There’s a moment every Costco shopper knows: you head to the website looking for a deal, and it’s just gone. That’s exactly what happened in early 2025 when the popular Southwest Airlines gift card discount at Costco quietly disappeared, leaving travelers scrambling for answers.

4 related posts

Program end date: January 1, 2025 · Southwest gift card expiration: Never expires · Current availability at Costco: No longer sold

Quick snapshot

1Current Status
2Discount & Value
3Expiration Policy
4Where to Buy Now

Can I Buy a Southwest Gift Card at Costco?

Current status of the program

As of January 2025, Costco no longer sells Southwest Airlines gift cards. Multiple community sources reported that the program ended abruptly. A Reddit user in r/SouthwestAirlines stated that “Southwest ended the program with Costco effective 1/1/25.” The card page on Costco.com no longer exists, and warehouse shoppers in locations like Riverside, CA, confirmed the cards are gone (TUGBBS forum).

Why the program ended

Southwest Airlines ended its gift card partnership with Costco as part of a routine review of retail agreements, according to a post on the Las Vegas Advisor Forum (Las Vegas Advisor Forum (travel tips)). No official statement from either company has been published, but the same forum noted that after the Christmas 2024 sale, Costco ceased offering the cards for at least two months – a pause that turned permanent.

The upshot

Costco members who relied on this deal lost a reliable 14% discount. The program’s quiet end leaves no immediate path for restoration, and Southwest has not announced a replacement partnership.

What this means: Shoppers can no longer rely on Costco for discounted Southwest gift cards. Buying directly from the airline at face value is the only guaranteed option.

How Much Does a Costco Southwest Gift Card Cost?

Historical discount range

Costco previously offered $500 Southwest eGift cards for $429.99, representing a 14% discount. The deal was available through Costco.com with e-delivery, and each membership could purchase up to five cards (Beat of Hawaii (travel savings blog)). FlyerTalk forum members also reported a 14% discount: $500 cards for $430 (FlyerTalk forum (travel community)). The discount appears to have been consistent throughout 2024.

Comparison to face value

Southwest sells gift cards directly at face value – a $500 card costs $500 (Southwest Airlines Help Center). Without a retail partner like Costco, buyers no longer have a discount option for Southwest gift cards. The trade-off: you can now buy unlimited quantities directly, with no membership required.

Three purchase options, one pattern: only Costco offered a discount – and that’s gone.
Purchase Method Price for $500 Card Discount Availability
Costco (historical, 2024) $429.99 14% off Ended Jan 2025
Sam’s Club (reported 2024 deal) $420 (reportedly) 16% off Not confirmed current
Southwest Airlines direct $500 None Always available

The implication: Costco was the only major retailer offering a consistent Southwest gift card discount. Without it, the primary way to save on Southwest travel is to buy during airfare sales and stack with a gift card purchased at face value.

Is It Cheaper to Buy Southwest Gift Cards at Costco?

Costco vs. direct purchase

No – you cannot buy Southwest gift cards at Costco at all anymore. But even before the program ended, the Costco discount was around 14%, saving $70 on a $500 card. Buying directly from Southwest means paying full price.

Other discount retailers

Sam’s Club reportedly offered $500 Southwest cards for $420 in late 2024, a 16% discount, according to FlyerTalk community reports (FlyerTalk forum). However, it is unclear whether that deal is still active. Third-party sites like Raise or CardCash occasionally sell discounted gift cards, but verification of reliability and discount percentage is difficult. Southwest directly warns that third-party sellers may have expired or fraudulent cards (Southwest Airlines Help Center).

The trade-off

Shoppers who want a guaranteed discount on Southwest gift cards must now choose between unreliable third-party listings and waiting for a new retail partner – a situation that leaves even frequent flyers paying full price.

Does a Costco Southwest Gift Card Expire?

Southwest gift card expiration policy

No. Southwest Airlines gift cards never expire, and they do not have dormancy fees (Southwest Airlines Help Center (official policy)). This applies to all Southwest eGift cards, including those purchased through Costco. The cards retain their full value indefinitely.

Using gift cards after program end

Existing Costco-purchased Southwest gift cards can still be used for flights exactly as before. You can combine them with fare sales and earn Rapid Rewards points on the purchase. The only limitation: gift cards cannot be used for Southwest packages or hotel bookings (Beat of Hawaii).

The pattern: your existing cards retain full value, so you lose nothing if you already bought one. The loss is only for future purchases.

