What happens to your money when you cancel a Southwest flight? Good news, you won’t lose it. Instead, you get Southwest flight credit to use on future bookings. It’s flexible, easy to apply, and can even be transferred in some cases. However, to make the most of it, you’ll need to know the rules, such as when it expires, how to locate it, and how to apply it correctly.
Ready to turn that canceled flight into your next adventure? Let’s start with what Southwest flight credit is and why it matters.
What is a flight credit on Southwest Airlines?
Ever had to cancel a flight and felt that sinking feeling, “Well, there goes that money”? With Southwest Airlines flight credit, that stress disappears.
✈️ So, what exactly is it?
Southwest flight credit is like travel money stored in your name. If you cancel a non-refundable flight or downgrade to a lower fare, Southwest will not refund you in cash, but they will provide you with flight credit for the unused value.
That credit can be used later to book a new flight as long as it falls under the Southwest flight credit policy. It’s flexible, simple to apply, and, in some cases, transferable.
Does Southwest flight credit expire?
Yes, Southwest flight credits do expire, but not all of them. It depends on when you booked and what fare type you selected.
Here’s the breakdown:
✅ If your flight was booked before May 28, 2025:
- Your Southwest Airlines flight credit never expires.
- These credits remain valid until used, regardless of the date in the future.
🚨 If your flight was booked on or after May 28, 2025:
Expiration depends on the fare class:
| Fare Type | Expiration Timeline |
| Basic Fare | 6 months from issue date |
| Wanna Get Away Plus | 12 months from issue date |
| Anytime & Business Select | 12 months from issue date |
This update is part of the refreshed Southwest flight credit policy, and travelers must carefully track those dates.
🔎 How do you check your credit expiration date?
To check Southwest flight credit expiration, you can:
- Log into your Rapid Rewards account → Go to the Travel Funds tab.
- Use the Southwest flight credit lookup tool and enter your confirmation number + name.
📞 Call Flying Getaway at our phone to get quick help checking or using your travel funds.
How do I get Southwest flight credits?
How do I earn Southwest flight credit? It’s simple—when your travel plans change, Southwest gives you credit instead of charging you fees. Here’s how you can get it:
✈️ You’ll receive a credit if you:
- Cancel a paid flight before departure
- Rebook to a cheaper fare (the leftover value becomes credit)
- Cancel a flight you can’t take (but don’t no-show!)
- Mix points + cash, you’ll get credit for the cash part only
⚠️ When you won’t get credit:
- No-shows on non-refundable fares
- Basic fares, which follow stricter refund rules
- Extras like EarlyBird Check-In aren’t credited back
️Flying Tip: Don’t skip the cancellation step. Even if your flight is in 10 minutes, cancel it; otherwise, your cancelled Southwest flight credit may disappear entirely.
How do you find Southwest flight credit?
Lost track of your travel funds? No worries, finding your Southwest flight credit is easy if you know where to look.
🧭 Here are two quick ways to find it:
- Log into your Rapid Rewards account
- Go to your dashboard
- Click on My Account → Travel Funds tab
- Your available credits will show up automatically
Use the Southwest flight credit lookup tool
- Don’t have an account? No problem
- Just head to the Southwest flight credit lookup page
- Enter your confirmation number and passenger name to view your credit balance
Flying Tip: Save your confirmation emails. Your confirmation number is the key to checking your Southwest credit if you’re not logged in.
How to use flight credit on Southwest Airlines?
Ready to book your next trip using your Southwest flight credit? The process is smooth and takes just a few steps, whether you’re using one or stacking a few.
💻 Steps to use your credit:
- Go to Southwest.com or open the Southwest mobile app
- Start a new flight booking as usual
- On the payment page, click “Apply Travel Funds.”
- Enter your confirmation number and passenger name
- Your available Southwest credit will appear and apply to the total
You can apply for up to three flight credits per booking, providing you with more flexibility than most airlines.
Flying Tip: If you’re using multiple credits, apply the largest one first. This makes it easier to track and reuse any remaining balance later.
How do you redeem flight credit on Southwest?
Redeeming a Southwest flight credit is the final step of turning your canceled plans into your next getaway. Once you’ve selected your flight, using that credit is as easy as using a promo code.
