It's a frustrating experience, isn't it? You've had a change of plans, a flight was disrupted, or you simply need to cancel, and now you're wondering, "Just how long is it going to take to get my money back from Southwest Airlines?"
The good news is that Southwest generally has a reputation for being quite flexible with changes and cancellations, and their refund process, while not always instantaneous, is often more straightforward than with some other airlines. However, the exact timeline and the type of refund you receive depend on several factors, including your original fare type, the reason for cancellation, and your payment method.
Let's dive into a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to understanding and navigating the Southwest Airlines refund process.
How Long Does It Take to Receive a Refund from Southwest Airlines? A Step-by-Step Guide
 |
| How Long Does It Take To Receive A Refund From Southwest Airlines |
Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility – Are You Even Owed a Refund?
Before you start counting down the days, the absolute first step is to understand if you're even eligible for a refund to your original form of payment (e.g., credit card, PayPal, etc.) or if you'll receive a flight credit. This is where Southwest's fare types come into play.
Refundable Fares (Business Select® and Anytime Fares):
If you purchased a Business Select® or Anytime fare, you are generally eligible for a 100% refund to your original form of payment, provided you cancel your reservation at least 10 minutes prior to the original scheduled departure of your flight. These fares are designed for maximum flexibility.
What about if you don't cancel? If you don't cancel a refundable fare at least 10 minutes prior to departure, the funds will typically be converted into a Transferable Flight Credit™.
Key takeaway: For these fares, timely cancellation is crucial for a direct refund.
Non-Refundable Fares (Wanna Get Away®, Wanna Get Away Plus®, and Basic Fares):
For these fares, the general rule is that they are non-refundable to the original form of payment.
Instead, if you cancel at least 10 minutes prior to departure, the value of your ticket will typically be converted into a flight credit (for Wanna Get Away® and Basic) or a Transferable Flight Credit™ (for Wanna Get Away Plus®). These credits can then be used towards future Southwest flights.
Important Note: Flight credits and Transferable Flight Credits created from reservations booked or voluntarily changed on or after May 28, 2025, will have a specified expiration date. All travel must be completed by this date.
24-Hour Rule:
Southwest, like all U.S. airlines, adheres to the Department of Transportation's (DOT) 24-hour rule. This means that if you cancel your reservation within 24 hours of booking and your flight was scheduled one week or more prior to departure, you are eligible for a full refund to your original form of payment, regardless of the fare type. This is a fantastic consumer protection!
Southwest-Initiated Cancellations or Significant Delays/Schedule Changes:
This is a game-changer! If Southwest cancels your flight, or your flight experiences a significant delay (generally three or more hours domestically, six or more internationally) or a significant schedule change, and you decide not to travel, you are eligible for a full refund to your original method of payment, even if you purchased a non-refundable ticket. This also applies to any associated fees like EarlyBird Check-In or Upgraded Boarding.
This is a DOT requirement, and Southwest typically processes these refunds within seven (7) business days.
Step 2: Initiating Your Refund or Flight Credit
Once you've determined your eligibility, the next step is to actually process the cancellation or refund request.
QuickTip: Reflect before moving to the next part.
Online/App Cancellation:
For most cancellations, the easiest and fastest way is through the Southwest website or mobile app.
Go to "Manage Reservations," pull up your booking using your confirmation number and name, and then select the "Cancel" option.
If your fare is refundable, you'll usually be given the option to choose between a refund to your original payment method or a flight credit. Always select the refund if that's what you're eligible for and prefer!
If it's a non-refundable fare, it will automatically convert to a flight credit.
Contacting Customer Service:
While the online process is generally efficient, you might need to contact Southwest Customer Service in certain situations, especially for complex cases, if you encountered a system error, or if you believe you're eligible for a refund due to a significant flight disruption.
You can call their customer service line or use their chat feature. Be prepared with your confirmation number and any relevant details.
Requesting a Refund Form:
In specific scenarios, like cancellations due to military orders, death of an immediate family member, or if you purchased an extra seat as a Customer of size, you may need to fill out a "Request Ticket Refund" form on their website. Supporting documentation might be required.
Step 3: Understanding Refund Timelines
This is the core of your question! Here's a breakdown of typical processing times:
Credit Card Refunds (for eligible cases):
According to Southwest's Customer Service Plan and DOT regulations, Southwest will make reasonable efforts to process credit card refunds within seven (7) business days from when the refund becomes due.
However, it's crucial to understand: While Southwest processes the refund quickly, it can then take an additional 3-10 business days (sometimes up to two billing cycles depending on your individual bank's processing times) for the credit to actually appear on your credit card statement. This is largely outside of Southwest's control and depends on your bank.
Other Forms of Payment (e.g., cash, check):
If you paid with cash or a check, Southwest will aim to process these refunds by check within 20 calendar days.
Flight Credits / Travel Funds:
When your ticket value is converted to a flight credit or Transferable Flight Credit™, this is usually much faster. The funds often become available in your Rapid Rewards account or through the "Check Travel Funds" page almost immediately or within a few hours (sometimes up to 48 hours, especially for Basic fares).
