Know before you go
Be flexible. A Guest Pass is a nonrevenue, space available
ticket, which means that you’ll be traveling on a standby
basis (not confirmed). You’ll be cleared on the standby list
only if a seat is available.
The Guest Pass has five coupons. The first two cou-
pons are for your departure flight(s), the second two are
for your return flight(s), and the fifth is your Passenger
Receipt. Please do not separate these coupons from the
Passenger Receipt copy; otherwise, you may be denied
boarding. The Customer Service Agent will help you fill in
and separate them at the Ticket Counter or Gate. If your
itinerary requires connecting flight(s), you will use the
transfer pass coupons (coupons 2 and 4). The Customer
Service Agent will help you with this if needed. Addition-
al transfer coupons can be obtained in your departure
city when necessary.
Start planning your trip. Visit Southwest.com to view
the schedule and determine which flight(s) you’d prefer
to travel on. Have several backup plans in case your first
choice doesn’t work out. Keep in mind that you may not be
cleared as a standby Passenger on your preferred flights
during high peak travel times like Spring Break or the
Super Bowl or during inclement weather situations.
Tell us your plans. Before heading to the airport, check
flight availability and create a nonrevenue listing for your
trip through the Employee who gave you the Guest Pass
or by calling (866) FLY-SWNR (866-359-7967). Make sure
that the name in the listing exactly matches your govern-
ment-issued ID. You’ll also need to provide your date of
birth and gender to comply with TSA requirements. Don’t
forget to jot down your six-digit listing number (PNR) so
that you can retrieve your security document, or cancel
or change your listing.
Have your PNR and government-issued photo ID
handy. Grab your Guest Pass and print your security doc-
ument by selecting “Check In Online” on the home page
of Southwest.com before leaving for the airport (this is not
a boarding pass, but it will get you through TSA Security).
You’ll need your valid government-issued photo ID, PNR,
and Guest Pass to check in and add your name to the
standby list when you arrive at the airport.
Keep it simple. If possible, bring a carryon and pack
travel-size toiletries, rather than checking luggage (keep
in mind that Southwest assumes no baggage liability for
nonrevenue travelers).
Dress to impress. While Southwest’s dress code is relaxed
and casual, you will be expected to present a clean, well-
groomed, and tasteful appearance.
At the airport
Time is of the essence. Give yourself plenty of time to
park, check in, and go through security. Most airports
recommend that you arrive one-plus hours prior to
your flight’s scheduled departure time (allow more time
during holidays and on peak times on Fridays, Sundays,
and Mondays).
Make it ocial. Add your name to the standby list at the
ticket counter or at the gate up to two hours prior to your
flight’s scheduled departure time. Nonrevenue Customers
are cleared by priority type (Employees first, then Depen-
dents, and then Guest Pass travelers) and checkin time, so
the sooner you check in the better!
Hand it over. If you didn’t add your name to the standby
list at the Ticket Counter, present your Guest Pass to the
Customer Service Agent once you arrive at the Gate and
ask them to add your name to the nonrevenue standby list.
Take a seat and relax. Stay in the Gate Area, but don’t
hover. Standby Passengers are called starting 10 min-
utes prior to departure. If seats are available, your name
will be called.
You heard your name! Approach the Gate Podium and
the Agent will exchange your Guest Pass coupon for a
Boarding Pass. Ensure that you have the return portion
of your pass for your return flight (if applicable). Then, sit
back, relax, and enjoy your flight! Since Southwest has an
open-seating style, choose any available seat. However,
always sit behind the wing and please do not sit in the
premium seats (emergency exit row or bulkhead seats)
unless those are the only available options.
Your name wasn’t called. Wait until the flight has de-
parted before speaking with the Agent about other flight
options (or call 866-359-7967). Also, be sure to retrieve
your unused Guest Pass coupon if the Agent collected
it from you and you weren’t cleared on the standby list.
Helpful information
Got questions?
Call the Employee from whom you recieved the
pass or Southwest Nonrevenue Traveler’s Number at
(866) FLY-SWNR (866-359-7967).
Helpful web addresses
To search flight options:
Southwest.com/flight
To review suggested airport arrival times by city:
Southwest.com/html/air/airport-information.html
To review Southwest policies on baggage, boarding, etc.:
Southwest.com/html/customer-service
Additional information
Lost or stolen Guest Passes cannot be replaced.
Guest Passes may not be sold for cash or cash equivalent.
Failure to follow nonrevenue policies and requirements
could result in your being denied boarding and a suspen-
sion of flight privileges or disciplinary action, up to and
including termination for the Employee who gave you
the Guest Pass.
Traveling on a Southwest Airlines Guest Pass
