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

[Lewisc]

Spirit is charging $30. The $45 fee is for passengers who wait until they get to the gate to pay.

Spirit is now saying their fare is priced to transport the passenger and personal items. Passengers that also want to bring baggage must pay. Some passengers will pay to check a bag and others will pay a premium to stow a bag in the overhead bin.

This is just a way for Spirit to display low fares. Blame passengers who'll book a $59 and not include the cost of checking a bag when the book the flight.

The airlines, not the airport, decide what size bags are permitted in the bins.

You could say them same thing about the cargo hold. What is it for if not to stow passenger luggage.

I wonder how long before airlines like Airtran and Allegiant follow.

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



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

 

[MiaSRN62]

Maria, to illustrate the point kaytieeldr and uva185 are making: I would be willing to pay *more* to carry my bag on rather than check it, because carrying on has more value to me---in the time saved.

Spirit has figured this out with this new pricing model. The real question will be whether or not Spirit's current customer base will play along, or if they will balk.

Well Brian,respectfully, for me, carrying on AND not paying (both) has been the value to me. And I can go elsewhere for exactly that. So I suppose you can say I'm one of the balkers.

Hannathy: but bringing luggage is a want/desire/convenience it isn't a need. Big difference and one that can be decided by the customer.

But for years, carry on was always free. Fees popped up a short time ago for checked luggage---thus making passengers try harder to made do with carry on. Now this fee ? I'm sorry, but it is a need for me to have my luggage and I'm paying for checked and carry on now. Isn't that why overhead bins were designed ?
No, carry on is not a "need" but neither is me flying Spirit (as decided by me).


Maria

 

[lugnut33]

The situation with carry-ons on these small planes has become out of control since airlines started charging for checked bags. Hopefully, now that it will actually be cheaper to check a bag than carry one one, since this change also lowers the price for checked bags, we will no longer be delayed in boarding/deboarding waiting for everyone to try and find space to stuff in their oversized carry ons - and having the stewardesses taking luggage off that won't fit or when the bins (always!) fill to capacity and carry-ons then need to be taken off and gate-checked.
.

Will you be surprised when next year they raise the fee for checked baggage? You know that's what they are going to do. Eventually it will cost more for your luggage to fly than you to fly.

 

[Lewisc]

In fact, this morning I booked for Dec @ $98.00 r/t pp - at that rate I can afford to pay for my seating and luggage and still be flying for less than I paid in the '70s..

Makes sense.

Allright, let's get down to it. Say I'm flying Aug. 16 our of Chicago and flying to Orlando. I have a return day one week later. Let's look at the choices.

Southwest Has some really great choices on flights, so I'll pick NON-STOP flights.
flt. 2282 from Midway to Orlando, flt. time 2h35m. $119 with taxes and fees
flt. 1013 from Orlando to Midway, flt time 2h45m. $119 with taxes and fees.
Total cost of flight: $239.40

Looking at Spirit. There are no non-stop flights to Orlando, so I'll just pick the absolute dirt cheapest they have:
fly from Chi-Ft Lauderdale-Orlando, flt time almost 10 hours.
fly from Orlando-Miami-Chicago, flt time almost 8 hours
Total cost of flight: $225.78 (price does not include all the extra fees which if I have one checkin bag and one carryon will be an additional $110)

See, these extra add-ons are not designed to save you money. They are designed to be revenue enhancers that are hidden from the public. You feel great about paying them, but they really do nothing for you.

AA was $260 before any baggage fees.

Really not a good example. Most people wouldn't be interested in booking a flight with an indirect connection, with that long a travel time. I suspect Spirit publishes that routing so they can say they have service from Chicago to Orlando. No reason for Spirit to offer a competitive fare on that route.

 

[lugnut33]

Makes sense.

Really not a good example. Most people wouldn't be interested in booking a flight with an indirect connection, with that long a travel time. I suspect Spirit publishes that routing so they can say they have service from Chicago to Orlando. No reason for Spirit to offer a competitive fare on that route.

Why, that's my options out of Chicago going to the #1 tourist destination.

 

[lugnut33]

OK, just for you I tried Chicago to Boston. Again Spirit is getting their butt kicked.

So, then I looked at Spirit out of Detroit to Orlando, which is their premier route. RT is $251.14 without all the other baggage fees. Southwest is still cheaper at $216.

I don't know, I'm sure there are instances where Spirit is cheaper. I am positive that maybe at times they look cheaper when they do their deceptive pricing techniques.

 

[Brian Noble]

I can tell you that that DTW pricing is an anomoly historically. I check airfares out of that airport religiously, and normally either NW/Delta or AirTran is the least expensive all-in, the other, Spirit is usually close behind those two, with Southwest pulling up the rear. This is priced at one checked bag plus seat fee (if applicable). Every once in a while someone will run a fare sale that flips it, but not often.

Southwest is the only one of the four that doesn't have a non-stop flight, though there is a direct flight that stops in Nashville that isn't too bad. I have noticed over the past six months or so that SW has been a lot more competitive out of DTW. Maybe they've decided to get serious about that market again.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I don't know, I'm sure there are instances where Spirit is cheaper. I am positive that maybe at times they look cheaper when they do their deceptive pricing techniques.

