Have you ever found yourself in that all-too-common travel predicament: a canceled flight, a change of plans, or perhaps you simply booked a refundable fare and now need your money back? If you're flying with Southwest Airlines, understanding their refund process and timeline can save you a lot of unnecessary stress. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about getting your refund from Southwest, from the initial eligibility check to tracking your money's return.
How Long Does It Take to Get Your Refund from Southwest Airlines?
Getting a refund from an airline can sometimes feel like waiting for paint to dry, but with Southwest, the process is generally quite straightforward, provided you understand the policies. While the exact timing can vary, Southwest typically processes eligible refunds within 7 to 10 business days. However, it's crucial to understand that it might take up to 20 business days for the refund to actually appear on your credit card statement, depending on your bank's processing times. For refunds made by cash or check, the timeline might be slightly different.
Let's dive into the specifics!
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| How Long Does It Take To Get Your Refund From Southwest Airlines |
Step 1: Are You Eligible for a Refund? The Crucial First Check!
Before you even think about requesting a refund, the absolute first step is to confirm whether your ticket or situation qualifies. This is where many people get tripped up, so let's clarify Southwest's refund policies.
Understanding Southwest's Fare Types and Refundability:
Southwest offers different fare types, and their refundability varies significantly:
Business Select® and Anytime® fares: These are Southwest's most flexible fares and are fully refundable to your original form of payment if you cancel your flight at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled departure.
Wanna Get Away Plus® fares: These are non-refundable to the original form of payment. However, if you cancel, the value of the ticket will be converted to a Transferable Flight Credit™. This credit can be used to buy a future flight and, as the name suggests, can be transferred once to another Rapid Rewards Member.
Wanna Get Away® and Basic fares: These are also non-refundable. If you cancel a Wanna Get Away fare, the value becomes a flight credit (for Wanna Get Away) or a flight credit with a shorter expiration (for Basic fares) that you can use for future travel. These flight credits are generally not transferable.
Special Circumstances for Refunds (Even for Non-Refundable Tickets!):
Even if you purchased a non-refundable fare, you might still be eligible for a full refund to your original form of payment under certain circumstances:
Southwest-Initiated Flight Cancellations or Significant Delays/Schedule Changes: If Southwest cancels your flight, or it experiences a significant delay (generally three or more hours domestically, six or more internationally), or a significant schedule change, and you choose not to travel, you are eligible for a full refund, regardless of your fare type. This also includes refunds for any paid bag fees or unused extras like EarlyBird Check-In® or Upgraded Boarding.
24-Hour Rule: If you cancel your reservation within 24 hours of booking and your flight was scheduled at least seven days away, you can choose to receive a full refund to your original payment method, even for non-refundable tickets.
Special Cases: Southwest may also consider refunds to the original form of payment for non-refundable fares in situations like:
Purchasing an extra seat as a Customer of size or a Customer with a disability.
Military orders preventing travel.
Death of an immediate family member, travel companion, or the Passenger themselves.
Pro Tip: Always check the fine print of your original booking confirmation email to confirm your specific fare type and its associated rules.
Step 2: Initiating Your Refund Request – The Right Way to Cancel!
Once you've confirmed your eligibility, it's time to initiate the refund process. The method you use often depends on how you booked and your specific refund eligibility.
Tip: Reread tricky sentences for clarity.
Sub-heading 2.1: Canceling Online for Quick Processing
For most eligible refunds, the quickest and easiest way to initiate the process is online through your Southwest account or the Southwest mobile app.
Log In to Your Southwest Account: Go to Southwest.com and log in to your Rapid Rewards account.
Navigate to "My Account" or "Manage Reservations": Once logged in, you'll typically find an option like "My Account" in the top right corner. From there, look for your upcoming flights or a section like "Manage Reservations."
Locate the Flight You Wish to Cancel: Find the specific flight reservation you want to cancel.
Select "Cancel Flight": You should see a "Cancel Flight" button or similar option.
Choose Your Refund Option: This is a critical step!
If your ticket is fully refundable (Business Select, Anytime, or within the 24-hour rule), you'll likely be given the option to receive a refund to your original form of payment or hold the value as a flight credit. Choose the refund to your original payment method.