✅ Here’s how to redeem it:
- Search and select your new flight
- On the checkout/payment page, choose “Apply Travel Funds.”
- Enter your confirmation number and the passenger’s name
- The system will automatically apply to your available Southwest credit
- Review your updated total and complete the booking
Flying Tip: You can combine up to three travel funds or flight credits per booking, but Southwest doesn’t allow more than that. If you have leftover amounts, try consolidating them wisely.
How to apply for Southwest flight credit?
So, you’ve got Southwest flight credit sitting there, and now you’re ready to book that trip. The good news? Applying it is super easy, and it only takes a minute.
✈️ Here’s how to do it:
- Head over to Southwest.com or open their app
- Pick your flights and move through the booking steps
- When you reach the payment page, click “Apply Travel Funds.”
- Enter your confirmation number and your name exactly as it was on the original booking
- Boom! Your Southwest Airlines flight credit gets applied instantly
If your flight costs more than the credit, no worries; you’ll pay the difference with your card.
📝 A few things to keep in mind:
- You can stack up to three credits per booking
- The name on the credit has to match the traveler
- If it’s a Southwest transferable flight credit, you can gift it to someone else, but only once!
📞 Unsure if you’re applying your credit correctly? Don’t stress, call Flying Getaway at our phone, and we’ll make it smooth, simple, and stress-free.
How do I transfer flight credit to Southwest?
Got flight credit you’re not planning to use? The good news is that you don’t have to let it go to waste. If it’s eligible, you can transfer it to someone else and help them fly instead.
🎫 Can all credits be transferred?
Only Southwest transferable flight credits can be shared, and those come from:
- Wanna Get Away Plus
- Anytime
- Business Select fares
So, if you’ve booked one of these and plans changed, you can pay it forward literally.
👥 Here’s how to transfer it (it’s easier than you think):
Log in to your Rapid Rewards account
- Go to “Travel Funds” under “My Account”
- Find the credit labeled “Transferable.”
- Click “Transfer fund,” and enter the recipient’s name and Rapid Rewards number
- Hit confirm, and boom, it’s theirs!
A few quick notes:
- Transfers are one-time only. Once it’s sent, it can’t be returned
- You can’t split one credit across multiple people
- Regular Wanna Get Away and Basic fares? Not transferable
Flying Tip: The person you’re sending it to must be a Rapid Rewards member. And remember, credits don’t get a new expiration date after transfer. They still expire when they originally were scheduled to.
👉Got a credit and not sure if it’s transferable? Call Flying Getaway at our phone, and we’ll help you send it off to the right person, stress-free.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Southwest makes it refreshingly simple to turn canceled flights into future travel opportunities. Whether you’re applying credit toward your next booking, combining a few leftover funds, or even transferring it to someone else, their process is built around flexibility, not frustration.
The key is knowing how and when to use your credit card. Some funds expire; others don’t. Some can be transferred, but only once. Keeping track of these little details helps you make the most of every dollar you’ve already spent.
And if you’re ever unsure how it all works or don’t want to deal with the hassle?
Also Read: Best Time to Book Southwest Flights in 2025
📞 Call Flying Getaway at our phone. We’re here to make travel easier every step of the way.
FAQs:
How long does Southwest flight credit last?
It depends. Credits from flights booked before May 28, 2025, never expire. For newer bookings, most expire in 12 months—6 months for Basic Fares. Need help checking yours? Call Flying Getaway at our phone.
Can you transfer flight credit to someone else on Southwest?
Yes, but only if it’s a Southwest transferable flight credit. These credits are issued from select fare types, such as Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, or Business Select, and can be transferred once to another Rapid Rewards member.
How many flight credits can you use on Southwest?
You can use up to three flight credits per booking. If you attempt to apply more than three, it won’t be processed, so it’s best to combine credits strategically when planning a trip.
When does Southwest flight credit expire?
It varies. Some never expire, while others do within 6–12 months, based on the fare type and issue date. Are you confused about the rules? Call Flying Getaway at our phone for quick help.
How to Use Your Southwest $75 Credit?
If you have a $75 Southwest travel credit (often from a promo or loyalty benefit), you can apply it the same way you would any flight credit. Just enter the confirmation number and your name at checkout under “Apply Travel Funds.”
