Hey there, fellow traveler! Ever found yourself in that all-too-common situation where plans change, and you're left wondering about those precious Southwest Airlines credits? It happens to the best of us! But fear not, because navigating the world of Southwest travel funds doesn't have to be a mystery. This comprehensive guide will walk you through exactly how to find and utilize your Southwest credit, ensuring your next adventure is just around the corner.
Let's dive in and unlock the value of your Southwest credits!
How to Find Credit on Southwest Airlines: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Southwest Airlines offers a few different forms of "credit," each with its own nuances. Understanding these differences is key to efficiently finding and using what you're owed. The main types you'll encounter are:
Flight Credits (formerly Travel Funds): These are generated when you cancel a non-refundable flight or change to a lower-priced itinerary.
Southwest LUV Vouchers: These are typically issued as compensation for things like significant delays, flight cancellations, or voluntarily being bumped from a flight.
Southwest Gift Cards: These are purchased and can be used for flights. While not "credit" in the same way as the first two, they function similarly for payment.
Rapid Rewards Points: While not a credit you "find" in the same way, these are your loyalty points earned from flying or credit card spend, which can be redeemed for flights.
We'll focus primarily on Flight Credits and LUV Vouchers, as these are the most common forms of "credit" people need to find.
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| How To Find Credit On Southwest Airlines |
Step 1: Identify the Type of Credit You Possess
Before you start searching, take a moment to consider how you might have received credit from Southwest. Did you:
Cancel a flight?
Change a flight to a cheaper one?
Experience a significant flight delay or cancellation that resulted in compensation?
Receive a LUV Voucher for volunteering to be bumped?
Knowing the source will guide you to the right place. For instance, a cancelled flight will likely result in a Flight Credit tied to a confirmation number, while a LUV Voucher will have its own distinct number and security code.
Step 2: Accessing Your Southwest Account Online
The Southwest Airlines website is your primary hub for managing and checking your credits.
Sub-heading 2.1: For Rapid Rewards Members (Flight Credits & LUV Vouchers)
Tip: Read once for gist, twice for details.
If you're a Rapid Rewards member, this is the easiest and most comprehensive way to view your available credits.
Go to Southwest.com: Open your web browser and navigate to the official Southwest Airlines website.
Log In to Your Rapid Rewards Account: Look for the "Log In" button, usually located in the top right corner of the homepage. Enter your Rapid Rewards number or email address and password.
Navigate to "My Account": Once logged in, click on your name or "My Account" from the menu options.
Find "Payment" or "My Travel Funds": Within your account dashboard, look for a section related to "Payment," "My Travel Funds," or "Travel Funds." The exact wording might vary slightly over time, but it will be intuitively named.
View Your Available Credits: Here, you should see any available Flight Credits associated with your Rapid Rewards account, along with their corresponding expiration dates. If you have LUV Vouchers linked to your email, they might also be displayed here, or you'll need their specific numbers (see Step 2.2).
Sub-heading 2.2: For Non-Rapid Rewards Members or Specific LUV Vouchers (Flight Credits & LUV Vouchers)
If you're not a Rapid Rewards member, or if you have a LUV Voucher that isn't directly linked to your account, you'll need the original confirmation number or voucher details.
Go to Southwest.com: As before, head to the Southwest Airlines website.
Look for "Check Travel Funds" or Similar: On the homepage, or in the "Travel" or "Book" sections, you'll often find a link like "Check Travel Funds" or "Apply Travel Funds."
Enter Required Information:
For Flight Credits: You'll typically need the original confirmation number from the cancelled flight and the first and last name of the passenger the credit belongs to.
For Southwest LUV Vouchers: You'll need the voucher number and the security code (usually found on the voucher itself or in the email you received).
Check Your Balance: After entering the information, the system will display the available credit and its expiration date.
Step 3: Understanding Your Credit Details
Once you've found your credit, it's crucial to understand its specific terms.
Sub-heading 3.1: Expiration Dates
Flight Credits (Issued On or After May 28, 2025): These now generally have a specified expiration date. For Wanna Get Away Plus fares, they typically expire 12 months from the original booking date. For Basic fares, they usually expire six months from the original booking date. However, if your flight was significantly disrupted (e.g., canceled by Southwest), the credit may be valid for five years from the original booking date.
Flight Credits (Issued On or Before May 27, 2025): Good news! Flight credits created before this date generally do not expire. This is a significant policy change, so be sure to check the issue date of your credit.
Southwest LUV Vouchers: LUV Vouchers have a distinct expiration date, usually 6 months to 1 year from the date of issue. All travel must be completed by this expiration date.
Southwest Gift Cards: Gift cards do not expire and are fully transferable.
Always double-check the specific expiration date displayed with your credit. Don't assume anything!
Sub-heading 3.2: Transferability
Flight Credits: Generally, Flight Credits are non-transferable and can only be used by the original Passenger. However, there's a key exception: Transferable Flight Credits™ (issued from Business Select, Anytime, or Wanna Get Away Plus fares booked on or after May 28, 2025) can be transferred to another Rapid Rewards member. This is a fantastic new benefit!
Southwest LUV Vouchers: LUV Vouchers are generally not transferable to another person.
Southwest Gift Cards: Gift cards are fully transferable.
Sub-heading 3.3: Usage Restrictions (Taxes & Fees)
QuickTip: A short pause boosts comprehension.
Flight Credits: Can typically be used for the entire fare of a new flight, including the base fare and government-imposed taxes and fees.
