southwest travel voucher for cancelled flight

I want to know the refund policy when I cancel my flight

If you decide not to travel and elect to cancel your flight, Southwest may provide you with a flight credit or Transferable Flight Credit:

• Business Select® and Anytime tickets are refundable.  You can choose to either a) receive a method-of-payment refund or b) hold the value of the ticket as a flight credit that you can use to buy a future flight.
• Wanna Get Away® and Wanna Get Away Plus® tickets are non-refundable.  The value of the ticket will be converted to a   flight credit   or Transferable Flight Credit ™ (depending on the fare) that you can use to buy a future flight.
• If you cancel your booking within 24 hours of booking , you can choose either to a) receive a method-of-payment refund or b) hold the value of the ticket as a flight credit or Transferable Flight Credit TM (depending on the fare) to buy a future flight.
• If you cancel your booking following a significant schedule change or delay , you may be eligible to receive a method-of-payment refund. 

Customer check-in requirements:

If you do not plan to travel, please cancel your reservation at least 10 minutes before the flight’s original scheduled departure time.

If you don't cancel your reservation at least 10 minutes before the flight's original scheduled departure time:

Business Select® or Anytime fare

• The funds will be refunded in the form of a Transferable Flight Credit™

Wanna Get Away® or Wanna Get Away Plus® fare

• The funds will be forfeited 

For reward travel reservations (booked with Rapid Rewards® points):

• The points used for booking will be redeposited to the purchaser's Rapid Rewards® account
• Any taxes and fees associated with the reward travel reservation will be converted into a Transferable Flight Credit™ for future use
• Any points used for booking will be forfeited, along with any taxes and fees associated with your reward travel reservation  

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Southwest passengers now get a $75 voucher for big flight disruptions

Customers who are delayed for more than three hours can fill out a form online to request the voucher

Southwest Airlines has launched a new compensation fund for inconvenienced fliers, offering $75 vouchers to passengers whose flights are significantly delayed or canceled for a reason within the airline’s control.

The compensation fund is part of the airline’s $140 million settlement with the Transportation Department, following Southwest’s operational meltdown in December 2022. A mix of winter weather, holiday travel and failing Southwest scheduling systems resulted in nearly 17,000 canceled or significantly delayed flights, affecting some 2 million passengers. Southwest agreed to pay the government $35 million and create a $90 million voucher fund for future fliers affected by operational errors, on top of the some $600 million it paid out in refunds and reimbursements to customers affected by the holiday debacle.

While the original agreement terms slated the voucher program to start Tuesday, Southwest rolled out the fund April 16. Any passenger who arrives at their final destination three or more hours after the scheduled arrival time for domestic flights or six hours for international flights can request a $75 voucher. The money is available only for fliers facing issues within Southwest’s control, such as a mechanical problem or swapping planes.

To receive the money, customers can fill out a form online . The request must be submitted within one year from the delayed or canceled flight. Southwest should get back to customers within 30 days, according to Southwest spokeswoman Laura Swift. The compensation fund is expected to run for three years.

Last week, the Biden administration announced new rules for airlines to strengthen passenger protection and increase transparency in the industry. Under the new regulations, airlines are required to streamline the refund process for canceled flights and abandon hidden fees by disclosing the price of surcharges for luggage and changes to reservations upfront.

While announcing those rules, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also mentioned Southwest’s vouchers as a customer service measure that could influence other airlines.

“This is the month when those vouchers as part of the Southwest settlement kick in, and Southwest will now, because we are making them, really lead the market on that,” Buttigieg said. “It’ll be very interesting to see what other airlines respond — not as punishment, but by way of competition.”

In a statement Tuesday, DOT officials said they will be “closely monitoring” Southwest’s program, requiring the airline to submit an annual report documenting the voucher expenditures over the next three years.

Hannah Sampson contributed to this report.