I have frequently over the years compared Spirit to Orlando out of Atlantic City (for my needs). Rarely did they beat SW or even AT. But I did choose them occasionally based on flight times. The times I did find Spirit *sometimes* cheaper was Atlantic City to Tampa. We never had an issue renting our car there and driving to Orlando since it's such a direct and rather quick drive.


Maria

 

[Lewisc]

People are making too much of this. Include the cost to check a bag when you compare airfares.

Spirit will no longer let you avoid the checked bag fee by condensing your stuff into a carryon bag. Makes a lot of sense. Avoids delays while passengers "fight" for bin room. What happens when the bin is full.

It makes no sense for the airline to not only lose checked bag fees but also have to deal with other issues as more passengers use the bins to avoid paying luggage fees.

Sometimes Spirit makes sense. Sometimes another airline makes sense.

It's that simple.

Would you rather Spirit remove the overhead bins "in the interest of efficiency?"

 

[Hannathy]

Having a couple changes of clothing and maybe a few personal hygiene items, on a week long trip, isn't a need? I travel light, but good heavens...I NEED more than the clothes on my back. Geesh...

Not as far as the airline is concerned. All you are paying them for is to get you from point A to point B. They don't care where you are going or why or what you need other than what you need on the actual flight, period. It is non of their business. so yes as far as the airline goes what you take is a want not a need. I don't need a weeks worth of clothes to take a flight.


Carry ons are a relatively new thing. Years ago people took very very little with them. A coat, a purse, maybe a briefcase. the only people with actual bags were the flight crew!

 

[Buzz's Buddy]

Here's my comparison. I have a Spirit MasterCard and get free membership to the $9 club. I have ALWAYS checked a bag and will continue to do so.

I booked Spirit yesterday...
ACY to MCO 8/4/10
MCO to ACY 8/12/10

Roundtrip flight $98 (including taxes and fees)
Cost to check 1 bag (roundtrip $15 each way) $30
I'll let Spirit assign me a seat $0
Total $128

Comparable flights % Philadelphia
Southwest fare $217.40
Free bags $0
Free seat $0
Total $217.40

AirTran fare $217.40
1 bag roundtrip $30
Free seat $0
Total $247.40

So tell me how Spirit is a bad choice for me. I saved $89+ by flying Spirit AFTER accounting for the baggage fee.

 

[TDC Nala]

Only valid in conjunction with quoting the round trip fare.

Or the fare for two people, both with overhead carryons. (In that case the roundtrip would be $180 just for the carryons, you could fly a whole other person for that)

I don't fly Spirit but the other airlines are watching to see how this might work for them ... now that I have finally figured out how to get everything for up to a week into a duffel bag and a tote to avoid checking anything.

Those who don't pack a change of clothes to carry on, what would you do if the airline loses your luggage?

 

[goofy4tink]

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.

I care only about the particular flights I need. And I am not particularly loyal..I will go with whichever airline gets me to my destination at the time I need to be there, for the lowest price. If that particular flight is SW, then I book SW. If that flight is with Airtran, then Airtran it is. I did have to book last minute flights from Boston to Ft Lauderdale 2 weeks ago. My step-sister flies with Spirit a lot, so I checked them out first. They were a lot more, before any baggage fees were applied, than the other airlines. Gave them a big ole pass and went with Airtran.
It's all very simple....pay what you feel you can afford. If you can't afford to fly Spirit, then don't. For some people it will be a good thing. Others are going to have to make other plans.

Just because airlines publicize the max size and weight for luggage doesn't mean anything unless they enforce it - THAT is the problem. I am a responsible flyer and make sure I follow the rules. It is the airlines job to make sure checked luggage AND carry-ons follow their rules. There will always be people that will take advantage. If someone gets on a plan with a piece of luggage that clearly should have been checked are you saying they shouldn't do/say anything??? Really, the passenger will control it? Come on, this is why they are charging the stupid fee.

Have to agree here. I have seen more people pass right by those sizing templates...it was quite clear that their baggage was not going to fit in an overhead. But they were allowed to board and struggle they did when it came to getting the bag 'stuffed' into the overhead. Took time to do as well as taking space away from another passenger.

Do I agree with carryon bag fees? Not really sure. It might be a better idea to have a carryon fee of say, $15, for that overhead bin bag, but decrease the checked bag fees to $10 a bag or even remove it. Turnaround time would be better, that's for sure.
It would certainly be easier if the airlines just agreed to do one thing. But, sadly, that isn't the case.

 

[uva185]

(In that case the roundtrip would be $180 just for the carryons, you could fly a whole other person for that)

But that's the point. Their fares are too low to even come close to making a profit. That's why they need to implement checked and carryon baggage fees.

Look at the fare / fee schedule for various foreign LCCs. The base fare is quite low and you pay for luggage, pay to check in, pay to use a credit card, etc. People in this country will get used to it.

