Spirit's new $34 fee for booking tickets online

[jodifla]

I stopped flying Spirit about 4 years ago when they started all their fee garbage...has this new $34 fee already been discussed?



Spirit Airlines passengers face $34 in fees to buy tickets online
The only way most customers can avoid the fee is to head to the airport and wait on line

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/life-sty...tickets-online-article-1.978098#ixzz1eNQ8KzLk

 

[TinkPirateMom]

What will they charge for next? Really, Spirit is one of the worst airlines out there. AC airport is much more convenient for us but I will not fly Spirit again, not just because of the ridiculous fees but because they have the worst customer service around.

 

[summermac]

That has to be the worst business decision ever. Who in the world would go to an airport and wait for a flight? I know I wouldn't.

 

[johnnyr]

They lost my business when they started to charge for carry on bags. They entice you by displaying cheap fares on their web site, but after they get your payment info, you end up getting hit with a ton of other fees. I wouldn't be surprised if they charge a lavatory fee next!

 

[supernova]

Odd when every other airline charges you to talk to a person rather than book online. So glad Spirit is never an option for me anyway.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

A fool and his money are soon parted...and honestly I think it's foolish to book Spirit.

 

[NotUrsula]

What Spirit appears to be doing is emulating the fee structure of European budget carriers such as RyanAir. The problem is that their fare prices are not in the same universe as the carriers they are copying.

The model works in Europe because people don't mind paying the extra fees when the fare itself is under $20 or so, which it often is on these European carriers if you buy in advance.

Here is a Ryanair example for a flight from Ireland to the UK, eight days from now (not a holiday in these countries)

Fare: 12.99 EUR
Credit card purchase surcharge: 6.00 EUR
1 checked bag (up to 45 lbs): 25.00 EUR
Seat selection: 5.00 EUR
Confirmation text message with flight info: 1.00 EUR
TOTAL: 49.99 EUR ($67.60 at today's exchange rate)

$67 is still a pretty good price for this flight, so people don't complain much because they know they are going with an airline that is really bare bones, and if you don't want to pay the add'l fees there are ways to avoid them (including buying a branded gift card from the airline to avoid the CC charges.)

Here are all of their possible fees, and the blurb on how to avoid paying them:

Admin Fee–is avoidable by paying with Ryanair’s recommended Mastercard Prepaid card.
Priority Boarding Fee - is avoidable by simply not selecting this service.
Reserved Seating Fee – is avoidable by simply not selecting this service.
Airport Boarding Card Re-issue Fee – is avoidable by simply presenting your online boarding pass at your departure airport.
Checked Baggage Fee - is avoidable by simply travelling with no checked baggage.
Excess Baggage Fee – is avoidable by simply complying with Ryanair’s agreed baggage weight limitations.
Online Check-In Fee – is avoidable by simply purchasing the lowest advertised promotional fare that includes the online check-in fee free of charge

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

Allegiant does something simliar its $14 to book online. So I just go to the airport and buy there, yeah it took me about an hour last time and 30 min of driving but when you are getting tickets for anywhere from $19.99-49.99 per leg it's worth it when the other options are over $200 per leg.

 

[The 4 "Quay"balleros]

Another fee from Spirit, imagine that But for my last 2 trips, the deals with all the silly fees, have been much better than any other airline. I live close to AC but also look at Philly. For my upcoming trip, the price was over $400 less than southwest!! So I'll stay with Spirit for now.

 

[supernova]

What Spirit appears to be doing is emulating the fee structure of European budget carriers such as RyanAir. The problem is that their fare prices are not in the same universe as the carriers they are copying.

The model works in Europe because people don't mind paying the extra fees when the fare itself is under $20 or so, which it often is on these European carriers if you buy in advance.

Here is a Ryanair example for a flight from Ireland to the UK, eight days from now (not a holiday in these countries)

Fare: 12.99 EUR
Credit card purchase surcharge: 6.00 EUR
1 checked bag (up to 45 lbs): 25.00 EUR
Seat selection: 5.00 EUR
Confirmation text message with flight info: 1.00 EUR
TOTAL: 49.99 EUR ($67.60 at today's exchange rate)

$67 is still a pretty good price for this flight, so people don't complain much because they know they are going with an airline that is really bare bones, and if you don't want to pay the add'l fees there are ways to avoid them (including buying a branded gift card from the airline to avoid the CC charges.)

Here are all of their possible fees, and the blurb on how to avoid paying them:

Admin Fee–is avoidable by paying with Ryanair’s recommended Mastercard Prepaid card.
Priority Boarding Fee - is avoidable by simply not selecting this service.
Reserved Seating Fee – is avoidable by simply not selecting this service.
Airport Boarding Card Re-issue Fee – is avoidable by simply presenting your online boarding pass at your departure airport.
Checked Baggage Fee - is avoidable by simply travelling with no checked baggage.
Excess Baggage Fee – is avoidable by simply complying with Ryanair’s agreed baggage weight limitations.
Online Check-In Fee – is avoidable by simply purchasing the lowest advertised promotional fare that includes the online check-in fee free of charge

I believe you missed the toilet fee and the fee to not get meals on board the flight. Prices go up, perks go down. Way down.

 

[Buzz's Buddy]

But for my last 2 trips, the deals with all the silly fees, have been much better than any other airline.

This is the bottom line for me. Why purchase a ticket on an airline that doesn't charge fees for $250 when I can purchase a ticket on Spirit for $150 when I include all of the fees?

I've flown Spirit numerous times and have almost always departed and arrived early or on time and don't have to deal with the hassle of Philly or Newark.

Don't get me wrong, I think all of these fees are ridiculous. But I'll probably just wait til I get to the airport and let them assign me a seat for free.