Where Else Can I Buy a Southwest Gift Card?

Southwest Airlines website

The most reliable source is Southwest.com itself. You can purchase eGift cards or physical gift cards in any amount from $50 to $500, delivered instantly by email or by mail (Southwest Airlines Help Center). No discount is applied, but you get full flexibility—no membership required, no quantity limit.

Other retailers

Grocery store chains like Albertsons, Safeway, and Kroger sometimes run promotions offering fuel points or store discounts when you buy gift cards – including Southwest. These deals are sporadic and depend on local promotions. Sam’s Club had a deeper discount ($420 for $500) in 2024, but it’s unclear if it will return. You can also check online marketplaces such as GiftCardGranny or CardCash, but always verify the seller’s rating and Southwest’s policy on third-party cards.

What to watch

Community forums on FlyerTalk and Reddit remain the fastest way to learn about new Southwest gift card deals. If a retailer announces a discount, these sources will catch it before official marketing does.

Timeline: The Rise and Fall of Costco Southwest Gift Cards

  • Before January 2025: Costco sold Southwest gift cards at a 14% discount ($500 for $429.99).
  • January 1, 2025: Southwest ended the gift card program with Costco, based on community reports (Reddit r/SouthwestAirlines).
  • After January 2025: Southwest gift cards are no longer available at Costco, and no new partnership has been announced.

Confirmed Facts & Open Questions

Confirmed facts

  • Program ended January 1, 2025 (Reddit, TUGBBS)
  • Southwest gift cards never expire, no fees (Southwest Help Center)
  • Costco previously offered $500 cards for $429.99 (Beat of Hawaii)
  • Maximum of 5 per membership during promotions (FlyerTalk)
  • Gift cards can be stacked with airfare sales (Beat of Hawaii)

What’s unclear

  • Exact discount percentage before 2024
  • Whether Costco will resume the program
  • Why the program ended – no official statement from either company
  • Current discount availability at Sam’s Club or other retailers

What Travelers Are Saying

Southwest ended the program with Costco effective 1/1/25.

— Reddit user in r/SouthwestAirlines

I couldn’t find any Southwest e-gift cards on Costco.com after the new year. The product page just gives a 404 error.

— Facebook user in a companion pass group

The pattern: real travelers felt the loss instantly. The quiet removal left no warning and no alternative discount path for loyal Southwest customers.

Summary: Your Next Move

The Costco Southwest gift card program is gone, likely for good. For travelers who used it to save $70 per $500 card, the absence means either paying full price at Southwest.com or hunting for sporadic third-party deals. For budget-conscious flyers, the clear recommendation: buy Southwest gift cards directly from the airline, then pair them with fare sales to maximize value. If you still hold a Costco Southwest gift card, use it confidently – it never expires and works exactly as before.

Travelers who want to save must now buy gift cards at full price and pair them with airfare sales to recover any value.

Related reading: Costco Southwest Gift Card: Availability, Cost & Alternatives · Costco Southwest Gift Card: Availability, Cost & Alternatives

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Frequently asked questions

How do I check my Southwest gift card balance?

You can check your balance on the Southwest Airlines website under “Gift Cards” or by calling their customer service. The balance never decreases due to fees or expiration.

Can I use a Southwest gift card for flights booked through Costco Travel?

No. Southwest gift cards can only be used for flights booked directly with Southwest Airlines. They cannot be applied to packages or travel agency bookings.

Does Costco sell other airline gift cards?

Yes, Costco occasionally sells gift cards for other airlines, such as Delta and American Airlines, but availability varies. Check Costco.com for current offerings.

What is the face value of a Southwest gift card?

Southwest gift cards are available in denominations from $50 to $500, sold at face value when purchased directly from Southwest.

Are there any fees on Southwest gift cards?

No. Southwest gift cards have no activation fees, no monthly fees, and no dormancy fees. The full value remains available indefinitely.

Can I return a Southwest gift card to Costco?

Costco’s return policy generally allows returns on gift cards only if the card has not been used. Contact Costco customer service for the specific policy on Southwest gift cards.

How long does it take to receive a Southwest e-gift card?

When purchased from Southwest.com, e-gift cards are delivered instantly by email. Physical cards may take 5-7 business days.

Can I combine a Southwest gift card with other discounts?

Yes. Southwest gift cards can be used as payment on the same booking as a promotional fare or sale. The discount from the fare sale applies first, then the gift card covers the remaining balance.