What Southwest takes at checkout
Southwest accepts five main forms of payment when you buy tickets or pay fees on their website, mobile app, or by phone: credit cards, debit cards, digital wallets, gift cards, and wire transfers. The method you choose depends on where you're buying and what you're paying for—not all options work everywhere.
Credit and debit cards are the fastest and most widely accepted. Digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay) work on the website and app. Gift cards and wire transfers have specific uses and limits. If you're paying a fee rather than buying a ticket—like a baggage charge or seat selection—your options narrow further.
Key Takeaways
- Credit cards, debit cards, and digital wallets work for ticket purchases on the website, app, and phone.
- Southwest gift cards can only be used for tickets and fees on Southwest flights, not for other airlines or services.
- Wire transfers are available for large group bookings or corporate accounts, not for individual ticket purchases.
- Baggage fees and seat selection fees accept credit, debit, and digital wallets, but not gift cards in all cases.
- The payment method you use does not affect your frequent flyer points or boarding position.
Credit and debit cards: the standard route
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover are all accepted on Southwest's website, mobile app, and phone line. Debit cards work the same way as credit cards at checkout—you enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV just as you would with a credit card.
The main difference between credit and debit is what happens if something goes wrong. A credit card dispute can take weeks to resolve, but the charge is reversed while the dispute is open. A debit card withdrawal comes directly from your bank account, and reversals take longer because the money has already left your account. If you're booking a refundable ticket and think you might cancel, a credit card gives you more protection during the refund window.
Digital wallets: faster checkout on app and web
Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay all work on Southwest's website and mobile app. You don't enter your card number—instead, your phone or device handles the payment using the card you've already stored in that wallet. Checkout is faster because you skip the manual entry step.
Digital wallets are not available when you book by phone. If you're calling Southwest's reservations line, you'll need to provide a credit or debit card number instead. The payment goes through the same system, but the wallet app itself can't process it over the phone.
Southwest gift cards: tickets and fees only
Southwest gift cards can be used to pay for tickets, seat selection, baggage fees, and other Southwest-specific charges. You enter the gift card number at checkout just like a credit card. The balance is deducted from the card, and if the purchase is more than the card's value, you'll need to add another payment method for the difference.
Gift cards cannot be used for third-party services booked through Southwest, such as car rentals or hotel reservations. They also cannot be transferred to another airline or used for non-Southwest purchases. If your gift card balance is low, keep the card—Southwest doesn't expire gift card balances, so you can use the remaining amount on a future booking.
Wire transfers for group and corporate bookings
Wire transfers are available for large group reservations and corporate accounts, not for individual ticket purchases. If you're booking 10 or more passengers, Southwest's group sales team can arrange payment by wire transfer instead of requiring a credit card upfront.
To set up a wire transfer, contact Southwest's group reservations department directly—this option is not available through the website or app. Wire transfers are slower than card payments (typically 1 to 3 business days to clear), so they're used mainly for advance bookings where timing is less critical.
Payment restrictions by purchase type
Most payment methods work for ticket purchases, but some fees have narrower options. Baggage fees, seat selection fees, and early boarding charges accept credit cards, debit cards, and digital wallets. Gift cards work for these fees in most cases, but some older gift cards may not be compatible with the fee payment system—if this happens, use a credit or debit card instead.
Checked baggage fees can also be paid at the airport ticket counter or gate using cash, but this is slower and only works if you're checking a bag at the time of travel. Paying online or in the app before you arrive is faster and guarantees your baggage is tagged correctly.
What happens if your payment is declined
If your card is declined at checkout, Southwest will show an error message and ask you to try again or use a different payment method. Common reasons for decline include insufficient funds, incorrect card number or expiration date, fraud alerts from your bank, or a mismatch between the billing address you entered and the address on file with your card issuer.
If your bank flagged the transaction as suspicious, call your bank to approve it before trying again. If the billing address doesn't match, check that you entered it exactly as it appears on your card statement—even a missing apartment number or a different abbreviation (St. vs Street) can cause a decline. Once the issue is fixed, your booking will go through immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay for a Southwest ticket with PayPal?
No. Southwest does not accept PayPal directly. You can use a credit or debit card linked to your PayPal account, but you'll need to enter the card details into Southwest's payment form rather than paying through PayPal itself.
Do I earn frequent flyer points on the payment method I use?
No. Points are earned based on the flight itself and the fare type you purchase, not on how you pay. Using a credit card, debit card, or gift card makes no difference to your points balance.
What if I want to split payment between two cards?
Southwest's checkout system does not allow you to split a single booking between multiple payment methods. You must use one payment method for the entire purchase. If you need to use two cards, you'll have to make separate bookings.
Can I use an international credit card to book a Southwest flight?
Yes, as long as the card is Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover and has a valid expiration date. You'll need a billing address in the United States for the card to process. If your card is issued outside the US, contact your bank to confirm they allow international transactions before booking.
Is my payment information stored after I book?
Southwest stores your payment method in your account if you create one and choose to save it. You can delete saved payment methods from your account settings at any time. If you book as a guest without creating an account, your payment information is not stored.