.
Keep in mind that if you use a credit and then cancel the new flight, the terms and expiration of the new credit will likely follow the current policy at the time of the new booking and cancellation.
10 Related FAQ Questions
QuickTip: Let each idea sink in before moving on.
How to check the expiration date of my Southwest flight credit?
You can check the expiration date by logging into your Rapid Rewards account, navigating to "My Account" and then "Payment" or "Travel Funds" to view individual credit details. Alternatively, use the "Check Travel Funds" page on Southwest.com with your original confirmation number and name.
How to use multiple Southwest flight credits for one booking?
Southwest generally allows you to use up to three forms of payment per passenger on a single booking, and each flight credit counts as one form of payment. You'll apply them one by one on the payment screen.
How to find a Southwest flight credit without a confirmation number?
If you don't have the confirmation number, logging into your Rapid Rewards account is your best bet, as all credits linked to your account should appear there. If not, contacting Southwest Customer Service with your full name and original flight details is the next step.
How to transfer a Southwest flight credit to another person?
Only Transferable Flight Credits™ (from Business Select, Anytime, or Wanna Get Away Plus fares) can be transferred. Log into your Rapid Rewards account, go to "My Account" > "View Travel Funds" and select the option to "Transfer to someone else." You'll need the recipient's full name, email, and Rapid Rewards account number.
How to use a Southwest LUV Voucher?
Tip: Jot down one takeaway from this post.
Southwest LUV Vouchers can be applied on the payment screen during the booking process, similar to flight credits. You'll need the voucher number and security code.
How to apply a Southwest gift card to a flight?
Southwest gift cards are applied on the payment screen during booking. Enter the gift card number and PIN in the designated section, similar to how you would apply a flight credit or LUV voucher.
How to get a refund instead of a flight credit from Southwest?
Southwest typically issues flight credits for non-refundable fares. However, if Southwest significantly delays or cancels your flight, you are generally eligible for a refund to your original form of payment, even for non-refundable tickets. Refundable fares (Business Select, Anytime) are also eligible for a full refund if canceled.
How to combine multiple small Southwest credits into one?
Southwest does not have a direct feature to combine multiple small flight credits into one larger credit. You'll need to apply them individually (up to three per passenger) during the booking process.
How to check if my canceled flight generated a credit?
If you canceled a non-refundable fare, it should have generated a flight credit. You can check for it by logging into your Rapid Rewards account or by using the "Check Travel Funds" page with your original confirmation number.
How to deal with an expired Southwest flight credit?
For credits issued before May 28, 2025, they do not expire. For credits issued on or after May 28, 2025, they generally have an expiration date. If your credit has expired, it is typically no longer valid. However, in some rare cases (e.g., specific extenuating circumstances), contacting customer service might be worth a try, but there's no guarantee of reinstatement.
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