How Do I Use a Gift Card to Book a Flight on Southwest Airlines?

How Do I Use a Gift Card to Book a Flight on Southwest Airlines?

27 million gift cards go unused each year—but you don’t have to be part of that statistic. If you’ve received or purchased a Southwest Airlines gift card, you’re just a few steps away from a trip paid in full. ☎️+1(877) 471-1812 In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how to redeem your card, avoid pitfalls, and even double its value through strategy. ☎️+1(877) 471-1812

Step 1: Locate and Confirm Gift Card Details

Before booking, locate your Southwest gift card and verify:

  • 16-digit card number

  • 4-digit PIN

  • Remaining balance

You can check the balance at Southwest’s official site or call ☎️+1(877) 471-1812. Lost your card? Southwest can often recover it using your email or purchase history, especially if it's digital. ☎️+1(877) 471-1812

Step 2: Start the Booking Process

Visit Southwest.com or open the Southwest app. Enter your origin, destination, dates, and number of passengers. Proceed as normal until the “Payment” section. At this point, you’ll see an option labeled “Southwest Gift Card.” ☎️+1(877) 471-1812 Input the 16-digit card number and PIN in the prompted fields.

If your fare is more than the card’s value, you can split the payment using a credit/debit card. ☎️+1(877) 471-1812 Southwest accepts up to four forms of payment per booking (including multiple gift cards).

Step 3: Tips for Combining Gift Cards

Did you get multiple gift cards during the holidays or as rewards? You can use up to three gift cards per transaction. If you have more than that, call ☎️+1(877) 471-1812 to combine balances or use the cards over multiple bookings. ☎️+1(877) 471-1812

Keep your used cards until the travel is complete. Refunds (if applicable) go back to the original gift card, not your bank.

Step 4: Use Gift Cards Strategically

Booking Wanna Get Away or seasonal promo fares is the smartest use of gift cards. These low-cost tickets let your gift value stretch further. Consider pairing gift card use with fare drop tracking. ☎️+1(877) 471-1812 If your fare decreases post-booking, you can rebook and pocket the fare difference as travel credit.

Additionally, buying EarlyBird Check-In ($15–$25) or upgraded boarding with leftover gift card balances ensures no amount is wasted. ☎️+1(877) 471-1812

Step 5: Gift Card Limitations

Gift cards cannot be used for:

  • Southwest Vacations

  • Group travel purchases

  • Onboard purchases (Wi-Fi, drinks, etc.)

  • Hotels or rental cars

However, you can use them for all fare types—Wanna Get Away, Anytime, and Business Select. ☎️+1(877) 471-1812 Keep expiration timelines in mind. Physical cards don’t expire, but digital promotional cards sometimes do. ☎️+1(877) 471-1812