Has anyone flown SPIRIT airlines before?

[pktbMouse]

I was just wondering if you have flown Sprirt before as the flights are wayy cheaper than anyone else but so far all I have heard are really bad things about them. I have heard about ridiculous baggage fees at the airport and also flights being delayed and people having to pay extra just to sit together,, is this true?

 

[linzjane88]

I have many coworkers who use them for quick trips to Vegas. Basically the consensus is that it gets you from A to B with no frills. And HORRID customer service should you need it. I wouldn't have believed it if I wasn't sitting there overhearing the phone call. A friend had a set of reservations that just disappeared on her but the charges were still on her CC (and she really did want to go!). It took over an hour and a half climbing the phone ladder in India before they were able to take care of it. It wasn't just that it was an issue that they were trying to fix either. Each person kept just telling her 'well, I am sorry, we are not showing any reservations so there is nothing we can do'. After the millionth 'supervisor' she spoke to it got taken care of.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Simply put, it is true.

 

[LBIJim]

I was just wondering if you have flown Sprirt before as the flights are wayy cheaper than anyone else but so far all I have heard are really bad things about them. I have heard about ridiculous baggage fees at the airport and also flights being delayed and people having to pay extra just to sit together,, is this true?

Spirit charges for both checked and carry-on bags. A small bag that fits under the seat is free. Baggage charges vary depending on when you pay. Cheapest when you first book your flight, more expensive when you arrive at the airport, and $100 per bag if you wait until you're at the departure gate.

Delays? No more than any other airline in my experience.

There are fees for choosing seats in advance. Price depends on location in the plane. No fee if you're willing to accept whatever they give you.

Charge for snacks and drinks aboard the plane, even water. No cash accepted, CC or debit only.

None of the charges are "hidden fees." They're all explained on Spirit' website. Most people who complain about hidden fees were just too lazy or ignorant to read them. Third party booking sites provide a link to Spirit's charges and policies. There's really no excuse to not know what you're getting into.

Spirit CAN be cheaper, but not necessarily so after the optional charges. I've never had a problem with them, but I DO believe the stories about poor or non-existent customer service when trouble arises.

Jim

 

[Nechville]

Spirit charges for both checked and carry-on bags. A small bag that fits under the seat is free. Baggage charges vary depending on when you pay. Cheapest when you first book your flight, more expensive when you arrive at the airport, and $100 per bag if you wait until you're at the departure gate. Delays? No more than any other airline in my experience. There are fees for choosing seats in advance. Price depends on location in the plane. No fee if you're willing to accept whatever they give you. Charge for snacks and drinks aboard the plane, even water. No cash accepted, CC or debit only. None of the charges are "hidden fees." They're all explained on Spirit' website. Most people who complain about hidden fees were just too lazy or ignorant to read them. Third party booking sites provide a link to Spirit's charges and policies. There's really no excuse to not know what you're getting into. Spirit CAN be cheaper, but not necessarily so after the optional charges. I've never had a problem with them, but I DO believe the stories about poor or non-existent customer service when trouble arises. Jim

One thing is sort of hidden. I am looking to fly with my 6 year old son. It won't tell me what the fee is to reserve seats in advance until I am in the booking process. The webpage says $1-50. That's up to $200 round trip! I doubt it will be the $50 but I find it ridiculous there are no exceptions for children. I should not have to pay that much to make sure my child doesn't have to sit next to a pedophile (extreme, I know. Just mad.). Between that fee and the baggage fee, they are not cheaper. I hate value carriers. Even Southwest makes me nervous about not getting to sit with him if I don't pay extra or get online check in done right at 24 hours before, and even then if enough people paid even more, we still could be out of luck. I would like to think they would help us out as they seem to have better customer service, but makes me want to stick with legacy carriers.

 

[jhoannam]

I just asked a friend... he said it was nothing fancy and it got him where he needed to go at a low cost. We are planning on flying with them. It is a direct flight and will save us about $700 including extra for checking in bags. We only plan on taking two large suitcases to save money.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Spirit charges for both checked and carry-on bags. A small bag that fits under the seat is free. Baggage charges vary depending on when you pay. Cheapest when you first book your flight, more expensive when you arrive at the airport, and $100 per bag if you wait until you're at the departure gate.

Delays? No more than any other airline in my experience.

There are fees for choosing seats in advance. Price depends on location in the plane. No fee if you're willing to accept whatever they give you.

Charge for snacks and drinks aboard the plane, even water. No cash accepted, CC or debit only.

None of the charges are "hidden fees." They're all explained on Spirit' website. Most people who complain about hidden fees were just too lazy or ignorant to read them. Third party booking sites provide a link to Spirit's charges and policies. There's really no excuse to not know what you're getting into.

Spirit CAN be cheaper, but not necessarily so after the optional charges. I've never had a problem with them, but I DO believe the stories about poor or non-existent customer service when trouble arises.

Jim

Well yes and no on delays.

Routine probably about the same but..

When something bad happens Spirit's recovery is "just wait'

Two friends went to the Caribbean this winter from the NE. One flew Spirit the other, who is likedme and won't step foot on them, flew American.

Huge storm hits their home airport in the NE. Friend on AA basically got told "it's two days" but in two days she was on a flight home. Friend on "I saved a lot of money bragging rights" Spirit got told "its at least a week" Four days into it when she really had to get home or lose her job she walked over to AA and paid full fare for a ticket. (She's never bragged about that cost however)

With their limited flight schedule and no interline agreements you will get home when they get around to you.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

One thing is sort of hidden. I am looking to fly with my 6 year old son. It won't tell me what the fee is to reserve seats in advance until I am in the booking process. The webpage says $1-50. That's up to $200 round trip! I doubt it will be the $50 but I find it ridiculous there are no exceptions for children. I should not have to pay that much to make sure my child doesn't have to sit next to a pedophile (extreme, I know. Just mad.).

