Southwest Airlines’ LUV Vouchers are a valuable form of customer compensation offered when flights are delayed, canceled, overbooked, or when Southwest seeks to make goodwill gestures. Yet, many travelers aren’t sure how to check a LUV Voucher balance, what rules apply, or how to maximize their use.
In this authoritative guide, we explore what LUV Vouchers are, clear up confusion between vouchers, travel funds, and gift cards, and walk you through the exact steps to check your balance — backed by official Southwest Airlines guidance and credible travel industry sources.
What Is a Southwest LUV Voucher?
A Southwest LUV Voucher is a travel credit issued by Southwest Airlines as compensation for service disruptions (like flight delays) or customer service issues. Unlike travel funds, which come from canceled or changed reservations, a LUV Voucher is separate and has its own rules:
- Issued by Southwest as goodwill or compensation.
- Has a voucher number and security code — essential for redemption.
- Cannot be used to pay taxes/fees — only flight base fare costs.
- Often expires within a set period (commonly 6–12 months).
- Can be used by anyone — they are transferable, unlike some travel funds.
- Important: Southwest’s own “Check Travel Funds” system includes travel funds and vouchers in the same lookup tool.
LUV Voucher vs. Travel Funds vs. Gift Cards
Understanding the difference is essential before checking your balance.
| Feature | LUV Voucher | Travel Funds (Flight Credits) | Gift Card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Issued For | Compensation for disruptions | Refund from flight cancellation | Purchased or gifted |
| Transferable to others | (generally) | often tied to original flyer | (fully transferable) |
| Covers taxes/fees | does not | yes | yes |
| Expires | usually 6–12 months | expiration varies by fare type | no expiration |
| Balance check tool available | via lookup with code | via account or lookup | via gift card portal |
Source summary based on official Southwest policies and travel expert resources.
How to Check Your Southwest LUV Voucher Balance
Step-by-Step Guide (Web/Desktop)
1. Find Your Voucher Documents
Before checking balance:
- Locate your Southwest LUV Voucher email, which contains the voucher number and security code.
- If you received a paper voucher, make sure the code is visible.
2. Go to the “Check Travel Funds” Page
Southwest provides an official lookup page where you can see travel funds and certain vouchers:
- Visit: southwest.com → Search “Check Travel Funds”.
- Or go directly to Southwest’s Travel Funds lookup page.
Tip: Even though the page is labeled “Travel Funds”, Southwest includes LUV voucher balance functions here.
3. Enter Your Voucher Information
- Voucher number
- Security code
- (Sometimes your last name, as shown on the voucher)
After entering these details, the system should display:
- Remaining balance
- Expiration date
- Status of each voucher
4. Review & Record Your Voucher Details
Once the balance appears:
- Take a screenshot or note it down.
- Record the expiration date, so you don’t lose the value.
Checking LUV Voucher Balance via Southwest Mobile App
While Southwest’s app primarily displays travel funds or booked flights, users commonly report that voucher balances do not always show in the app’s “My Trips” or “Travel Funds” sections.
Best practice: Always use the online desktop lookup tool for vouchers if available.
Alternative Ways to Check Your Voucher Balance
If the online tool doesn’t work:
1. Call Southwest Customer Service
You can speak to an agent to ask for your voucher balance:
- Southwest Airlines Customer Support: 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792)
Ask the agent:
- “Can you tell me my LUV Voucher balance and expiration date?”
- Provide your voucher number and security code.
This often resolves situations where automated systems don’t show vouchers.
2. At the Airport Ticket Counter
Agents at a Southwest desk can:
- Look up your voucher balance.
- Reprint voucher details if needed.
This is useful if you’re already at the airport and want to redeem or confirm your value.
What You’ll See When Checking Voucher Balance
When your voucher displays successfully, you may see:
Balance remaining (e.g., $45.00)
Expiration date (e.g., Jan 15, 2026)
A notice that taxes/fees cannot be paid with vouchers (common)
Expert Tips for Using Southwest LUV Vouchers
Plan Flights Before Expiration
- Book flights that depart before the voucher expiration date.
