To speak about Spirit Airways is to inform a story of two airways. On the one hand, Spirit has one of many latest fleets within the skies, commendable on-time efficiency and low costs that may be very enticing — particularly for giant teams and households.
However then there’s the Spirit Airways that just lately positioned ninth out of 10 on TPG’s 2024 finest U.S. airways checklist. The airline is infamous for lengthy bag drop strains and poor communication throughout delays. Plus, you will face extra charges when flying Spirit than with most different U.S. airways. Moreover, Spirit Airways just lately emerged from Chapter 11 chapter and has rejected a number of merger proposals from Frontier Airways, together with the latest bid this January.
So, what do it’s essential to know if you happen to’re flying Spirit Airways? We have got all the small print about how Spirit may be completely different from journeys you’ve got taken with different airways. With this data, you possibly can resolve whether or not to e-book with Spirit. Should you’ve already booked a Spirit flight, this information will reply widespread questions on flying with the airline so you possibly can have one of the best journey doable.
What fares does Spirit Airways provide?
The choices are:
Go
Assume fundamental financial system. That is the lowest-priced ticket and comes with out frills. This implies you will pay further for all the pieces from a beverage to seat choice to a checked bag. Notably, this ticket kind doesn’t permit for the acquisition of a carry-on bag.
Go Savvy
That is Spirit’s model of a full-fare major cabin ticket. You can choose an ordinary seat without spending a dime at reserving and convey aboard a full-size carry-on. Snacks and drinks usually are not included, and checked baggage is an extra cost.
Go Cozy
This ticket lets you choose certainly one of Spirit’s “Cozy” seats, which function an empty center seat for a bit of additional house. Plus, you will get a full-size carry-on bag, although you should nonetheless pay for checked baggage. You’ll, nonetheless, be entitled to snacks, nonalcoholic drinks and Group 2 precedence boarding.
Go Huge
This ticket kind affords entry to Spirit’s Huge Entrance Seat (that includes 11 inches of additional legroom and wider, prereclined 2×2 seats with extra-thick cushioning), free Wi-Fi and precedence airport safety, the place obtainable. This fare class comes with each free checked and carry-on baggage.
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What’s Spirit Saver$ Membership?
Spirit additionally affords particular Saver$ Membership fares. Nonetheless, you possibly can solely get Saver$ Membership fares if you buy a 12-month membership, which prices $69.95.
Spirit’s Saver$ Membership does not simply get you decrease fares on flights. Members additionally get:
- As much as 50% off on checked and carry-on baggage for you and as much as eight company
- Financial savings on seat choice prices for everybody in your occasion
- Reductions on Shortcut Safety (entry to the quickest doable lane to get via the safety screening expertise)
- Financial savings with choose companions
Should you fly on Spirit steadily or journey as a gaggle — and infrequently pay for add-ons equivalent to baggage and seats — membership might shortly pay for itself. Spirit says if you happen to’re flying with a gaggle, you possibly can recoup your membership payment in a single flight. Nonetheless, before you purchase a membership, think about how a lot you will possible save and whether or not the financial savings justify the payment.
Can I verify a bag?
Sure, you possibly can pay to verify a number of baggage when flying Spirit — and with the Go Huge seat possibility, you will additionally get a free checked bag. Every checked bag ought to be no bigger than 62 linear inches (size + width + top) and will weigh 50 kilos or much less.
Checked bag charges range primarily based on the route you are flying and if you buy your checked bag with Spirit. You should use a software on Spirit’s web site to calculate baggage charges. Usually, paying for luggage throughout reserving is the most cost effective, whereas paying on the airport is the costliest and can add about $20 to the preliminary bag payment price.
You will have to pay extra charges in case your checked bag is chubby ($125 for as much as 100 kilos) or outsized ($150).
Can I carry a carry-on bag?
All Spirit passengers can carry one private merchandise, like a handbag or laptop computer bag, that’s no bigger than 18 inches by 14 inches by 8 inches with none extra cost. Importantly, the merchandise should match beneath the seat in entrance of you. (Earlier than a latest flight, I discovered that my comparatively empty daypack would simply match into the non-public merchandise sizer.)
Go Savvy, Go Huge and Go Cozy all embody a carry-on bag within the ticket worth. (It is a comparatively new and welcomed change to the Spirit expertise.) Nonetheless, if you happen to’ve bought a Go ticket, the lowest-priced possibility, you aren’t allowed to buy a carry-on bag, and you have to to pay for a checked bag if you wish to carry something past your private merchandise.
Carry-on baggage have to be no bigger than 22 inches by 18 inches by 10 inches.
Can I choose a seat?
Whereas the higher tiers include complimentary seat choice, in case you are flying with a Go ticket, you should pay to pick out your seat. The price is determined by the route, seat kind, if you buy the seat and seat location. Common seats price $5 to $50, whereas Huge Entrance Seats price $12 to $250 when bought upfront and $25 to $175 when bought onboard.