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Southwest Airlines new policy ensures $75 voucher for flight delays: here's how to claim

If you experience a delay or cancellation on a Southwest flight , you could receive some money.

Last year, Southwest Airlines was fined $140 million for violations for consumer protection laws as it cancelled 16,900 flights and stranded over two million passengers during the Christmas holiday season of 2022.

During the debacle, customers lost money on hotel rooms, reservations and connecting flights, which Southwest was ordered to reimburse. In total, Southwest paid $750 million for all the delays.

Now, the US Department of Transportation is enforcing a policy that will continue to hold the airline accountable in the future.

READ MORE: United Airlines offers new service to avoid the middle seat on flights

Southwest Airlines is required to compensate customers with a voucher worth at least $75 when a controllable cancellation or delay occurs, according to a news release.

US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said: "After the 2022 holiday meltdown, our department held Southwest Airlines accountable-and now the airline is required to compensate passengers for lengthy delays and cancellations that they cause. We're pleased to bring these benefits to passengers, and further show the flying public that the Biden-Harris Administration has their back."

A controllable cancellation or delay includes:

• A flight cancelled or delayed within seven days of the scheduled departure.
• A flight where passengers arrive at their destination three or more hours later than planned.
• A flight cancelled or delayed that was caused by something Southwest could control, like maintenance or staffing issues.

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An example that will not constitute a voucher is a flight being cancelled or delayed for bad weather, as that's out of the airline's control.

To request compensation, simply fill out Southwest's easy voucher form . Passengers must submit their form within one year of flight date.

Southwest will respond via email within 30 days of receiving the form. If you're eligible, they will follow up with the voucher.

The vouchers will be transferable and valid for at least one year of issuance.

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Transferable Flight Credits give you more flexibility. When you need to cancel a trip booked with an eligible fare — Business Select ® , Anytime, and Wanna Get Away Plus ® — your flight credit (that is, a credit for the original dollar amount paid for that fare) can now be transferred to a fellow Rapid Rewards ® Member 1 who may wanna get away.

How Transferable Flight Credits work.

Wanna transfer a flight credit to someone else.

Can’t take your upcoming flight?

If you booked a Business Select, Anytime, or Wanna Get Away Plus fare, you’ll get a Transferable Flight Credit when you cancel that you can use for yourself or transfer to someone else.

How to transfer your Transferable Flight Credit to someone else:

Log in to your Rapid Rewards account. Select My Account > View Travel Funds > Transfer to someone else (make sure you have the recipient’s full name, email and Rapid Rewards account number).

Wanna redeem a flight credit that was transferred to you?

How to access your flight credits through My Account:

Select the Payment tab on southwest.com or View Travel Funds on mobile.

How to redeem your Transferable Flight Credit:

Book a new flight using the Transferable Flight Credit(s) you’ve received (you pay any difference in fare). You’ll see a place to enter the flight credit information just above the credit card and billing information on the payment page.

See the step-by-step process for Transferable Flight Credits in the following video.

Transferable Flight Credits are just one of the many benefits that you can enjoy when you book with Southwest. Check out all the benefits that come with each Southwest fare type.

Transferable Flight Credit FAQs

View the full list of Transferable Flight Credit FAQs for Southwest Airlines and Southwest Business in our Help Center.

Who can I transfer my Transferable Flight Credit to?

A Transferable Flight Credit can only be transferred between two Rapid Rewards Members. For bookings made through a Southwest Business channel, there is a limitation to transfer only between employees within the organization.

See more benefits of being a Rapid Rewards Member .

How many times can someone make a transfer?

Once the flight credit is transferred, it cannot be reversed, and only one transfer is allowed.

When does the Transferable Flight Credit expire?

Flight credits unexpired on or created on or after July 28, 2022 do not expire and will show an expiration date until our systems are updated. A flight credit with an expiration date on or before July 27, 2022, is expired in accordance with its existing expiration date. See My Account for flight credit expiration dates, if any.

