Unlocking Your Travel Dreams: A Comprehensive Guide to Applying Your Southwest Airlines Credit
Ever canceled a flight and found yourself with a Southwest Airlines credit, wondering how to put it to good use? You're not alone! Many travelers experience this, and the good news is that Southwest makes it relatively straightforward to apply your credit towards future adventures. This extensive guide will walk you through every step, ensuring you maximize your travel funds.
Understanding Your Southwest Credits: Not All Credits Are Created Equal!
Before we dive into the "how-to," let's clarify the different types of credits you might encounter with Southwest. Knowing what kind of credit you have is the first crucial step in ensuring a smooth application process.
Travel Funds (Flight Credits): These are the most common type of credit. They are typically issued when you cancel a non-refundable ticket. Historically, these had expiration dates, but Southwest made a game-changing policy update in July 2022: most flight credits unexpired on, or created on or after July 28, 2022, do not expire! While you might see a placeholder expiration date of December 31, 2040, on your account, the intent is for them to not expire.
Basic Fare Flight Credits: For Basic fares booked and ticketed/changed on or after May 28, 2025, these credits expire six months from the date the fare was originally booked.
Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, and Business Select Fares: For these fares booked and ticketed/changed on or after May 28, 2025, the flight credits will expire twelve months from the date the fare was originally booked.
Important Note: Flight credits from significantly disrupted flights (canceled by Southwest) may have extended validity, sometimes up to five years from the original booking date or cancellation date. Always check the specific expiration on your credit.
Southwest LUV Vouchers: These are promotional vouchers issued for various reasons, like compensation for a disrupted flight or through specific promotions. They do have expiration dates, and all travel must be completed by that date. They also cannot be applied toward government-imposed taxes and fees.
Southwest Gift Cards: These are essentially cash equivalents for Southwest flights. They generally do not expire.
Rapid Rewards Points: While not a "credit" in the same sense, your Rapid Rewards points can also be used to book flights. These points do not expire as long as your account remains open.
Ready to transform that credit into a memorable trip? Let's get started!
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| How Do I Apply My Credit On Southwest Airlines |
Step 1: Discover Your Credit – Engage with Your Travel Funds!
Are you curious about the value of your Southwest credit and its specific terms? This initial step is all about discovery and understanding what you have at your disposal.
Sub-heading: Checking Your Available Travel Funds
There are a couple of primary ways to locate and view your Southwest travel credits:
Log In to Your Rapid Rewards Account (Recommended!):
Go to the official Southwest Airlines website (southwest.com).
Click on the "Log In" button at the top right corner.
Enter your Rapid Rewards number or email address and your password.
Once logged in, navigate to "My Account."
On the desktop version, you'll typically find a menu option for "Payment" or "My Travel Funds." On the mobile app, you might need to scroll down to "My Travel Funds."
Here, you should see a list of any available flight credits associated with your name and Rapid Rewards account number, along with their confirmation numbers and any applicable expiration dates.
Why is this recommended? Having your credits linked to your Rapid Rewards account makes the application process smoother as they are often pre-populated.
Use the "Check Travel Funds" Page (For Unlinked Credits):
If your flight credit isn't associated with your Rapid Rewards account, or if you simply want to check a specific confirmation number, you can use Southwest's dedicated "Check Travel Funds" page.
You'll need the confirmation number from your original canceled flight.
Enter the confirmation number and the passenger's first and last name as they appeared on the original reservation.
This page will display the value of the credit and its expiration details.
Sub-heading: Understanding Credit Details
Reminder: Revisit older posts — they stay useful.
Once you've located your credit, take a moment to note down the key information:
Confirmation Number: This is crucial for applying the credit.
Amount: The monetary value of your credit.
Expiration Date (if applicable): While many flight credits no longer expire, LUV Vouchers and some older flight credits may still have an expiration date. Make sure you are aware of it!
Passenger Name: Most flight credits are non-transferable and can only be used by the original passenger. However, some higher-tier fares (Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, Business Select) may generate "Transferable Flight Credits™." Always check the terms of your specific credit.
Step 2: Plan Your Next Adventure – Where Will Your Credit Take You?
Now that you know what you have, it's time for the fun part: planning your next flight!
Sub-heading: Searching for Flights on Southwest.com
Visit Southwest.com: Go to the Southwest Airlines website.
Enter Your Flight Details: Input your desired origin, destination, travel dates, and the number of passengers.
Choose Your Fare Type:
If you're using Rapid Rewards points, select the "Points" option above the search fields.
If you're using a Travel Fund, LUV Voucher, or Gift Card, ensure "Dollars" is selected.
Click "Search": Browse the available flights and select the one that best suits your travel plans. Remember that the cost of your new flight will determine how much of your credit you'll use or if you'll need to pay an additional amount.
Step 3: The Payment Screen – Applying Your Credit Seamlessly
This is where your credit comes into play! The payment screen is where you'll tell Southwest you want to use your existing travel funds.
Sub-heading: Navigating the Payment Section
Proceed to Checkout: After selecting your desired flight(s), you'll proceed to the payment details page.
Locate "Payment" Section: On this page, you'll see various payment options. Look for sections related to "Southwest LUV Vouchers," "Southwest Gift Cards," or "Southwest Travel Funds/Flight Credits." The exact wording might vary slightly.
Applying a Flight Credit:
You'll typically see a field to "Apply Travel Funds" or "Apply Flight Credit."
Enter the confirmation number of your flight credit into the designated box.
