Few airlines had as many ride-or-die customers as Southwest Airlines. But after axing their free bag policy, multitudes of scheduling nightmares, and the holiday disaster of 2022 (were YOU stuck in limbo for three days?), they lost many supporters. 

The airline had to refund customers over $600 million in total and was penalized by the U.S. Department of Transportation for an additional $140 million.

If you’re hesitant to return your loyalty to Southwest, you’re not alone. How will they care for passengers affected by delays next time?

Well, in several common circumstances, you're entitled to compensation if your Southwest flight is delayed. Compensation may include rebooking, flight credits, or vouchers.

What Southwest Owes You for a Delay

While Southwest doesn't offer cash payouts like some international carriers, the Southwest delay policy does provide several forms of compensation when delays are significant and controllable:

• A significant delay is 3 hours or more for domestic flights and 6 hours or more for international flights.
• A controllable delay includes things within the airline’s control, such as maintenance issues, baggage loading, or crew problems. 

Note that Southwest does not offer cash compensation for any flight delays. However, here is what they do offer:

Rebooking

According to their contract of carriage (the legal binding agreement made between the airline and its passengers), if your flight is significantly delayed and it’s the airline’s fault, Southwest will rebook you on their next available flight at no additional cost. 

However, Southwest has made no guarantees that they will rebook you on other airlines since they’re not in any alliances. 

It’s always worth asking the gate agent about it, but it’s not a promise they can be held to. 

Meal vouchers

Southwest has promised they will provide delayed passengers with a meal voucher if the delay is 3 hours or longer. 

While the fine print is vague as to the exact amount, it’s expected that the airline will cover a reasonable meal at the airport you’re stuck in.

The airline has also committed to reimbursing you for a reasonable meal if vouchers are not available. Plus, Southwest claims they might bring out their iconic snack mix and water to waiting customers.

For reimbursement, fill out this form on the Southwest website. 

Complimentary accommodations

Sometimes, delays extend overnight. In this case, Southwest says they will provide stranded travelers with complimentary hotel accommodations if the airline is at fault for the delay. 

In addition to covering the hotel, Southwest says they will cover your transportation to and from the hotel, whether that’s via a shuttle or a third-party rideshare service. 

If hotel vouchers aren’t available at Southwest's partner hotels, the airline promises to honor reimbursement requests for reasonable accommodations and transportation that you book independently. 

So don’t book the penthouse at the Four Seasons! Stick to La Quinta and save your receipts. 

Travel credits

To compensate for the inconvenience, Southwest says they’ll offer travel credits if your flight is delayed and it’s the airline’s fault. 

The credits are fully transferable to another person and can be put toward future travel with Southwest Airlines. 

If you decide not to travel, you can request a refund in the form of a flight credit or transferable travel credit.

LUV voucher

Southwest offers what they call their “LUV” voucher as an inconvenience compensation. You are eligible to receive one if: 

• Your flight was cancelled or delayed within 7 days of departure.
• The travel interruption was the fault of Southwest (controllable).
• You arrived to your destination 3 or more hours later than originally scheduled.
• You fill out the Southwest Delay Form within a year of the disrupted flight.

LUV vouchers can be used for future travel and are transferable to other people. The voucher will be for at least $75, according to their fine print.  

Southwest refund options

When it comes to getting a Southwest refund, you have specific rights under both the airline's delay policy and federal regulations.

If you decline to be rebooked and decline all other forms of compensation, like that flight credit, a full refund will be applied to your original form of payment for the unused ticket. 

This is required under a rule from the Biden-Harris administration.

Essentially, you need to opt out of your trip and choose not to fly. You won’t get a refund if you accept a new flight or the complimentary accommodations outlined above.

Be careful, because the airline may try to convince you to accept a travel credit instead of a full refund. 

This would be a better deal for the airline because they wouldn’t be shelling out cash, and the odds of you remembering to spend that travel credit with them are fairly low.

Unless you’re certain you’re going to use it for something specific, decline the travel credit and just ask for your money back! 

It’s important to keep in mind that you can’t claim a refund if you accept the airline’s accommodations or rebooking offers!

Understanding Your Rights for Southwest Airlines Delay Compensation

As a passenger affected by a delay, it’s helpful to understand the relationship between the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and airline companies and your rights therein. (How’s that for legalese?!) 

Background: The U.S. Department of Transportation regulations

Technically, the DOT does not require airlines to compensate passengers affected by flight delays. 

However, the DOT does enforce the promises that airlines have made to their customers, which are specific and include amenities and services for customers experiencing controllable delays.

The DOT has created an Airline Cancellation and Delay Dashboard that details what each airline has committed to providing for their customers in the instance of flight delays and cancellations. 

