Spirit Airlines Says: "Don't Fly With Us"

[Tara]

you think you're being smart by putting them under the seats do you? Well, next there will be an under the seat charge because they have to get that money from you. You're not paying enough eventhough we post those prices, so open those pockets and give them more money. Afterall, they deserve that extra money.

I can't believe how many people have fallen for the trap. Amazing. You think you're buying a Cadillac, but you're really getting the Griswold Family Truckster.

The airlines created the problem of full overhead bins by implementing the checked baggage fees, and now they are making you pay extra to try and remedy it (eventhough it's actually just a ploy to make more money, sort of like when Disney adds on that extra fee at its restaurants during busy times).

Do you think you are being smart by being belligerent? For the record, I don't fly Spirit, I've never flown Spirit. It isn't available for me. I haven't fallen for any trap - I travel a lot for business and leisure and I'm well versed at what airlines do and don't charge. I don't make rookie mistakes. I read the fine print. So don't talk to me like I'm some newbie who doesn't understand the system.

Do you really not understand the chain of events that led to this? I think you do, but you'd rather just be mad. You'd rather just lash out at people you don't even know and defend a position that is, frankly, ridiculous. If you want to blame the flying public, then you are barking up the wrong tree - you need to be more concerned with the fact that the flying public is highly resistant to paying a reasonable fare.

Moreover, I travel a great deal for business - I don't know if you do or not. But if you do, you know that business fares - under 14 day fares, during the week, refundable, to business destinations rather than vacation spots - those fares are often very high. That's because vacationers have a choice about when they travel, but businesspeople don't - businesses need to keep people out there meeting with customers, closing deals, getting work done. So alllllll those rock-bottom fares people enjoy that let them stretch their Disney budget a little further? It's the business travelers who have to pick up the slack. Airlines HAVE to get money somewhere, and that somewhere is often me and my company. I have to travel to the UK on business and my fare is $7,000. Actually, it's $7,197. So no, when I hear about the playing field being leveled a little so that everyone is paying the same fees (even if they aren't paying the same fares), I don't get mad. In fact, I put it in the category of "HIGH TIME."

If you are so upset DON'T FLY SPIRIT. But give the insulting posts a rest.

 

[Tara]

If everyone starts shipping stuff UPS to their destination then airlines like Spirit will start charging a "No bag fee" on the passengers who have no bags. And people here will applaud because they are concerned Spirit might not be making enough money off the people flying with no bags.

If people started shipping their bags rather than pay Spirit's new, lower checked baggage fees, then as my mother, rest her soul, would have said, they have more dollars than sense. And before you go saying that they would be making a stand on principle, wouldn't it be more principled to not fly Spirit at all?

 

[kaytieeldr]

I stopped flying Spirit a while ago unless absolutely necessary. And of course it's not $45 fee, it's $90.

Only valid in conjunction with quoting the round trip fare.

 

[Tozzie]

you think you're being smart by putting them under the seats do you? Well, next there will be an under the seat charge because they have to get that money from you. You're not paying enough eventhough they post those prices, so open those pockets and give them more money. Afterall, they deserve that extra money.

I can't believe how many people have fallen for the trap. Amazing. You think you're buying a Cadillac, but you're really getting the Griswold Family Truckster.

The airlines created the problem of full overhead bins by implementing the checked baggage fees, and now they are making you pay extra to try and remedy it (eventhough it's actually just a ploy to make more money, sort of like when Disney adds on that extra fee at its restaurants during busy times).

I am not stupid nor have I fallen for any "trap" , I just have a different view than you do and I would welcome this fee and if need be would pay it. The airlines didn't create any problems, they are just trying to stay afloat, the selfish people who think they are ENTITLED to things created this problem and now the airlines have to do something about it. It is all about choices in life, if you don't like the fees then find a airline that doesn't charge them but stop implying people are stupid because they don't' agree with you. Yes I do pay the fees my airline of choice charges because I like the times of the flights they have and I would rather pay more for what I want than settle for something I don't like.

 

[goofy4tink]

Yes, eventually though they'll charge an under the seat fee and people here will be joyous for it.

So, all you people who are happy because you're tired of people carrying on huge bags, well what did you expect in the first place when they started implementing these checked bags fees? People tried to avoid it by bringing on the huge carry-on.

I'm sure you all thought it was a great idea at the time so you didn't have to pay for luggage you didn't want to check. Just like you think this is a wonderous idea to get rid of the large bags. Ha ha, it's only going to come back an bite you in the behinder.

You tell me, did the cost of flights go down when they implemented the checked bag fees? Nope, it just allowed them to increase revenue easily. How bout when they implemented the blanket fee? Nope, just another hidden cost, but the flight itself didn't go down in cost. What about getting an aisle seat, why didn't that cause the cost of middle seats to go down? Instead, they stayed the same and the aisle seats went up.

