We've all been there – you've flown with Southwest Airlines, enjoyed your trip, and now you need a copy of that flight receipt. Perhaps for expense reports, reimbursement, or simply for your personal records. Don't worry, getting your Southwest Airlines receipt is usually a straightforward process.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through all the steps, ensuring you can easily obtain your receipt, whether your flight was yesterday or several months ago. Let's get started!
Step 1: Identify Your Situation – Have You Flown Recently or a While Ago?
Before we dive into the specific methods, let's figure out the most efficient path for you.
Is your flight recent (within 18 months)? If so, you're in luck! Southwest makes it quite easy to retrieve receipts for recent travel directly through their website or app.
Was your flight more than 18 months ago? For older flights, the process is a bit different, and you'll likely need to contact Southwest customer service directly.
Once you've determined this, you're ready for the next step!
Step 2: Retrieving Receipts for Recent Flights (Within 18 Months)
Southwest Airlines offers a few convenient ways to get your receipt for flights within the past 18 months.
Sub-heading A: Using Your Southwest.com Account (Recommended)
This is often the quickest and easiest method if you have a Rapid Rewards account and booked your flight while logged in.
Navigate to Southwest.com: Open your web browser and go to the official Southwest Airlines website:
www.southwest.com Log In to Your Account: In the top right corner of the homepage, click on "Login" and enter your Rapid Rewards username and password.
Access "My Account": Once logged in, click on "My Account" in the top navigation bar.
Go to the "Trips" Tab: Within "My Account," you'll see several tabs. Click on the "Trips" tab.
View Past Flights: Under the "Trips" tab, you'll find sections for upcoming and past flights. Look for your past flight in the "Past Trips" section.
Click "View Receipt": Next to the relevant past flight, you should see an option to "View Receipt" or "View Details." Click on this link.
Review and Print/Save: Your flight receipt will display, showing all the details of your purchase, including payment information, flight dates, and passenger names. You can then print it directly or save it as a PDF for your records.
Sub-heading B: Using the "Manage Reservations" Feature (Even Without an Account)
If you didn't book through your Rapid Rewards account or don't have one, you can still retrieve your receipt using the "Manage Reservations" tool.
Go to the Southwest Airlines Website: Visit
www.southwest.com Click "Flight" then "Manage Reservations": On the homepage, hover over or click "Flight" in the header, then select "Manage Reservations" from the dropdown menu.
Enter Your Details: You'll be prompted to enter:
Your Confirmation Number (this is crucial!)
The First Name of a Passenger on the reservation
The Last Name of a Passenger on the reservation
Retrieve Your Reservation: Click the "Retrieve Reservation" or similar button.
Locate "Resend Receipt": Once your reservation details appear, look for an option like "Resend Receipt." Clicking this will typically send the receipt to the email address used when the flight was purchased.
Check Your Email: Open the email associated with the purchase, and you should find your receipt there.
Sub-heading C: Using the Southwest Mobile App
For those who prefer managing their travel on the go, the Southwest Airlines mobile app is a convenient option.
Open the Southwest App: Launch the Southwest Airlines app on your smartphone or tablet.
Log In (Optional, but Recommended): If you have a Rapid Rewards account, logging in will make it easier to access your past trips.
Navigate to "My Trips": Look for a "My Trips" or "Trips" section within the app.
Find Your Past Flight: Scroll through your list of trips to locate the flight for which you need a receipt.
View Receipt/Details: Tap on the specific trip, and you should find an option to "View Receipt" or access the details that include the payment information. You might be able to email it to yourself from within the app.
Step 3: Contacting Southwest Airlines for Older Receipts (Over 18 Months)
If your flight was more than 18 months ago, Southwest's online systems typically won't allow you to retrieve the receipt directly. In this scenario, you'll need to reach out to their customer service team.
Sub-heading A: Calling Customer Service
This is generally the most direct way to get help with older receipts.
Gather Your Information: Before calling, have as much of the following information ready as possible:
Confirmation Number (if you still have it)
Full Name of the passenger(s)
Dates of Travel
Departure and Arrival Airports
The credit card used for the purchase (last four digits and card type can be helpful for verification)
Dial Southwest Customer Service: Call Southwest Airlines customer service at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792).
Explain Your Request: Clearly state that you need a copy of a flight receipt for a past flight that is older than 18 months.
Provide Details: The representative will ask for your flight information to locate the record. Be patient as they may need to search through older archives.
Confirm Delivery Method: Once they locate your receipt, confirm how you would like to receive it (e.g., via email, postal mail).
