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 not too long ago positioned ninth out of 10 on TPG’s 2024 best U.S. airlines list. The airline is infamous for long bag drop lines and poor communication throughout delays. Plus, you may face extra charges when flying Spirit than with most different U.S. airways. Moreover, Spirit Airways not too long ago emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy and has rejected a number of merger proposals from Frontier Airlines, together with the newest bid this January.
So, what do you’ll want to know when you’re flying Spirit Airways? We have got all the small print about how Spirit could 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. When you’ve already booked a Spirit flight, this information will reply widespread questions on flying with the airline so you possibly can have the most effective journey doable.
What fares does Spirit Airways provide?
As we reported last year, Spirit now has 4 fare choices, which you may see as quickly as you begin reserving a flight.
The choices are:
Go
Suppose fundamental financial system. That is the lowest-priced ticket and comes with out frills. This implies you may pay further for all the pieces from a beverage to seat choice to a checked bag. Notably, this ticket sort doesn’t permit for the acquisition of a carry-on bag.
Go Savvy
That is Spirit’s model of a full-fare primary cabin ticket. You can choose a normal seat free of charge at reserving and produce aboard a full-size carry-on. Snacks and drinks should not included, and checked baggage is an extra cost.
Go Cozy
This ticket means that you can choose one in every of Spirit’s “Cozy” seats, which function an empty center seat for a bit of additional area. Plus, you may get a full-size carry-on bag, although you should nonetheless pay for checked baggage. You’ll, nevertheless, be entitled to snacks, nonalcoholic drinks and Group 2 precedence boarding.
Go Large
This ticket sort presents entry to Spirit’s Large 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 out there. This fare class comes with each free checked and carry-on baggage.
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What’s Spirit Saver$ Membership?
Spirit additionally presents particular Saver$ Membership fares. Nevertheless, you possibly can solely get Saver$ Membership fares if you are going to 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 social gathering
- Reductions on Shortcut Safety (entry to the quickest doable lane to get by means of the safety screening expertise)
- Financial savings with choose companions
When you fly on Spirit steadily or journey as a gaggle — and sometimes pay for add-ons reminiscent of baggage and seats — membership could rapidly pay for itself. Spirit says when you’re flying with a gaggle, you possibly can recoup your membership price in a single flight. Nevertheless, before you purchase a membership, think about how a lot you may seemingly save and whether or not the financial savings justify the price.
Can I test a bag?
Sure, you possibly can pay to test a number of baggage when flying Spirit — and with the Go Large seat choice, you may additionally get a free checked bag. Every checked bag must be no bigger than 62 linear inches (size + width + peak) and may weigh 50 kilos or much less.
Checked bag charges differ based mostly on the route you are flying and if you buy your checked bag with Spirit. You need to use a device on Spirit’s web site to calculate baggage charges. Sometimes, paying for luggage throughout reserving is the most cost effective, whereas paying on the airport is the most costly and can add about $20 to the preliminary bag price price.
You may must pay further charges in case your checked bag is chubby ($125 for as much as 100 kilos) or outsized ($150).
Can I deliver a carry-on bag?
All Spirit passengers can deliver 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 further cost. Importantly, the merchandise should match below the seat in entrance of you. (Earlier than a current flight, I discovered that my comparatively empty daypack would simply match into the non-public merchandise sizer.)
Go Savvy, Go Large 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.) Nevertheless, when you’ve bought a Go ticket, the lowest-priced choice, you aren’t allowed to buy a carry-on bag, and you have to to pay for a checked bag if you wish to deliver something past your private merchandise.
Carry-on baggage should 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, if you’re flying with a Go ticket, you should pay to pick your seat. The associated fee relies on the route, seat sort, if you buy the seat and seat location. Common seats price $5 to $50, whereas Large Entrance Seats price $12 to $250 when bought upfront and $25 to $175 when bought onboard.
