Southwest's Refund Policy for Cancelled Flights

Southwest Airlines does not refund money for cancelled flights—instead, the airline issues a travel credit equal to the full fare you paid. You can use this credit to book any Southwest flight within one year from the original booking date, with no blackout dates or restrictions on when you fly. The credit stays in your name and transfers to anyone you authorize to use it.

This policy applies whether Southwest cancels the flight or you cancel it yourself. The difference is that when Southwest cancels, you have additional options: you can rebook on another Southwest flight at no extra cost, request the credit, or ask for a refund to your original payment method if you choose not to fly.

Key Takeaways

  • Southwest issues a travel credit for the full ticket price when the airline cancels your flight, usable for one year with no blackout dates.
  • If you cancel your own reservation, you also receive a travel credit rather than a refund to your card or bank account.
  • When Southwest cancels, you can rebook free on another flight, use the credit later, or request a refund to your original payment method.
  • Travel credits are tied to the name on the original booking and can be transferred to another person if you provide Southwest with their details.
  • You must use or transfer the credit within one year—after that date, Southwest keeps the money.

How to Request a Refund When Southwest Cancels

If Southwest cancels your flight, you have three choices. First, you can rebook on another Southwest flight at no charge through the Southwest website, mobile app, or by calling 1-800-I-FLY-SWA. Second, you can accept the travel credit and use it whenever you want within the year. Third, you can request a refund to your original payment method.

To request the refund, contact Southwest directly through their website under "Manage Reservations," call the number above, or visit an airport ticket counter. You will need your confirmation number. Southwest processes refunds to credit cards within 7 to 10 business days and to bank accounts within 1 to 2 weeks. If you paid with a gift card, the refund goes back to a Southwest gift card.

Southwest does not automatically refund you—you must ask. If you do nothing after a cancellation, your money stays as a travel credit in your account.

Travel Credits: How They Work and When They Expire

A Southwest travel credit is a voucher tied to the passenger's name. It covers the full amount you paid and can be used for any fare on any Southwest flight. You do not need to book when ready; the credit sits in your Southwest account until you use it. When you book a new flight, you select the credit as your payment method at checkout.

The credit expires exactly one year from the date of your original cancelled flight. If your original flight was on March 15, your credit must be used by March 15 of the following year. After that date, Southwest will not honor it. There is no way to extend the expiration date, and Southwest does not issue refunds for unused credits after they expire.

You can transfer a credit to another person by providing Southwest with their name and contact information. The new person can then use it to book a flight under their own name. This is useful if you cannot travel but want the money to go to someone else rather than lose it.

What Happens If You Cancel Your Own Flight

When you cancel your own reservation, Southwest does not refund your money to your card or bank account. Instead, you receive a travel credit for the full ticket price, which works exactly like a credit from a Southwest cancellation. You can use it to book any flight within one year, transfer it to another person, or let it expire unused.

This applies even if you cancel within 24 hours of booking or if you cancel the day before your flight. Southwest's policy does not distinguish between early cancellations and last-minute ones—all customer-initiated cancellations result in a travel credit, not a refund.

Refunds for Paid Add-Ons and Extras

If you paid extra for seat selections, checked bags, or other add-ons, those charges are also converted to travel credits when your flight is cancelled. You cannot separate the base fare credit from the add-on credits; they combine into one total credit in your account.

Paid add-ons follow the same one-year expiration as your base fare credit. If you transfer your credit to another person, the add-ons transfer with it. However, if the new person does not need the same add-ons (for example, they do not want the extra baggage allowance), they cannot convert that portion back to cash—it remains part of the credit.

Using Your Credit Before It Expires

To book a flight with your travel credit, log into your Southwest account on the website or app and go to "Manage Reservations." You will see any available credits listed there. When you search for and select a new flight, the credit appears as a payment option at checkout. You can use the full credit on one flight or split it across multiple bookings if the credit is large enough.

If your new flight costs less than your credit, the remaining balance stays in your account for future use. If it costs more, you pay the difference with another payment method. You can check your credit balance anytime by logging into your account or calling Southwest customer service.

Special Situations: Military, Companion Pass, and Group Bookings

If you booked a military discount fare and your flight is cancelled, the credit reflects the discounted price you paid, not the full retail fare. The same applies to Companion Pass bookings—the credit covers what you actually paid. Group bookings follow standard policy: each passenger in the group receives an individual credit in their name.

If you purchased a Southwest gift card and used it to book a cancelled flight, the refund goes back to a Southwest gift card rather than to your original payment method. You can then use that gift card to purchase new tickets or transfer the credit to another person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get cash back instead of a travel credit?

Only if Southwest cancels the flight. When the airline cancels, you can request a refund to your original payment method. If you cancel your own reservation, Southwest will not refund cash—you receive only a travel credit. Some credit card companies offer purchase protection that may cover cancellations; contact your card issuer to ask.

What if I don't use my credit within the year?

After one year from your original flight date, Southwest will not honor the credit. The money does not roll over, and Southwest does not issue refunds for expired credits. Set a reminder on your phone or calendar before the expiration date so you do not lose it.

Can I transfer my credit to a family member?

Yes. Contact Southwest with the name and email address of the person you want to transfer it to. They will receive the credit in their own account and can use it to book flights under their name. The credit must still be used within the original one-year window.

Do I lose my credit if I rebook on another Southwest flight?

No. When Southwest cancels and you rebook on another flight at no charge, you keep your original credit. You can use it later for a different trip. The free rebooking and the credit are separate benefits.

What if Southwest cancels multiple times?

Each cancellation generates a separate travel credit with its own one-year expiration date. If your rebooked flight is also cancelled, you receive another credit. You can accumulate multiple credits in your account and use them on different flights or combine them toward one expensive ticket.