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 big teams and households.
However then there’s the Spirit Airways that just 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 will face extra charges when flying Spirit than with most different U.S. airways. Moreover, Spirit Airways just lately 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 it’s good to know when you’re flying Spirit Airways? We have got all the small print about how Spirit is perhaps totally different from journeys you have taken with different airways. With this data, you’ll be able to resolve whether or not to guide with Spirit. In the event you’ve already booked a Spirit flight, this information will reply frequent questions on flying with the airline so you’ll be able to have one of the best journey potential.
What fares does Spirit Airways provide?
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 fundamental financial system. That is the lowest-priced ticket and comes with out frills. This implies you will pay further for the whole lot 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 predominant cabin ticket. You can choose an ordinary seat at no cost at reserving and produce aboard a full-size carry-on. Snacks and drinks usually are not included, and checked baggage is an extra cost.
Go Cozy
This ticket means that you can choose one among 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, nevertheless, be entitled to snacks, nonalcoholic drinks and Group 2 precedence boarding.
Go Large
This ticket kind provides 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 provides particular Saver$ Membership fares. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to 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 occasion
- Reductions on Shortcut Safety (entry to the quickest potential lane to get via the safety screening expertise)
- Financial savings with choose companions
In the event you fly on Spirit continuously or journey as a gaggle — and sometimes pay for add-ons resembling baggage and seats — membership might shortly pay for itself. Spirit says when you’re flying with a gaggle, you’ll be able to recoup your membership payment 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 payment.
Can I test a bag?
Sure, you’ll be able to pay to test a number of luggage when flying Spirit — and with the Go Large seat choice, you will additionally get a free checked bag. Every checked bag needs to be no bigger than 62 linear inches (size + width + top) and may weigh 50 kilos or much less.
Checked bag charges fluctuate primarily based on the route you are flying and once you buy your checked bag with Spirit. You should utilize a instrument 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 value.
You will have to pay further charges in case your checked bag is obese ($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 underneath 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. (This can be 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 will want 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 out your seat. The fee will depend on the route, seat kind, once you buy the seat and seat location. Common seats value $5 to $50, whereas Large Entrance Seats value $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 course of the airplane: $19
- On the rear of the airplane: $13
In the event you do not choose a seat, Spirit’s web site says they may „assign random seats at check-in at no cost, however we will not assure that you’ll get to sit down with your folks or household.“ In the event 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’s best to pay to pick out a seat when you completely should sit with touring companions or have a powerful 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. Briefly, 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 will have to resolve whether or not the fee to order a Large Entrance Seat is value getting a bigger, extra snug 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 move on the airport?
Spirit encourages on-line check-in via its web site or app when potential. You should utilize a self-service kiosk on the airport to test in and get a boarding move for a $2 payment; or you’ll be able to ask a customer support agent on the check-in counter to test you in and print your boarding move for a $10 payment. 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 will probably be accessible for buy, however you will have to pay for them with a bank card or debit card — so that you would possibly wish to deliver snacks and replenish your water bottle after clearing safety when you do not wish 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 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 is no such thing as a payment 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 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 good 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.
In the event you change to a flight with the next fare, you will have to pay the distinction. In the event you cancel or change to a flight with a decrease payment, Spirit will problem 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, you may as well 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 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 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:
- Achieve $100 companion flight voucher for the Journey Extra card once 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 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 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 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 offered by the cardboard issuer.
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Backside line
Spirit is an ultra-low-cost provider, so regulate your expectations accordingly. It’s possible you’ll 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 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 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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