Southwest: what to check and what to do next.

Before you send a request

Record what happened in your own words. Keep the itinerary, payment receipts and the airline’s explanation. Separate a refund of a charge from reimbursement of an expense and from statutory compensation: qualifying for one does not settle the others.

Check the airline that actually operated the affected flight. A logo on your ticket does not by itself establish the operating company or governing law. Act promptly on baggage problems; initial reporting and a later written claim can have different time limits.

Delay

Request Southwest rebooking after significant disruption; refund options depend on unused travel.

Scope: Check the cited policy’s route, operator, booking and travel-date conditions.

Next step: Choose travel or refund.

• Check change and acceptance conditions.

Official Southwest source ↗ · Checked 2026-10-15 · 58th revised; 2026-09-24

Cancellation

After cancellation, request alternative Southwest travel or an eligible unused-ticket refund.

Scope: Check the cited policy’s route, operator, booking and travel-date conditions.

Next step: Review your booking options.

• Accepted alternatives and used segments matter.

Official Southwest source ↗ · Checked 2026-10-15 · 58th revised; 2026-09-24

Denied boarding

Involuntary oversales bumping can include compensation and replacement travel.

Scope: Check the cited policy’s route, operator, booking and travel-date conditions.

Next step: Request the written notice.

• Volunteering and boarding exceptions differ.

Official Southwest source ↗ · Checked 2026-10-15 · 58th revised; 2026-09-24

Missed connection

Ask Southwest to reroute the disrupted journey; partner-operated connections use separate terms.

Scope: Check the cited policy’s route, operator, booking and travel-date conditions.

Next step: Show the full itinerary.

• Separate tickets are not automatically protected.

Official Southwest source ↗ · Checked 2026-10-15 · 58th revised; 2026-09-24

Downgrade

A lower-cabin change can create refund options under DOT rules.

Scope: Travel involving the United States; the specific law’s conditions still apply.

Next step: Keep both cabin records.

• U.S.-covered travel; flying versus declining differs.

Official government source ↗ · Checked 2026-10-15 · 58th revised; 2026-09-24

Missing paid extras

Request eligible unused optional-service fees after qualifying disruption or denied boarding.

Scope: Check the cited policy’s route, operator, booking and travel-date conditions.

Next step: Keep the service receipt.

• Services supplied on replacement travel differ.

Official Southwest source ↗ · Checked 2026-10-15 · 58th revised; 2026-09-24

Refund dispute

Refundable fares and involuntary disruption refunds differ from voluntary nonrefundable cancellations.

Scope: Check the cited policy’s route, operator, booking and travel-date conditions.

Next step: Identify the refund reason.

• Fare, acceptance and ticket use matter.

Official Southwest source ↗ · Checked 2026-10-15 · 58th revised; 2026-09-24

Meals and accommodation

DOT lists meals after a three-hour controllable wait, plus overnight hotel/transport commitments.

Scope: Check the cited policy’s route, operator, booking and travel-date conditions.

Next step: Ask Southwest for assistance.

• Controllable disruption; confirm circumstances.

Official government source ↗ · Checked 2026-10-15 · 58th revised; 2026-09-24

Voucher dispute

Flight credits, transferable credits and LUV Vouchers have different expiry/redemption restrictions.

Scope: Check the cited policy’s route, operator, booking and travel-date conditions.

Next step: Check the exact credit.

• Original issue/fare terms govern.

Official Southwest source ↗ · Checked 2026-10-15 · 58th revised; 2026-09-24

Delayed baggage

Southwest traces missing checked bags and usually arranges delivery when found. Keep receipts for necessary purchases.

Scope: Check the cited policy’s route, operator, booking and travel-date conditions.

Provision: Delayed baggage; reporting a claim

Next step: Report now: domestic missing bags within 4 hours; international delay within 21 days. Keep the file number.

• The arrival/receipt reporting clock differs by itinerary. Ask about delivery; do not assume all purchases are reimbursed.
• Checked baggage in carrier custody; evidence, exclusions and mandatory law apply. No payment is guaranteed.

Official Southwest source ↗ · Checked 2026-10-17 · Official help page checked 2026-10-17

Lost baggage

If Southwest has not found your bag after 5 days, submit a claim through its baggage claim portal with your incident number.

Scope: Check the cited policy’s route, operator, booking and travel-date conditions.

Provision: Lost baggage; claim portal

Next step: Report missing bags immediately; after 5 days submit the contents and value evidence.

• Domestic initial missing report within 4 hours. Five days opens the claim process; it is not an automatic declaration of loss or payment.
• Checked baggage in carrier custody; evidence, exclusions and mandatory law apply. No payment is guaranteed.

Official Southwest source ↗ · Checked 2026-10-17 · Official help page checked 2026-10-17

Damaged baggage

Show Southwest the damaged checked bag and request a repair or compensation assessment. Keep photographs and the bag.

Scope: Check the cited policy’s route, operator, booking and travel-date conditions.

Provision: Damaged baggage

Next step: Report domestic damage within 24 hours; international damage within 7 days.

• Report in person; if already away, return with the bag. Ordinary wear, packing and manufacturer defects differ. Mandatory international protections may override exclusions.
• Checked baggage in carrier custody; evidence, exclusions and mandatory law apply. No payment is guaranteed.

Official Southwest source ↗ · Checked 2026-10-17 · Official help page checked 2026-10-17

Keep your request clear

Ask for the specific remedy supported by your records, attach copies rather than irreplaceable originals, and keep your submission confirmation. If an airline declines, save its reason before choosing an escalation route. Do not send full credit-redemption codes or account passwords to CoinTravel.

General policy information, not legal advice or an eligibility decision. Published terms may have changed and may differ from those on your travel date. Applicable law may provide additional rights. No payment is guaranteed.