Yup - That's why more and more people are using UPS to ship luggage. Their business has gone WAY up.

At least half a dozen airlines fly from my area to Orlando. Southwest is always the least expensive. If they're charging me for bags, so be it.

No...we have created the problem. We only want the cheapest flights. We moan and complain about how 'high' the fares are now. There are numerous threads about the high cost of SW flights at the moment, or about when prices will drop. This, and this alone, has caused the 'extra fees' situation.
SW is adding those fees into their fares....whether or not you choose to believe it. I know that we are flying SW this summer going to WDW from Mass. But, we are flying JB home. JB's flight going home was almost half what SW's was.
So...SW is not always cheaper.
We all seem to want terrific customer service, wonderful amenities when flying but we want rock bottom fares. The airlines are going to make up those differences somehow. I have to wonder what would happen if the airlines stopped with the addtl fees and just jacked up the fares by $50 pp.
Now that would be something to see. Everyone would go nuts.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I was wondering the same thing. I found this in a news article:

"At the same time, Spirit will lower fees for checked luggage. Spirit Airline members will pay $15 for their first and second bags if they pay online, instead of the $19 and $25 that was previously charged. Non-members, however, will pay more: The first bag is $25 online and $45 at the airport; $30 for the second bag."

Thanks for the information. If I flew Spirit, I suppose I would become a member (how much does that cost) and check my bag. I'm just as happy not to have to lift my roll on up into the overhead. On my last two flights to MCO, AirTran gate checked my luggage in Dayton and ME picked it up, I had brought my ME tags with me, so I feel like I got a bargain!

Bobbi

 

[MiaSRN62]

They lost me as a customer......just another way to get more fees as far as I'm concerned from a budget airline.

I think if some feel this fee is not any big issue, more power to them. My daughter is a frequent flyer due to being an FSU student and flying back and forth to PA. She ALWAYS just brings an airport approved carry on to avoid wasting the extra time waiting in line to check a bag. It would never fit under the seat----though it fits quite easily in overhead bin. So Spirit will never work for us because on top of HUNDREDS if not THOUSANDS of dollars we spend on airfare per year, I refuse to pay an extra $45 to store her legal carryon luggage. What are the overhead bins for then if not for the airport approved overhead luggage ? Good bye to Spirit...........won't lose any sleep over this one though. I wish them luck with their extra revenue. Just won't be getting it from us.

I just heard about this on The Today Show this morning and even Matt Lauer was shocked

since UPS charges $70 to ship the same fifty pounds that an airline will transport for about $25...

SW charged us $50 when we went over 50 lbs one year. Still cheaper than UPS though.........
Maria

 

[uva185]

So here's my question:

Let's say you have a carryon that fits under the seat, but you'd really rather have the room for your feet.

Does this mean that you can't put that small carryon in the overhead bin without paying? If so, how will they enforce that?

Or will enforcement only be at the gate counter?

Just wondering...Spirit isn't even at my airport but I'm curious how they plan to operate this.

They will probably give out carry-on tags when you check-in so the gate agent can easily check that you have paid for the bag you are bringing aboard.

Not sure what would stop you from keeping the tag from a previous flight (unless they scan them).

 

[Lewisc]

I was wondering the same thing. I found this in a news article:

"At the same time, Spirit will lower fees for checked luggage. Spirit Airline members will pay $15 for their first and second bags if they pay online, instead of the $19 and $25 that was previously charged. Non-members, however, will pay more: The first bag is $25 online and $45 at the airport; $30 for the second bag."

The fee to check the first bag is going up from $19 to $25. Spirit is only offering lower fees to passengers who join the $9 club.

I stopped flying Spirit a while ago unless absolutely necessary. And of course it's not $45 fee, it's $90.

The problem is there is really stuff you need with you when you are traveling, like electronics, medicine, and food in case the airline decides to hold you and your family hostage on the plane for a dozen hours or so.

This is lousy for business travelers as well, who won't be able to bring their brief case and travel suitcase with them.

Hopefully this madness won't catch on.

The fee will be $30 if you pay before you get to the gate. $45 is the "penalty" fee if you think the fee don't think the fee applies to you and you wind up paying at the gate.

Medicine, lunch, cell phone, laptop etc can all fit under the seat in front of you. Spirit will be charging for luggage. Passengers who want to use the overhead bins to stow their bags will pay a extra for the convenience. Does Spirit have any business fliers? Those (few?) fliers will pay the cost to use the overhead bin.

If everyone starts shipping stuff UPS to their destination then airlines like Spirit will start charging a "No bag fee" on the passengers who have no bags. And people here will applaud because they are concerned Spirit might not be making enough money off the people flying with no bags.