Southwest LUV Vouchers: Historically, LUV Vouchers could not be applied toward government-imposed taxes and fees. You would need another form of payment for these charges. However, some savvy travelers have found workarounds to convert LUV Vouchers into transferable flight credits, which then can cover taxes and fees. This usually involves booking a refundable fare with the voucher and then canceling it. (This advanced trick is beyond the scope of a basic "how-to-find" guide but is good to know!)
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Step 4: Using Your Southwest Credit to Book a Flight
Now for the exciting part – putting that credit to good use!
Search for Your Desired Flight: Go to Southwest.com and search for flights as you normally would.
Proceed to Payment Screen: Once you've selected your flights and entered passenger details, continue to the payment section of the booking process.
Apply Your Credit:
For Flight Credits: Look for an option to "Apply Travel Funds" or "Apply Flight Credits." You'll typically enter the original confirmation number and the passenger's name associated with the credit. If it's linked to your Rapid Rewards account, it may auto-populate or be easily selectable.
For Southwest LUV Vouchers: Look for an option to "Apply LUV Vouchers." You'll need to enter the voucher number and security code.
For Southwest Gift Cards: Look for "Apply Gift Card" and enter the gift card number and security code.
Multiple Forms of Payment: Southwest allows you to use up to three forms of payment per passenger per reservation. This means you can combine multiple flight credits, LUV Vouchers (up to two if paying taxes/fees separately), or gift cards, and then pay any remaining balance with a credit card or digital wallet.
Confirm Your Booking: Review your itinerary and the applied credit amount, then complete the booking.
Step 5: What if You Can't Find Your Credit or Have Issues?
Sometimes, things don't go as smoothly as planned. Here's what to do if you encounter difficulties.
Sub-heading 5.1: Check Your Email and Records
Scour your email inbox for confirmation emails from Southwest, especially for cancelled flights or LUV Voucher issuances. The confirmation number or voucher details are usually prominently displayed.
Check any physical documents you might have saved.
Sub-heading 5.2: Contact Southwest Customer Service
If you've exhausted your online search and still can't locate your credit, or if you're experiencing issues applying it, don't hesitate to contact Southwest's customer service.
Phone: Call Southwest Airlines at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792). Be prepared to provide your name, Rapid Rewards number (if applicable), and any relevant flight details or voucher information you have.
Social Media: Sometimes, reaching out to Southwest via their official social media channels (like Twitter or Facebook) can also be an effective way to get assistance.
Airport Ticket Counter: If you're at the airport, you can also speak to a Southwest Customer Service agent at the ticket counter.
Be patient and polite, and clearly explain your situation. They are generally very helpful in resolving credit-related issues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Tip: Don’t skim — absorb.
Here are 10 common questions about Southwest Airlines credit, with quick answers:
How to check my Southwest travel funds balance?
You can check your Southwest travel funds (Flight Credits) balance by logging into your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com and navigating to "My Account" then "Payment" or "My Travel Funds." Alternatively, use the "Check Travel Funds" link on Southwest.com with your original confirmation number and passenger name.
How to use multiple Southwest travel funds for one booking?
You can use up to three forms of payment per passenger on a Southwest booking. When on the payment screen, apply each travel fund (Flight Credit) one by one using their respective confirmation numbers. Any remaining balance can be paid with another credit or a LUV Voucher/gift card, and finally a credit card.
How to transfer Southwest flight credit to another person?
Only "Transferable Flight Credits™" (from Business Select, Anytime, or Wanna Get Away Plus fares booked on or after May 28, 2025) can be transferred to another Rapid Rewards member. Most standard Flight Credits are non-transferable and can only be used by the original passenger.
How to extend the expiration date of Southwest travel funds?
Flight credits issued on or before May 27, 2025, do not expire. For credits issued after this date, the expiration is generally fixed (e.g., 6 or 12 months from original booking, or 5 years for disrupted flights). There isn't a direct way to "extend" the expiration, though some advanced methods involving rebooking and canceling refundable fares might generate a new credit with a different expiration, but this is not guaranteed and depends on fare rules.
Tip: The details are worth a second look.
How to use a Southwest LUV Voucher to pay for taxes and fees?
Southwest LUV Vouchers typically cannot be directly applied to government-imposed taxes and fees. However, a known workaround involves using the LUV Voucher to book a Wanna Get Away Plus (or other refundable) fare, then canceling that booking. This can convert the LUV Voucher value into a Transferable Flight Credit, which can then be used for the entire fare, including taxes and fees.
How to find the confirmation number for a Southwest flight credit?
If your flight credit originated from a cancelled flight, the confirmation number will be the same as the original booking's confirmation number. Check your original booking confirmation email or your Southwest account if you are a Rapid Rewards member.
How to check my Southwest LUV Voucher balance?
You can check a Southwest LUV Voucher balance on Southwest.com by using the "Check Travel Funds" link and selecting the option for LUV Vouchers, then entering the voucher number and security code.
How to get a refund for a Southwest flight credit?
Southwest Flight Credits are generally non-refundable to the original form of payment unless the original fare purchased was a Business Select or Anytime fare, or if Southwest significantly disrupted your flight (e.g., a major delay or cancellation) and you chose not to travel.
How to convert Southwest Rapid Rewards points into travel funds?
Southwest Rapid Rewards points are a separate currency and cannot be directly "converted" into Flight Credits or LUV Vouchers. They are redeemed directly for flights through the Rapid Rewards program.
How to contact Southwest Airlines customer service for credit issues?
You can contact Southwest Airlines customer service by calling 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792). Have your relevant booking details, Rapid Rewards number, or voucher information ready for faster assistance.
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