Do I have to transfer the entire Transferable Flight Credit?

Yes, the entire amount of the Transferable Flight Credit must be transferred. You cannot transfer a partial amount.

Am I transferring the ticket with the same itinerary to someone else?

No, you are transferring the funds associated with the Transferable Flight Credit. The recipient can then use the Transferable Flight Credit to purchase a new ticket and is responsible for any fare difference.

Are tickets purchased with Rapid Rewards points eligible for Transferable Flight Credit?

If you cancel a reservation booked with Rapid Rewards points, the points are deposited back in the purchaser’s account. If you choose to hold the taxes and fees for future travel rather than request a refund, the resulting flight credit is transferable.

Starting July 1, 2023 (12:00 a.m. CT), for Wanna Get Away ®  or Wanna Get Away Plus™ reward travel reservations (booked with points): if you do not cancel your reservation at least 10 minutes before the flight’s original scheduled departure time, any points used for booking will be forfeited, along with any taxes and fees associated with your reward travel reservation.

For Anytime or Business Select ®  reward travel reservation: the points used for booking will continue to be redeposited to the purchaser's Rapid Rewards ®  account, and any taxes and fees associated with the reward travel reservation will be converted into a Transferable Flight Credit ™

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No change 5 or cancel fees 6

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*Where available. Available only on WiFi-enabled aircraft. Limited-time offer.

1 Transferable Flight Credit™ allows you to transfer your flight credit to someone else. Both must be Rapid Rewards® Members and only one transfer is permitted. For bookings made through a Southwest® Business channel, there is a limitation to transfer only between employees within the organization.

2 Due to licensing restrictions, on WiFi-enabled international flights, free live TV and iHeartRadio may not be available for the full duration of flight.

3 Internet access for $8 per device from takeoff to landing. Price is subject to change. May not be available for the full duration of flight. In order to provide a top-notch Internet experience, we prohibit access to certain high-bandwidth applications and websites. We also prohibit access to certain obscene or offensive content.

4 First and second checked bags. Weight and size limits apply.

5 Fare difference may apply.

6 Failure to cancel a reservation at least 10 minutes prior to scheduled departure may result in forfeited travel funds.

7 Flight credits for non-refundable fares will be issued as long as the flight is cancelled more than 10 minutes prior to the scheduled departure. Flight credits or refunds for refundable fares will be issued regardless of cancellation time. Flight credits don't expire.

8 Refundable, as long as you cancel your reservation at least ten (10) minutes prior to the scheduled departure of your flight. If you cancel, you’re eligible to receive 100% of your ticket value as a refund to your original form of payment. A Southwest flight credit from a previous reservation that is applied toward a Business Select or Anytime fare will be refunded as a flight credit. For travel booked with Rapid Rewards points, If canceled, points will be returned to the Rapid Rewards account holder who booked the ticket.

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Southwest Airlines' settlement terms with the Department of Transportation (DOT) are kicking in — leading to future customers receiving compensation if they experience a significant flight delay. As part of the settlement sparked from the airline’s 2022 holiday meltdown, Southwest has agreed to award $75 or more in transferrable vouchers to travelers who reach their destination at least three hours late due to an airline-caused disruption or cancellation, according to the DOT .

The airline quietly launched the compensation program on April 16, and has already heard from a few thousand customers, Reuters reported. The effort is part of the airline’s agreement to establish a $90 million reserve fund for future flight delays and cancellations.

“After the 2022 holiday meltdown, our department held Southwest Airlines accountable — and now the airline is required to compensate passengers for lengthy delays and cancellations that they cause,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. “We're pleased to bring these benefits to passengers, and further show the flying public that the Biden-Harris Administration has their back.”

Going forward, Southwest is required to award the vouchers when a flight is canceled or delayed within seven days of the scheduled departure date.

Travelers are not entitled to a voucher if the delay is caused by something like weather.