If your ticket is non-refundable but you are canceling due to a Southwest-initiated disruption, you should also be presented with the option for a refund to your original payment.
If your ticket is non-refundable and you're simply canceling your plans, you'll typically only be offered the flight credit option.
Confirm Cancellation: Follow the prompts to confirm your cancellation. Make sure you receive a confirmation number for the cancellation.
Sub-heading 2.2: Contacting Customer Service for Complex Cases
While online cancellation is efficient, there are situations where you might need to contact Southwest Customer Service directly. This is especially true for:
Refund requests due to death, military orders, or extra seat purchases. These often require documentation and a manual review.
Issues with the online cancellation process.
If you booked through a travel agency. You may need to contact your travel agent first.
If you paid with a Southwest gift card and canceled within 24 hours of takeoff. You'll need to contact Customer Relations.
You can reach Southwest Customer Service by calling 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792). Be prepared with your confirmation number and any relevant documentation.
Sub-heading 2.3: Submitting a Specific Refund Request Form
For certain types of refunds, especially those related to special circumstances like military orders or death in the family, Southwest provides a specific "Request Ticket Refund" form on their website. This form allows you to provide details and upload any necessary supporting documentation.
Step 3: The Waiting Game – Understanding Refund Processing Timelines
Once you've submitted your refund request, the waiting begins. Here's what to expect regarding processing times:
Sub-heading 3.1: Southwest's Internal Processing
Southwest Airlines generally processes eligible refunds within seven business days. This is the time it takes for them to internally approve and initiate the refund to your payment provider.
QuickTip: Pause before scrolling further.
Sub-heading 3.2: Your Bank's Role in the Process
After Southwest processes the refund, it then depends on your bank or credit card company to post the credit to your account. This part of the process is outside of Southwest's control and can add a significant amount of time.
Credit Card Refunds: For credit card purchases, it typically takes an additional 3-10 business days for the refund to appear on your statement, making the total time from request to appearance 7-20 business days.
Debit Card Refunds: Debit card refunds often follow a similar timeline to credit cards.
Cash or Check Payments: If you paid by cash or check (which is less common for airline tickets but possible for certain situations), the refund could take up to 20 days to be processed and mailed to you.
Rapid Rewards Points Refunds: If you used Rapid Rewards points to book your flight, the points are usually refunded instantly to your account upon cancellation. However, taxes and fees associated with point bookings (e.g., the $5.60 TSA fee) might be refunded to your original payment method or as a flight credit, following the standard cash refund timelines.
Sub-heading 3.3: EarlyBird Check-In Refunds
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It's important to note that EarlyBird Check-In purchases are generally non-refundable if you voluntarily cancel your flight. However, if Southwest cancels or significantly delays your flight (three or more hours domestically, six or more internationally) and you opt to cancel your reservation, you are eligible for a refund of your EarlyBird Check-In purchase. These refunds are typically processed within seven business days to your credit card.
Step 4: Tracking Your Refund – Staying Informed
It's natural to want to know where your money is. While Southwest doesn't have a dedicated "refund status checker" for cash refunds, you can monitor your bank statements.
Sub-heading 4.1: Monitoring Your Bank or Credit Card Statement
The most direct way to track your refund is by regularly checking your credit card or bank statements. The refund will appear as a credit from Southwest Airlines.
Sub-heading 4.2: Checking Travel Funds/Flight Credits
If you received a flight credit or Transferable Flight Credit instead of a cash refund, you can check its balance and expiration date on the Southwest website.
Go to Southwest.com.
Look for "Check Travel Funds" or "Look Up Travel Funds" (often found under the "Book" or "Flight" menu).
Enter your first name, last name, and the confirmation number from your canceled flight.
This will display the details of your flight credit, including its value and expiration date.
Sub-heading 4.3: When to Contact Southwest About a Delayed Refund
Tip: Keep scrolling — each part adds context.
If the stated processing times (7-10 business days for Southwest's internal processing, up to 20 business days for it to appear on your statement) have passed, and you still haven't seen your refund, it's time to follow up.
