Southwest Travel Funds: Unraveling The Mystery Of Unused Credits

Southwest Airlines offers travel credits to customers who cancel their flights. These travel credits can be used to book future flights or pay for taxes and fees on award flights. They can be redeemed through the Southwest website, mobile app, phone, or at a Southwest ticket counter. Travel credits are also offered as part of the Southwest Vacations package, which includes vacation packages or activities purchased through Southwest Vacations. However, these credits cannot be used for airfare-only purchases and must be redeemed through Southwest Vacations directly. It is important to note that travel credits may have different rules and expiration dates depending on their type, such as gift cards or LUV vouchers.

How to check your travel credit balance

If you are holding a Southwest Vacations package travel credit, you can check your balance, learn how to redeem your credit and get other important information about your Southwest Vacations package travel credit by referring to the official Southwest Vacations webpage.

A Southwest Vacations package travel credit is valid for travel commencing within 13 months (395 days) from the original departure date and must be used by the expiration date. It is also important to note that it is issued in the name of the passengers on the original reservation.

To check your balance, you can use the self-service travel credit lookup on the Southwest Vacations website. You can also email Southwest Vacations at [email protected] for assistance with redeeming a Southwest Vacation package travel credit.

When making your next travel booking, there will be a section on the checkout screen titled "Do you want to apply travel funds?". Click "Apply travel funds" and then enter the passenger name and confirmation number from the cancelled flight. The confirmation number will be in the confirmation email of your original booking and in the email you received when you cancelled the reservation. The passenger must be the same as the one booked on the cancelled flight. The new trip must be completed within one year of booking the flight that was cancelled. If the new flight costs more than the original flight, you'll need to pay the remaining balance with a credit card or gift card. If the new flight is less than the original flight, you'll have travel funds remaining that you can use later (within the one-year restriction).

Using travel credits to book a new flight

If you have a travel credit with Southwest, you can use it to book a new flight. This can be done by going to the checkout screen and clicking "Apply travel funds". You will then be asked to enter the passenger name and confirmation number from the cancelled flight. The confirmation number will be in the confirmation email of your original booking and in the email you received when you cancelled the reservation. The passenger must be the same as the one who was booked on the cancelled flight.

The new trip must be completed within one year of booking the flight that was cancelled. If the new flight costs more than the original flight, you will need to pay the remaining balance with a credit card or gift card. If the new flight is less than the original flight, you will have travel funds remaining that you can use later (within the one-year restriction).

You can also transfer your flight credit to someone else. To do this, log in to your Rapid Rewards account and select 'My Account', 'View Travel Funds', and then 'Transfer to someone else'. You will need the recipient's full name, email, and Rapid Rewards account number.

Transferring travel credits to someone else

Transferable Flight Credits give you more flexibility when you need to cancel a trip. When you book an eligible fare—Business Select®, Anytime, or Wanna Get Away Plus®—and cancel your trip, you'll receive a Transferable Flight Credit. This credit can be used by the original passenger or transferred to another Rapid Rewards® Member.

To transfer your credit to someone else, log in to your Rapid Rewards account. From there, select 'My Account', then 'View Travel Funds', and finally, 'Transfer to someone else'. Make sure you have the recipient’s full name, email, and Rapid Rewards account number. Once the credit has been transferred, the transaction cannot be reversed, and the entire amount must be transferred. The recipient can then use the credit to book a new ticket and is responsible for any fare difference.

It's important to note that this feature is only available for certain fare types, and the transfer is only permitted between two Rapid Rewards Members. For bookings made through a Southwest Business channel, transfers are limited to employees within the organization.

If you are unable to use your travel funds before they expire, you can request to have them reissued as a voucher, which can be used by anyone. This option comes with a fee, and the value of the voucher may be reduced.

Using travel credits to pay for taxes and fees

Southwest flight credits are a great way to save money on your future travels. These credits are funds that you can use for future flights when you cancel a Southwest reservation. The best part is that they don't expire, giving you the freedom to plan your trips at your convenience.

Now, let's delve into the specifics of using these travel credits to pay for taxes and fees. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Access Your Flight Credits: Log in to your Southwest account on their website or mobile app. Navigate to the "Payment" or "My Account" section, where you'll find your available flight credits listed. Alternatively, you can check your flight credits by contacting Southwest customer service at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792).
• Understand the Types of Credits: There are different types of Southwest travel funds. Flight credits are typically obtained when you cancel a Southwest reservation. Other forms include Southwest gift cards, LUV vouchers, and package travel credits for Southwest Vacations. Make sure you understand the type of credit you have and any specific rules that apply.
• Select Your New Flight: Browse and choose the flight you want to book. Keep in mind that your travel credits must be used for the same passenger name as the original cancelled flight. Additionally, the new trip must be completed within one year of booking the cancelled flight.
• Apply Your Flight Credits: During the checkout process, look for the option to apply travel funds. This is usually found in the payment section. Enter the confirmation number associated with your flight credit. If you're booking through the mobile app, you may need to click on "Southwest® gift card, Travel Funds, or Southwest LUV Voucher" to expand the section and then select "Travel Funds."
• Review Your Booking: After applying your flight credits, complete your booking. You should receive a confirmation of your payment and new reservation. Note that if your new flight costs more than the original flight, you'll need to pay the remaining balance using a credit card or gift card. If the new flight is cheaper, you'll have remaining travel funds that you can use for future trips within the one-year restriction.
• Using Credits for Taxes and Fees: Southwest flight credits can be used to cover any taxes and fees associated with rewards travel. This means that when you book a flight using your Rapid Rewards points, you can use your flight credits to pay for any additional taxes and fees.

Remember, Southwest doesn't charge cancellation fees, so you can cancel your reservation up to 10 minutes before the scheduled departure and receive the full value of your ticket as flight credits. This flexibility allows you to plan your travels with ease, knowing that you can always adjust your plans and use your credits for future bookings, including covering taxes and fees.

Travel credit expiry dates

Southwest Airlines has eliminated credit expiration dates for all tickets. This means that flight credits provided when customers need to cancel their tickets will not expire, no matter the type of ticket purchased. This policy change was announced on July 28, 2022, and applies to all existing credits, which will be extended, as well as any new credits issued after that date.

Prior to this change, Southwest credits had to be spent on travel scheduled to be completed within a year of the original date of purchase for non-refundable tickets. Refundable fares were eligible for cash refunds, and credits from "Wanna Get Away Plus" fares could be transferred to other Rapid Rewards members. Now, Southwest is the only major US airline with credits that don't expire.

The new policy will be reflected in the airline's systems with a placeholder expiration date of December 31, 2040, until further updates are made to remove expiration dates altogether. This change gives Southwest customers extra flexibility and peace of mind when their travel plans change.

It is important to note that Southwest Vacations package travel credits are subject to different terms and conditions. These credits are valid for travel commencing within 13 months (395 days) from the original departure date and must be used by the expiration date. They are non-refundable, non-transferable, and have no cash value.

Frequently asked questions