Southwest® intends to operate all flights as planned. Unfortunately, sometimes things happen that we determine we can’t control (like bad weather) or we determine we can control (like fixing a plane) that may cause a delay or cancellation.
If Southwest cancels or significantly delays a flight because of something we determine we can control (like a mechanical issue or needing to swap out planes), you may be eligible for compensation in the form of a Southwest LUV Voucher® if:
- Southwest canceled or delayed your flight less than eight days before it was supposed to leave and you arrived to your final destination three or more hours later than planned; and
- The cause of the delay or cancellation was something Southwest determined we could control; and
- You ask for the Southwest LUV Voucher using Southwest.com/DelayForm no later than one year from the date of the delayed/canceled flight(s).
If Southwest already issued a voucher for this delay or cancellation we won’t give another one for the same issue.
For delays or cancellations that don’t fit these rules, Southwest may choose to give a Southwest LUV Voucher.
Do I need to submit a voucher request for each Passenger on my itinerary?
No. If you are eligible for a Southwest LUV Voucher®, a voucher will be sent to all Passengers on your reservation. If a Passenger in your party is traveling on a separate reservation, a second form will need to be completed even if the reservations are linked.
I submitted a request for a Southwest LUV Voucher. What happens now?
You will receive an email with a case number shortly after submitting a request.
Your flight details will be evaluated, and while you won’t be able to access your request to check the status, you should receive a response within 30 days informing you if you are eligible for a voucher.
If you qualify for a voucher, a Southwest LUV Voucher® (SLV) for each ticketed Passenger will be sent to the email address associated with the purchaser of your reservation. The SLV(s) should be sent within 10 business days after the decision email is received.
I used a Southwest LUV Voucher I received following a significant flight delay or Southwest-initiated cancellation to purchase a new flight that was then canceled by Southwest. I want to transfer my flight credit to another Passenger. What should I do?
If you received a Southwest LUV Voucher® after the conditions described above were met, AND you used that voucher to purchase a Basic fare on a new flight that was then canceled by Southwest Airlines® AND you elected not to be rebooked and so didn’t complete travel, you may be eligible to receive a transferable Southwest LUV Voucher equal to the value of the portion of your ticket purchased with a Southwest LUV Voucher. You must request the Southwest LUV Voucher by contacting us.
