Summary
When searching for flights on sites like Kayak or Expedia and sorting by lowest price, you’ll likely spot some options from Spirit Airlines. However, is flying with this ultra-low-cost carrier worth it? Let’s explore the ins and outs of Spirit Airlines.
Spirit is headquartered in Miramar, Florida, and is devoted to offering the lowest possible price. It’s a bare-bones ticket where all add-ons, including seat assignments, baggage, and extra legroom, will incur additional costs. The philosophy is that by eliminating extras typically charged by other airlines, you can start with an inexpensive base fare and only pay for what you actually need.
Spirit operates more than 500 flights daily and services over 60 destinations across the U.S., Latin America, and the Caribbean. Here’s what you should know before embarking on your Spirit Airlines flight.
Fare Classes
Spirit Airlines offers two types of seats: standard seats and “Big Front Seats.” With a standard ticket, travelers are permitted one free personal item, which can include a laptop bag or purse. It’s advisable to pay for any carry-on or checked luggage ahead of time to save money. If you check bags at the counter, costs will increase.
The Big Front Seats provide more space and extra legroom—no middle seats mean you are guaranteed an aisle or window seat. The same baggage rules apply, allowing one personal item while all other bags incur additional fees.
Additionally, there is a fare class for Spirit Savers Club members. Generally, they benefit from lower ticket rates. While these exclusive fares aren’t available on every flight, the savings can be substantial when utilized. Members also receive discounts on checked luggage, seat selection, and other conveniences like shortcut security and shortcut boarding.
Flight Change and Cancellation Policies
Spirit Airlines has flexible policies. If a passenger changes or cancels their flight 60 days prior to departure, there is no fee. However, between 31 and 59 days, the fee is $69. Changes or cancellations made between 7 to 30 days before the flight rise to $99, while changes made 6 days or less incur a $119 fee.
Baggage Policies and Fees
First, you have one personal item included in your fare, which must be no larger than 18 x 14 x 8 inches. Carry-on fees apply for bags that must be 22 x 18 x 10 inches or smaller. Checked bags should weigh a maximum of 40 pounds and measure no more than 62 inches in length. Exceeding these limits incurs additional charges, and Spirit does not accept bags exceeding 100 pounds or over 80 linear inches. Baggage fees can vary greatly based on the flight and when you purchase them, ranging from $35 to $150.
Boarding Order
Travelers may think boarding on a budget airline is chaotic; however, Spirit Airlines implements a structured approach. The boarding process includes the following zones:
Pre-boarding
- Passengers with disabilities or those needing special assistance.
Zone 1
- Passengers who paid for an additional carry-on bag.
Zone 2
- Passengers who paid for Shortcut Boarding.
- Free Spirit passengers with silver or gold status.
- Passengers with a Spirit Airlines credit card.
Family Boarding
- Families with small children (typically children ages 3 and under).
Zone 3 and Zone 4
- General boarding.
Amenities and Entertainment
Spirit Airlines charges for all food and beverages. Snacks and drinks can be purchased using a credit or debit card. For example, a bottle of water is $4, while cocktails are priced at $14. The airline does not provide in-flight entertainment, but internet access is available on most flights, starting at $2.99 for browsing and $5.99 for streaming, depending on flight duration. There are no amenity kits, pillows, or electrical outlets onboard, so plan accordingly.
Seats and Legroom
Standard economy seats on Spirit Airlines feature a seat pitch of 28 inches, which is less than the average 30 inches offered by most airlines. Notably, the Big Front Seats offer an additional six inches of legroom with a total of 36 inches pitch. However, standard tickets do not allow seat selection, and passengers may not be seated with their travel companions unless extra fees are applied.
Spirit Airlines Credit Cards and Status
Spirit Airlines offers two co-branded credit cards: the Free Spirit Travel More World Elite Mastercard and the Free Spirit Travel Mastercard. The elite card waives the annual fee for the first year but charges $79 after that, while the latter has no fee. Both cards come with perks, including a 25% rebate on in-flight food and beverage purchases and enhanced opportunities to earn Free Spirit points.
Spirit also provides the Spirit Savers Club, allowing members to enjoy discounted fares, carry-on fees for the entirety of their party, and reduced seat selection costs. However, it is essential to note the fine print associated with membership.
To achieve elite status, travelers earn 1 Status Qualifying Point (SQP) for every dollar spent on tickets and ancillary fees. Achieving Free Spirit Silver Status requires 2,000 SQPs, while Spirit Gold Status requires 5,000 SQPs, providing various travel benefits including early boarding and advanced seat selection.
