How to Pay Your Southwest Credit Card Bill
Where and how to send your Southwest credit card payment
You can pay your Southwest credit card through three main routes: online through your account, by phone with a representative, or by mailing a check. The online method is fastest and most common — you log into your Southwest credit card account, enter the amount you want to pay, and the money moves within one business day. Phone payments go through the same speed but require you to speak with someone; call the number on the back of your card. Mailed checks take five to seven business days to arrive and post, so mail early if your due date is soon.
Your payment goes to a processing center, not to Southwest Airlines directly. The card is issued by Chase Bank, so Chase handles all billing and payment collection. When you pay online or by phone, the system records your payment immediately, though it may take a day for the money to actually leave your bank account. This gap — between when you pay and when the money moves — matters if you are close to overdraft or if you are trying to time a payment around a deposit.
Key Takeaways
- Online and phone payments post within one business day; mailed checks take five to seven days, so do not mail a payment close to your due date.
- Your minimum payment is due on the same day each month, and paying late triggers a late fee and damage to your credit score.
- You can set up automatic payments so the full balance, minimum, or a fixed amount withdraws on a date you choose each month.
- If you miss a payment, contact Chase immediately — many issuers will waive a single late fee if you call within a few days and bring the account current.
Setting up automatic payments to avoid missed due dates
Automatic payments remove the risk of forgetting. Log into your account, go to the payments or billing section, and select "Set up automatic payment." You choose the date each month (usually between the 1st and the 28th), the amount (minimum payment, full balance, or a fixed dollar amount you set), and your bank account. The system will withdraw that amount on the date you pick, every month, until you cancel it.
Most people choose either the full balance — so the card stays at zero and you pay no interest — or the minimum payment if cash flow is tight that month. A fixed amount works if you want to pay down the card steadily but not all at once. Once automatic payment is set, you do not have to think about it. If your balance changes or you want to skip a month, you can log in and adjust or pause the automatic payment before the withdrawal date.
What happens if you pay late or miss a payment
A late payment occurs when your payment does not post by the due date shown on your statement. Chase charges a late fee — the amount varies but is typically $25 to $40 for the first late payment and higher for repeat lates. More damaging is the hit to your credit score. A payment 30 days late appears on your credit report and can lower your score by 100 points or more, depending on your current score and credit history.
If you miss a payment, call Chase as soon as you realize it. Many issuers will waive the late fee if you call within a few days, bring the account current, and have a clean payment history. Do not wait — the longer you wait, the less likely they are to help. After 60 days late, the damage spreads: the account may be reported to a collection agency, and your interest rate can jump to a penalty rate (often 29.99% or higher). After 180 days, the account is typically charged off, meaning Chase writes it off as a loss and sells the debt to a collector.
Understanding interest charges and how payment timing affects them
If you carry a balance — meaning you do not pay the full statement balance each month — you pay interest on that balance. The Southwest card's interest rate (called the APR, or annual percentage rate) varies based on your credit score and current market rates. You can find your current APR on your statement or in your online account.
Interest accrues daily on your unpaid balance. If your statement balance is $1,000 and your APR is 18%, you owe roughly $15 in interest that month (the exact amount depends on how many days are in the month and when you made purchases). Paying more than the minimum reduces the balance faster and saves you interest. Paying the full balance by the due date means you owe no interest at all — credit cards have a grace period, usually 21 to 25 days, during which no interest accrues if you pay in full.
Using the Southwest card's rewards when you pay your bill
The Southwest card earns points on every dollar you spend, and those points can be used toward flights, seat upgrades, or other Southwest purchases. Your payment itself does not earn points — paying a bill is not a purchase. However, if you use the card for everyday spending and then pay the bill, you earn points on the spending, not on the payment.
Some people use the card to pay other bills (utilities, insurance, rent) to earn points faster, but this only works if the biller accepts credit cards. Many do not, or they charge a fee for credit card payments that wipes out the points value. Check with your biller before trying this strategy. The points you earn belong to you and do not expire as long as your account stays open and in good standing, so you can accumulate them over time.
Paying off your balance faster to reduce interest
If you are carrying a balance and want to pay it down quickly, make multiple payments per month instead of one. Pay what you can afford every two weeks or whenever you have cash available. Each payment reduces the balance immediately, which means less interest accrues in the days that follow. This is especially useful if you have a large balance and a high interest rate.
Another strategy is to pay more than the minimum. The minimum payment is designed to keep you in debt as long as possible — it covers interest and a small portion of principal. If you pay $50 or $100 extra each month, you chip away at the principal much faster. Use an online calculator (search "credit card payoff calculator") to see how much faster you will pay off the card if you increase your payment by a set amount.
What to do if you cannot make a payment
If you know you cannot pay by the due date, contact Chase before the date arrives. Explain your situation — job loss, medical emergency, unexpected expense. Chase cannot forgive the debt, but they may offer options: a temporary hardship plan that lowers your payment for a few months, a deferment that pushes your due date back, or a settlement offer if you are far behind. These options only work if you call first; waiting until you are 60 or 90 days late closes most doors.
If you are struggling with multiple debts, consider speaking with a nonprofit credit counselor. Organizations like the National Foundation for Credit Counseling offer free or low-cost sessions where a counselor reviews your budget and debts and may help you set up a debt management plan. This is different from debt settlement or bankruptcy — it is a structured repayment plan that you and your creditors agree to. A counselor can also help you understand whether your situation calls for more serious action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Southwest credit card with another credit card?
No. Credit card companies do not accept credit card payments because it would create a loop of debt. You must pay with a bank account (ACH), debit card, or check. Some third-party payment services claim to let you pay a credit card with another card, but they charge high fees and are rarely worth it.
What if I pay online but the money does not come out of my bank account?
Online payments usually post within one business day, but the withdrawal from your bank account may take an extra day. Check your bank account and your credit card account separately — they update on different schedules. If three business days have passed and the money still has not moved, contact Chase to confirm the payment was received.
Do I have to pay the full balance, or can I pay just the minimum?
You can pay any amount between the minimum and the full balance. The minimum keeps your account in good standing and avoids a late fee, but you will owe interest on the remaining balance. Paying the full balance avoids all interest. Paying more than the minimum but less than the full balance is a middle ground — you pay some interest but less than if you only paid the minimum.
What is the difference between my statement balance and my current balance?
Your statement balance is what you owed on the date your statement closed — usually the same date each month. Your current balance includes new purchases you have made since the statement closed. If you pay the statement balance by the due date, you owe no interest on those purchases. New purchases after the statement closes have their own grace period.
Can I get my late fee waived if I have never been late before?
Yes, many issuers will waive a single late fee if you call within a few days, have a clean history, and bring the account current. The longer you wait to call, the less likely they are to help. After 30 days late, the fee is usually permanent. Being proactive and calling early is your best chance.