For a latest Spirit flight from Orlando to Louisville, seat prices have been as follows about two weeks earlier than departure:
- Huge Entrance Seats: $52
- Exit row: $28
- Close to the entrance of the plane: $25
- In the midst of the aircraft: $19
- On the rear of the aircraft: $13
Should you do not choose a seat, Spirit’s web site says they are going to “assign random seats at check-in without spending a dime, however we won’t assure that you’re going to get to sit down with your folks or household.” Should you select this feature, you could luck out with a window seat on the entrance of the plane — however Spirit may also assign you a much less fascinating seat. It is best to pay to pick out a seat if you happen to completely should sit with touring companions or have a powerful choice for a window or aisle.
Ought to I splurge for a Huge Entrance Seat?
Huge Entrance Seats are wider and have extra legroom than commonplace Spirit seats. In brief, these seats are just like non-lie-flat business-class merchandise that different carriers fly domestically. TPG editorial director Summer time Hull stated she’s by no means regretted paying further for Huge Entrance Seats. TPG contributor Zach Griff additionally loved his flight in a Spirit Huge Entrance Seat.
Nonetheless, you will not get any further service when flying in Spirit’s Huge Entrance Seats. Plus, no Spirit seats recline. You will have to resolve whether or not the price to order a Huge Entrance Seat is value getting a bigger, extra comfy seat on the entrance of the plane, even with out different notable perks.
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Can I verify in and get my boarding cross on the airport?
Spirit encourages on-line check-in via its web site or app when doable. You should use a self-service kiosk on the airport to verify in and get a boarding cross for a $2 payment; or you possibly can ask a customer support agent on the check-in counter to verify you in and print your boarding cross for a $10 payment. In fact, Spirit will waive the charges in case your journey does not permit on-line check-in — for instance, if you happen to’re flying to/from a rustic that does not permit on-line check-in.
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Will I be served a snack or drink?
Snacks and drinks can be obtainable for buy, however you will have to pay for them with a bank card or debit card — so that you would possibly need to carry snacks and replenish your water bottle after clearing safety if you happen to do not need to spend cash on board. You possibly can take a look at the snack and drink choices on Spirit’s web site earlier than boarding.
There are additionally a number of methods to get free meals and drinks on board. Each Go Cozy and Go Huge reserving choices include complimentary drinks and snacks. Free Spirit Gold members (extra on that under) obtain a free snack and drink, too.
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Can I modify or cancel my flight?
For all 4 courses of Spirit tickets, there isn’t any payment to cancel a flight inside 24 hours of ticketing if the reservation has been made at the least seven days earlier than departure. There are additionally no change or cancellation charges for Go Huge, Go Cozy and Go Savvy tickets. Nonetheless, for the Go journey possibility, a payment applies for cancellations or modifications if the reserving was bought on or after February 5, 2025.
In any other case, you will face the next charges per buyer per reserving if it’s essential to change or cancel your flight:
- Six or fewer days from departure: $99 payment
- Seven to 30 days from departure: $79 payment
- 31 to 59 days from departure: $59 payment
- 60 or extra days from departure: No payment
There may be additionally a Go cancellation payment of $99.
Should you change to a flight with the next fare, you will have to pay the distinction. Should you cancel or change to a flight with a decrease payment, Spirit will difficulty any remaining stability as a journey credit score.
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Can I earn factors on Spirit flights?
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In fact, you can even earn card rewards on purchases with Spirit Airways. To maximise your purchases, I like to recommend utilizing among the best playing cards for airfare or journey. My alternative could be the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked® Card, or The Platinum Card® from American Categorical, as these playing cards will present bonus earnings in your airfare and journey safety in your flight.
Ought to I get a Spirit Airways bank card?
Spirit has two cobranded bank cards obtainable to U.S. residents: the Free Spirit® Journey Mastercard® (no annual payment) and the Free Spirit® Journey Extra Mastercard® ($0 introductory annual payment, then $79). It solely is smart to have these playing cards if a number of of the next is compelling to you:
- Acquire $100 companion flight voucher for the Journey Extra card if you make $5,000 in purchases throughout the prior anniversary yr. This voucher can be utilized as a reduction on companion airfare (excluding taxes and costs).
- Obtain 5,000 bonus factors every anniversary with the fundamental Journey card after making at the least $10,000 in purchases throughout the prior anniversary yr.
- Factors pooling: As the first cardholder, Spirit permits you to mix Free Spirit factors with as much as eight family and friends members.
- 25% rebate on inflight purchases
- Group 2 boarding
- No overseas transaction charges
The knowledge for the Free Spirit Journey Extra and Free Spirit Journey card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.
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Backside line
Spirit is an ultra-low-cost service, so regulate your expectations accordingly. Chances are you’ll want to attend in lengthy bag drop strains. Plus, there will not be any facilities on board, and Spirit does not serve complimentary meals or drinks with its two decrease fare courses.
The airline additionally operates fewer flights on many routes than full-service opponents, leading to fewer rerouting choices in case your flight is delayed or canceled. On the plus aspect, the fares are sometimes very low, and the planes are comparatively new.
If the price is cheap, think about reserving a Huge Entrance Seat for further house. I like to recommend reserving your flight with a bank card that gives journey delay advantages so you will be protected if Spirit delays or cancels your flight.
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