Sep 17, 2014, 10:45 am
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)
Feb 16, 2013, 9:16 pm
#136
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 14
Just go to southwest.com and click the link at the top of the homepage to buy a gift card. Another data point, purchased a $75 gc on the 11th and got reimbursed today.
Feb 21, 2013, 8:22 pm
#137
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: DL/UA/AA
Posts: 40
Purchased $75 GC on Feb 17, got reimbursed Feb 21 
Mar 2, 2013, 12:39 pm
#138
Join Date: Jun 2007
Programs: Amex Plat
Posts: 22
just purchased 1 $100, hopefully it'll go though, if it does i'll do another hundred, my last ones were 2/18/2012 and 2/15/2013.
Went to the site to reselect it and it says i was already selected ?! even tho i know that wasnt right
oh well we'll see
Went to the site to reselect it and it says i was already selected ?! even tho i know that wasnt right
oh well we'll see
Mar 2, 2013, 5:50 pm
#139
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: MSP
Posts: 376
Purchased on 2/24, the second day after enrolling. No credit yet.
Mar 20, 2013, 1:53 pm
#140
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: PHX, SAN
Programs: WN CP, SPG Gold, National Exec
Posts: 278
A gift certificate data point: Bought a $200 SWest gift certificate in December, and I didn't automatically receive the incidental benefits credit. I called after four weeks, explained that my incidental benefits credit hadn't posted, and the CSR processed it so that it posted. She was friendly did ask what my wife (it's her card) charged; I told a white lie, that I didn't know but thought it was for change and baggage fees.
In January I Bought four $50 SW gift certificates on my Platinum and four $50 SW GCs on my wife's Platinum. Full credits for both posted automatically in a few days.
In January I Bought four $50 SW gift certificates on my Platinum and four $50 SW GCs on my wife's Platinum. Full credits for both posted automatically in a few days.
How do the charges appear on everyone's statement?
Mar 30, 2013, 3:59 pm
#141
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 37
Saturday, March 30
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES 45 dollars and.00 Cents
Doing Business As SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
Merchant Address ATTN SUPVR CR CD BILLINGS, MAIL STA 6AR/PO BOX 36611, DALLAS, TX 75235 UNITED STATES
Category Travel - Airline
Sometimes businesses like hotels and gas stations place a temporary charge on your Card, so please check the charge amount after the transaction posts.
EDIT: Here's what it looks like after posting -
Select to close the transaction details Saturday, March 30
SW AIR DALLAS TX 45 dollars and.00 Cents
Doing Business As SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
Merchant Address PO BOX 36611, DALLAS, TX 75235 UNITED STATES
Additional Information 7900089181 (214) 792 - 4223
reference number XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Category Travel - Airline
From To Carrier Class
N/A N/A YY
N/A YY
N/A YY
N/A YY
TICKET NUMBER XXXXXXXXXXXXX
DATE OF DEPARTURE
PASSENGER NAME
DOCUMENT TYPE SPD/AIR FREIGHT
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES (MASTE
Last edited by TotalNoob; Apr 1, 2013 at 7:10 am
Mar 31, 2013, 12:33 pm
#142
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 57,066
Success! Full $200 credit for gift cards ($150+$50)
The details, as they appear online at AmEx (I've bolded the key info.). All of this happened automatically. I ordered the gift cards at southwest.com. There was about a week between when I selected SW as the airline for the $200 credits and when I bought the cards.
Transaction Date: 03/30/2013 Sat
Transaction Description: AMEX Airline Fee Reimbursement
Amount $: -150.00
Doing Business As: SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
Merchant Address: PO BOX 36611 DALLAS TX 75235 UNITED STATES
Reference Number: [redacted]
Category: Travel – Airline
Transaction Date: 03/30/2013 Sat
Transaction Description: AMEX Airline Fee Reimbursement
Amount $: -50.00
Doing Business As: SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
Merchant Address: PO BOX 36611 DALLAS TX 75235 UNITED STATES
Reference Number: [redacted]
Category: Travel – Airline
Transaction Date: 03/26/2013 Tue
Transaction Description: SW AIR DALLAS TX
7900088849 (214) 792 - 4223
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES (MASTE
From: To : Carrier : Class :
N/A
N/A YY
N/A YY
N/A YY
N/A YY
Ticket Number : [redacted] Date of Departure :
Passenger Name :
Document Type : SPD/AIR FREIGHT
Amount $: 50.00
Doing Business As: SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
Merchant Address: PO BOX 36611 DALLAS TX 75235 UNITED STATES
Reference Number: [redacted]
Category: Travel – Airline
Transaction Date: 03/26/2013 Tue
Transaction Description: SW AIR DALLAS TX
7900088849 (214) 792 - 4223
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES (MASTE
From: To : Carrier : Class :
N/A
N/A YY
N/A YY
N/A YY
N/A YY
Ticket Number : [redacted] Date of Departure :
Passenger Name :
Document Type : SPD/AIR FREIGHT
Amount $: 150.00
Doing Business As: SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
Merchant Address: PO BOX 36611 DALLAS TX 75235 UNITED STATES
Reference Number: [redacted]
Category: Travel - Airline
Transaction Date: 03/30/2013 Sat
Transaction Description: AMEX Airline Fee Reimbursement
Amount $: -150.00
Doing Business As: SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
Merchant Address: PO BOX 36611 DALLAS TX 75235 UNITED STATES
Reference Number: [redacted]
Category: Travel – Airline
Transaction Date: 03/30/2013 Sat
Transaction Description: AMEX Airline Fee Reimbursement
Amount $: -50.00
Doing Business As: SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
Merchant Address: PO BOX 36611 DALLAS TX 75235 UNITED STATES
Reference Number: [redacted]
Category: Travel – Airline
Transaction Date: 03/26/2013 Tue
Transaction Description: SW AIR DALLAS TX
7900088849 (214) 792 - 4223
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES (MASTE
From: To : Carrier : Class :
N/A
N/A YY
N/A YY
N/A YY
N/A YY
Ticket Number : [redacted] Date of Departure :
Passenger Name :
Document Type : SPD/AIR FREIGHT
Amount $: 50.00
Doing Business As: SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
Merchant Address: PO BOX 36611 DALLAS TX 75235 UNITED STATES
Reference Number: [redacted]
Category: Travel – Airline
Transaction Date: 03/26/2013 Tue
Transaction Description: SW AIR DALLAS TX
7900088849 (214) 792 - 4223
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES (MASTE
From: To : Carrier : Class :
N/A
N/A YY
N/A YY
N/A YY
N/A YY
Ticket Number : [redacted] Date of Departure :
Passenger Name :
Document Type : SPD/AIR FREIGHT
Amount $: 150.00
Doing Business As: SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
Merchant Address: PO BOX 36611 DALLAS TX 75235 UNITED STATES
Reference Number: [redacted]
Category: Travel - Airline
Apr 3, 2013, 7:14 pm
#143
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Baltimore, MD
Programs: MileagePlus, AmxMR, SPG-Gold
Posts: 21
Bought 2 Giftcards on SWA, reimbursed automatically, no issues.
