SOUTHWEST — Southwest Airlines Bank Charge Explained

SOUTHWEST on your bank statement is a transaction descriptor for Southwest Airlines, a travel company. Southwest Airlines is a major US airline known for no change fees and two free checked bags. Charges are per booking and vary by route, plus any add-ons.

What Is the SOUTHWEST Charge?

SOUTHWEST is a transaction descriptor for Southwest Airlines, a travel company.

Southwest Airlines is a major US airline known for no change fees and two free checked bags. Charges are per booking and vary by route, plus any add-ons. For UK cardholders this usually relates to US travel, and entries read SOUTHWEST.

This code appears on your bank statement because banks display a short payment reference — set by the merchant's payment processor — rather than the company's full trading name. The code SOUTHWEST is the official identifier that Southwest Airlines registered with Visa or Mastercard.

Is the SOUTHWEST Charge Legitimate?

Southwest Airlines is a well-known, legitimate company. Most charges from this merchant are authorised and relate to purchases or subscriptions you signed up for. If you don't recognise the charge, check your email for a receipt or log into your Southwest Airlines account to review recent activity.

How Do I Cancel or Dispute a SOUTHWEST Charge?

  1. Identify the charge: Confirm the charge is from Southwest Airlines by checking your email for a receipt or logging into your account on their website.
  2. Cancel your subscription: If you no longer want the service, log in to Southwest Airlines and cancel your subscription through account settings before the next billing date.
  3. Contact the merchant: If you do not recognise the charge, contact Southwest Airlines customer support and ask for an explanation and refund.
  4. Dispute with your bank: If the merchant does not resolve the issue, call the number on the back of your card and ask to raise a chargeback on the SOUTHWEST transaction. Provide the transaction date and amount.
  5. Section 75 rights: If you paid by credit card and the amount was over £100, you may have additional protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

What Other Names Does Southwest Airlines Use on Bank Statements?

Southwest Airlines may also appear on your statement as:

Frequently Asked Questions About SOUTHWEST

What is SOUTHWEST on my bank statement?

SOUTHWEST is a bank statement transaction code for Southwest Airlines, a travel company. Southwest Airlines is a major US airline known for no change fees and two free checked bags. Charges are per booking and vary by route, plus any add-ons. For UK cardholders this usually relates to US travel, and entries read SOUTHWEST. This descriptor appears because banks display a shortened payment code instead of the full company name.

Is SOUTHWEST a scam?

Southwest Airlines is a well-known, legitimate company. Most charges from this merchant are authorised and relate to purchases or subscriptions you signed up for. If you don't recognise the charge, check your email for a receipt or log into your Southwest Airlines account to review recent activity.

Why is SOUTHWEST on my bank statement?

SOUTHWEST appears on your statement because Southwest Airlines processed a payment through their card payment provider. The code is set by their payment processor and is the official descriptor registered with Visa or Mastercard. Common reasons include a subscription renewal, a one-off purchase, or a trial period that has converted to a paid plan.

How do I cancel SOUTHWEST?

To stop SOUTHWEST charges from appearing on your statement, you need to cancel your Southwest Airlines subscription or account. Log in to the Southwest Airlines website, go to your account settings, and cancel your subscription. If you cannot find the cancellation option or do not recognise the charge, contact your bank to dispute it and block future payments.

How do I get a refund for a SOUTHWEST charge?

If you believe you have been charged incorrectly by Southwest Airlines, first contact their customer support to request a refund. If they are unresponsive or unhelpful, contact your bank and ask to raise a chargeback. You typically have up to 120 days from the transaction date to raise a chargeback claim. For credit card purchases over £100, you may also be protected under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.

For more information about Southwest Airlines and all its known transaction codes, visit the Southwest Airlines merchant page.