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 just lately positioned ninth out of 10 on TPG’s 2024 finest 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 just lately emerged from Chapter 11 chapter and has rejected a number of merger proposals from Frontier Airways, together with the latest bid this January.
So, what do you’ll want to know in case you’re flying Spirit Airways? We have got all the main points about how Spirit is likely to be completely different from journeys you have taken with different airways. With this data, you may resolve whether or not to e book with Spirit. In the event you’ve already booked a Spirit flight, this information will reply widespread questions on flying with the airline so you may have the very best journey doable.
What fares does Spirit Airways supply?
As we reported final yr, 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 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 major cabin ticket. You can choose an ordinary seat without cost at reserving and produce aboard a full-size carry-on. Snacks and drinks are usually not included, and checked baggage is an extra cost.
Go Comfortable
This ticket permits you to choose one in every of 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 have 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 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. Nonetheless, you may 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 get together
- Reductions on Shortcut Safety (entry to the quickest doable lane to get by way of the safety screening expertise)
- Financial savings with choose companions
In the event you fly on Spirit often or journey as a gaggle — and infrequently pay for add-ons equivalent to baggage and seats — membership might rapidly pay for itself. Spirit says in case you’re flying with a gaggle, you may recoup your membership charge in a single flight. Nonetheless, before you purchase a membership, contemplate how a lot you will probably save and whether or not the financial savings justify the charge.
Can I verify a bag?
Sure, you may pay to verify a number of luggage when flying Spirit — and with the Go Massive seat choice, 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 fluctuate primarily based 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. 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 charge price.
You may must pay further 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 further cost. Importantly, the merchandise should match below the seat in entrance of you. (Earlier than a latest flight, I discovered that my comparatively empty daypack would simply match into the private merchandise sizer.)
Go Savvy, Go Massive and Go Comfortable all embody a carry-on bag within the ticket value. (This can be a comparatively new and welcomed change to the Spirit expertise.) Nonetheless, in case 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 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 have to pay to pick out your seat. The price depends upon the route, seat kind, whenever you buy the seat and seat location. Common seats price $5 to $50, whereas Massive Entrance Seats price $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 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 without cost, however we will not assure that you’re going to get to take a seat with your pals or household.” In the event you select this feature, chances are you’ll 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 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 much like non-lie-flat business-class merchandise that different carriers fly domestically. TPG editorial director Summer time 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.
Nonetheless, you will not get any further service when flying in Spirit’s Massive Entrance Seats. Plus, no Spirit seats recline. You may must resolve whether or not the associated 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 verify in and get my boarding go on the airport?
Spirit encourages on-line check-in by way of its web site or app when doable. You should use a self-service kiosk on the airport to verify in and get a boarding go for a $2 charge; or you may ask a customer support agent on the check-in counter to verify you in and print your boarding go for a $10 charge. After all, Spirit will waive the charges in case your journey would not permit on-line check-in — for instance, in case 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 shall be out there for buy, however you will must pay for them with a bank card or debit card — so that you would possibly need to carry snacks and refill your water bottle after clearing safety in case you do not need to spend cash on board. You possibly can 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 Comfortable 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 alter or cancel my flight?
For all 4 lessons of Spirit tickets, there isn’t any charge 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 Massive, Go Comfortable and Go Savvy tickets. Nonetheless, for the Go journey choice, a charge 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 charge
- Seven to 30 days from departure: $79 charge
- 31 to 59 days from departure: $59 charge
- 60 or extra days from departure: No charge
There may be additionally a Go cancellation charge of $99.
In the event you change to a flight with a better fare, you will must pay the distinction. In the event you cancel or change to a flight with a decrease charge, Spirit will concern any remaining steadiness 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 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 finest 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 out there to U.S. residents: the Free Spirit® Journey Mastercard® (no annual charge) and the Free Spirit® Journey Extra Mastercard® ($0 introductory annual charge, 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 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 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 regulate your expectations accordingly. You could 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 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 aspect, the fares are sometimes very low, and the planes are comparatively new.
If the associated 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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