Southwest does not offer payment plans directly through the airline
Southwest Airlines does not let you split a ticket purchase into installments through their own system. When you book a flight on Southwest's website or call their reservations line, you pay the full ticket price upfront by credit card, debit card, or gift card. There is no option to defer payment or break the cost into monthly chunks at checkout.
What Southwest does offer instead is flexibility around changes and refunds. You can hold a reservation for 24 hours without paying, which gives you time to arrange funds. You can also cancel a ticket and receive a travel credit good for one year, which functions as a way to spread your flying across multiple trips rather than paying for one expensive flight all at once.
If you need to finance a ticket, your options sit outside Southwest's system entirely — they involve using a credit card with a promotional 0% period, a personal loan, or a third-party payment plan service that works with airlines.
Key Takeaways
- Southwest requires full payment at the time of booking; the airline does not offer installment options through its own checkout.
- You can hold a reservation for 24 hours without paying, giving you time to find funds before committing.
- Travel credits from cancellations last one year and can spread your flying costs across multiple bookings.
- Third-party payment plan services and credit cards with promotional periods are the main ways to finance a Southwest ticket outside the airline's system.
- Southwest's checked bags and seat selection policies mean the true cost of your trip may be higher than the base ticket price.
How the 24-hour hold works
When you book a Southwest flight, the airline holds your reservation for 24 hours without charging your payment method. During this window, you can cancel the booking with no penalty and no charge. This is not a payment plan — it is straightforward a grace period to confirm your travel dates and arrange payment.
The 24-hour clock starts when you complete your booking. If you do not pay within that window, Southwest cancels the reservation automatically and releases the seat back to inventory. You can rebook the same flight or a different one, but you will start a new 24-hour hold from that point.
This feature is useful if you are waiting for a paycheck, selling something, or checking with travel companions before committing money. It is not a substitute for a payment plan, because you still owe the full amount at the end of the 24 hours.
Travel credits as a way to spread costs
When you cancel a Southwest ticket, the airline issues a travel credit equal to what you paid. That credit is valid for one year from the original booking date and can be used toward any Southwest flight for any passenger — it does not have to be the same person or route.
This creates a form of cost-spreading, though not in the traditional payment plan sense. Instead of financing one expensive trip, you can book multiple shorter flights across the year and pay for each separately. For example, you might book a $400 cross-country flight, cancel it, and use the $400 credit to book four $100 regional flights over the next year.
Travel credits do not expire if you do not use them within the year — Southwest changed this policy during the pandemic and has kept it. However, they are non-refundable and non-transferable to other airlines, so they only help if you plan to fly Southwest again.
Credit cards with promotional periods
Many travel credit cards offer 0% interest for 6 to 21 months on purchases, including airline tickets. If you have access to one of these cards, you can charge your Southwest ticket and pay it off interest-free over several months, as long as you clear the balance before the promotional period ends.
This is the closest thing to a true payment plan for Southwest tickets, but it requires you to already have a credit card with an active promotional offer. You will also need to may have access to for the card and meet any minimum spending requirements. The card issuer, not Southwest, is financing the purchase.
The risk is that if you do not pay off the balance before the promotional period expires, the remaining amount accrues interest at the card's standard rate, which can be 18% to 25% or higher. Read the card's terms carefully to know your exact end date and interest rate.
Third-party payment plan services
Some fintech companies offer payment plans that work with airline bookings. Services like Affirm, Klarna, and PayPal Credit let you split purchases into installments at checkout on certain merchant sites. However, Southwest's website does not integrate with these services, so you cannot use them directly on Southwest.com.
You could theoretically use a third-party payment plan service to fund a personal loan, then use that loan to pay for your Southwest ticket upfront. This adds complexity and cost — you are paying interest or fees to the service, then paying Southwest the full amount when ready. It is rarely the most efficient route.
Some travel agencies that sell Southwest tickets may accept payment plans through third-party services, but this depends entirely on the agency. Call ahead to ask whether they offer this option and what the terms are.
What the full cost of a Southwest ticket actually includes
The base ticket price on Southwest is often lower than competitors, but the total cost of your trip may be higher once you add optional fees. Southwest includes two free checked bags, which saves money compared to airlines that charge $30 to $40 per bag. However, you pay extra for early boarding (EarlyBird Check-In or A-List priority), seat selection on some flights, and any changes to your reservation.
If you are financing a ticket, make sure you account for these add-ons in your budget. A $200 base fare can easily become $250 or $300 once you factor in early boarding and seat selection. Knowing the true total before you commit to a payment plan prevents surprises.
Southwest also charges change fees only if you book a non-refundable fare and want to switch to a different date or time. If you book a refundable fare, you can change your flight free of charge, though you may owe the difference in price. Understanding which fare type you are buying affects how much flexibility costs.
Alternatives if you cannot pay upfront
If you need to fly but cannot pay for a Southwest ticket when ready, your options are limited but real. A personal loan from a bank or credit union typically offers lower interest rates than credit cards and gives you a fixed repayment schedule. You borrow the full ticket price, pay Southwest upfront, and repay the loan over months or years.
Borrowing from family or friends is another route, though it carries relationship risk. Some employers offer paycheck advances or emergency loans to employees, so check your HR benefits before looking elsewhere.
If cost is the barrier, comparing Southwest to other airlines may reveal cheaper options. Budget carriers like Spirit and Frontier often have lower base fares, though they charge for checked bags and seat selection. Regional carriers and connecting flights can also be cheaper than nonstop Southwest flights on the same route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay for a Southwest ticket in installments through the airline?
No. Southwest requires full payment at booking. The airline does not offer installment plans, layaway, or deferred payment options. You must pay the entire ticket price upfront using a credit card, debit card, or Southwest gift card.
What happens if I do not pay within the 24-hour hold?
Southwest automatically cancels your reservation after 24 hours and releases the seat. You can rebook the same flight or a different one, and a new 24-hour hold begins. No charge is applied if you do not pay within the window.
Can I use a payment plan service like Affirm to buy a Southwest ticket?
Not directly on Southwest.com. Southwest's website does not integrate with third-party payment plan services. Some travel agencies may accept these services, but you would need to contact them separately to ask.
Is a travel credit the same as a refund?
No. A travel credit is a voucher you can use toward a future Southwest flight. It is not cash back and cannot be transferred to another airline. It expires one year from your original booking date, though Southwest has not enforced expiration during the pandemic and beyond.
What is the cheapest way to finance a Southwest ticket?
A credit card with a 0% promotional period is usually cheapest if you may have access to and can pay off the balance before the period ends. A personal loan from a bank or credit union is the next option. Avoid high-interest credit cards and payday loans, which can cost more than the ticket itself.