Hey there! I actually had some first-hand experience with Southwest refunds — both with points and travel funds — after a few trips I had to cancel last year. What I love about Southwest is how simple and stress-free they make the whole process, especially compared to some other airlines.
The first time it happened, I’d booked a quick getaway from Dallas to San Diego using Rapid Rewards points. A few days before the trip, a family issue came up, and I had to cancel. I logged into my account, went to “Manage Reservations,” and hit “Cancel.” Immediately, I got a message saying my points were being returned to my account. I refreshed my Rapid Rewards balance later that day, and sure enough, they were already back — no fees, no forms, just instant.
A few months later, I canceled another flight, but this one I’d paid for with cash on a Wanna Get Away fare. Instead of a refund to my card, Southwest turned the value into travel funds automatically. Those funds showed up in my account under the “Travel Funds” section, and I used them a few weeks later to book another flight to Denver. The best part? Everything was stored under my name — no tracking codes or long confirmation numbers needed.
And just recently, I had to cancel a Business Select fare, and that one went straight back to my credit card within a few days.
So from my experience, whether you book with points, cash, or travel funds, Southwest makes refunds easy and fast. They don’t nickel-and-dime you, and it feels like they genuinely respect their customers’ time and money. It’s one of the big reasons I keep flying with them.
