Pay your Southwest credit card online, by phone, or by mail
You can pay your Southwest credit card through the Southwest Airlines website, by calling their customer service line, or by mailing a check. The fastest route is online through your account portal — payments post the same business day if you submit before the cutoff time, usually around 8 p.m. Eastern. Phone payments also process same-day, while mailed payments take 7 to 10 business days to reach the processing center.
Your payment due date appears on your monthly statement and on your online account. You can pay the full balance, the minimum amount due, or any amount in between. If you miss the due date, late fees and interest charges explore, and the missed payment reports to credit bureaus after 30 days.
Key Takeaways
- Online payments through your Southwest account portal post the same business day if submitted before the evening cutoff.
- You can pay by phone at the customer service number on the back of your card, and same-day processing is available.
- Mailed payments take 7 to 10 business days, so send them at least two weeks before your due date to avoid late fees.
- Automatic payments can be set up through your online account to pay a fixed amount or your full balance on the same date each month.
- Paying more than the minimum due reduces the interest you pay and lowers your credit utilization ratio.
Pay online through your Southwest account
Log in to your Southwest Airlines credit card account at the Southwest Airlines website or through their mobile app. Look for a "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now" button, usually visible on your account dashboard or under a "Payments" tab.
Enter the amount you want to pay and confirm your payment method — this is typically the bank account or debit card you registered when you opened the card. Review the payment date shown on the confirmation screen. If you submit before the cutoff time (usually around 8 p.m. Eastern on business days), the payment posts to your account the same day. Payments submitted after the cutoff or on weekends post the next business day.
You will receive a confirmation number and email receipt. Keep this for your records. If you do not see the payment reflected in your account within one business day, contact Southwest customer service at the number on the back of your card.
Pay by phone
Call the customer service number on the back of your Southwest credit card. A representative will ask for your card number, the amount you want to pay, and the bank account or debit card you want to pay from. Have this information ready before you call.
Phone payments process the same business day if you call before the cutoff time, usually around 8 p.m. Eastern. The representative will give you a confirmation number — write it down and ask for an email confirmation as well. Processing takes the same amount of time as online payments, so your account should reflect the payment by the next business day.
Pay by mail
Write a check or money order payable to Southwest Airlines. Include your account number on the check. Mail it to the address shown on your statement under "Payment Address" — this is different from your billing address and is the only address the payment processing center monitors.
Mailed payments take 7 to 10 business days to arrive and post to your account. To avoid a late fee, mail your payment at least two weeks before your due date. If you are close to your due date, use online or phone payment instead. Keep a copy of the check or the confirmation number from your bank's records in case you need to dispute the payment later.
Set up automatic payments
Log into your online account and look for "Autopay" or "Automatic Payments" in the settings or payments section. You can choose to pay your full statement balance, a fixed dollar amount, or just the minimum due each month.
Select the date you want the payment to come out — most people choose the due date or a few days before it. The payment will process automatically on that date each month. You can change or cancel automatic payments anytime through your account, and you will receive an email confirmation each time a payment is processed.
Automatic payments are useful if you want to avoid late fees or if you prefer not to think about the payment each month. However, if your balance changes significantly month to month, you may want to review the amount before each cycle to make sure you are paying what you intend.
What happens if you miss a payment
If your payment does not arrive by the due date, a late fee is charged to your account — the amount varies but is typically $25 to $40 for the first late payment. Interest also accrues on your unpaid balance at your card's regular interest rate.
After 30 days past the due date, the missed payment is reported to the three major credit bureaus and appears on your credit report. This can lower your credit score and affect your ability to borrow money in the future. If you realize you will miss a payment, contact Southwest customer service when ready — they may be able to waive the late fee if it is your first missed payment, or work out a payment plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Southwest credit card with a different bank account than the one I registered?
No. You can only pay from the bank account or debit card you provided when you opened the card. If you want to pay from a different account, you must update your payment method in your online account settings first, then use that new method for your payment.
What time does the online payment cutoff happen?
The cutoff is typically around 8 p.m. Eastern on business days. Payments submitted after this time or on weekends and holidays post the next business day. Check your confirmation screen when you submit your payment to see the exact posting date.
Do I have to pay the full balance, or can I pay just part of it?
You can pay any amount between the minimum due and your full balance. However, if you pay less than the full balance, interest charges explore to the remaining amount. Paying more than the minimum reduces the interest you pay and lowers your credit utilization ratio, which can help your credit score.
What if my mailed payment gets lost in the mail?
Keep a record of the check number and the date you mailed it. If the payment does not post within 10 business days, contact Southwest customer service with this information. They can research whether the payment was received and help you resolve any late fees if the payment was genuinely lost.
Can I pay my Southwest credit card with a credit card or gift card?
No. Credit card payments must come from a bank account or debit card. Paying with another credit card is considered a cash advance and incurs higher fees and interest rates. Gift cards cannot be used to pay credit card bills.