To request a voucher, passengers must fill out an online form . Travelers must submit their request within one year of their delayed or canceled flight. The vouchers will be transferable and valid for at least one year after the date of issuance, according to the DOT.

A representative for Southwest did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the program from Travel + Leisure .

The program is required to last for three years, Reuters noted, but Southwest CEO Bob Jordan told the wire service consumer programs "rarely change or go away."

In December, the DOT issued a record $140 million fine against Southwest following the 2022 holiday travel meltdown , which saw thousands of flights canceled and passengers stranded. The DOT also said Southwest was financially responsible for at least $750 million, including refunds and future compensation.

The start of the program comes as the DOT issued a new rule detailing when airlines owe travelers a refund.

Related Articles

Southwest cancel or delay your flight? Here's what airlines owe you (and how to get it)

• Airlines are required by the Department of Transportation to offer a refund when they cancel a flight.
• Passengers are also eligible for refunds due to significant delays, but airline definitions vary.
• Airlines may be quick to offer flight credit or vouchers. Getting money back may take extra steps.

Many Southwest passengers weren't where they wanted to be when they woke up Monday morning after a weekend of flight cancellations that stretched into a third day.

One in 10 Southwest flights was canceled Monday, and more than 1,000 flights were delayed as of 3:30 p.m. EDT, according to FlightAware , which tracks cancellations and delays worldwide in real time.

Southwest offered stranded travelers  an array of refunds, flight credits and travel vouchers, but for customers who had to book flights on other airlines, stay extra hotel nights, rent cars to drive home or miss out on time-sensitive plans, that may not be enough, and it can be confusing to figure out what they are owed.

►Southwest apologizes for cancellations: Five-hour wait times, flight shopping and a rental car rush amid weekend woes

►Southwest flight canceled? Here's why the airline won't put you on another carrier

There is a disconnect between what passengers think they are owed and what airlines owe them when flight plans go haywire due to a patchwork of federal regulations and airline policies.  

Rules covering refunds for cancellations and significant flight delays by the airline are dictated by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Hotel and meal vouchers and expense reimbursement are up to individual airline policies spelled out in dozens of pages of legalese known as a contract of carriage . 

"In Europe, it's uniform. In Canada, it's uniform. In the United States, you are at the mercy of the contract of carriage," said William McGee, an aviation adviser to Consumer Reports who has pushed for an air passenger bill of rights for years. Over the summer, he joined other consumer advocates taking their case to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. "In the past 20 years, those contracts have gotten much harder to read, they've gotten lengthier, and they've gotten much weaker from a consumer standpoint."

What's a stranded traveler to do? Know your rights and persistently pursue them, including taking airlines to task on social media. 

"Like a lot of issues with the airlines, consumers are at a disadvantage, and it's going to take perseverance," McGee said. "It’s sort of like you have to play a little (game of ) chicken with the airline."

Can I get a refund if my flight is canceled? 

The Department of Transportation requires airlines to offer a refund when they cancel a flight. It doesn't matter if the reason for the cancellation was outside their control, such as weather, or within their control, such as maintenance issues or flight crew shortages. And it doesn't matter what kind of ticket was bought, including nonrefundable tickets or basic economy tickets.

Airlines prefer to automatically rebook you on their next available flight, but you are under no obligation to take it. Keep in mind, though, that a refund a) might not be instant and b) probably won't cover the cost of a new last-minute ticket unless your original ticket was pricey, so the next-available flight might be the least-expensive option for getting to your destination or back home when things go awry last minute.

If you opt for a refund, you are eligible to get your money back, not just a travel credit or voucher. Airlines are quickest to offer those, so travelers who want their money back often have to take extra steps. Southwest and Delta typically automatically issue travel credit, so travelers who want their money back have to request it.

►I snagged an airline refund: Here's how to get one if you're eligible

►25,000 passenger complaints later: DOT warns airlines – again – to issue refunds for canceled flights

My flight delay is too long. Can I get a refund?