Your pedophile statement is ridiculous, but you already know that. No US airline which charges for seat assignments waives the charge for children; why should they?

Spirit's seat pitch is only 28 inches; that is enough to put me off.

 

[njmom47]

Spirit charges for both checked and carry-on bags. A small bag that fits under the seat is free. Baggage charges vary depending on when you pay. Cheapest when you first book your flight, more expensive when you arrive at the airport, and $100 per bag if you wait until you're at the departure gate.

Delays? No more than any other airline in my experience.

There are fees for choosing seats in advance. Price depends on location in the plane. No fee if you're willing to accept whatever they give you.

Charge for snacks and drinks aboard the plane, even water. No cash accepted, CC or debit only.

None of the charges are "hidden fees." They're all explained on Spirit' website. Most people who complain about hidden fees were just too lazy or ignorant to read them. Third party booking sites provide a link to Spirit's charges and policies. There's really no excuse to not know what you're getting into.

Spirit CAN be cheaper, but not necessarily so after the optional charges. I've never had a problem with them, but I DO believe the stories about poor or non-existent customer service when trouble arises.

Jim

Jim, I think we may be a bit spoiled as AC airport really only has Spirit (and a couple of United flights)....but I wonder if that's why I love Spirit. We usually fly them and all of your above statements are true. In fact, I just flew them a couple of weeks ago and I thought the plane seemed new and I had plenty of room in the seat (and I'm 5'9 and somewhat Pooh-size). So far, we haven't had any issues with them.

"Shoud I fly Spirit?" is probably one of the hottest threads on here.

 

[LBIJim]

Jim, I think we may be a bit spoiled as AC airport really only has Spirit (and a couple of United flights)....but I wonder if that's why I love Spirit. We usually fly them and all of your above statements are true. In fact, I just flew them a couple of weeks ago and I thought the plane seemed new and I had plenty of room in the seat (and I'm 5'9 and somewhat Pooh-size). So far, we haven't had any issues with them.

"Shoud I fly Spirit?" is probably one of the hottest threads on here.

Yeah, Spirit from Atlantic City has never been a problem for me. I guess I've been lucky. But I don't doubt the complaints I hear from various sources about poor customer service when something goes wrong.

But many complaints seem to be about baggage fees, seat charges, and other fees that people claim are "hidden." Not legitimate, IMO, because those people never bother to research or they skip over those parts during the booking process. Spirit is definitely not for everyone, but can be very beneficial if you know what to expect.

My most recent trip was from Newark using United, however. Had to use United before my frequent flyer miles expired. Most of those United FF miles are really from Continental, and some of those might even be holdovers from Eastern!

Jim

 

[lisski76]

Yeah, Spirit from Atlantic City has never been a problem for me. I guess I've been lucky. But I don't doubt the complaints I hear from various sources about poor customer service when something goes wrong.

But many complaints seem to be about baggage fees, seat charges, and other fees that people claim are "hidden." Not legitimate, IMO, because those people never bother to research or they skip over those parts during the booking process. Spirit is definitely not for everyone, but can be very beneficial if you know what to expect.

My most recent trip was from Newark using United, however. Had to use United before my frequent flyer miles expired. Most of those United FF miles are really from Continental, and some of those might even be holdovers from Eastern!

Jim

Another AC Spirit lover here! Never had any problems other than one delay. I'm aware of the charges so pack light and let them pick my seats. Never had any issues with them separating my child from me....

 

[2DisPrincesses]

Another AC Spirit lover here! Never had any problems other than one delay. I'm aware of the charges so pack light and let them pick my seats. Never had any issues with them separating my child from me....

I'm worried about not being seated next to my 5 year old. Guess I should pay for seats just to be sure??? She doesn't remember flying so I'm afraid she might freak out if she's "alone"....

 

[Unas]

A while ago, I had to overnight at FLL due to a Spirit flight delay resulting in a missed connection to my 2nd Spirit flight. Spirit provided absolutely no assistance and charged me more for the flight the next day as "nothing in my fare category was available." Then I discovered that my return flights were cancelled when I tried to check in to come home. Again, I was charged more.

My bags never made it to my destination. I don't know exactly what happened, only that the were available when I got back to ACY.

I disputed the extra charge with my credit card company and I prevailed.

I won't say "never," but it will be a cold day in hades before I fly Spirit again.

 

[mickey2000]

A while ago, I had to overnight at FLL due to a Spirit flight delay resulting in a missed connection to my 2nd Spirit flight. Spirit provided absolutely no assistance and charged me more for the flight the next day as "nothing in my fare category was available." Then I discovered that my return flights were cancelled when I tried to check in to come home. Again, I was charged more.

My bags never made it to my destination. I don't know exactly what happened, only that the were available when I got back to ACY.

I disputed the extra charge with my credit card company and I prevailed.

I won't say "never," but it will be a cold day in hades before I fly Spirit again.

 

[huey duey & luey]

We are flying Spirit out of ACY for the first time. Even with the fees they were hundreds less than JetBlue from EWR (which is who we usually fly).
I too am traveling with children and refused to leave it to chance. It cost us 10 p/p each way for a total of 100 to pick our seats together. I know seats with more legroom were more,