Every little thing it is best to know earlier than flying Spirit Airways

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 lately positioned ninth out of 10 on TPG’s 2024 greatest U.S. airways checklist. The airline is infamous for lengthy bag drop traces and poor communication throughout delays. Plus, you will face extra charges when flying Spirit than with most different U.S. airways. Moreover, Spirit Airways lately emerged from Chapter 11 chapter and has rejected a number of merger proposals from Frontier Airways, together with the newest bid this January.

So, what do you’ll want to know in case you’re flying Spirit Airways? We have all the small print about how Spirit is perhaps completely different from journeys you have taken with different airways. With this data, you possibly can determine 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 possibly can have the perfect journey potential.

What fares does Spirit Airways provide?

As we reported final 12 months, Spirit now has 4 fare choices, which you will 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 will pay further for all the pieces from a beverage to seat choice to a checked bag. Notably, this ticket kind 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 can choose a regular seat without 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 it’s essential to nonetheless pay for checked baggage. You’ll, nevertheless, be entitled to snacks, nonalcoholic drinks and Group 2 precedence boarding.

Go Massive

This ticket kind presents entry to Spirit’s Massive 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. 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 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 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 the event you fly on Spirit continuously or journey as a bunch — and infrequently pay for add-ons reminiscent of baggage and seats — membership might rapidly pay for itself. Spirit says in case you’re flying with a bunch, you possibly can recoup your membership price in a single flight. Nevertheless, before you purchase a membership, contemplate how a lot you will possible 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 luggage when flying Spirit — and with the Go Massive 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 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 need to use a instrument 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 costliest and can add about $20 to the preliminary bag price value.

You will 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 underneath 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 Massive and Go Cozy all embrace a carry-on bag within the ticket worth. (It is a comparatively new and welcomed change to the Spirit expertise.) Nevertheless, in case 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 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, it’s essential to pay to pick your seat. The fee is dependent upon the route, seat kind, once you buy the seat and seat location. Common seats value $5 to $50, whereas Massive Entrance Seats value $12 to $250 when bought prematurely 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:

• Massive 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 the event you do not choose a seat, Spirit’s web site says they are going to “assign random seats at check-in without cost, however we will not assure that you’re going to get to sit down with your mates or household.” In the event you select this selection, 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 a seat in case you completely should sit with touring companions or have a powerful choice for a window or aisle.

Ought to I splurge for a Massive Entrance Seat?

Massive Entrance Seats are wider and have extra legroom than customary 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 Massive Entrance Seats. TPG contributor Zach Griff additionally loved his flight in a Spirit Massive Entrance Seat.

Nevertheless, you will not get any further service when flying in Spirit’s Massive Entrance Seats. Plus, no Spirit seats recline. You will must determine whether or not the fee to order a Massive 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 test in and get my boarding cross on the airport?

Spirit encourages on-line check-in via its web site or app when potential. You need to use a self-service kiosk on the airport to test in and get a boarding cross 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 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, in case 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 will probably be obtainable for buy, however you will must pay for them with a bank card or debit card — so that you may need to deliver snacks and refill your water bottle after clearing safety in case you do not need to spend cash on board. You’ll be able to try 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 Massive 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 price to cancel a flight inside 24 hours of ticketing if the reservation has been made no less than seven days earlier than departure. There are additionally no change or cancellation charges for Go Massive, Go Cozy 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’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’s additionally a Go cancellation price of $99.

In the event you change to a flight with the next fare, you will must pay the distinction. In the event you cancel or change to a flight with a decrease price, Spirit will problem any remaining stability as a journey credit score.

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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-obligatory 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-obligatory add-on objects.

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After all, you too can earn card rewards on purchases with Spirit Airways. To maximise your purchases, I like to recommend utilizing one of many greatest playing cards for airfare or journey. My alternative can 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 price) and the Free Spirit® Journey Extra Mastercard® ($0 introductory annual price, 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 costs).
• Obtain 5,000 bonus factors every anniversary with the essential Journey card after making no less than $10,000 in purchases throughout the prior anniversary 12 months.
• 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 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 offered by the cardboard issuer.

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Backside line

Spirit is an ultra-low-cost provider, so modify your expectations accordingly. You might want to attend in lengthy bag drop traces. Plus, there will not be any facilities on board, and Spirit would 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 aspect, the fares are sometimes very low, and the planes are comparatively new.

If the fee is cheap, contemplate reserving a Massive 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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