The same DOT rules apply to significant delays, meaning passengers are eligible for a refund regardless of the cause of the airline's delay. The only wrinkle is that airlines' definitions of "significant delay" vary. American offers refunds for delays exceeding 90 minutes; Delta, Spirit and Alaska for two hours, for example.

The airline can't get me on another flight until tomorrow (or later). Do they pay for a hotel? 

Here's where things get trickier and involve those contracts of carriage. Airline policies generally state that they pay for a hotel only if the flight cancellation or overnight delay is their fault and only if you don't live in the city you're stranded in. The earlier you request one, the better, as airport hotels sell out quickly when there's flight cancellation mayhem.

Weather and air traffic control issues are outside airlines' control, so passengers whose flights are scrubbed for those reasons generally aren't given free hotel stays. (Many airlines do offer discounted hotel rates for those affected by weather cancellations, so be sure to ask.)

► Good luck on American :   American Airlines reduces options for passengers with delayed, canceled flights

How do you know the reason for your cancellation? 

"I think passengers, quite frankly, have a right to be suspicious," McGee said. "Airlines are not forthcoming on a lot of issues like this."

But the former airline flight dispatcher said passengers often don't understand how weather across the country can have a ripple effect on an airline.

Savvy travelers should jot down gate announcements or conversations with employees about the reasons for the delay, as well as screenshot any alerts sent about the delay via text or the airline's mobile app to plead their case for reimbursement if the airline denies hotel accommodations because of weather.

I can't wait days for another flight. Can I fly a different airline? 

Stranded passengers are free to check options on other airlines, but whether the airline that canceled the original flight picks up the tab is another question.

Most major airlines, except for Southwest , have so-called interline agreements with competitors, so they can easily transfer passengers when they don't have room. Airlines prefer to keep travelers on their flights, so the option isn't usually offered upfront.

Spirit and other budget carriers don't have interline agreements. Spirit's contract of carriage states, "With limited exceptions, Spirit will not reimburse guests for flights that they book on other carriers."

Will the airline reimburse me for meals?

Like hotel stays, meal vouchers are generally doled out only when the airline causes cancellations and long delays, but it never hurts to ask. Some airlines, including Delta and Southwest, have been known to roll in snack carts or order pizza during extreme weather and other situations outside their control.

Don't expect the airline's money to go far at the airport, airport hotel or area restaurants, if you can find one open. The going rate is $12 per passenger at American and Alaska, for example. Delta says meal money varies by city. Some airlines, including American, say the vouchers can be used for food delivery services such as UberEats.

Contributing: Eve Chen

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Tired of delayed flights? New flying law offers refunds, keeps families together.

Americans are expected to fly more this summer, with a spike already this memorial day. a new law means changes are coming for airline passengers. .

This summer 271 million Americans are expected to trade a seat at the dining room table for a cushioned one 31,000 feet high. Already the travel season is off to a big start, with Memorial Day weekend expected to see airlines 9% busier than 2019.

The airline industry is on a hiring spree to staff planes and ensure smoother flights due to an anticipated 6.3% increase in air travelers from last summer. 

But major airlines are also investing in public relations. Between a door falling off a Boeing Alaska Airlines jet and an increase in near-miss crashes because of short staffing at control towers, many would-be passengers are concerned, although a majority still trust air travel safety. 

During the pandemic the government bailed out airlines – which then raised prices faster than overall inflation and increased fees. Consumer advocates hope a new law will help. The Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act, which President Biden signed last week, passed Congress with bipartisan support. The law aims to make flying less of a burden, with new consumer protections. 

Here’s what American passengers can expect as they jet off for future travel. Don’t expect to fully see the changes until holiday travel 2024 though, as airlines adjust. 

How will the law address flight delays and cancellations?