First, contact your bank or credit card company. Sometimes, they have the refund but haven't posted it yet, or there might be an issue on their end.
If your bank confirms they haven't received the refund, then contact Southwest Airlines Customer Service at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792). Be prepared to provide:
Your confirmation number
The date you canceled the flight
The amount of the refund you are expecting
The payment method used
Any reference numbers you received during the cancellation process.
Step 5: Important Considerations and Tips
Cancel at Least 10 Minutes Before Departure: To avoid your reservation being subject to Southwest's no-show policy (which can lead to forfeiture of the ticket value), always cancel your flight at least 10 minutes prior to the original scheduled departure time.
Documentation is Key: For special refund requests, gather all necessary documentation (e.g., military orders, death certificates) before contacting Southwest.
Keep Confirmation Numbers: Always keep the confirmation number of your original booking and any cancellation confirmations. This is vital for tracking and inquiries.
Be Patient, But Persistent: While Southwest generally has a good refund process, sometimes delays occur. Be patient during the standard processing window, but don't hesitate to follow up if it takes longer than expected.
Understand Flight Credit Expiration: For flight credits, note their expiration dates. Flight credits created from reservations booked and/or voluntarily changed on or after May 28, 2025, generally have a specified expiration date. Basic fare flight credits expire six months from the purchase date, while Wanna Get Away Plus Transferable Flight Credits expire twelve months from the original ticketing date.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 common questions about Southwest Airlines refunds, with quick answers:
How to get a full cash refund from Southwest Airlines?
You can get a full cash refund if you purchased a Business Select or Anytime fare, canceled within 24 hours of booking (for flights at least 7 days away), or if Southwest canceled or significantly delayed your flight and you chose not to travel.
How to check my Southwest Airlines refund status?
For cash refunds, check your bank or credit card statement. Southwest doesn't have a direct online status checker for cash refunds. For flight credits, you can check their balance and expiration on Southwest.com under "Check Travel Funds" using your confirmation number.
How to get a refund for a non-refundable Southwest ticket?
You can get a refund for a non-refundable ticket if Southwest cancels or significantly delays your flight, or if you cancel within 24 hours of booking (provided the flight is at least 7 days out). Otherwise, you'll receive a flight credit or Transferable Flight Credit.
How to get a refund for EarlyBird Check-In on Southwest?
Tip: Highlight sentences that answer your questions.
EarlyBird Check-In is generally non-refundable if you voluntarily cancel your flight. However, if Southwest cancels or significantly delays your flight and you opt not to travel, you are eligible for an EarlyBird Check-In refund, typically processed within seven business days to your credit card.
How to get my Rapid Rewards points refunded from Southwest?
Rapid Rewards points used for a booking are generally refunded instantly to your account upon cancellation. Any associated taxes and fees (e.g., the $5.60 TSA fee) will typically be refunded to your original payment method or held as a reusable flight credit.
How to cancel a Southwest flight and get a refund?
Log in to your Southwest account online or via the app, go to "Manage Reservations," find your flight, click "Cancel Flight," and select the refund to original payment option if eligible. If not eligible for a cash refund, you'll receive a flight credit.
How to request a refund for a Southwest flight due to a death in the family?
You'll typically need to contact Southwest Customer Service directly (1-800-I-FLY-SWA) or submit a "Request Ticket Refund" form on their website, providing documentation like a death certificate.
How to get a refund if Southwest cancels my flight?
If Southwest cancels your flight, you are automatically eligible for a full refund to your original form of payment, even for non-refundable tickets. You can typically request this through the "Manage Reservations" section online or by contacting customer service.
How to handle a delayed Southwest refund?
First, check with your bank or credit card company to see if the refund is pending. If they haven't received it and the standard 7-20 business day timeframe has passed, contact Southwest Airlines Customer Service with your confirmation details.
How to get a Southwest refund for a missed flight?
If you miss your flight without canceling at least 10 minutes prior to departure, your reservation is subject to Southwest's no-show policy, and you may forfeit the value of your ticket. Refunds for missed flights are generally not issued unless there were extenuating circumstances approved by Southwest.
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