- Southwest typically requires both booking and travel to complete before expiry.
Combine with Other Payment Methods
LUV Vouchers can be used with:
- Credit/Debit card (for taxes/fees)
- Gift cards
- Travel funds (where allowed)
But: A maximum of two LUV vouchers can be applied per passenger per reservation.
What Happens if You Don’t Use Your Voucher in Time?
If a voucher expires before you use it:
-
The value cannot be redeemed or exchanged for cash.
In some rare cases, contacting customer service may provide options to extend or reissue for certain situations — but this is not guaranteed.
Troubleshooting: Why Your Voucher Isn’t Appearing
Here are common reasons:
- Voucher Number Entered Incorrectly
→ Re-check the code, including dashes. - Expired Voucher
→ System may not show expired balances. - System Doesn’t Show Voucher Online
→ Try contacting customer support. - Voucher Was Converted to Travel Funds
→ In some cases, vouchers used for flight bookings converted back into travel credits — check Travel Funds instead.
Real-World Example: Checking a Voucher Balance
Scenario:
Jane received a $100 LUV Voucher from Southwest after her flight was delayed. She wants to check the remaining balance today.
Steps Jane took:
- Located the email from Southwest with voucher number.
- Visited Southwest’s Travel Funds lookup page and entered the voucher number + security code.
- Voucher showed a remaining balance and expiration date — she booked a flight before that date.
This process worked smoothly because the lookup tool supports voucher balance checks.
Best Practices Before You Check Your Balance
Keep All LUV Voucher Emails
Southwest issues vouchers via email. Save the voucher code safely.
Double-Check Expiration Dates
Vouchers have expiry conditions that vary based on why they were issued.
Include Voucher Details in Notes
Keep a note of voucher number, value, issue date, security code. Use Desktop When Possible
Some users find the desktop site more reliable than the app.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Below are common user queries with clear, actionable answers.
1. Can anyone use my Southwest LUV Voucher?
Yes — unlike travel funds, vouchers are transferable and can be used by others.
2. How do I check my Southwest LUV Voucher balance without logging into an account?
Use the Travel Funds lookup tool on Southwest.com and enter your voucher number + security code.
3. Do Southwest LUV Vouchers expire?
Yes — most have an expiration date printed on the voucher and must be used before that date.
4. What if my voucher balance shows $0?
It may be:
- Fully redeemed
- Expired
- Converted into travel funds
Contact Southwest if you think it’s incorrect.
5. Can LUV Vouchers be used for taxes and fees?
No — vouchers only cover the flight base fare. Taxes and fees must be paid separately.
6. Can I check multiple vouchers at once?
You typically check one voucher at a time by entering each voucher’s number separately.
7. What if my voucher doesn’t show in the online tool?
Try:
- Using an alternate browser
- Clearing cache/cookies
- Contacting Southwest support
8. Is there a phone number to check my balance?
Yes — call 1-800-435-9792 and ask for voucher balance help.
9. What’s the difference between LUV voucher and travel funds?
LUV vouchers are compensation credits; travel funds come from canceled/changed bookings and have different rules.
10. Can I extend an expired LUV voucher?
Extensions are rare and discretionary. Contact Southwest support; often only applicable in special cases.
11. What’s the best way to track my voucher’s balance over time?
Record the balance when you check it and re-check closer to the expiration date.
12. Can I use LUV vouchers for international flights?
Yes — as long as Southwest operates the international route and fare is eligible, though taxes/fees still apply.
Final Thoughts
Checking your Southwest LUV Voucher balance doesn’t have to be confusing. With the tools Southwest provides, and a careful eye on voucher details, you can confidently find remaining balances and plan your travel accordingly.
If the online tools don’t show your voucher, contacting Southwest customer support is the next best step for authoritative answers.
