Southwest's refund policy depends on why your flight was delayed or cancelled

Southwest does not automatically refund you money when your flight is delayed. Whether you get your money back depends on what caused the delay and how long you waited. If Southwest cancelled your flight or delayed it for reasons within their control—mechanical problems, crew scheduling, or overbooking—you are may have access to to a refund of your ticket price. If the delay was caused by weather, air traffic control, or other circumstances outside Southwest's control, you do not receive a cash refund, but you do receive a travel credit.

The key difference is this: controllable delays and cancellations trigger refunds; uncontrollable delays trigger travel credits. A travel credit is a voucher you can use to book another Southwest flight within one year. It is not cash back to your bank account or credit card.

Key Takeaways

  • Southwest refunds your ticket price in cash only if the airline cancelled your flight or delayed it due to reasons within their control, such as mechanical issues or crew problems.
  • Delays caused by weather, air traffic control, or other external factors result in a travel credit, not a cash refund.
  • You must request a refund or travel credit within 30 days of your original flight date by contacting Southwest directly.
  • Southwest does not pay compensation for delays under U.S. federal law, even if the delay was their fault.

When Southwest will refund your ticket price

Southwest issues a cash refund when the airline is responsible for the cancellation or delay. This includes mechanical failures discovered before or during your flight, crew unavailability, oversold flights where you are bumped, or scheduling errors made by Southwest. The refund goes back to the original payment method—your credit card, debit card, or bank account—within 7 to 10 business days after you request it.

To request a refund, contact Southwest's customer relations team by phone at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) or through their website at southwest.com. You will need your confirmation number and flight details. Southwest asks that you request the refund within 30 days of your original flight date, though they may process requests beyond that window.

When Southwest issues a travel credit instead

If your delay or cancellation was caused by weather, air traffic control delays, military airspace closures, or other circumstances outside Southwest's control, you receive a travel credit instead of a cash refund. This credit is a voucher equal to the price of your ticket, valid for one year from the original booking date. You can use it to book any Southwest flight for yourself or give it to someone else.

Travel credits do not expire after one year—they convert to a non-refundable credit that Southwest calls a "Companion Pass," but you lose the ability to transfer it to another person. The credit itself remains in your Southwest account indefinitely, though the airline's terms state they may remove credits that have not been used in a very long time. In practice, Southwest has not enforced expiration on old credits, but this is not may provide.

How to request your refund or travel credit

Start by contacting Southwest directly. Call 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) and have your confirmation number ready. The phone line is open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Central Time, seven days a week. Wait times are often long, especially after widespread delays or cancellations, so consider calling early in the morning or late in the evening.

You can also submit a refund request through southwest.com by logging into your account, finding your reservation, and selecting the option to request a refund. This method is slower than calling—responses typically take 5 to 7 business days—but it creates a written record of your request. Email support is not available for refund requests; Southwest handles these only by phone or through their website form.

If you paid with a credit card or debit card, you can also dispute the charge with your card issuer if Southwest does not respond to your refund request within 30 days. Your bank or card company can force a refund, though this should be a last resort after you have contacted Southwest directly.

What Southwest does not reimburse

Southwest does not pay compensation for delays under U.S. federal law. Unlike airlines in Europe, which must pay passengers €250 to €600 depending on flight length, U.S. carriers including Southwest have no legal obligation to compensate you for time lost or inconvenience caused by delays. They refund your ticket price if they caused the delay, but they do not pay extra money for the delay itself.

Southwest also does not reimburse you for expenses you incurred because of the delay—hotel rooms, meals, rental cars, or missed connections—unless you can show that Southwest's negligence directly caused those expenses. This is rare and requires documentation and often legal action. If you missed a connection on another airline because of a Southwest delay, Southwest is not responsible for rebooking you on the other airline or paying the difference in ticket price.

Travel credits versus refunds: which one you receive

The distinction between a refund and a travel credit comes down to cause. Ask Southwest directly why your flight was delayed or cancelled. If they say it was weather, air traffic control, or a similar external factor, you will receive a travel credit. If they say it was a mechanical issue, crew problem, or overbooking, you are may have access to to a refund. If Southwest's explanation is vague, ask them to specify whether the cause was within or outside their control.

Some delays have mixed causes—for example, a mechanical problem that was discovered during a weather delay. In these cases, Southwest typically treats the delay as outside their control and issues a travel credit. If you disagree with Southwest's information, you can escalate your request to their customer relations department, but the airline has the final say on whether a delay was controllable.

Using your Southwest travel credit

A travel credit appears in your Southwest account as a "funds" balance. When you book a new flight, Southwest automatically applies the credit to reduce the ticket price. You can use the credit for any Southwest flight, any time within one year of the original booking date. If your new flight costs less than the credit amount, the remaining balance stays in your account for future use.

Travel credits are non-transferable to other people unless you book the flight in their name. If you want to give the credit to a family member or friend, you must log into your account, book a flight for them using their name, and explore the credit at checkout. You cannot straightforward hand over the credit code or dollar amount.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a Southwest refund?

Cash refunds typically appear in your original payment method within 7 to 10 business days after you request them. Travel credits are issued when ready when you request them and appear in your Southwest account right away. Processing time can be longer during periods of widespread cancellations or delays.

Can I get a refund if I booked a non-refundable ticket?

Yes. Southwest's refund policy applies regardless of the ticket type you purchased. If Southwest cancelled your flight or delayed it due to reasons within their control, you receive a refund even if you bought a non-refundable fare. Non-refundable tickets only prevent you from getting your money back if you cancel the flight yourself.

What if Southwest says the delay was weather but I think it was their fault?

Ask Southwest to provide details about the weather condition and how it affected your flight. You can also check weather records for the airport on the day of your flight. If you believe Southwest's explanation is incorrect, escalate your request to their customer relations department. Ultimately, Southwest makes the information, but providing evidence of clear weather may persuade them to reconsider.

Do I lose my travel credit if I don't use it within a year?

The credit expires as a transferable voucher after one year, but the dollar amount remains in your Southwest account as a non-transferable credit you can use yourself indefinitely. You cannot give it to someone else after one year, but you can still book flights with it.

Can I request a refund and a travel credit at the same time?

No. Southwest will issue either a refund or a travel credit, not both. You choose which one you want when you contact them. If you received a travel credit and later change your mind, you can contact Southwest and request a refund instead, as long as you do so within 30 days of your original flight date.