One of the main issues affecting flight delays and cancellations is staffing. During the pandemic, airlines initially used layoffs, furloughs, and buyouts to reduce staff – and then had a difficult time hiring when travel bounced back. 

Under the new law, the FAA must hire more employees and give more breaks between shifts, to retain burned-out workers in air traffic control and crew positions. 

Another change is that airlines must now offer refunds or book passengers on the next comparable flight at no extra cost if flights are significantly delayed or changed. Last year, 20% of flights were delayed and nearly 2% canceled, according to the Department of Transportation. 

Travelers can expect more accountability from airlines, says John Breyault, a vice president at the National Consumers League. He expects passengers will receive more than smartphone notifications to better communicate the status of delayed and canceled flights and appropriate refund options. The law also allows the FAA to increase civil penalties levied against airlines for misleading passengers.

How will the law help families with children?

There are some fees that families with kids know all too well, like the extra charges that come with parents asking airlines to be seated beside their child. 

The law prohibits airlines from charging fees for children under 13 to sit with an accompanying adult. That’s a shift airlines had to be forced to make, says William J. McGee, a senior fellow for Aviation and Travel at the American Economic Liberties Project.

He recalls one mother telling him “we mostly depend on the kindness of strangers,” during a survey on how parents navigate airline travel. 

Under the new law, customers will also gain more time to use their air fare credits. Airline vouchers for canceled or delayed flights will expire in five years as opposed to just one. 

“When an airline canceled your flight or delayed it, they would offer you vouchers that would expire in as little as a year. Considering that most consumers only fly about once a year, that is of very limited usefulness,” says Mr. Breyault. The change to vouchers that expire in no less than five years is “a big win for consumers,” he added.

How does the new law ensure safer flights?

The new aviation law requires breaks for air traffic controllers between shifts and directs the FAA to increase air traffic controller hiring, important steps to ensure safer flights. There were 10 near-miss runway collisions from late 2022 to early 2023, according to a National Airspace System safety review report. 

The law also creates a new Assistant Secretary in Aviation Safety. That individual will be tasked with increasing the inspection of airplanes before takeoff. A door that fell off an Alaska Airlines jet in January jumpstarted FAA’s investigation into Spirit and Boeing, which found unsafe planes in use with faulty equipment. With an infusion of $105 billion to the FAA, the hope is that more inspections can be taken and safer flights can occur as one of the results.

Additionally, the FAA has to come up with a new evacuation procedure with modern guidelines, says Mr. McGee. “That's something that's long overdue and very welcome. The modeling previously did not include people with disabilities or small children.”

What didn’t make it into the law?

Efforts to standardize legroom and seat size didn’t make it into the final bill, to the chagrin of some consumer advocates.

An attempt to grant state attorneys general powers to enforce more airline regulations also didn’t end up in the final bill after industry objections, says Mr. Breyault. 

“We thought there should be more watchdogs in there given the sheer size of the airline industry and how many passengers fly,” he says.  

The Biden administration is seeking to crack down on more of what it calls “junk fees” through separate Department of Transportation rules announced prior to the FAA reauthorization.

In April, the administration announced a rule requiring airlines to make their price quotes transparent about all fees, including for baggage or canceling or changing a flight. This month, several major U.S. airlines sued to block the new rule, saying airlines already share those fees and consumers will now be “inundated with information that will only serve to complicate the buying process.”

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Southwest Airlines fares now appear with prices on Google Flights.

This marks a significant shift for the carrier, which has historically not allowed its fares to appear on third-party flight aggregators , such as Google Flights and other online travel agencies. That made it difficult to compare Southwest fares against other airlines, as travelers would have to separately search Southwest’s own website to find flights and see prices.

Now, Southwest fares display just like the other airlines in the search results. Here’s how it looks today:

When you select the Southwest flight, the next screen displays the possible fare classes you can book. While the price in the search results shows the lowest available Southwest fare, Wanna Get Away , the next screen shows the other (typically more expensive) fare classes as well, including Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime and Business Select.

