Ah, the trusty Southwest Airlines voucher! Whether it's a LUV Voucher, a gift card, or travel funds, these little gems can be your ticket to your next adventure. But how exactly do you put them to good use? Don't worry, you've come to the right place! This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of redeeming your Southwest Airlines voucher, ensuring a smooth and successful booking experience.
Are you ready to unlock the value of your Southwest voucher and get closer to your dream destination? Let's dive in!
Step 1: Understand Your Voucher Type and Its Specifics
Before you even think about booking a flight, it's absolutely crucial to know what kind of voucher you have. Southwest has a few different types, and each comes with its own set of rules regarding usage, expiration, and transferability.
1.1: Identify Your Voucher
Southwest LUV Vouchers: These are often issued as compensation for things like voluntary denied boarding (getting "bumped" from a flight), significant flight delays, or other customer service gestures. They typically have an expiration date (often 6 months to a year from issuance) and usually cannot be used for taxes and fees.
Southwest Gift Cards: These are straightforward. You or someone else purchased them with a specific monetary value. They generally do not expire and can be used for the flight cost and associated taxes and fees.
Southwest Travel Funds (formerly Flight Credits): These are generated when you cancel a flight or change to a lower-priced itinerary. Their expiration depends on the original fare type and when they were issued. For example, travel funds from Wanna Get Away Plus fares often expire 12 months from the original booking date, while those from Basic fares might expire in 6 months. Travel funds from significantly disrupted flights (canceled by Southwest) may have extended validity. They are generally not transferable unless they are "Transferable Flight Credits" from specific fare types (Business Select, Anytime, or Wanna Get Away Plus fares purchased on or after May 28, 2025).
1.2: Check Key Details
Once you know the type, locate the voucher number and security code. These are essential for redemption. Also, take note of:
The expiration date: This is critical! Mark it on your calendar if you need to. Southwest LUV Vouchers and many travel funds have a "travel must be completed by" date.
The exact value: Knowing the balance helps you plan your booking effectively.
Pro Tip: If you're unsure about your voucher's specifics, especially its expiration or transferability, the Southwest Airlines website's "Check Travel Funds" page or a quick call to customer service can clear things up.
Step 2: Plan Your Trip on Southwest.com
With your voucher details in hand, it's time for the fun part: planning your flight!
2.1: Navigate to Southwest.com
Open your web browser and go to the official Southwest Airlines website:
2.2: Search for Your Desired Flight
Use the flight search tool on the homepage.
Enter your departure and arrival cities.
Select your travel dates.
Indicate the number of passengers.
Click "Search".
2.3: Select Your Flights and Review Itinerary
Browse the available flights and fares. Southwest offers various fare types (Basic, Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, Business Select), each with different benefits and flexibility.
Choose the flights that best suit your schedule and budget.
Carefully review your selected itinerary before proceeding. Make sure the dates, times, and airports are correct.
Step 3: Proceed to the Payment Screen
Once you've selected your flights, you'll be guided through a few more pages, including passenger information. Fill in all the required details for each passenger. Eventually, you'll arrive at the "Payment" screen. This is where your voucher comes into play!
Step 4: Apply Your Southwest Voucher
This is the moment you've been waiting for! The payment screen will have various options for how to pay for your flight.
4.1: Locate the "Apply Funds" Section
Look for a section typically labeled "Southwest LUV Voucher," "Southwest Gift Card," or "Travel Funds/Flight Credits." It's usually found below the credit card payment options.
4.2: Enter Your Voucher Information
Click on the relevant option (e.g., "Apply LUV Voucher" or "Apply Gift Card").
A box will appear prompting you to enter your voucher number and security code.
Carefully type in both the number and the associated security code. Double-check for any typos.
Click "Apply."
4.3: Observe the Applied Discount
If entered correctly, you'll see the value of your voucher deducted from the total cost of your flight.
If your voucher covers the entire cost, your new total will be $0 (or the remaining taxes/fees if it's a LUV Voucher).
If a balance remains, you'll need to pay the difference using another accepted payment method (credit card, another voucher, etc.).
4.4: Combining Vouchers/Payment Methods
Southwest allows you to combine certain payment methods:
Southwest LUV Vouchers: You can generally apply a maximum of two Southwest LUV Vouchers per passenger per reservation.
Southwest Gift Cards: You can use up to three Southwest Gift Cards per passenger per reservation.
Flight Credits: You can use up to three Flight Credits per passenger per reservation.
If your purchase exceeds the amount available on the maximum number of vouchers, you'll need to use fewer vouchers and cover the remaining balance with another form of payment (e.g., a credit card).
Important Note on Taxes and Fees: Southwest LUV Vouchers generally cannot be applied to government-imposed taxes and fees. You will need to pay these separately, typically with a credit card. Southwest Gift Cards, however, can be used for both the fare and these additional charges.
