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 lately 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 lately 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 it is advisable know should you’re flying Spirit Airways? We have all the small print about how Spirit is perhaps totally different from journeys you have taken with different airways. With this data, you may determine whether or not to guide with Spirit. In case you’ve already booked a Spirit flight, this information will reply widespread questions on flying with the airline so you may have one of the best journey potential.
What fares does Spirit Airways supply?
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
Assume primary economic system. That is the lowest-priced ticket and comes with out frills. This implies you may pay further for every part 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 important cabin ticket. You’ll choose a typical seat without cost 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 permits you to choose considered one of Spirit’s “Comfortable” seats, which characteristic an empty center seat for a bit of additional area. Plus, you may get a full-size carry-on bag, although it’s essential to nonetheless pay for checked baggage. You’ll, nevertheless, be entitled to snacks, nonalcoholic drinks and Group 2 precedence boarding.
Go Huge
This ticket sort presents 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 presents particular Saver$ Membership fares. Nonetheless, you may 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 luggage for you and as much as eight company
- Financial savings on seat choice prices for everybody in your celebration
- Reductions on Shortcut Safety (entry to the quickest potential lane to get via the safety screening expertise)
- Financial savings with choose companions
In case you fly on Spirit incessantly or journey as a gaggle — and sometimes pay for add-ons resembling baggage and seats — membership could rapidly pay for itself. Spirit says should you’re flying with a gaggle, you may recoup your membership payment in a single flight. Nonetheless, before you purchase a membership, take into account how a lot you may probably save and whether or not the financial savings justify the payment.
Can I examine a bag?
Sure, you may pay to examine a number of luggage when flying Spirit — and with the Go Huge seat possibility, you may additionally get a free checked bag. Every checked bag ought to be no bigger than 62 linear inches (size + width + peak) and may weigh 50 kilos or much less.
Checked bag charges range based mostly on the route you are flying and whenever you buy your checked bag with Spirit. You should use 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 costliest and can add about $20 to the preliminary bag payment price.
You will must pay extra charges in case your checked bag is chubby ($125 for as much as 100 kilos) or outsized ($150).
Can I convey a carry-on bag?
All Spirit passengers can convey 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 Comfortable all embrace a carry-on bag within the ticket worth. (It is a comparatively new and welcomed change to the Spirit expertise.) Nonetheless, should you’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 convey 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, it’s essential to pay to pick out your seat. The price depends upon the route, seat sort, whenever 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 course of the airplane: $19
- On the rear of the airplane: $13
In case you do not choose a seat, Spirit’s web site says they may “assign random seats at check-in without cost, however we won’t assure that you’ll get to take a seat with your mates or household.” In case you select this selection, you might luck out with a window seat on the entrance of the plane — however Spirit may also assign you a much less fascinating seat. You need to pay to pick out a seat should you completely should sit with touring companions or have a robust desire 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 Big Front Seat.
Nonetheless, you will not get any further service when flying in Spirit’s Huge Entrance Seats. Plus, no Spirit seats recline. You will must determine whether or not the fee to order a Huge Entrance Seat is price getting a bigger, extra snug seat on the entrance of the plane, even with out different notable perks.
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Can I examine in and get my boarding move on the airport?
Spirit encourages on-line check-in via its web site or app when potential. You should use a self-service kiosk on the airport to examine in and get a boarding move for a $2 payment; or you may ask a customer support agent on the check-in counter to examine you in and print your boarding move for a $10 payment. After all, Spirit will waive the charges in case your journey does not enable on-line check-in — for instance, should you’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 shall be obtainable for buy, however you may must pay for them with a bank card or debit card — so that you may wish to convey snacks and replenish your water bottle after clearing safety should you do not wish to spend cash on board. You’ll be able to 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 Comfortable 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 alter or cancel my flight?
For all 4 courses of Spirit tickets, there is no such thing as a 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 Comfortable 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 may face the next charges per buyer per reserving if it is advisable 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.
In case you change to a flight with a better fare, you may must pay the distinction. In case you cancel or change to a flight with a decrease payment, Spirit will challenge 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 non-compulsory 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 non-compulsory 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 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 obtainable to U.S. residents: the Free Spirit® Journey Mastercard® (no annual payment) and the Free Spirit® Travel More Mastercard® ($0 introductory annual payment, then $79). It solely is sensible 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 whenever you make $5,000 in purchases inside 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 least $10,000 in purchases inside the prior anniversary yr.
- Factors pooling: As the first cardholder, Spirit enables 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 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. You could 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 rivals, 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 fee is cheap, take into account reserving a Huge Entrance Seat for further area. I like to recommend reserving your flight with a bank card that provides journey delay advantages so you may be protected if Spirit delays or cancels your flight.
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