The primary consideration here isn't how long it takes to receive them, but rather their expiration date and how to use them.
EarlyBird Check-In / Upgraded Boarding Refunds:
If these fees are refundable (e.g., due to a Southwest-initiated cancellation or significant delay), the refund to your credit card will typically be processed within seven business days.
 |
Step 4: Tracking Your Refund (and What to Do if It's Delayed)
Patience is a virtue, but it's also important to know when to follow up.
Check Your Bank/Credit Card Statement:
Regularly monitor your credit card or bank statements for the refund to appear. Remember the varying timelines for airline processing vs. bank posting.
Southwest's "Check Travel Funds" Page:
If you're expecting flight credits, use the "Check Travel Funds" tool on Southwest's website to verify if they have been issued and to view their expiration dates.
Contact Southwest Customer Service (Again, if Necessary):
If the stated processing times have passed (e.g., more than 7-10 business days for a credit card refund, or 20 calendar days for a check refund) and you still haven't seen your refund, it's time to follow up with Southwest.
Be polite but firm. Have your confirmation number, cancellation details, and the date you initiated the request readily available.
Pro-Tip: Some users have reported success by mentioning the DOT regulations (specifically, that airlines are required to process credit card refunds within 7 business days for eligible cases).
File a DOT Complaint (as a last resort):
If you've exhausted all avenues with Southwest and believe they are not adhering to their refund policy or DOT regulations, you can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation's Aviation Consumer Protection Division. This can often prompt action from the airline.
Conclusion
Getting a refund from Southwest Airlines can range from almost immediate (for flight credits) to a couple of weeks (for credit card refunds). The key is understanding Southwest's fare rules and the circumstances that warrant a refund to your original payment method versus a flight credit. While Southwest strives for efficiency, always keep an eye on your statements and don't hesitate to follow up if the refund doesn't appear within the expected timeframe.
QuickTip: Save your favorite part of this post.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to Check My Southwest Refund Status?
You typically won't find a direct "refund status tracker" like a package delivery. Instead, monitor your credit card or bank statements for the refund to appear. If you received flight credits, you can check their availability and expiration on the "Check Travel Funds" page on the Southwest website or through your Rapid Rewards account.
How to Get a Full Refund from Southwest for a Non-Refundable Ticket?
You can get a full refund for a non-refundable ticket in specific scenarios: if you cancel within 24 hours of booking (and the flight is at least 7 days away), or if Southwest cancels your flight, or initiates a significant delay (3+ hours domestic, 6+ hours international) or schedule change and you choose not to travel.
How to Cancel a Southwest Flight for a Refund?
Go to "Manage Reservations" on Southwest.com or the Southwest app, enter your confirmation number and name, and select the "Cancel" option. If eligible for a refund to your original payment method, you'll be given that choice. Otherwise, it will convert to a flight credit.
QuickTip: Read line by line if it’s complex.
How to Expedite a Southwest Refund?
There's no guaranteed way to "expedite" the standard processing time, but ensuring you cancel promptly and correctly online can help. If your refund is significantly delayed beyond the stated 7-10 business days for credit cards, contacting customer service and politely referencing DOT regulations might prompt them to look into it faster.
How to Use Southwest Flight Credits After Cancellation?
Southwest flight credits are usually tied to your Rapid Rewards account or can be accessed with the confirmation number from the original booking on the "Check Travel Funds" page. When booking a new flight, you'll have the option to apply these travel funds during the payment step.
How to Know if My Southwest Ticket is Refundable?
Your ticket's refundability depends on the fare type you purchased. Business Select® and Anytime fares are generally refundable to the original form of payment if canceled timely. Wanna Get Away®, Wanna Get Away Plus®, and Basic fares are non-refundable to the original payment, but their value can be converted to flight credits upon cancellation. Your booking confirmation will also specify your fare type.
Tip: Read slowly to catch the finer details.
How to Get a Refund for EarlyBird Check-In from Southwest?
EarlyBird Check-In is typically non-refundable. However, if Southwest cancels your flight or significantly delays/changes it and you opt to cancel your reservation as a result, you are eligible for a refund of your EarlyBird Check-In purchase to your original payment method.
How to Contact Southwest Airlines About a Refund?
You can contact Southwest Airlines Customer Service by phone (their number is typically found on their website under "Contact Us") or via their online chat feature. Have your confirmation number and details of your request ready.
How to File a Complaint with DOT About a Southwest Refund?
If you believe Southwest Airlines has failed to provide a due refund within the legally stipulated timeframe after all reasonable attempts to resolve it directly, you can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation's Aviation Consumer Protection Division through their official website.
How to Avoid Issues with Southwest Refunds?
The best way to avoid issues is to understand Southwest's refund policy before booking, especially the distinction between refundable and non-refundable fares. Always cancel your flight at least 10 minutes prior to departure if your plans change. Keep detailed records of your booking, cancellation confirmation, and any communication with Southwest.
 |