Sub-heading B: Emailing Southwest Customer Service
While a phone call is often faster, you can also try emailing Southwest for a receipt, though response times may vary.
Visit the Southwest Help Center: Go to
support.southwest.com/helpcenter Find "Email Us": Look for a "Contact Us" or "Email Us" option. This will usually lead you to a contact form.
Fill Out the Form: Provide all the necessary details about your flight, as listed in the "Calling Customer Service" section above. Be as specific as possible to help them locate your record quickly.
Clearly State Your Request: In the subject line or body of your email, explicitly state that you need a copy of a past flight receipt and the reason (e.g., "Request for Flight Receipt - [Your Name] - [Flight Date]").
Submit and Await Response: Submit the form and be prepared to wait a few business days for a response. They may need to follow up for additional information.
Step 4: Verifying and Storing Your Receipt
Once you've successfully obtained your Southwest Airlines receipt, it's important to verify its accuracy and store it safely.
Sub-heading A: Check for Accuracy
Confirm all details: Ensure the receipt accurately reflects the passenger names, flight dates, departure and arrival cities, and the total amount paid.
Verify payment information: Double-check that the payment method shown matches your records.
Sub-heading B: Digital and Physical Storage
Save a digital copy: If you received it via email, save the PDF to a secure folder on your computer or cloud storage (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox).
Print a physical copy (optional): For important reimbursements or tax purposes, having a physical printout can be useful. Keep it in a designated travel or expense folder.
By following these steps, you should have no trouble obtaining your Southwest Airlines flight receipt, regardless of when you traveled.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to access my Southwest Airlines receipt if I don't have a Rapid Rewards account?
You can access your receipt using the "Manage Reservations" feature on Southwest.com. You'll need your confirmation number, first name, and last name to retrieve your reservation and then use the "Resend Receipt" option.
How to get a receipt for an in-flight purchase on Southwest Airlines?
Receipts for in-flight purchases (like Wi-Fi or drinks) are typically sent to the email address used for that specific transaction. Check your email inbox and spam folder for a receipt from Southwest or their Wi-Fi provider (like Viasat). If you can't find it, you may need to contact Southwest customer service and provide details of the purchase (date, flight number, amount, last four digits of the card used).
How to request a receipt for a flight that was canceled or changed by Southwest?
If Southwest canceled or significantly changed your flight, any refund or credit information would typically be communicated via email. For a receipt of the original purchase or details of the credit/refund, follow the steps for retrieving a receipt online or contact customer service, providing your original confirmation number.
How to find my Southwest Airlines confirmation number for a past flight?
Your confirmation number is usually in the original booking email from Southwest Airlines. If you can't find the email, and you have a Rapid Rewards account, it might be listed under your "Past Trips" in "My Account" on Southwest.com. Otherwise, you'll need to contact customer service with your name, flight dates, and potentially the credit card used for booking.
How to get a receipt if I booked my Southwest flight through a third-party website (e.g., Expedia, Kayak)?
If you booked through a third-party site, your primary receipt might come from that site. However, you can still use your Southwest Airlines confirmation number (provided by the third party) on Southwest.com's "Manage Reservations" page to try and resend the receipt directly from Southwest to the email address used for the booking.
How to get a receipt for a Southwest Airlines flight credit or LUV Voucher?
When you use a flight credit or LUV Voucher, the receipt for the new booking will show the value applied. If you need a record of the original flight credit or voucher itself, check your Rapid Rewards account (if applicable) under "My Flight Credits" or refer to the email where the credit/voucher was issued.
How to get a receipt for a group booking on Southwest Airlines?
For group bookings, the primary purchaser or group coordinator usually receives the main receipt. If you are a member of a group and need an individual receipt, the group coordinator should be able to provide it or you can try the "Manage Reservations" method with your confirmation number. Alternatively, contact Southwest customer service.
How to ensure I always receive my Southwest Airlines receipts via email?
When booking your flight, ensure the correct and active email address is entered in the contact information. If you have a Rapid Rewards account, log in before booking to link the reservation to your account, which often makes receipts easier to retrieve later.
How to print a copy of my Southwest Airlines receipt from my email?
Open the email containing your Southwest Airlines receipt. Look for a "Print" option within your email client or browser. Alternatively, save the receipt as a PDF first (usually by selecting "Print to PDF" as your printer) and then open the PDF to print it.
How to get a receipt for baggage fees or other ancillary purchases on Southwest Airlines?
Baggage fees and other ancillary purchases are typically included in your main flight receipt. If they are separate transactions, you should receive individual email receipts for those purchases. Check your email for receipts related to those specific transactions. If not found, contact customer service with details of the purchase.