How travelers can maximize Google Flights to save on Southwest fares

Now, travelers can use Google Flights to better track price drops — and possibly get money back.

Southwest has long had the best change and cancellation policies among any U.S. airline, even in its lowest fare class. There are no change or cancellation fees and flights can be changed or canceled up to 10 minutes before scheduled departure time (though you will typically pay the difference if you change to a more expensive flight).

For the two highest fare classes, Business Select and Anytime , travelers get the money from a canceled flight back to the original payment method. With Wanna Get Away or Wanna Get Away Plus fares, travelers get a flight credit for canceled flights (and a fare credit for changes to a cheaper flight).

This unique, flexible policy has made it easy for travelers to cancel and rebook the exact same flight if Southwest fares drop .

The challenge up until now? Travelers generally had to continuously monitor fare drops on their own — manually checking Southwest’s website to see if fares went lower.

The addition of Southwest to Google Flights makes this much simpler with its track price tool . Upon selecting a flight on Google flight and toggling the ‘Track prices’ button, Google will send users an email when that fare drops.

Here’s how you can use that to your benefit:

If you already booked a Southwest flight: Set up price tracking as discussed above. That way — if fares drop — you can cancel and rebook the same flight. Even if you booked a Wanna Get Away or Wanna Get Away Plus fare, you’ll receive flight credits when you cancel.

If you’re considering a flight : Domestic flights are typically cheapest when booked one to three months in advance, but the best way to get the cheapest price is to book with a price you feel comfortable with and set a price alert in case the price drops further

With Google’s price alert feature, you might feel more at ease booking a flight now just to have something locked in. If fares do in fact go lower, you’ll get pinged when they do. And if they do, you can cancel and rebook.

What Southwest fare news means for travelers

Google Flights is an easy-to-use tool for finding flights across most airlines. Southwest — which is the third largest U.S. airline by market share, according to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation between March 2023 through February 2024 — now joins the mix, which will make it easier for customers to compare prices and possibly save on flights when prices drop.

(Top photo courtesy of Southwest Airlines)

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Up to $300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Act fast: How to save $70 on future Southwest Airlines flights

Right now, for a limited time, you can save $70 on future Southwest flights.

Costco has extra savings on an already great deal for Southwest Airlines . Costco members can save an extra $20 on top of savings of $50.01 on upcoming Southwest Airlines flights by purchasing a $500 Southwest gift card for $429.99 while supplies last.

This sale is only good for three days.

Deal basics

Airline : Southwest How to book : Purchase the e-gift card through Costco. How to redeem: Redeem online, a the ticket counter or call 1-800-I-FLY-SWA®. Travel dates : N/A Book by : While supplies last through May 27, 2024.

Costco users can purchase a $500 Southwest Airlines e-gift card for $430, resulting in $70 in savings. You can use gift cards to book Southwest travel online, in person or via phone for all Southwest flights. The gift cards do not expire but keep in mind that they are restricted to five per membership in one transaction and are nonrefundable.

Maximize your purchase

If you buy a gift card, consider using the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for 2% back on wholesale club spending on up to $2,500 spent on combined purchases every quarter (then 1%). Or, use the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi (see rates and fees ) for 2% cash back on purchases from Costco and costco.com.

Bottom line

You can purchase $500 Southwest gift cards for $430 while supplies last. This is an opportunity to save $70 on Southwest flights — and potentially earn bonus points by using the right credit card.

Act fast, as these prices are only good for three days (until May 27, 2024), and quantities are limited.

Related reading:

• Costco Anywhere Visa Card review: A great option for Costco lovers
• The 5 best Visa cards for Costco purchases
• I flew to Atlanta for the day to earn a 2-month Southwest Companion Pass — here's why (and how it went)
• Southwest Rapid Rewards: Complete guide to earning, redeeming and maximizing points