If the credit is associated with your Rapid Rewards account and you're logged in, it might even automatically appear as an option to apply, making things even easier!
Click "Apply" or a similar button. The system will then deduct the value of your credit from the total fare.
Remember: Each passenger can use a maximum of three forms of payment per booking. Each flight credit or LUV Voucher counts as one form of payment. This is important if you have multiple credits or are combining them with a credit card.
Sub-heading: Applying LUV Vouchers and Gift Cards
Tip: Note one practical point from this post.
The process for LUV Vouchers and Gift Cards is very similar to applying flight credits:
LUV Vouchers: You will need the LUV Voucher number and its associated security code. Enter these in the designated fields on the payment screen. Keep in mind that LUV Vouchers cannot be used to cover taxes and fees, so you'll still need another payment method for those.
Gift Cards: Enter the gift card number and PIN as prompted.
Step 4: Finalizing Your Booking – Confirmation and Beyond
Once your credit is applied, you're almost done!
Sub-heading: Reviewing Your Total and Remaining Balance
Review the New Total: After applying your credit, the total amount due for your flight will update.
If the flight cost is less than your credit: The remaining balance of your credit will typically be held as a new flight credit under the original confirmation number (for flight credits) or become a new LUV Voucher (for LUV Vouchers) with the same expiration terms as the original. Southwest generally does not refund the difference to your original payment method for non-refundable fares.
If the flight cost is more than your credit: You will need to pay the remaining balance using another accepted payment method, such as a credit card, PayPal, or another Southwest credit/voucher.
Complete Payment: Enter your additional payment details if necessary.
Confirm Your Purchase: Once everything looks correct, click the "Purchase" or "Book Flight" button to finalize your reservation.
Receive Confirmation: You'll receive a confirmation email with your new flight details. Hold onto this!
Essential Tips for a Smooth Credit Application
Always check the expiration date! While Southwest has made strides with non-expiring flight credits, it's vital to confirm the terms of your specific credit, especially for older credits or LUV Vouchers.
Ensure the name matches. For most flight credits, the name on the credit must match the passenger name on the new reservation. Transferable Flight Credits are the exception.
One confirmation number per flight credit. Each individual flight credit typically has its own confirmation number that you'll need to enter.
Call Southwest if you encounter issues. If you're having trouble applying your credit online, don't hesitate to call Southwest Airlines customer service. They can often assist with complex situations or clarify specific credit terms.
Consider combining credits if allowed. While not all credits can be combined directly, you can often use multiple forms of payment (up to three) for a single booking, which can include multiple flight credits.
Be aware of fare differences. If you change your flight using a credit, and the new flight is more expensive, you'll pay the difference. If it's less expensive, the remaining credit will be held for future use.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to Check My Southwest Credit Balance?
You can check your Southwest credit balance by logging into your Rapid Rewards account and navigating to "My Account" then "Payment" or "My Travel Funds." Alternatively, use the "Check Travel Funds" page on Southwest.com and enter the original confirmation number and passenger name.
Tip: Don’t skip the details — they matter.
How to Use Southwest Travel Funds for a Flight?
To use Southwest Travel Funds, select your desired flight on Southwest.com, proceed to the payment screen, and enter the confirmation number of your travel fund in the "Apply Travel Funds" section. The value will be deducted from your total.
How to Know if My Southwest Flight Credit Expires?
Most Southwest flight credits unexpired on, or created on or after July 28, 2022, do not expire. However, some newer Basic fare credits (booked on or after May 28, 2025) expire in six months, and Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, and Business Select credits (booked on or after May 28, 2025) expire in twelve months. LUV Vouchers always have an expiration date. Always check the specific terms on your credit.
How to Transfer a Southwest Credit to Someone Else?
Generally, Southwest flight credits are non-transferable and can only be used by the original passenger. However, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, and Business Select fares may yield a "Transferable Flight Credit™" which can be used by anyone. Always verify the specific type of credit you possess.
How to Combine Multiple Southwest Credits?
While you can't always "combine" them into one single credit, Southwest allows you to use up to three forms of payment per booking. This means you can apply multiple flight credits or a combination of credits and a credit card to pay for a single reservation.
Reminder: Take a short break if the post feels long.
How to Apply a Southwest Credit to an Existing Reservation?
Southwest credits are primarily used when booking a new flight. If you want to change an existing reservation and apply a credit, you would typically change your flight, and if there's a fare difference in your favor, a new credit might be issued. If the new flight is more expensive, you'd pay the difference. It's best to call Southwest customer service for specific guidance on applying credits to existing bookings.
How to Get a Refund Instead of a Southwest Credit?
Southwest offers refunds only for refundable fares (like Anytime and Business Select) if canceled at least 10 minutes prior to departure. For non-refundable fares, cancellations typically result in a flight credit, not a monetary refund. If a flight is significantly disrupted or canceled by Southwest, you may be eligible for a refund to your original form of payment.
How to Use a Southwest LUV Voucher?
To use a Southwest LUV Voucher, enter its voucher number and security code in the designated "LUV Vouchers" section on the payment page when booking a new flight. Remember, LUV Vouchers cannot cover government taxes and fees.
How to Check If My Flight Credit is Associated with My Rapid Rewards Account?
Log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com and navigate to "My Account" and then "My Travel Funds" or "Payment." Any flight credits linked to your name and account should be displayed there.
How to Use a Southwest Gift Card?
To use a Southwest Gift Card, enter the gift card number and PIN in the "Southwest Gift Card" section on the payment page when making a new flight reservation.
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