Southwest Airlines has always been known for its customer-friendly policies, and when it comes to unused flight funds, they offer several ways to check and utilize your credit. Whether you canceled a flight, changed a reservation, or received a LUV Voucher, understanding how to track and use these funds is key to making the most of your travel budget.
Unlocking Your Southwest Credit: A Step-by-Step Guide
Have you ever wondered if you have unused credit sitting with Southwest Airlines? Perhaps you canceled a flight months ago, or maybe you received a voucher you misplaced. Don't let those potential savings go to waste! Let's embark on a journey to uncover your Southwest credit.
Step 1: Identify the Type of Credit You Might Have
Before we dive into the "how-to," it's crucial to understand the different types of credit Southwest offers. This will help you navigate the system more efficiently. Have you ever considered what kind of credit you might be looking for?
Flight Credits (Travel Funds): These are the most common type of credit. They typically arise when you cancel a non-refundable ticket. The value of your ticket is converted into a flight credit, tied to the original Passenger's name.
Southwest LUV Vouchers: These are often issued as a gesture of goodwill, compensation for a disrupted flight, or as part of a promotional offer. They usually have a specific voucher number and security code.
Southwest Gift Cards: These are pretty straightforward – purchased gift cards with a monetary value. They function similarly to cash for booking flights.
Transferable Flight Credits™: These are a relatively newer addition, primarily associated with Wanna Get Away Plus®, Anytime, and Business Select® fares. The key feature here is that they can be transferred once between Rapid Rewards® Members.
Knowing which type of credit you're looking for will streamline your search!
Step 2: Accessing Your Southwest Account Online
The most reliable and convenient way to check for your Southwest credit is through their official website. If you're a Rapid Rewards member, this is your primary hub.
Sub-heading 2.1: Logging into Your Rapid Rewards Account
Visit Southwest.com: Open your web browser and go to
www.southwest.com Locate "Log In": In the upper right-hand corner of the homepage, you'll see a "Log In" button. Click on it.
Enter Your Credentials: Input your Rapid Rewards number or username and your password. If you've forgotten them, there are "Forgot username?" and "Forgot password?" links to assist you.
Click "Log In": Once your details are entered, click the "Log In" button.
Sub-heading 2.2: Navigating to Your Flight Credits
Once you're logged into your Rapid Rewards account, you'll be directed to your "My Account" page.
Find "My Account" or "My Travel Funds": On the desktop version, you'll typically see "My Account" at the top of the page. For mobile or the Southwest app, you might need to scroll down to find "My Travel Funds."
Select "Payment": Within "My Account" or "My Travel Funds," look for a section or tab labeled "Payment." Click on this.
View Your Available Credits: Here, you should see any available flight credits associated with your name and Rapid Rewards account number. This includes standard flight credits and any Transferable Flight Credits™. Pay close attention to the expiration dates listed next to each credit.
Step 3: Checking Travel Funds Without a Rapid Rewards Account
What if you don't have a Rapid Rewards account, or the credit isn't tied to it? Southwest still provides a way to check.
Sub-heading 3.1: Using the "Check Travel Funds" Page
Go to the Southwest Website: Head back to
www.southwest.com Locate "Check Travel Funds": You might find this link in the footer of the website or by searching for "travel funds" in the search bar. Sometimes, it's also available under the "Travel" or "Book" menus.
Enter Confirmation Number and Passenger Name: You will typically be prompted to enter the original confirmation number from the canceled flight and the first and last name of the Passenger for whom the credit was issued. This is why keeping your original booking information is crucial!
Submit and View: After entering the details, click "Submit" or "Check Funds" to see if there's an associated credit.
Sub-heading 3.2: Checking LUV Vouchers and Gift Cards
LUV Vouchers and Gift Cards have their own specific numbers and security codes.
Navigate to the "Check Travel Funds" page as described above.
Select the appropriate tab: On this page, you'll usually find separate tabs or options for "LUV Vouchers" and "Gift Cards."
Enter the required information: For LUV Vouchers, you'll need the voucher number and security code. For Gift Cards, you'll need the 16-digit card number and the 4-digit security code.
Check Balance: Enter the details and click to check the balance.
Step 4: Understanding Expiration Dates and Policies
This is where things can get a little tricky with Southwest, so pay close attention. Southwest has made changes to their expiration policies over time.
Sub-heading 4.1: General Expiration Rules
Flight Credits (Travel Funds): For flight credits unexpired on, or created on or after July 28, 2022, they do not expire. Southwest has implemented a placeholder expiration date of December 31, 2040, until their systems are fully updated to remove expiration dates altogether. However, flight credits with an expiration date on or before July 27, 2022, have expired in accordance with their original terms.
Basic Fares: This is a significant distinction! If your flight credit is from a Basic fare (the lowest fare class) booked and ticketed/voluntarily changed on or after May 28, 2025, the flight credit will expire six months from the date you originally booked the reservation. This is a shorter window than other fare types.
Wanna Get Away Plus®, Anytime, and Business Select® Fares: For these fares, if you cancel your reservation, the resulting Transferable Flight Credit™ will typically expire 12 months from the date you originally booked the reservation. However, if these fares were originally booked using a LUV Voucher or another flight credit, the new credit will adopt the earliest expiration date of the payments used, or 12 months from the original booking date, whichever comes first.
Southwest LUV Vouchers: LUV Vouchers do have expiration dates, typically indicated on the voucher itself. They must be redeemed, and all travel completed, by that expiration date.