You're partially right. If Spirit doesn't get enough passengers to pay for luggage base fares will be increased. If everyone starts shipping stuff to their hotel then an increasing number of hotels will be charging "package acceptance charges"

 

[PlutoPony]

I refuse to pay an extra $45 to store her legal carryon luggage.
Maria

What if the total cost on Spirit - flight + carry-on fee - is less than the cost to fly another airline? Will you still avoid them on principle or just if they're more expensive overall?

Not trying to pick on you about this but just curious.... Most leisure travelers make their airline choice primarily on the basis of cost and Spirit may still be cheaper than their competition, at least in some markets. So am wondering just how much business they will actually lose because of this decision.

 

[starwood]

Well airfares out of the NY/NJ area are far from cheap. Especially when the kids are out of school. If we wanted to fly to Orlando over the summer the average fare is around $300 (we drove down in February and round trip was around $500).

They know you need to take things with you when you fly (like clothes) so why not just increase the fares by $45 and be done with this stupid checked bag fee. As for the people that say it isn't fair to charge everyone this fee if you're not checking a bag - well they are now charging you to carry on the items so everyone IS getting charged. Now as for the carry-on fee - I have a carry on bag that fits under the seat on some airlines and planes. I have traveled on planes where it did not fit under the seat because the seats are too close together or too low to the floor. How am I to know if my bag will fit under their seats?

 

[MiaSRN62]

What if the total cost on Spirit - flight + carry-on fee - is less than the cost to fly another airline? Will you still avoid them on principle or just if they're more expensive overall?

Not trying to pick on you about this but just curious.... Most leisure travelers make their airline choice primarily on the basis of cost and Spirit may still be cheaper than their competition, at least in some markets. So am wondering just how much business they will actually lose because of this decision.

Fair question PlutoPony. IF Spirit came out cheaper then yes. But they are usually neck 'n neck with Southwest and Airtran. So I will definitely always choose SW or AT first now. I used to choose Spirit over the others if the flight times were better. But now, in light of this fee, I'll go with SW or AT regardless. Spirit has never been significantly less expensive that the other two. I've even found US Air to be good from time to time over them.

It's sort of the principle of the issue too. I could accept the second checked bag fee many airlines imposed. I can accept the fees to choose your seat assignment.....but an airport approved carryon that is now penalized is not nearly as acceptable to me. Because often times we utilized the "one carryon and one personal item" policy. Some carryons, when combined with the one personal item, simply will not fit under the seat. I'm sure business travelers will find no issue with the new $30 or $45 carryon fee. It's probably going to deter the leisure passengers more.

Maria

 

[uva185]

why not just increase the fares by $45 and be done with this stupid checked bag fee.

People are cheap!

Even people complain on this board about paying over $100 each way (which is absurdly low for air travel), if Spirit's fares went up $45 each way people would simply book with a different airline. This is why the baggage fees have been so successful, the passenger does not see the true total on the checkout screen and it makes it seem cheaper.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I think if some feel this fee is not any big issue, more power to them. My daughter is a frequent flyer due to being an FSU student and flying back and forth to PA. She ALWAYS just brings an airport approved carry on to avoid wasting the extra time waiting in line to check a bag. It would never fit under the seat----though it fits quite easily in overhead bin. So Spirit will never work for us because on top of HUNDREDS if not THOUSANDS of dollars we spend on airfare per year, I refuse to pay an extra $45 to store her legal carryon luggage.

Respectfully, it doesn't appear the only reason she carries on luggage is to avoid long lines at check-in.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Respectfully, it doesn't appear the only reason she carries on luggage is to avoid long lines at check-in.

Respectfully, it is ? It saves a good amount of time to not have to wait in line to check the bag and then wait after the flight for the bags to come off the plane. Honestly, what other reason are you suggesting ? I might be missing something ?

Maria

 

[uva185]

Respectfully, it is ? It saves a good amount of time to not have to wait in line to check the bag and then wait after the flight for the bags to come off the plane. Honestly, what other reason are you suggesting ? I might be missing something ?

Maria

If saving time were the only reason she wanted to carry-on the bag then there should be no problem paying $45 for that convenience.

However you then contradict yourself by stating "I refuse to pay an extra $45 to store her legal carryon luggage." indicating cost is also a factor, not just pure time savings / convenience.

PS. If your daughter flies that much she should consider flying just one airline or airline alliance so she could earn elite status. Elite status passengers are eligible for free checked baggage, free standby, upgrades, etc.

 

[MiaSRN62]

If saving time were the only reason she wanted to carry-on the bag then there should be no problem paying $45 for that convenience.

However you then contradict yourself by stating "I refuse to pay an extra $45 to store her legal carryon luggage." indicating cost is also a factor, not just pure time savings / convenience.

