Where to send your Southwest credit card payment
Southwest Airlines issues its credit card through Chase, so you send payments to Chase, not to Southwest directly. You have three main routes: online through your Chase account, by phone, or by mail. The online method is fastest and shows up in your account within one business day. Phone payments take the same time but require you to speak with someone. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to reach Chase's processing center, so plan ahead if you choose this route.
To pay online, log into your Chase account at chase.com, find your Southwest card, and select "Make a Payment." You can pay from a bank account you've already linked or add a new one. Chase will ask how much you want to pay — your full statement balance, the minimum due, or a custom amount. If you pay by phone, call the number on the back of your card. For mail payments, the address appears on your statement.
Key Takeaways
- Southwest credit card payments go to Chase, not Southwest Airlines, because Chase is the card issuer.
- Online and phone payments post within one business day; mail payments take 7 to 10 business days.
- You can pay your full balance, the minimum due, or any amount in between through any payment method.
- Setting up automatic payments through Chase prevents missed due dates and late fees.
- Paying more than the minimum due each month reduces the interest you pay on any balance you carry.
Setting up automatic payments to avoid late fees
The easiest way to never miss a due date is to set up automatic payments through your Chase account. Log in, go to your Southwest card, and select "Automatic Payments." You choose the payment amount — full statement balance, minimum due, or a fixed dollar amount — and the date each month when Chase pulls the money from your bank account. Most people choose the full statement balance so they never carry interest charges.
Automatic payments are especially useful if you travel frequently or have an unpredictable schedule. Once it's set up, the payment happens on its own. You can change or cancel the automatic payment anytime through your Chase account, so there's no lock-in. If your bank account doesn't have enough money on the scheduled date, the payment will fail and you'll owe a late fee, so make sure your account stays funded.
What happens if you miss a payment
If your payment doesn't arrive by the due date shown on your statement, Chase charges a late fee. The fee amount depends on your balance — typically $25 to $35 for the first late payment, and up to $39 for subsequent ones within six months. More importantly, a late payment stays on your credit report for seven years and can lower your credit score by 100 points or more, depending on how late the payment is.
If you realize you've missed a payment, call Chase when ready at the number on your card. Paying right away limits the damage, though the late fee still applies. If this is your first late payment and you've been a good customer, Chase may remove the fee if you ask — it's worth a phone call. After 30 days late, the damage to your credit score is significant. After 60 days, Chase may close your account. After 180 days, they typically send the debt to a collection agency.
Paying off a balance and managing interest charges
If you carry a balance on your Southwest card from month to month, Chase charges interest on that balance. The interest rate (called the APR, or annual percentage rate) varies based on your credit score and current market rates, but typically ranges from 18% to 27% for credit cards. This means if you owe $1,000 and don't pay it off, you'll owe roughly $15 to $22 in interest charges that month alone.
The fastest way to stop paying interest is to pay off your full statement balance each month. If you can't do that, pay as much as you can above the minimum due. Even an extra $50 per month cuts the time you carry the balance and reduces total interest charges. Use the payment calculator on your Chase account to see how long it will take to pay off your balance if you make a certain payment each month.
Using your Southwest rewards to pay your bill
The Southwest credit card earns points (called Rapid Rewards) on every purchase. You can redeem these points for flights, but you cannot use them to pay your credit card bill directly. However, you can book a flight with your points, which frees up cash in your budget to put toward your card payment instead. Some cardholders use this strategy to offset the cost of carrying a balance.
Another option is to look for a sign-up bonus if you're a new cardholder. The current offer typically includes a large number of points after you spend a certain amount in the first few months. If you're planning to use the card anyway, hitting that spending threshold and earning the bonus can give you a free flight, which reduces your overall travel costs and makes the card's annual fee (if any) worth the cost.
Paying from outside the United States
If you're traveling internationally and need to make a payment, you can still pay online through your Chase account from anywhere with internet access. This is the safest method because it avoids international wire fees and currency conversion issues. Log in to chase.com, make your payment in U.S. dollars, and it posts the same way as a domestic payment.
If you prefer to pay by phone while abroad, call the number on the back of your card — Chase has international customer service lines. Avoid using your bank's wire transfer service to pay your credit card bill, because wire fees often cost $15 to $50 and Chase may not credit the payment to your account quickly. Stick with the online portal or phone line for the fastest, cheapest result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Southwest credit card with another credit card?
No. Credit card companies don't accept payments from other credit cards because it increases fraud risk and creates a cycle of debt. You must pay from a bank account, by check, or by phone using a bank account. Some third-party payment services claim to let you pay a credit card with another card, but they charge high fees and are often scams.
What's the difference between the statement balance and the current balance?
Your statement balance is what you owed on the day your monthly statement closed — usually 20 to 25 days before your due date. Your current balance includes new purchases you've made since the statement closed. If you pay only the statement balance, new purchases will still be on your next bill. Most people pay the full current balance to avoid carrying any balance forward.
Does paying early help my credit score?
Paying early doesn't hurt your score, but it doesn't help it either. Your credit score is based on whether you pay by the due date, not how early you pay. What matters most is paying on time every month and keeping your balance low relative to your credit limit. Paying the full balance each month is better for your score than paying the minimum.
What if Chase won't let me pay online?
This usually means your account is frozen due to fraud concerns or a past-due balance. Call Chase at the number on your card to unlock your account. If your account is past due, you may need to pay by phone with a representative. Once your account is current, online payments should work again.
Can I set a payment reminder instead of automatic payments?
Yes. Chase offers email and text reminders that notify you a few days before your due date. You can set these up in your account settings. However, reminders only alert you — they don't make the payment automatically. You still have to log in and pay manually, so automatic payments are more reliable if you want to may provide you never miss a due date.