I highly recommend you check it out and have it handy whenever you’re flying — it’s a fantastic resource!

What makes a delay

A “significant delay” for domestic flights means your flight has been delayed by 3 or more hours. For international flights, it’s 6 or more hours. 

There are two different categories of delays: controllable and uncontrollable. 

• Controllable delays include things like maintenance issues, baggage loading, or crew problems. These issues are within the airline’s control — because of that, it’s on them to correct your itinerary.
• Uncontrollable delays include weather, air traffic, or “acts of God.” The airline has no control over thunderstorms, for example, or international tensions that delay your flight. These are called “force majeure” events.

The DOT requires airlines to follow through on their specific promises to customers in the case of a controllable delay. 

If airlines fail to adhere to their own commitments, you can file a complaint with the DOT, which will hold them accountable.

Delays beyond Southwest Airlines’s control

While you are entitled to compensation from Southwest in the case of controllable delays, uncontrollable delays are a different story. 

When a flight is delayed because of weather, security concerns, or other “force majeure” events outside of the airline’s control, passengers have few protections.

The Southwest delay policy lists the following as examples of force majeure events:

• Weather issues
• Public health emergencies
• Civil unrest and other security concerns
• Labor shortages, such as strikes and lockouts
• Air traffic control problems
• Shortage of fuel, supplies, labor, etc.

In these situations, Southwest has made no commitment to providing complimentary accommodations, travel vouchers, or other amenities when delays are outside of their control. 

They’ll only rebook you on a new flight or offer you a refund if they can’t re-accommodate your trip.

So, what can you do? Truthfully, not much. 

You could proactively change your flight ahead of time if weather reports aren’t looking good, especially if the airline has already published weather warnings for airports you’ll be flying in or out of. 

But outside of that, airlines are not legally obligated to provide services to you if a delay is out of their control.  

Cancellation compensation

What if your flight is completely canceled (for any reason) and the airline can't rebook you?

In that case, according to the Biden-Harris administration’s rule, you’re entitled to a full refund “of the ticket purchase price, minus the value of any portion of transportation already used.”

Tips: What to Do When Your Southwest Flight Is Delayed

Don’t panic! Delays happen, so if you stay cool and remember your rights as a passenger, you’re already ahead.

When requesting flight delay compensation, you can reference both the DOT dashboard and the Southwest delay policy. Knowing what these say you're owed will strengthen your case for a Southwest refund or other compensation.

Communication is key

When you book your flight, include your correct phone number and email address so the airline can reach you when there are delays or changes to your itinerary. 

Southwest Airlines says they will communicate with you accurately and in a timely manner, so keep your phone handy for those text alerts or other notifications!

Agents from the airline should be available to address your specific needs. Talk to them politely and firmly to make sure you get what you’re entitled to as a passenger. 

This is an instance where having that DOT dashboard or the Southwest Contract of Carriage handy will work in your favor. 

If you run into problems with an airline agent, show them the dashboard on your phone. Legally, they cannot deny you any of the services that are listed on the dashboard for Southwest Airlines!

Sometimes, if there’s a long line at the gate to speak with an agent, it may be faster to connect with an airline representative through the Southwest Airlines website or by calling their helpline: 1-800-435-9792. 

Alternative Compensation Options

If the standard Southwest delay policy doesn't cover your situation, the two main alternative options, in order, are travel insurance and credit card insurance.

Travel insurance coverage

If you purchased travel insurance, you might be eligible for additional compensation beyond what Southwest offers. 

Generally, travel insurance covers unanticipated expenses when you travel domestically or abroad, including travel interruptions like delayed flights.

Check your policy — many cover expenses like meals and hotels even during weather delays.

If you don’t have a travel insurance policy, you can shop for one that suits your needs through an online broker like VisitorsCoverage.

Credit card travel protection

Many credit cards offer trip delay protection if you booked your flight with them. This includes paying the taxes and fees on flights booked with miles. 

These benefits often kick in after shorter delays than airline compensation and can cover more expenses. 

For example, if you booked your flight with the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you might receive compensation of up to $500 per ticket if you’re delayed 6 hours or more. Its sister card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, offers travel delay compensation after 12 hours or more.

FAQs

TL;DR: How To Get Southwest Flight Delay Compensation

Southwest is all about the love, and while their policies cover the essentials in case of controllable delays, like meals and accommodations, they don’t guarantee a service that could actually get you to your destination on time, like rebooking you on partner airlines. 

Don't hesitate to explore your options if you’re delayed and it’s the airline’s fault. They are obligated to provide you with the services in the fine print!

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Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.