Spirit changed flight by 7 hrs in April

[Disturbia]

Just got a notification for an April 2nd return flight from Orlando on Spirit. They are offering a 1 pm flight for an original 8 pm booking. This is ridiculous and messes up our check out park day. We have 5 seats so it’s going to be tough to rebook/change. We paid $3,000 return for 5 seats.

Airlines need to have some accountability for doing this.

 

[sam_gordon]

Accountability for what? The contract of carriage basically says they're responsible for getting you from point A to point B on that day.

If you were on a legacy airline, that kind of change would entitle you to a free change to any other flight that day. Spirit doesn't "do" customer service. That's the chance you take.

 

[Disturbia]

Accountability for cancelling flights! American wanted to divide us up and put one of us with an infant on a red eye flying out a day after the original booking. They refunded $400 (we booked with membership discounts) and we paid $1300 for Spirit one way on that trip (4 people with 1 lap child, now 2 yr old).

It isn’t happening just as a one off. This happened on both flights (different airlines) last year - June, Nov and now upcoming April.

We called just in time and they do have a 5 pm available (2 hr hold), so whoever didn’t check their email are up for a rude awakening when that one books up.

 

[EACarlson]

Accountability for cancelling flights! American wanted to divide us up and put one of us with an infant on a red eye flying out a day after the original booking. They refunded $400 (we booked with membership discounts) and we paid $1300 for Spirit one way on that trip (4 people with 1 lap child, now 2 yr old).

It isn’t happening just as a one off. This happened on both flights (different airlines) last year - June, Nov and now upcoming April.

We called just in time and they do have a 5 pm available (2 hr hold), so whoever didn’t check their email are up for a rude awakening when that one books up.

You do realize there is a global pandemic along with an airline labor crisis going on right now correct? Be glad you're going to WDW at all and quit complaining that the travel times aren't exactly what you want them to be. You booked with a ULCC, it shouldn't be a surprise that things don't go perfectly. At this point in time it shouldn't be a surprise when things get screwed up with any airline. A smarter play would have been to not plan a park day on either arrival or departure days. Things change, especially with the airline industry where it is right now.
What is your idea for holding the airlines accountable for cancelling flights? Are you ready to live with the consequences of those actions? Anything that is going to punish airlines for cancelling flights is necessarily going to reduce the number of flights scheduled and raise the fares to points where fewer people are going to pay them.

 

[Disturbia]

You can always choose not to read if you are offended with my comments. This is a board and we are sharing experiences.

 

[Narcoossee11]

The only power you have it with your wallet. Go with another airline. Unfortunately they will not miss you.


Airlines can and do what ever works for them. They have to over book and modify flights EVERY DAY to survive. Traveling requires patience and flexibility.

 

[sam_gordon]

Accountability for cancelling flights! American wanted to divide us up and put one of us with an infant on a red eye flying out a day after the original booking. They refunded $400 (we booked with membership discounts) and we paid $1300 for Spirit one way on that trip (4 people with 1 lap child, now 2 yr old).

It isn’t happening just as a one off. This happened on both flights (different airlines) last year - June, Nov and now upcoming April.

We called just in time and they do have a 5 pm available (2 hr hold), so whoever didn’t check their email are up for a rude awakening when that one books up.

The best bet would have been for you to contact American with suggestions of flights that work for you, not just accept the ones they give you.

Also, if you traveled during the later part of last week, there was a major winter storm that messed up flight across the eastern HALF of the country. NO airline will accept responsibility for weather issues.

And, how do you propose to hold them accountable? If your flight is cancelled, then what? If they can get you on another flight, then what?

 

[MrKnight]

Unfortunately this does not surprise me, do not fly on Spirit! Worst airline in North America.

 

[seashoreCM]

Does the airline (Spirit or American) you currently have ticket with currently have alternate flights that you would like?

If so, call them and ask for those flights of your choice. If the flights are not available (all booked up) then ask for a refund.

 

[Mrs.AMC]

You mean someone is actually wiling to pay Spirit $3000?
That is absurd right there. I guess they figure is someone is willing to pay them that much they'll be willing to take whatever changes they offer too.
Sorry, but they are just a bad airline all the way around

 

[jodifla]

Sorry OP. I agree with you. I stopped flying Spirit 10 years ago when their CEO admitted they didn't care about customer service.

 

[Evita_W]

Meanwhile, when Southwest changed our flight by 5 minutes, they offered to allow us to change to any other flight with the sane or nearby airports without paying the difference in fare, even if the only fare available was the expensive one and it could all be done online without waiting on hold for anyone.

 

[Disturbia]

Meanwhile, when Southwest changed our flight by 5 minutes, they offered to allow us to change to any other flight with the sane or nearby airports without paying the difference in fare, even if the only fare available was the expensive one and it could all be done online without waiting on hold for anyone.

