Can you use travel funds for EarlyBird?

Southwest Unused Travel Funds are simply a “credit” that Southwest grants you. The credit is tied to the original person they were associated with. Southwest flight credits unexpired on, or created on or after July 28, 2022 do NOT expire! You can only use these funds to pay for future flights, NOT for Early Bird.



No, as of 2026, Southwest Airlines does not allow you to use "Flight Credits" (travel funds) to purchase EarlyBird Check-In. Flight credits can only be applied toward the "base fare," taxes, and government fees of a new flight booking. Ancillary services—such as EarlyBird, pet fees, or upgraded boarding—must be paid for with a "fresh" form of payment like a credit card or a Southwest gift card. However, there is a "workaround" for some travelers: if you have a Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card, you can pay for the EarlyBird fee and receive a statement credit for the cost (up to two per year). It is also important to note that EarlyBird Check-In is non-refundable; if you cancel your flight, the money spent on EarlyBird is forfeited and cannot be converted into a flight credit for future use.

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Travel funds cannot be retroactively applied to a reservation, and we can't extend expiration dates. Our travel funds policy is extremely flexible - you have an entire year from the date of purchase to use your funds. I hope you'll be able to squeeze in an extra trip!

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New for 2022, EarlyBird Check-In is included with the purchase of an Anytime fare. Customers who purchase an Anytime fare will automatically be checked in to their flight 36 hours prior to scheduled departure—that's 12 hours before our traditional 24-hour check-in.

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Priority preboarding is available for Customers who have a specific seating need to accommodate their disability, need assistance in boarding the aircraft, or who need to stow an assistive device. Customers who are traveling with assistance and emotional support animals qualify for preboarding.

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Customers can add EarlyBird Check-In to their reservation up to 36 hours prior to a flight's scheduled departure. Upgraded Boarding guarantees an A1-A15 boarding position and, when available, can be added to a reservation up to 30 minutes before a flight's scheduled departure.

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Keep in mind, travel credits can only be used to book flights, and can't be used to pay for extras like seats or bags.

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Customers with eligible reservations may check in online at www.southwest.com or using the Southwest® app available here. Once you have checked in for your flight, you can print your boarding pass online, download via the Southwest app, or choose to receive a text.

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Customers who need special assistance and families with children under 2 years old can ask to board early at the gate.

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You can also use 2 travel funds and a credit card. If you cancel or change a flight paid for with a travel fund or multiple travel funds, the credit is given back to you in the form of a single travel fund with the expiration date of the earliest expiration of the travel funds you used to make the original purchase.

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Yes, you can choose either to a) receive a method-of-payment refund or b) hold the value of the ticket as a flight credit or Transferable Flight CreditTM (depending on the fare) to buy a future flight.

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