Last edit by: Tanic
Reminder: you must enroll and select Southwest as your airline BEFORE making a reimbursable purchase.
Some have suggested the need to wait several hours or even a day before making the purchase, but there are also several DPs that worked without waiting that long.
(BTW, you will often hear people refer to Southwest as WN. WN is the IATA code for Southwest Airlines. SW is the IATA code for Air Namibia.)
Caution: As of late July 2019, reports are that direct gift card purchases are no longer being reimbursed.
To purchase click here: https://www.southwest.com/gift-card/create-card.html Caution: Do NOT login to your Southwest Rapid Rewards account when making the purchase.
What does appear to work is buying flight tickets less than $100, OR using gift cards to get the charged amount down to less than $100.
Always read the last few pages to get up-to-date DPs.
Some have suggested the need to wait several hours or even a day before making the purchase, but there are also several DPs that worked without waiting that long.
(BTW, you will often hear people refer to Southwest as WN. WN is the IATA code for Southwest Airlines. SW is the IATA code for Air Namibia.)
Caution: As of late July 2019, reports are that direct gift card purchases are no longer being reimbursed.
What does appear to work is buying flight tickets less than $100, OR using gift cards to get the charged amount down to less than $100.
Always read the last few pages to get up-to-date DPs.
Airline fee $250/$200/$100 reimbursement reports: WN (2011-2019)
#76
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 171
$100.00 physical SW gift card credited today......$102.95, still working ^

#77
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 9
Just bought 2 $100 cards. I will report back once credit is applied.

#78
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: IND
Programs: HHonors Dia, IHG Plat, Wyndham Dia, Southwest Companion Pass, Raddison Gold, Frontier 100K
Posts: 79
I transferred an a+ point to my wife's acct ($19). I will re-post in a few days whether it was credited or not. Since Airtran no longer has gift cards, I am going to try this approach to consolidate some of my families credits and then follow on with some points purchaes.

#79
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: IND
Programs: HHonors Dia, IHG Plat, Wyndham Dia, Southwest Companion Pass, Raddison Gold, Frontier 100K
Posts: 79
I transferred an a+ point to my wife's acct ($19). I will re-post in a few days whether it was credited or not. Since Airtran no longer has gift cards, I am going to try this approach to consolidate some of my families credits and then follow on with some points purchaes.

#80
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: DL SM, AT Elite, SW A-List, PC Platinum Ambassador, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 4
Party over for WN gift cert purchases?
In December 2011, I got credit within a few days for $50 electronic gift cert purchases.
I tried using my 2012 credit by purchasing a $50 electronic gift cert last month, but the credit did not post.
Anyone having a similar experience or still getting lucky?
I tried using my 2012 credit by purchasing a $50 electronic gift cert last month, but the credit did not post.
Anyone having a similar experience or still getting lucky?

#81
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Orange County, CA
Programs: AMEX Plat, Hyatt Explorist, JetBlue Mosaic, Wyndham Diamond, National Executive Elite
Posts: 169
I had one for $50 credited without issue in May within 3 days. So far this month I have had over $250 in gift cards, WiFi and in-flight drinks and nothing has been reimbursed. I contacted AMEX, about the drinks and WiFi only of course. The rep said no problem, but when he attempted a manual credit he was given a message that they were pending credits. One was on 6/2, almost 20 days. Looks like there may be some auditing in the works.

#82
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: DL SM, AT Elite, SW A-List, PC Platinum Ambassador, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 4
I contacted Amex via online 'secure message' right at 4 weeks after the charge posted. I just said that I had a fee charged by Southwest Airlines on x date for x amount that had not been credited. (Luckily, the gift card purchase showed up as SPD/AIR FREIGHT.)
They responded "...I've credited the amount of $50.00 to your account..."
I should have bought all the gift cards at the beginning of the year! I'm not sure I want to tempt fate again at this point. Any other ideas on Southwest fees to charge? I hate to leave the other $150 on the table.
They responded "...I've credited the amount of $50.00 to your account..."
I should have bought all the gift cards at the beginning of the year! I'm not sure I want to tempt fate again at this point. Any other ideas on Southwest fees to charge? I hate to leave the other $150 on the table.

#85
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1

Also I see that everyone has tried purchasing the $100 e-certs, has anyone had success recently with purchasing lower denominations?


#86
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 101
Bummer, just got a new platinum card and previously used it for the southwest gift cards without issues... Any more data points?

#87
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA PS, AA GLD, SPG GLD, PC PLT, CC GLD
Posts: 217
I just received two credits for FL (seat assignment fee, another where I bought Group 1 boading at the gate). They didn't post within the 4 week period, and I had to get them manually added.

#88
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Las Vegas or Park City
Posts: 169
My wife has a new MB Plat Amex and I'm wondering if the gift card trick is gone or still working on some airlines? Any recent positive results?

#89
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: NYC
Posts: 302
Rec'd 2 credits for FL
Took a one way trip from SFO-MSY and upgraded on both segments. Had to call in 2 weeks later and have them manually adjust.
Have $2 credit left!
Took a one way trip from SFO-MSY and upgraded on both segments. Had to call in 2 weeks later and have them manually adjust.
Have $2 credit left!

#90
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 171
Seems the physical gift card is no longer working. I have tried recently and came up empty. Are there any new thoughts out there? I had to call in to CS in order to get credit for the $10 EB passes as well.......
