Southwest's Refund Rules for Ticket Cancellations
Southwest does not refund cash for cancelled tickets — instead, the airline issues a travel credit equal to the full ticket price, valid for one year from the original booking date. You can use this credit to book any Southwest flight at any time during that year, on any route, with no blackout dates or restrictions. The credit transfers to another person if you give them the confirmation number, so you do not have to use it yourself.
This policy applies whether you cancel the ticket yourself or Southwest cancels your flight. If Southwest cancels your flight and you do not rebook, you receive the travel credit automatically. If you cancel for any reason — illness, schedule change, or straightforward changing your mind — you also receive the credit, not a refund to your original payment method.
The only exception is if you paid with a credit card and want to dispute the charge with your card issuer. You can contact your bank or credit card company and request a chargeback, though this is separate from Southwest's policy and depends on your card's terms.
Key Takeaways
- Southwest issues a travel credit for the full ticket price instead of a cash refund, valid for one year from your original booking date.
- You can use the credit to book any Southwest flight for yourself or give it to someone else by sharing your confirmation number.
- The credit applies whether you cancel the ticket or Southwest cancels your flight.
- If you paid by credit card, you can contact your card issuer to dispute the charge, though this is separate from Southwest's refund policy.
- Travel credits do not expire after one year — Southwest converts unused credits to a non-refundable voucher, but you can still use it to book flights.
How to Request Your Travel Credit
If you cancel your ticket on Southwest's website, the travel credit appears in your account when ready under "Funds Available" in the Manage Reservations section. You do not need to contact the airline — the credit is there as soon as the cancellation processes.
If you booked through a travel agent or third-party site like Expedia or Kayak, you must cancel through that same site or contact the agent directly. Southwest cannot process refunds for tickets sold by other companies. The travel agent or third-party site handles the credit, though the terms may differ slightly from Southwest's direct bookings.
If Southwest cancels your flight, check your email for a notification. The airline automatically places the credit in your account, but you can also log into Manage Reservations to confirm it is there. If you do not see it within 24 hours, call Southwest at 1-800-435-9792 to verify.
What Happens to Unused Credits After One Year
When your one-year window expires, Southwest converts the travel credit to a non-refundable voucher. You can still use the voucher to book flights — it works the same way as the original credit — but you cannot transfer it to another person or convert it back to cash. The voucher itself does not expire, so you can hold it indefinitely and use it whenever you choose.
This means your money is not lost after one year; it straightforward becomes non-transferable. If you never use the credit or voucher, Southwest keeps the funds. There is no way to recover cash once the one-year period ends.
Travel Credits vs. Refunds: The Difference
A refund returns money to your original payment method — your bank account, credit card, or PayPal. A travel credit is a voucher that Southwest holds in your name, usable only for Southwest flights. Southwest's policy treats all cancellations as travel credits, not refunds.
This matters because a travel credit locks you into Southwest. If you wanted to fly a different airline instead, you cannot convert the credit to cash or use it elsewhere. You must either book another Southwest flight or lose the value. Some airlines, like Delta and United, also issue travel credits for cancellations, but a few still offer refunds under certain circumstances — Southwest does not.
When Southwest Cancels Your Flight
If Southwest cancels your flight due to weather, mechanical issues, or crew problems, you have three options: rebook on another Southwest flight at no charge, receive a travel credit, or request a refund to your original payment method. This is the only scenario where Southwest offers a cash refund.
To request the refund, you must contact Southwest directly — either through the website under Manage Reservations, by phone at 1-800-435-9792, or at the airport. You have 90 days from the cancellation date to request the refund. After 90 days, you can no longer get cash back; your only option is the travel credit.
If you rebook on another Southwest flight instead, you automatically receive a travel credit for the difference if the new flight costs less. If the new flight costs more, you pay the difference out of pocket.
Refunds for Third-Party Bookings
If you bought your ticket through Expedia, Kayak, Google Flights, or another travel website, Southwest cannot process your refund. You must contact the third-party site or the travel agent who sold you the ticket. They set their own refund policies, which often differ from Southwest's.
Many third-party sites charge a booking fee on top of the ticket price and do not refund that fee even if the airline does. Some sites offer their own travel credits instead of refunds. Check the terms and conditions on the site where you booked before purchasing, because you will be bound by that site's policy, not Southwest's.
If you booked through a travel agent, call them first. If they cannot help, ask for the booking confirmation number and contact Southwest directly with that number. Southwest can tell you what options are available, though the agent may need to process the refund on their end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a cash refund if I cancel my Southwest ticket myself?
No. Southwest issues a travel credit for the full ticket price, valid for one year. Cash refunds are only available if Southwest cancels your flight, and you must request it within 90 days of the cancellation.
What if I never use my travel credit before it expires?
After one year, your travel credit converts to a non-refundable voucher. You can still use it to book Southwest flights, but you cannot transfer it to someone else or get cash back. The voucher does not expire, so you can use it whenever you want.
Can I use my Southwest travel credit on a different airline?
No. Travel credits work only for Southwest flights. If you want to fly a different airline, you cannot convert the credit to cash or use it elsewhere. You must either book a Southwest flight or forfeit the credit's value.
How long does it take to get a refund if Southwest cancels my flight?
If you request a cash refund for a Southwest cancellation, the airline typically processes it within 7 to 10 business days. The refund goes back to your original payment method. Check your bank or credit card account to confirm it arrived.
Do I lose my travel credit if I do not use it within a year?
You do not lose the value, but it becomes non-transferable. After one year, the credit converts to a voucher that only you can use. You can still book flights with it indefinitely, but you cannot give it to someone else or get cash back.