I Claimed $150 in Compensation for a Delayed Southwest Flight — Here’s How

Updated: September 18, 2024, 8:30am CDT

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My Flight is Delayed — Now What?
How I Requested Compensation From Southwest Airlines
Final Thoughts

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Flight delays are an unfortunate part of travel sometimes. While I have actually had pretty good luck recently with most of my flights, a recent trip on Southwest Airlines was the exception — my flight was delayed 3 hours due to an aircraft swap.

The good news in this situation is that I requested and received compensation in the form of LUV Vouchers from Southwest Airlines. It was a quick and easy process, and I’ll show you exactly how I did it.

My Flight is Delayed — Now What?

Last month, I flew to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) on Southwest Airlines. When I woke up that morning, I discovered that my flight was delayed almost 3 hours. Obviously, that was incredibly frustrating but there was nothing I could do about it.

Delayed Southwest Flight — This is not what you want to see before a flight. Image Credit: Southwest

Once I returned home from that trip, I wondered if I could get any compensation for the delay, which was caused by an aircraft swap.

According to the Department of Transportation, you’re entitled to compensation if your Southwest Airlines flight is delayed for a controllable reason. Examples of controllable delays include aircraft swaps, maintenance problems, crew problems, cabin cleaning, baggage loading, and fueling.

Here’s what you can expect from Southwest Airlines when your flight is significantly delayed or canceled:

Rebooking on the same airline at no additional cost for significant delays
Meal or cash voucher when a flight is delayed 3 hours or more
Complimentary hotel accommodation when you’re affected by an overnight delay
Complimentary ground transportation to and from the hotel when you’re affected by an overnight delay
Credit or travel voucher for a delay of 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time

Hot Tip:

While uncontrollable delays, due to weather, for example, aren’t covered, it can’t hurt to submit a request for compensation anyway. It only takes a few minutes, and you could end up with a LUV Voucher or reimbursement for expenses.

How I Requested Compensation From Southwest Airlines

In my situation, my flight was delayed about 3 hours, but I wasn’t sure if the official delay was just under or just over that threshold. I decided to see if Southwest would offer compensation for the delay and was pleasantly surprised when my family and I each received a $50 LUV Voucher for the delay.

Here’s exactly how I requested compensation for my delayed Southwest flight.

Step 1: Go to the Southwest website and head to the Travel Funds, Refunds, & Reimbursement page. You can find it by scrolling to the bottom of the home page to Help Center and then clicking on Travel Funds, Refunds, & Reimbursement.

Request compensation for a delayed Southwest Flight — You’ll find the link to request compensation in the Help Center. Image Credit: Southwest

Step 2: Click on I want to request reimbursement for costs due to a delayed or canceled flight.

How to request reimbursement for a Southwest flight 2 — You can request reimbursement for delayed or canceled flights. Image Credit: Southwest

Step 3: Click on Request Reimbursement and then fill out your flight and contact information. You need to provide the flight date, flight number, confirmation number, origin and destination cities, and the airport where the delay occurred.

Request reimbursement for a delayed Southwest flight 3 — Click **Request reimbursement** to access the form you need to fill out. Image Credit: Southwest

Step 4: Choose whether you want to receive a LUV Voucher (for a delay or cancellation) or if you want reimbursement for expenses (for delays of at least 3 hours or cancellations).

How to request SW compensation for flight delay — You can request a LUV voucher or reimbursement for expenses. Image Credit: Southwest

Step 5: Once you have successfully submitted your claim, you’ll receive an email with a case number.

Request compensation for delayed flight on Southwest — You’ll get an email with a case number after submitting your request. Image Credit: Southwest

It could take up to 30 days to review your request. In my situation, I received approval just 4 days after submitting my request. If you are awarded a LUV Voucher as compensation, each ticketed passenger on the reservation gets one, though they will all be emailed to the person who purchased the ticket.

Email from Southwest Airlines — I received a LUV Voucher 4 days after submitting a request. Image Credit: Southwest

Hot Tip:

If you have a Southwest Companion Pass like I do, you need to submit 2 separate requests, since the companion has a different confirmation number.

How To Use Southwest LUV Vouchers

Southwest LUV Vouchers can be used to purchase flights through Southwest for anyone, not just the person who holds the voucher. LUV Vouchers have an expiration date (usually 1 year after being issued) and all travel must be completed by that date.

However, there is a workaround. If you book a flight with your LUV Voucher and then cancel that flight, the funds are held as travel credit, which no longer expires. The only downside is that once funds are considered travel credit, they can only be used for the passenger who holds them. On the other hand, LUV Vouchers are transferrable, so they can be used to book travel for anyone.

Final Thoughts

My recent Southwest flight was delayed about 3 hours, and I was able to quickly and easily request compensation. My family and I each got a $50 LUV Voucher as compensation for the delay.

The DOT requires airlines to provide compensation upon request after a flight cancellation or a delay of 3 hours or more caused by controllable circumstances. Even if you’re not sure if you’re owed compensation, it can’t hurt to request it using Southwest’s online form.