Wow. That’s great and all I would expect (just an easy change; not other airports or anything special). Stuff happens, but in this case this is April we’re talking about-no weather event I know of.

We have 300k miles with american but that still wouldn’t cover 5 tickets (they’re around $4500+ outright).

 

[MrKnight]

Wow. That’s great and all I would expect (just an easy change; not other airports or anything special). Stuff happens, but in this case this is April we’re talking about-no weather event I know of.

We have 300k miles with american but that still wouldn’t cover 5 tickets (they’re around $4500+ outright).

If you can, I would strongly recommend re-booking with American.. Much better airline and more reliable..

 

[Disturbia]

You mean someone is actually wiling to pay Spirit $3000?
That is absurd right there. I guess they figure is someone is willing to pay them that much they'll be willing to take whatever changes they offer too.
Sorry, but they are just a bad airline all the way around

They do have delays and long lines for bag drops but they have a better stroller policy than AA. Plus AA dropped the ball when we had to rebook 12 hrs before and that was not weather related.

The weather related event we experienced was in June on Spirit and we sat on the Tarmac for 2 hours - allowed people to deplane (in addition to 1.5 hr at the gate), but the staff was courteous and everyone was trying to help each other. AA flights had priority and they started before us, but we were ok with that. I had a lap child and ran out of snacks; strangers were offering snacks and we had our own water bottle fortunately. They would not allow purchases but allowed people to deplane.

The best bet would have been for you to contact American with suggestions of flights that work for you, not just accept the ones they give you.

Also, if you traveled during the later part of last week, there was a major winter storm that messed up flight across the eastern HALF of the country. NO airline will accept responsibility for weather issues.

And, how do you propose to hold them accountable? If your flight is cancelled, then what? If they can get you on another flight, then what?

This was in November there were clear skies. No weather issues, and they did this 12 hrs before we were to fly. They suggested one adult take the older kids on a night time flight and another take the lap child on a red eye the day after the noon flight. We had one car and parking booked. There were no other options. We were on a 4 hour hold with them. It seems like they cancelled flights.

We just accepted the refund of $400 and rebooked one way with spirit for the ridiculous last minute price.

 

[VandVsmama]

Spirit Airlines sucks.

 

[gharter]

After our experience with Spirit, will never fly them again. Absolutely no customer service.
However, every airline is cancelling flights, modifying times.
I've had flights moved 2-4 hours over the last year.
Our last flight was a 1 stop and was cancelled. They rebooked us on a different fight that was 3 layovers and only sent an email saying our flight time was modified. Looking online i found what they had done. Luckily, we were able to change to a more reasonable flight.

 

[FCDub]

They do have delays and long lines for bag drops but they have a better stroller policy than AA. Plus AA dropped the ball when we had to rebook 12 hrs before and that was not weather related.

The weather related event we experienced was in June on Spirit and we sat on the Tarmac for 2 hours - allowed people to deplane (in addition to 1.5 hr at the gate), but the staff was courteous and everyone was trying to help each other. AA flights had priority and they started before us, but we were ok with that. I had a lap child and ran out of snacks; strangers were offering snacks and we had our own water bottle fortunately. They would not allow purchases but allowed people to deplane.

This was in November there were clear skies. No weather issues, and they did this 12 hrs before we were to fly. They suggested one adult take the older kids on a night time flight and another take the lap child on a red eye the day after the noon flight. We had one car and parking booked. There were no other options. We were on a 4 hour hold with them. It seems like they cancelled flights.

We just accepted the refund of $400 and rebooked one way with spirit for the ridiculous last minute price.

I know it sucks when it's YOUR flight, but the entire airline industry is truly in an unprecedented time right now. Patience and flexibility are your best allies, along with a good understanding of the policies in the event of an issue.

 

[sam_gordon]

This was in November there were clear skies. No weather issues, and they did this 12 hrs before we were to fly. They suggested one adult take the older kids on a night time flight and another take the lap child on a red eye the day after the noon flight. We had one car and parking booked. There were no other options. We were on a 4 hour hold with them. It seems like they cancelled flights.

Since there were no other options, what did you want them to do? It's very possible they had either crew or equipment problems. Yes, it's frustrating. I get it. But I don't think airlines cancel flights to inconvenience their customers. I would have wanted to keep everyone together and suggested everyone going on the red eye the next day (whatever the second flight was).

 

[Cheburashka]

We just accepted the refund of $400 and rebooked one way with spirit for the ridiculous last minute price.

That was an impulse purchase that I'm sure you think better of now. Spirit has a terrible reputation for customer service. I'm sorry this happened, but will point out that you would have been better off dealing with American. No huge last minute price and they would have gotten you where you needed to go, with a little patience and perseverance on your part.