Step 5: Complete Your Booking
Once your voucher (and any other payment methods) has been successfully applied and the balance is paid, you can finalize your reservation.
5.1: Review Final Details
Take one last look at all the flight details, passenger information, and the final payment breakdown.
5.2: Click "Purchase" or "Complete Booking"
Confirm your reservation. You'll receive a confirmation email with your itinerary and confirmation number. Keep this confirmation number safe! It's your key to managing your booking, checking in, and making any future changes.
Step 6: What Happens Next? (Post-Booking Considerations)
6.1: Confirmation Email
You'll receive an email from Southwest Airlines confirming your booking. This email will include your confirmation number, flight details, and a summary of your payment.
6.2: Unused Voucher Balance
If your voucher had a higher value than your flight cost, the remaining balance is usually retained under the original voucher number (for LUV Vouchers/Gift Cards) or as travel funds (for Flight Credits). Make sure to keep the original voucher number and security code for future use. Southwest.com's "Check Travel Funds" tool can help you see remaining balances.
6.3: Changes and Cancellations
If you cancel a flight booked with a voucher: The funds typically revert to a flight credit or transferable flight credit, subject to the original fare rules and expiration.
If Southwest cancels your flight: You are generally entitled to a refund to the original method of payment (which would mean the voucher value is restored), or you can choose a flight credit.
Remember: Always check the specific terms and conditions of your voucher, as policies can sometimes change.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 frequently asked questions about Southwest Airlines vouchers, with quick answers to help you navigate common scenarios:
How to check my Southwest voucher balance?
You can check the balance of a Southwest Gift Card or LUV Voucher by visiting Southwest.com's "Check Gift Card Balance" page and entering the card/voucher number and security code. For Travel Funds/Flight Credits, log into your Rapid Rewards account and go to "My Account" > "Payment" or use the "Check Travel Funds" page if not associated with an account.
How to combine multiple Southwest vouchers for one flight?
You can combine up to three Southwest Gift Cards per passenger per reservation, or up to two Southwest LUV Vouchers per passenger per reservation. You can also combine up to three Flight Credits per passenger. If your purchase exceeds the value of the maximum allowed vouchers, you'll need to use fewer vouchers and pay the difference with another method like a credit card.
How to use a Southwest voucher for someone else?
Southwest Gift Cards are fully transferable and can be used to book a flight for anyone. Southwest LUV Vouchers and most Flight Credits are generally non-transferable and must be used by the original recipient, unless they are specifically "Transferable Flight Credits" from Business Select, Anytime, or Wanna Get Away Plus fares (issued on or after May 28, 2025).
How to find the expiration date on my Southwest voucher?
The expiration date for Southwest LUV Vouchers is typically printed on the voucher itself or provided in the email if it was an e-voucher. For Travel Funds/Flight Credits, log into your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com under "My Account" > "Payment" to see their expiration dates. Flight credits issued on or before May 27, 2025, generally do not expire, but newer ones do.
How to use a Southwest voucher for taxes and fees?
Southwest Gift Cards can be used to cover both the flight fare and associated taxes and fees. However, Southwest LUV Vouchers generally cannot be used for taxes and fees; you will need to pay these charges separately, typically with a credit card.
How to apply a Southwest voucher online during booking?
During the online booking process on Southwest.com, proceed to the "Payment" screen. Look for the "Apply Funds" section and select the option for "Southwest LUV Voucher," "Southwest Gift Card," or "Travel Funds/Flight Credits." Enter the required voucher number and security code, then click "Apply."
How to use a Southwest voucher if my flight is canceled?
If Southwest cancels your flight, you are entitled to a full refund to your original method of payment (meaning your voucher value should be reinstated) or you can choose to receive a flight credit. If you cancel your flight that was paid with a voucher, the funds generally revert to a flight credit, subject to the original fare's terms and expiration.
How to redeem a Southwest voucher over the phone?
Yes, you can redeem a Southwest voucher by calling Southwest Airlines Reservations at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792). Have your voucher number and security code ready to provide to the representative.
How to get a refund for an unused Southwest voucher?
Southwest LUV Vouchers and Flight Credits generally have no cash value and are not refundable or exchangeable for cash, except where required by law. Southwest Gift Cards are also typically non-refundable. Their value is intended for future travel.
How to differentiate between Southwest LUV Vouchers, Gift Cards, and Travel Funds?
Southwest LUV Vouchers are typically compensation for service issues, have an expiration, and usually don't cover taxes/fees.
Southwest Gift Cards are purchased, don't expire, and cover both fare and taxes/fees.
Southwest Travel Funds (Flight Credits) result from cancelled or changed flights, their expiration depends on the original fare type and issuance date, and they are usually non-transferable (with specific exceptions for "Transferable Flight Credits").