 

[abline]

I know I lucked out with a $30.40 fare from ACY to MCO but still even with the bag costs it's a great deal $136.00 per person for a family of five is a awesome in this day and age. Plus flying out of ACY instead of Philadelphia probably saves me $50.00 or so in parking fees and tolls to and from the airport. Not to mention the convenience of ACY. It's so much more relaxing then PHL or EWR. I do HATE the seat assignment fees. I think that is over the line but I did call and I was advised Spirit Airlines will make every attempt to sit my party together. I can't have my children sitting alone on a flight. I always price out flights and you can't really compare these prices to other airlines. As someone said it earlier these are prices people got in the 70's.

 

[Lewisc]

You did your homework.

Now assume a passenger isn't a member of the $9 club. Assume the passenger wants to check a bag and use the bin.

Luggage fee is $25 each way for the checked bag and $30 for the carryon. Total fare with luggage is now $208--savings is $10.

A lot depends on which airport is more convenient (and cheaper ) to get to and to park.

Spirit is a good choice for you. Passengers who don't do their homework may not realize Spirit isn't a good choice until they get to the airport and pay checked baggage fees. Others may find the cost to get to ACY instead of PHL negates the savings in fare.

Passengers who don't do their homework before they book may get an expensive lesson.

Here's my comparison. I have a Spirit MasterCard and get free membership to the $9 club. I have ALWAYS checked a bag and will continue to do so.

I booked Spirit yesterday...
ACY to MCO 8/4/10
MCO to ACY 8/12/10

Roundtrip flight $98 (including taxes and fees)
Cost to check 1 bag (roundtrip $15 each way) $30
I'll let Spirit assign me a seat $0
Total $128

Comparable flights % Philadelphia
Southwest fare $217.40
Free bags $0
Free seat $0
Total $217.40

AirTran fare $217.40
1 bag roundtrip $30
Free seat $0
Total $247.40

So tell me how Spirit is a bad choice for me. I saved $89+ by flying Spirit AFTER accounting for the baggage fee.

 

[darrengs]

Maybe they just need to pay the record fine they were hit with last year.

http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2009/09/14/daily96.html

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Those who don't pack a change of clothes to carry on, what would you do if the airline loses your luggage?

Losing luggage is not that common, delayed would be a better term. I've had my luggage delayed before and I never pack a change of clothes in my carry-on unless I'm going for an overnight and just carrying on a small duffel (that would fit under the seat), I just deal and just wear the same clothes (it's really not that big of a deal in most cases) or just buy some clothes that I would be willing to wear again (not just clothes to get by, but clothes I'd keep and would add to my wardrobe).

 

[Lewisc]

I know I lucked out with a $30.40 fare from ACY to MCO but still even with the bag costs it's a great deal $136.00 per person for a family of five is a awesome in this day and age. Plus flying out of ACY instead of Philadelphia probably saves me $50.00 or so in parking fees and tolls to and from the airport. Not to mention the convenience of ACY. It's so much more relaxing then PHL or EWR. I do HATE the seat assignment fees. I think that is over the line but I did call and I was advised Spirit Airlines will make every attempt to sit my party together. I can't have my children sitting alone on a flight. I always price out flights and you can't really compare these prices to other airlines. As someone said it earlier these are prices people got in the 70's.

I hope you pay the seat assignment fee. Flights to Orlando are filled with families. Making every attempt doesn't means you have no right to complain if the (possibly token) attempt isn't successful.

 

[lugnut33]

Here's my comparison. I have a Spirit MasterCard and get free membership to the $9 club. I have ALWAYS checked a bag and will continue to do so.

Not everybody wants a Spirit Mastercard or a membership to the fee based $9 club. Let's look at what this fee based company charges to be a member:

3.1. Upon Annual enrollment, each Member will be charged a fee of $39.95.
3.2. Upon Trial enrollment, each Member will be charged a fee of $9.00.
3.3. Enrollment fees are non-refundable, notwithstanding Member's cancellation of membership in the Club.
3.4. 60 days after Trial enrollment in the Club, and on each anniversary thereafter, Members will be automatically charged an annual fee of $39.95 for membership in the Club. Annual fees are non-refundable, notwithstanding Member’s cancellation of membership in the Club.
3.5. One (1) year after Annual enrollment in the Club, and on each anniversary thereafter, Members will be automatically charged an annual fee of $39.95 for membership in the Club. Annual fees are non-refundable, notwithstanding Member’s cancellation of membership in the Club.
3.6. Initial or renewal membership fees are subject to change by Spirit at any time without notice to the Member. Any increase in the annual membership fee will take effect upon renewal of a Member's membership.
3.7. A Member will not be entitled to any refund of any membership fees upon cancellation of membership in the Club.
3.8. Once a Member cancels their membership, Membership can not be reinstated; Member must sign up again to receive Club benefits.

Ok then, what about the credit card?

$69 (waived for the first year) for the Free Spirit Onyx World MasterCard
$0 for the Free Spirit Platinum MasterCard

What happens if you don't make a purchase?

Month-to-month complimentary membership in the $9 Fare Club will continue if you make at least one purchase in each billing cycle with your FREE SPIRIT MasterCard.