# 1: Purchased $50 GC on 3/23 - Amex Reimbursement on 3/26
# 2: Purchased $150 GC on 3/30 - Amex Reimbursement on 4/02
# 1: Purchased $50 GC on 3/23 - Amex Reimbursement on 3/26
# 2: Purchased $150 GC on 3/30 - Amex Reimbursement on 4/02
Apr 4, 2013, 4:17 pm
#144
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 37
$200 airline fee reimbursement reports: WN/FL only
45 dollar gift card posted March 30th and was credited April 2nd.
Apr 5, 2013, 1:54 pm
#145
Join Date: Sep 2004
Programs: NWA Worldperks
Posts: 89
Just had an odd, yet positive reimbursement outcome.
Bought a $200 GC and immediately used that + Platinum card to buy a SW ticket for $233.90. GC purchase posted as "Document Type : SPD/AIR FREIGHT" followed by a $33.90 charge for the rest of the ticket that was "Document Type : PASSENGER TICKET"
A few days later, the reimbursements posted: $33.90 reimbursement and a $166.10 reimbursement.
So they actually credited me for something that was clearly marked as a ticket purchase, and applied the rest of the credit to the GC purchase.
Bought a $200 GC and immediately used that + Platinum card to buy a SW ticket for $233.90. GC purchase posted as "Document Type : SPD/AIR FREIGHT" followed by a $33.90 charge for the rest of the ticket that was "Document Type : PASSENGER TICKET"
A few days later, the reimbursements posted: $33.90 reimbursement and a $166.10 reimbursement.
So they actually credited me for something that was clearly marked as a ticket purchase, and applied the rest of the credit to the GC purchase.
Apr 23, 2013, 5:31 pm
#146
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 46
$40 "jump to front of A" reimbursable?
Early this year, Southwest began offering a $40 option to "jump to the front of A" about 45 minutes before departure. (Well, near the front, anyway.) Does anyone know whether this $40 fee is reimbursable with the $200 Platinum fee reimbursement? Normally, the $40 might not be a good value, but it's kind of hard to rack up $200 in Southwest fees each year, so it might be worth it if it can be reimbursed. Could provide a shot at an exit aisle..
Apr 24, 2013, 3:06 pm
#147
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: UA 1K | MR Platinum
Posts: 492
Early this year, Southwest began offering a $40 option to "jump to the front of A" about 45 minutes before departure. (Well, near the front, anyway.) Does anyone know whether this $40 fee is reimbursable with the $200 Platinum fee reimbursement? Normally, the $40 might not be a good value, but it's kind of hard to rack up $200 in Southwest fees each year, so it might be worth it if it can be reimbursed. Could provide a shot at an exit aisle..
I personally find that the increased EBCI fee has only made it easier to deplete this credit. Figure I'll get as many EBCIs as I can and cash the rest out via GC if necessary at year's end.
May 4, 2013, 9:24 pm
#148
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 46
I haven't seen anyone try this yet, the $40 buy-up is a relatively new process with WN. You could be the first to try it
I personally find that the increased EBCI fee has only made it easier to deplete this credit. Figure I'll get as many EBCIs as I can and cash the rest out via GC if necessary at year's end.
I personally find that the increased EBCI fee has only made it easier to deplete this credit. Figure I'll get as many EBCIs as I can and cash the rest out via GC if necessary at year's end.
May 6, 2013, 11:59 am
#149
Join Date: May 2013
Location: MCI
Posts: 9
Data point:
Charged (2) $100 WN gift cards 5.1.13. It registered as just (1) $200 transaction on the statement.
Document type showed as "SPD/AIR FREIGHT"; Category was "Travel - Airline"; it also had a ticket number associated with it.
AMEX Airline Fee Reimbursement for $200 on 5.4.13, again shown as "Travel - Airline."
Charged (2) $100 WN gift cards 5.1.13. It registered as just (1) $200 transaction on the statement.
Document type showed as "SPD/AIR FREIGHT"; Category was "Travel - Airline"; it also had a ticket number associated with it.
AMEX Airline Fee Reimbursement for $200 on 5.4.13, again shown as "Travel - Airline."
May 14, 2013, 9:20 pm
#150
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 33
Another data point, bought a $50 SW gift certificate on 5/6 and was credited on 5/9. I then bought a $150 SW GC on 5/10 and was credited on 5/13