Purchasing and Refunds

The following forms of payment are accepted at southwest.com, through Southwest Airlines Reservations, and at Southwest Airlines Ticket Counter locations: Credit Cards, Unused Ticketless Travel Funds, southwestgiftcards, and Southwest Airlines Luv Vouchers. Cash is accepted only at Southwest Airlines Ticket Counters. PayPal is only accepted at southwest.com. For a more detailed list of payment options please click here.

"Overbooking" a flight means that airlines will continue accepting a few additional reservations for seats on a flight beyond the aircraft's seating capacity. Airlines overbook to attempt to fill seats left empty by Passengers who don't show up for their flight and also don't call to cancel their reservations prior to the flight's departure. View full details.

Unused, fully refundable tickets, that do not carry restrictions may be applied toward future travel or refunded within one year from the date of issue.

No Show Policy - If you are not planning to travel on any portion of your itinerary, please cancel or change your reservation at least 10 minutes prior to scheduled departure of the flight. Customers who fail to cancel or change their reservations at least 10 minutes prior to scheduled departure or fail to board their flight(s) on any Wanna Get Away or DING! fare segment are subject to our No Show Policy. Additionally, the entire reservation including any remaining flights on the ticketed itinerary will also be cancelled and all funds from the “No Show” reservation will be forfeited and may not be used or applied toward future ticket purchases. Reservations booked using Rewards points, Companion passes, and Reward seats are not included in this policy.

International Travel - At this time, our no-show policy does not apply to itineraries that include international flights. If you do not make your flight, the amount of your original purchase will be refunded to you in the form of reusable travel funds. Unused, fully refundable tickets, that do not carry restrictions may be applied toward future travel or refunded within one year from the date of issue.

Lost Tickets - When a Customer loses a ticket, or a portion of the ticket, the Customer will be required to purchase another ticket at the appropriate fare before transportation will be furnished between points covered by the lost ticket. There will be no refund or replacement of a lost ticket. Still have questions?

September 11th Security Fee - Pursuant to a new federal law, the September 11th Security Fee ($5.60 one-way) now has a cap of $11.20 for all roundtrip itineraries. You may request a refund if you feel you may have been overcharged for the September 11th Security fee for a roundtrip ticket purchased after 12:01am (EST) December 19, 2014.  Refunds may be requested via email using the contact us link.

Government-Imposed September 11th Security Fee - Effective for travel purchased on or after October 1, 2003, the Government will impose a September 11th Security Fee on all tickets including Rapid Rewards Awards and Companion Pass travel redeemed on or after that date.

Pursuant to a new federal law, the September 11th Security Fee ($5.60 one-way) now has a cap of $11.20 for all roundtrip itineraries. You may request a refund if you feel you may have been overcharged for the September 11th Security fee for a roundtrip ticket purchased after 12:01am (EST) December 19, 2014.  Refunds may be requested via email using the contact us link.

Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) - Fee imposed by an aiport on enplaning passengers when departing from or connecting at any of the airports in the list you will see by clicking here. That airport's PFC will apply in addition to the fare.