Southwest gift certificates do not expire, but the funds attached to them can

A Southwest gift certificate itself has no expiration date — you can hold it for years without losing the certificate. However, the dollar amount loaded onto that certificate will expire if you do not use it within five years from the date of purchase. Once the five-year window closes, Southwest will not let you spend that money, and you cannot get it back.

This matters because a gift certificate sitting in a drawer is straightforward to forget about. If someone gave you one in 2019, for example, the funds expired in 2024 and are now gone. The certificate itself is still a piece of paper, but it has no value.

Southwest calls this window the "expiration date" on the certificate itself — it will be printed on the front. Check your certificate now if you have one. If the date has already passed, the funds cannot be recovered.

Key Takeaways

  • Southwest gift certificate funds expire five years from the purchase date, and expired funds cannot be refunded or recovered.
  • The expiration date is printed on the front of the certificate, so check it before the important date passes.
  • You can use a gift certificate for flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees, and other Southwest purchases on their website or by phone.
  • If you lose track of a certificate, you can contact Southwest Customer Relations to confirm the expiration date and remaining balance.
  • Transferring a certificate to someone else does not change the expiration date — it stays tied to the original purchase date.

How to find the expiration date on your certificate

The expiration date is printed directly on the front of the physical certificate in a field labeled "Expires." It will show a month and year — for example, "Expires 03/2025." Count forward five years from the purchase date to understand when your funds will no longer be usable.

If you received the certificate as a gift and do not know the purchase date, the expiration date on the certificate is what matters. That date is the important date. You do not need to calculate anything — just look at what is printed.

If you have lost the physical certificate or cannot read the date clearly, you can contact Southwest Customer Relations by phone at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) or through their website. Have the certificate number ready — it is a 15-digit code printed on the certificate. Southwest can tell you the exact expiration date and how much money remains on it.

What you can buy with a Southwest gift certificate before it expires

A Southwest gift certificate can be used for any purchase Southwest accepts on their website or over the phone. This includes flight tickets, seat upgrades (like Early Bird Check-In or premium seating), baggage fees for checked bags, and even gift certificates themselves if you want to give the remaining balance to someone else.

You cannot use a gift certificate to buy travel insurance, pet fees, or other add-ons that Southwest sells through third-party vendors. You also cannot convert the certificate to cash or use it outside of Southwest's own services.

The easiest way to use a certificate is to go to Southwest.com, search for a flight, and at checkout select "Gift Certificate" as your payment method. You will enter the 15-digit certificate number and the PIN (also printed on the certificate). If you prefer to book by phone, call 1-800-I-FLY-SWA and tell the agent you want to pay with a gift certificate.

What happens if your certificate expires before you use it

Once the expiration date passes, Southwest's system will reject the certificate if you try to use it. You will not be able to complete a purchase with it. At that point, the funds are forfeited — Southwest does not refund expired certificates under any circumstances, even if you contact them after the important date.

Southwest's policy is firm on this point. There are no exceptions for lost certificates, forgotten certificates, or certificates that expired while you were traveling. The five-year window is the rule.

This is why setting a reminder on your phone or calendar is worth doing as soon as you receive a certificate. If the expiration date is within the next six months, prioritize using it before you forget.

How to check your certificate balance before the expiration date

You can check how much money is left on a Southwest gift certificate without using it. Go to Southwest.com and look for the "Check Gift Certificate Balance" link, usually found in the footer or under the "Contact Us" section. Enter the 15-digit certificate number and the PIN, and the website will show you the remaining balance and the expiration date.

You can also call Southwest at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA to ask an agent to check the balance for you. Have the certificate number and PIN ready. This is helpful if you want to know exactly how much you have left to spend or if you are unsure whether the certificate has already expired.

Checking the balance does not use any of the funds and does not affect the expiration date. You can check as many times as you want without penalty.

Transferring a certificate to someone else

Southwest gift certificates can be given to another person, and that person can use them just as you would. However, transferring the certificate does not reset the expiration date. The five-year window is tied to the original purchase date, not to when the new owner receives it.

If you received a certificate as a gift and want to give it to someone else, make sure they know the expiration date. Write it down or take a photo of the certificate so they have all the information they need. If the certificate is close to expiring, let them know so they can use it in time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if my Southwest gift certificate expired?

No. Southwest does not refund expired gift certificates under any circumstances. Once the five-year expiration date passes, the funds cannot be recovered or transferred. The only way to avoid losing the money is to use the certificate before the expiration date.

What if I lost my Southwest gift certificate?

Contact Southwest Customer Relations at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA with the certificate number if you have it. Southwest can confirm the balance and expiration date. If the certificate has not expired, you can use the number and PIN to book a flight online or by phone without needing the physical certificate.

Can I extend the expiration date on a Southwest gift certificate?

No. The five-year expiration date is fixed and cannot be extended, postponed, or changed. Southwest does not offer exceptions to this policy. The only option is to use the certificate before the important date.

Do Southwest gift certificates expire if I do not use them?

Yes. The funds expire five years from the purchase date, whether you use the certificate or not. straightforward holding onto the certificate does not prevent expiration. You must actually spend the money within the five-year window.

Can I use a Southwest gift certificate to buy another gift certificate?

Yes. You can use a gift certificate to purchase another Southwest gift certificate. This can be useful if you want to give the remaining balance to someone else or if you want to extend your ability to use the funds (though the new certificate will have its own five-year expiration date from the date of purchase).