Where your Southwest Airlines credit card payment goes
When you make a payment on a Southwest Airlines credit card, the money goes to Chase Bank, not to Southwest Airlines itself. Chase issues the card and holds your account, so they receive and process every payment you send. Southwest Airlines never touches the payment — they only see the result, which is a lower balance on your account that you can use for future purchases or that reduces what you owe.
This matters because if you have a question about whether a payment posted, or if a payment seems to have disappeared, you contact Chase customer service, not Southwest. The same is true if you need to dispute a charge or set up automatic payments. Southwest can see that you paid your bill (it affects your ability to earn and redeem points), but they cannot process the payment itself or access your account details with Chase.
Key Takeaways
- Chase Bank processes all Southwest Airlines credit card payments, not Southwest Airlines, so contact Chase if you have questions about a payment you sent.
- You can pay online through Chase's website, by phone, by mail, or through automatic payments, and each method has different timing for when the payment posts to your account.
- Payments made online or by phone usually post within one to two business days, while mailed payments take seven to ten business days or longer.
- Setting up automatic payments ensures you never miss a due date, though you should still check your statement each month to catch errors or unauthorized charges.
Paying online through Chase's website or app
The fastest way to pay is through Chase's website or mobile app. Log in with the same username and password you use to check your balance, then look for a "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now" button — the exact wording changes depending on which version of the site or app you are using. You will enter the amount you want to pay and confirm the payment, and it posts to your account within one business day in most cases.
When you pay online, you can choose to pay the full balance, the minimum payment, or any amount in between. Paying more than the minimum reduces the interest you owe if you carry a balance from month to month. You can also schedule a payment for a future date if you want to pay on a specific day — for example, the day after you get paid — though the payment will not post until that date arrives.
Paying by phone with Chase customer service
You can call Chase to make a payment over the phone. The number is on the back of your card and also on your monthly statement. A representative will ask for your account number and the amount you want to pay, then confirm the payment before it is processed. Phone payments also post within one to two business days.
Paying by phone takes longer than paying online because you have to wait for a representative, but some people prefer it because they can ask questions about their account at the same time — for example, whether a charge posted correctly or what your current interest rate is. If you call, write down the confirmation number the representative gives you, in case you need to reference the payment later.
Paying by mail
You can mail a check or money order to the address on your statement. Include your account number on the check so Chase knows which account to credit. Mailed payments take significantly longer to post — usually seven to ten business days from the time Chase receives the envelope, and longer if mail is delayed. Because of this delay, you should mail your payment at least two weeks before your due date to make sure it arrives on time.
If you mail a payment close to your due date and it arrives late, you may be charged a late fee even though you sent the payment on time. For this reason, mailing is the least reliable method. If you do not have online access or prefer not to use it, automatic payments are a safer choice.
Setting up automatic payments
Automatic payments deduct money from your bank account on a date you choose each month. You set this up through Chase's website by linking your checking or savings account and selecting the payment amount and date. Once it is set up, the payment happens automatically every month without you having to do anything.
You can choose to pay the full statement balance, the minimum payment, or a fixed dollar amount. Most people choose either the full balance (so they never carry debt) or the minimum payment (if they are working through a balance). You can change or cancel an automatic payment anytime through your Chase account, and you can also make extra payments on top of the automatic one if you want to pay down your balance faster.
Automatic payments post on the date you select, usually within one business day. This method is the most reliable way to avoid late fees because the payment happens whether you remember it or not. However, you should still check your statement each month to make sure the automatic payment went through and to catch any unauthorized charges.
What happens if you miss a payment or pay late
If your payment does not arrive by the due date shown on your statement, Chase charges a late fee. The amount of the fee depends on how late the payment is and your account history, but it typically ranges from $25 to $40 for the first late payment. A late payment also appears on your credit report and can lower your credit score.
If you realize you will miss a due date, contact Chase as soon as possible. In some cases, they may waive a late fee if you have a good payment history and this is your first missed payment. Even if they cannot waive the fee, calling shows good faith and gives you a chance to ask about options like a payment plan if you are having trouble paying.
Understanding your statement and payment important date
Your monthly statement shows your due date, which is the last day you can pay without a late fee. The statement also shows your statement balance (what you owe for charges made during that billing period) and your current balance (what you owe right now, including any previous unpaid balance). These two numbers are different if you carried a balance from a previous month.
Paying the full statement balance by the due date means you owe nothing and no interest charges accrue. If you pay less than the full balance, you carry the remaining amount to the next month and pay interest on it. The interest rate is shown on your statement as the APR (annual percentage rate). Understanding this difference helps you decide how much to pay each month based on your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for a payment to show up on my account?
Online and phone payments usually post within one to two business days. Automatic payments post on the date you select. Mailed payments take seven to ten business days or longer from when Chase receives them. If you are close to your due date, use online or phone payment to be safe.
Can I pay my Southwest Airlines credit card bill directly through Southwest's website?
No. Southwest does not process payments. You must pay through Chase, either online at Chase's website, by phone, by mail, or through automatic payments. Southwest can see that you paid your bill, but they cannot accept the payment themselves.
What if I pay more than I owe?
The extra amount becomes a credit on your account that you can use toward future purchases. You can also request that Chase send you a refund check for the overpayment, though this takes several weeks. Some people keep a small credit on purpose so their next payment is smaller.
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. Paying only the minimum means you carry a balance and pay interest on it. Paying the full balance means you owe nothing the next month. The choice depends on your situation, but paying more than the minimum saves you money on interest.
What should I do if a payment I made does not show up on my statement?
Wait two to three business days for it to post. If it still has not appeared, contact Chase customer service with the date and amount of the payment. Have your confirmation number ready if you paid online or by phone. Chase can trace the payment and tell you where it is in the system.