For a current Spirit flight from Orlando to Louisville, seat prices had been as follows about two weeks earlier than departure:
- Large Entrance Seats: $52
- Exit row: $28
- Close to the entrance of the plane: $25
- In the course of the airplane: $19
- On the rear of the airplane: $13
When you do not choose a seat, Spirit’s web site says they may “assign random seats at check-in free of charge, however we will not assure that you’re going to get to take a seat with your pals or household.” When you select this feature, it’s possible you’ll luck out with a window seat on the entrance of the plane — however Spirit may assign you a much less fascinating seat. It’s best to pay to pick a seat when you completely should sit with touring companions or have a robust desire for a window or aisle.
Ought to I splurge for a Large Entrance Seat?
Large 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 season Hull stated she’s by no means regretted paying further for Large Entrance Seats. TPG contributor Zach Griff additionally loved his flight in a Spirit Big Front Seat.
Nevertheless, you will not get any further service when flying in Spirit’s Large Entrance Seats. Plus, no Spirit seats recline. You may must resolve whether or not the associated fee to order a Large 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 test in and get my boarding go on the airport?
Spirit encourages on-line check-in by means of its web site or app when doable. You need to use a self-service kiosk on the airport to test in and get a boarding go for a $2 price; or you possibly can ask a customer support agent on the check-in counter to test you in and print your boarding go for a $10 price. After all, Spirit will waive the charges in case your journey does not permit on-line check-in — for instance, when you’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 might be out there for buy, however you may must pay for them with a bank card or debit card — so that you would possibly need to deliver snacks and refill your water bottle after clearing safety when you do not need to spend cash on board. You may take a look at the snack and drink options on Spirit’s website earlier than boarding.
There are additionally a number of methods to get free meals and drinks on board. Each Go Cozy and Go Large reserving choices include complimentary drinks and snacks. Free Spirit Gold members (extra on that beneath) obtain a free snack and drink, too.
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Can I alter or cancel my flight?
For all 4 lessons of Spirit tickets, there isn’t a price to cancel a flight inside 24 hours of ticketing if the reservation has been made at the very least seven days earlier than departure. There are additionally no change or cancellation charges for Go Large, Go Cozy and Go Savvy tickets. Nevertheless, for the Go journey choice, a price applies for cancellations or modifications if the reserving was bought on or after February 5, 2025.
In any other case, you may face the next charges per buyer per reserving if you’ll want to change or cancel your flight:
- Six or fewer days from departure: $99 price
- Seven to 30 days from departure: $79 price
- 31 to 59 days from departure: $59 price
- 60 or extra days from departure: No price
There may be additionally a Go cancellation price of $99.
When you change to a flight with the next fare, you may must pay the distinction. When you cancel or change to a flight with a decrease price, Spirit will challenge any remaining stability as a travel credit.
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Can I earn factors on Spirit flights?
Free Spirit is the airline’s free-to-join loyalty program. Members earn 6 factors per greenback on fares and 12 factors per greenback on optionally available add-on objects like baggage and seat choice. Free Spirit Silver and Gold elite members earn much more factors on these purchases: For instance, Gold members earn 10 factors per greenback on fares and 20 factors per greenback on optionally available add-on objects.
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After all, it’s also possible to earn card rewards on purchases with Spirit Airways. To maximise your purchases, I like to recommend utilizing one of many best cards for airfare or journey. My alternative could be the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, or The Platinum Card® from American Express, 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 out there to U.S. residents: the Free Spirit® Journey Mastercard® (no annual price) and the Free Spirit® Travel More Mastercard® ($0 introductory annual price, 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 charges).
- Obtain 5,000 bonus factors every anniversary with the fundamental Journey card after making at the very 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 international transaction charges
The data 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 provider, so alter your expectations accordingly. You could want to attend in lengthy bag drop traces. Plus, there will not be any facilities on board, and Spirit does not serve complimentary meals or drinks with its two decrease fare lessons.
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 facet, the fares are sometimes very low, and the planes are comparatively new.
If the associated fee is cheap, think about reserving a Large Entrance Seat for further area. I like to recommend reserving your flight with a bank card that gives journey delay advantages so you may be protected if Spirit delays or cancels your flight.
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