Southwest Gift Cards: Southwest Gift Cards do not have an expiration date.
Sub-heading 4.2: Important Considerations for Expiration
Disrupted Flights: If your flight was significantly disrupted (e.g., canceled or severely delayed by Southwest), and you chose a flight credit, this credit might have a longer validity period, sometimes five years from the date you originally booked (or canceled) the reservation.
"No-Show" Policy: If you do not cancel your reservation at least 10 minutes before the flight's original scheduled departure time and you miss your flight (a "no-show"), the funds for Wanna Get Away® and Wanna Get Away Plus® fares are forfeited. For Business Select® or Anytime fares, the funds are refunded as a Transferable Flight Credit™.
Booking with Credit: If you book a new flight using an existing flight credit, and then later cancel that new flight, the credit you receive back will generally revert to the original expiration date of the initial credit used. You cannot "extend" a credit's life by continually booking and canceling new flights with it. The actual travel has to be completed by the original expiration date.
Step 5: Utilizing Your Southwest Credit
Once you've confirmed you have a credit, the next step is to use it!
Sub-heading 5.1: Booking a New Flight Online
Search for Flights: Go to
www.southwest.com Proceed to Payment: Go through the booking process until you reach the payment screen.
Apply Travel Funds/Vouchers/Gift Cards: On the payment page, you will see options to apply "Southwest Travel Funds," "Southwest LUV Vouchers," or "Southwest Gift Cards."
Enter Details:
For Flight Credits: You'll typically need the confirmation number from the original flight that generated the credit and the Passenger's first and last name. If the credit is in your Rapid Rewards account, it might auto-populate or be easily selectable.
For LUV Vouchers: Enter the voucher number and security code.
For Gift Cards: Enter the 16-digit card number and 4-digit security code.
Apply and Complete Purchase: The system will apply the credit to your new booking. If there's a remaining balance, you'll need to pay with another form of payment (credit card, etc.). You can typically use up to three forms of payment per passenger per transaction.
Sub-heading 5.2: Other Ways to Use Your Credit
Mobile App: The Southwest mobile app also allows you to check and apply travel funds during the booking process.
Phone Reservations: You can call Southwest Airlines Reservations at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) and speak with a representative who can help you locate and apply your credit.
Airport Ticket Counter: If you prefer in-person assistance, you can visit a Southwest Airlines ticket counter at the airport. Be sure to have your confirmation numbers or voucher details handy.
Remember: Flight credits and LUV Vouchers can generally only be used for the airfare portion of your trip. Taxes and fees might need to be paid separately, or they may be covered if you use enough credit to cover the entire fare.
By following these steps, you should be well on your way to finding and utilizing any credit you have with Southwest Airlines! Don't let those valuable funds go to waste!
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 frequently asked questions about Southwest Airlines credits, with quick answers:
How to check Southwest travel funds?
You can check Southwest travel funds by logging into your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com under "My Account" > "Payment," or by using the "Check Travel Funds" page on Southwest.com with the original confirmation number and passenger name.
How to use a Southwest LUV Voucher?
To use a Southwest LUV Voucher, you enter its voucher number and security code on the payment screen when booking a flight on Southwest.com, the mobile app, or by calling reservations.
How to transfer Southwest credit to another person?
Only "Transferable Flight Credits™" (from Wanna Get Away Plus®, Anytime, or Business Select® fares) can be transferred once between Rapid Rewards® Members. Other flight credits are generally non-transferable.
How to extend the expiration date of Southwest travel funds?
For flight credits unexpired on or created after July 28, 2022, they do not expire. For Basic fares, the credit expires six months from the original booking date, and this cannot be extended by rebooking and canceling.
How to get a refund for Southwest travel funds?
Generally, non-refundable fares (Wanna Get Away, Basic) convert to flight credit if canceled by the passenger. Only Business Select® and Anytime® fares are typically refundable to the original form of payment if canceled at least 10 minutes prior to departure. If Southwest cancels or significantly delays your flight, you are entitled to a full refund regardless of fare type.
How to find the confirmation number for Southwest credit?
If the credit is in your Rapid Rewards account, the confirmation number might be listed there. Otherwise, you'll need the original booking confirmation email or a record of your past flight details to retrieve the confirmation number.
How to use multiple Southwest credits for one flight?
You can typically use up to three forms of payment per passenger per transaction, which can include multiple flight credits, LUV Vouchers, or gift cards, as long as they collectively cover the fare and any applicable taxes/fees.
How to know if my Southwest flight credit has expired?
Log into your Rapid Rewards account under "My Account" > "Payment" to see the listed expiration dates for your flight credits. For credits not tied to an account, use the "Check Travel Funds" page. Remember the key date of July 28, 2022, regarding expiration policies.
How to recover lost Southwest LUV Voucher details?
If you have a Rapid Rewards account and the LUV Voucher was associated with it, you might find details there. Otherwise, if you have the original email or physical voucher, the number and security code will be on it. Contacting Southwest Customer Service with any identifying information (like your name and approximate date of issuance) might help.
How to apply a Southwest credit to taxes and fees?
Southwest flight credits, LUV Vouchers, and gift cards can generally be applied towards the airfare portion. Whether they cover taxes and fees depends on the total amount of the credit and the specific fare purchased. Often, if the credit covers the full base fare, it will also cover the taxes and fees. For LUV vouchers, you might need another form of payment for taxes and fees if the voucher doesn't cover the full cost.
