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 engaging — 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 will 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 latest bid this January.
So, what do you might want to know for those who’re flying Spirit Airways? We have got all the main points about how Spirit could be completely different from journeys you have taken with different airways. With this data, you’ll be able to resolve whether or not to e-book with Spirit. In case you’ve already booked a Spirit flight, this information will reply widespread questions on flying with the airline so you’ll be able to have the perfect journey attainable.
What fares does Spirit Airways supply?
As we reported last year, Spirit now has 4 fare choices, which you will see as quickly as you begin reserving a flight.
The choices are:
Go
Assume primary financial system. That is the lowest-priced ticket and comes with out frills. This implies you will pay further for all the things from a beverage to seat choice to a checked bag. Notably, this ticket sort doesn’t enable for the acquisition of a carry-on bag.
Go Savvy
That is Spirit’s model of a full-fare primary cabin ticket. You’ll choose a regular seat free of charge at reserving and convey aboard a full-size carry-on. Snacks and drinks will not be included, and checked baggage is a further cost.
Go Comfortable
This ticket means that you can choose one among Spirit’s “Comfortable” seats, which characteristic an empty center seat for a bit of additional house. Plus, you will get a full-size carry-on bag, although you need to nonetheless pay for checked baggage. You’ll, nonetheless, be entitled to snacks, nonalcoholic drinks and Group 2 precedence boarding.
Go Large
This ticket sort affords 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 accessible. 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. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to solely get Saver$ Membership fares if you are going to buy a 12-month membership, which prices $69.95.
Spirit’s Saver$ Membership would not simply get you decrease fares on flights. Members additionally get:
- As much as 50% off on checked and carry-on luggage for you and as much as eight visitors
- Financial savings on seat choice prices for everybody in your celebration
- Reductions on Shortcut Safety (entry to the quickest attainable lane to get by the safety screening expertise)
- Financial savings with choose companions
In case you fly on Spirit steadily or journey as a gaggle — and sometimes pay for add-ons comparable to baggage and seats — membership might shortly pay for itself. Spirit says for those who’re flying with a gaggle, you’ll be able to recoup your membership price in a single flight. Nevertheless, before you purchase a membership, think about how a lot you will seemingly save and whether or not the financial savings justify the price.
Can I verify a bag?
Sure, you’ll be able to pay to verify a number of luggage when flying Spirit — and with the Go Large seat possibility, you will additionally get a free checked bag. Every checked bag ought to be no bigger than 62 linear inches (size + width + peak) and will weigh 50 kilos or much less.
Checked bag charges differ primarily based on the route you are flying and if you buy your checked bag with Spirit. You should utilize a device 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 most costly and can add about $20 to the preliminary bag price price.
You may have to pay extra charges in case your checked bag is obese ($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 current flight, I discovered that my comparatively empty daypack would simply match into the private merchandise sizer.)
Go Savvy, Go Large and Go Comfortable all embrace a carry-on bag within the ticket value. (This can be a comparatively new and welcomed change to the Spirit expertise.) Nevertheless, for those who’ve bought a Go ticket, the lowest-priced possibility, you aren’t allowed to buy a carry-on bag, and you will want to pay for a checked bag if you wish to carry 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 need to pay to pick out your seat. The price 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 prematurely 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 midst of the aircraft: $19
- On the rear of the aircraft: $13
In case 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 mates or household.” In case you select this feature, you could luck out with a window seat on the entrance of the plane — however Spirit can even assign you a much less fascinating seat. It is best to pay to pick out a seat for those who completely should sit with touring companions or have a powerful choice for a window or aisle.
Ought to I splurge for a Large Entrance Seat?
Large Entrance Seats are wider and have extra legroom than normal Spirit seats. Briefly, these seats are just like non-lie-flat business-class merchandise that different carriers fly domestically. TPG editorial director Summer season Hull mentioned 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 have to resolve whether or not the associated fee to order a Large Entrance Seat is price 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 by its web site or app when attainable. You should utilize a self-service kiosk on the airport to verify in and get a boarding cross for a $2 price; or you’ll be able to ask a customer support agent on the check-in counter to verify you in and print your boarding cross for a $10 price. After all, Spirit will waive the charges in case your journey would not enable on-line check-in — for instance, for those who’re flying to/from a rustic that does not enable on-line check-in.
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Will I be served a snack or drink?
Snacks and drinks can be accessible for buy, however you will have to pay for them with a bank card or debit card — so that you may need to carry snacks and refill your water bottle after clearing safety for those who do not need to spend cash on board. You may try 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 Comfortable and Go Large 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 alter or cancel my flight?
For all 4 lessons of Spirit tickets, there is no such thing as a price to cancel a flight inside 24 hours of ticketing if the reservation has been made a minimum of seven days earlier than departure. There are additionally no change or cancellation charges for Go Large, Go Comfortable and Go Savvy tickets. Nevertheless, for the Go journey possibility, a price 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 you might 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.
In case you change to a flight with a better fare, you will have to pay the distinction. In case you cancel or swap to a flight with a decrease price, Spirit will difficulty any remaining steadiness 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 elective 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 elective add-on objects.
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After all, you can even 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 selection can 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 accessible 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:
- Achieve $100 companion flight voucher for the Journey Extra card if you make $5,000 in purchases throughout the prior anniversary 12 months. 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 a minimum of $10,000 in purchases throughout the prior anniversary 12 months.
- 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 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 offered by the cardboard issuer.
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Backside line
Spirit is an ultra-low-cost provider, so modify your expectations accordingly. You could want to attend in lengthy bag drop strains. Plus, there will not be any facilities on board, and Spirit would 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 aspect, the fares are sometimes very low, and the planes are comparatively new.
If the associated fee is affordable, think about reserving a Large Entrance Seat for further house. I like to recommend reserving your flight with a bank card that provides journey delay advantages so you will be protected if Spirit delays or cancels your flight.
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