spirit airlines, how bad or good is it??

[jltwdw]

My sister and I flew Spirit round trip from Detroit to San Francisco in June. We've vowed NEVER AGAIN!
We had a short layover in Houston; we'd opted to pay for one checked bag rather than two carry-ons (a cheaper choice). With the layover, Spirit felt this was 4 flights total - forcing us to pay 4 times for the checked bag (over $100). We felt this was rather extreme, but just ponied up and paid...however the biggest insult to paying so much for the checked bag came with the first layover in which they requested we depart the plane, but it was the same plane we reboarded to travel on to SF. Our baggage was never removed from the plane, but we'd paid double for the bag due to "4 flights".
Then there was gum on the seatbelt which had gotten all over my neck pillow when I noticed it. I cleaned it up and covered it the best I could (with the dirty napkin found when my sister lowered her tray). I mentioned it to the stewardess when departing in Houston and checked it when reboarding (we were assigned seats directly in front of the gummed seat). It was still there.
I could go on...lost luggage...

 

[ErinC]

Dh and I flew from New Orleans to Detroit nonstop last week. We both carried Backpacks as personal items and I paid for 1 Carryon. I was really nervous because of all the reviews I had read and was hoping DH would not kill me for booking it. The New Orleans airport is a 2.5 hour drive for us but the closer airports were around $500-600 each round trip (none nonstop). We both flew rt with the Carryon for $400. The plane we flew was an Airbus 320. Yes the seats were a little closer but we both thought it was fine. When we checked in for the return flight I even asked DH if he wanted me to upgrade the seats and he said no, he was fine. Our departing flight left about 1.5 hours late, but thankfully we were not on a serious time crunch. If I could fly another airline closer to my house for around $100 price difference I probably would choose the closer airport, but for the savings we got it was totally worth it and I would fly them again.

 

[tcumom0613]

Spirit is awful! While their ticket prices can't be beat the added charges make up for the difference from other airlines. Not to mention they have terrible customer service!

 

[danceintherain]

I guess I'll be finding out. Spirit was over $200 cheaper than our other options, including 2 checked bags each way and seat assignments for all of us.
That said, I sent my Dad to the airport to purchase the tickets there, because I read that it's cheaper (they charge $17.99/person/way for booking online). It was absolutely cheaper! $70 less than the $9 Fare Club price. Then the agent gave us all seat assignments free of charge. The bag fees added a good $100, but I've come to expect that when I fly anywhere, because I'd rather pay to check a bag or two than be dealing with extra carry ons along with the children and usually car seats.
Only $613.60 for 3 of us and an infant in arms. Yeah...it will be a tight fit, but we once flew Cebu Pacific from Seoul to Manila under similar circumstances. Each leg of this flight is shorter.