She took advantage of the free carryon for years (as did we all). But, what I was trying to say, is that if she wants to continue to do carryon with Spirit it will now cost money. To save time, one has to pay the money----but it's the principle of the point. I feel it's much too significant of a fee to take on. I'm the parent of two college students. I'm on a budget, yes. I'll admit that. I don't see the reason to pay this with Spirit when I can get much better deals with SW, AT and even (US Air at times). But saving time at the airport was ALWAYS the motivation to have the carryon in the first place. IF, Spirit were the only airline we could use, then I *might* pay the fee but doubtful. Would probably check the bag. But, fortunately, don't have to make this choice.

So what is the difference if I find offense with the fee or I simply want to save time. It's both. And this fact doesn't change anything with me. Do my reasons affect you any differently. We can still save time and get no fees with other airlines and that's why Spirit has lost our business. Respectfully, I was just voicing an opinion. Didn't expect to be grilled on my reasons.

Originally Posted by kaytieeldr
Respectfully, it doesn't appear the only reason she carries on luggage is to avoid long lines at check-in.

So respectfully, YES...all this time, the only reason she did carry on was to SAVE TIME because there never has been a fee before. This is all new. It's on Today Show still....they are continuing to discuss it and the majority of passengers are displeased. This fee of $30 or $45 is each way too.


Maria

 

[kaytieeldr]

If saving time were the only reason she wanted to carry-on the bag then there should be no problem paying $45 for that convenience.

However you then contradict yourself by stating "I refuse to pay an extra $45 to store her legal carryon luggage." indicating cost is also a factor, not just pure time savings / convenience.

Yes, exactly (thank you, uva185).

 

[lugnut33]

Do you think you are being smart by being belligerent? For the record, I don't fly Spirit, I've never flown Spirit. It isn't available for me. I haven't fallen for any trap - I travel a lot for business and leisure and I'm well versed at what airlines do and don't charge. I don't make rookie mistakes. I read the fine print. So don't talk to me like I'm some newbie who doesn't understand the system.

Do you really not understand the chain of events that led to this? I think you do, but you'd rather just be mad. You'd rather just lash out at people you don't even know and defend a position that is, frankly, ridiculous. If you want to blame the flying public, then you are barking up the wrong tree - you need to be more concerned with the fact that the flying public is highly resistant to paying a reasonable fare.

Moreover, I travel a great deal for business - I don't know if you do or not. But if you do, you know that business fares - under 14 day fares, during the week, refundable, to business destinations rather than vacation spots - those fares are often very high. That's because vacationers have a choice about when they travel, but businesspeople don't - businesses need to keep people out there meeting with customers, closing deals, getting work done. So alllllll those rock-bottom fares people enjoy that let them stretch their Disney budget a little further? It's the business travelers who have to pick up the slack. Airlines HAVE to get money somewhere, and that somewhere is often me and my company. I have to travel to the UK on business and my fare is $7,000. Actually, it's $7,197. So no, when I hear about the playing field being leveled a little so that everyone is paying the same fees (even if they aren't paying the same fares), I don't get mad. In fact, I put it in the category of "HIGH TIME."

If you are so upset DON'T FLY SPIRIT. But give the insulting posts a rest.

you think you're being smart by putting them under the seats do you?

I was actually channeling a Spirit executive there, not really me talking to you. I was just imagining what would go through his head as he saw you trying to get around this great revenue enhancing idea he came up with.

And for all you people saying Southwest fares are going up, well they might be because fuel prices are increasing. The difference is Southwest is going to put those increases into the fare, whereas airlines like Spirit are getting them from these tickytacky fees. That being said, I bet you can go on the Southwest system and find some cheap fares for all kinds of flights across the country, just maybe not on the individual flight you are looking for.

And yes, the airlines did create a problem by chasing additional fees to increase revenues. If people don't think some basic services should be provided in a flight (like the cost of bringing some luggage), then why don't the airlines charge for gate walkway use? Is that some sort of right you expect? If you want to get on this flight, you can find your own way on for free, or pay us $5 to use this nice walkway. Where is it going to end people?

What do I supposedly feel entitled to? I only feel entitled to a seat and being able to bring one piece of checkin luggage and one carry-on (nothing big, just enough to carry some fun things to kill time). Is that really too much to demand? Apparently it is too much to demand for Spirit (and some of you on this board) because they want to charge me for those. Oh, and non-cranky workers would also be nice (btw, I never talk to the workers, it's just an observation).

I hope to heck Spirit is getting tons of negative press over this. They deserve it.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Yes, exactly (thank you, uva185).

Well I don't think I'm contradicting myself......there can be numerous reasons for anyone to dislike any policy ? Does it matter to you that I'm offended by the fee but still choose to save time ? I'm glad some of you are all for this...and pro carryon fee. Hopefully it will help Spirit stay afloat financially for those of you who prefer to fly them.
I still don't get the criticism here ????
Maria