Using Spirit Airlines this time...

[Nadjalu]

We are using Spirit Airlines this time, we have always flown Northwest/Delta and I have some questions.

I know all Airlines have different ways of doing things, so what are some tips you can offer me about flying Spirit?

Is there a better way to handle your seating arrangements before getting to the airport?

We are staying at POP, so no resort check in and early boarding pass...does this mean we have to take our carry ons with us on ME and do it ourselves or does RAC take care of them?

Is there anything that Spirit does very differently than others?

Sigh, I hate using a new airline. Hate flying period, so any tips/advice you can give me will help this OCD girl out!! LOL

Thanks!

 

[rtravels]

I have never flown Spirit, but I know they charge for a carry on (not something that can fit under the seat in front of you, but any bag that has to be stowed in the overhead bin). I believe they are the only airline in the U.S. to do this.
I'm not sure of this, but I remember when Spirit employees went on strike last summer, they stranded many of its passengers and made headlines because of it.

 

[drew64]

They are a low cost, alternate airline so differ quite a bit from legacy airline such as Delta in some ways

Carry-ons - They only allow a small, personal item free of charge. You have to pay for any other carry-on bag.

Checked luggage - You pay for all checked luggage

They also have no interline agreements with other airlines, so should never be used to connect to/from another airline. While major airlines can check bags through on each other to your final destination, with Spirit you would have to retrieve them at baggage claim, exit and then get in line to recheck them and go through security again at your connecting airport.

Seats- You have to purchase the right to get an assigned seat prior to checkin at the airport. You can do this beginiing only 90 days prior to departure.

Spirit tickets are non-endorseable and they have no agreements with othe rairlines, so if a flight is cancelled, you can only be placed on another Spririt flight- legacy airlines can endorse their tickets to one another for more options.

 

[Tara]

The things you are worrying about are all reasons I recommended the nonstop flights at your preferred times on Delta!

I haven't flown Spirit so I can't comment on their check-in policies, but PPs are correct in that they do charge for any carry-on item that will not fit under the seat in front of you. The fee for a carry-on item that doesn't fit under the seat is $30. If you don't pay it online ahead of time, it's $45 at the airport.

They also charge for checked luggage - $28 for the first bag and $35 for the second bag per person if paid online. Again, if you wait and pay at the airport, it's $45 per bag.

The bottom line is that if you are planning to save money by carrying on your luggage, you won't. They've constructed their policy so that there is a disincentive for carrying baggage with you.

Here is their policy page with baggage sizes. http://www.spirit.com/Policiesbags.aspx

(It's actually one of the better, clearer pages explaining baggage policies IMO.)

As for RAC - you are correct that Spirit is not participating. You can use ME delivery service going to the resort but you'll need to handle ALL your own baggage on the way back. RAC can't help you with this at all. If you are leaving later in the day, you'll need to check your bags with Bell Services and then retrieve them before boarding ME. Remember to allow yourself plenty of time to do this.

 

[Nadjalu]

Thanks....this is what I was afraid of. What a nightmare!!

Never again will I fly Spirit. Since this one is already booked we'll have to go with it....ugh but I didn't know that they charge you for the carry ons, the checked bag yes but the other is ridiculous.

Tara I know you recommended the Delta flights, but the only times that we were able to fit our schedule were over a hundred more a person. Of course now it seems we will hit close to that with the stupid bags.

Will have to talk with DH and see if there is anything we can do. We booked thru cheaptickets, so I don't know if we will be able to change anything.

Ah well....lesson learned!

 

[pr surfer]

A trick for Spirit Airlines. Get a large camera bag. Camera bags are exempt from the carry on fee. So I place a few changes of clothes, with a camera on top.

 

[Nadjalu]

Thanks for that tip!

Ok, another question. We purchased the insurance on the vacation package that covers the flights, where would I find out what this ins. covers?
I don't have my packet yet, and I have no clue where to find the insurance info....where would I get that?

 

[Tara]

Tara I know you recommended the Delta flights, but the only times that we were able to fit our schedule were over a hundred more a person. Of course now it seems we will hit close to that with the stupid bags.

I must have misunderstood your previous post- I thought you said you paid $215 but maybe you meant total, not per person?

In any case, I hope it all works out for you in the end!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

you will need to pay for seats if you want to be assured you will sit togehter. Do NOT assume that the Flight Attendants will assist you if you aren't seated togehter (they work for Spirit, they are not encouraged to assist the customers)

Just a warning, when Spirit went on strike last year the insurance on thier site didn't cover that! not sure what you want it to cover, but generally airline insurance is not that good and Spirit, expect the worst possible and that way you won't be disappointed!

 

[Nadjalu]

Thanks Tara I hope it turns out well too....

Ah well, as I said earlier, lesson learned. We will never fly Spirit again.

It is terrible how airlines "hide" what they can in the fine print. Everytime I have booked a flight I always feel like I am playing the "shell game" on the Price is Right.
Bait and switch. Yes I know it isn't really true, but the flying communtiy is NOT on the up and up, they are shady in their tactics.

I just hope the vacation itself turns out to be wonderful...NO MORE ISSUES...please.

 

[chrisann]

we haven't flown spirit in a few years, I have one question. You used to be able to check in 24 hours before your flight, and you could pick from the remaining seats available. Is that still the case?

 

[Lewisc]

Here is their policy page with baggage sizes. http://www.spirit.com/Policiesbags.aspx

(It's actually one of the better, clearer pages explaining baggage policies IMO.)

JMO but the page is intentiionally deceptive. Spirit first lists:
'

For travel November 16, 2010 and beyond
(Effective for reservations purchased on or after August 26, 2010

How many people are going to scroll down and see the new rules:

For travel February 1, 2011 and beyond
(Effective for reservations purchased on or after November 30, 2010)

The maximum weight included with the baggage fee is now 40 lbs. I can't think of a singe legitamite reason for first listing policies which expired on 1/31. The newer polices should be listed first.

 

[1GR8DISNEYFAN]

Just be prepared to have no leg room at all! We took a red eye on Spirit once and it was terrible, hopefully your flight is not that long. I am 5'7" and my knees were bumping the seat in front of me.

 

[jenseib]

I am bumping this back up.
O just booked with Spirit because the price was a lot less than Delta and the time was perfect for me. I have avoided Spirit since our last flight with them in 2008. It was CRAMPED! But this time it's just me, so I am going to sufffer it to be able to go. I did not pick a seat, because I don't care where I sit, being that I ma traveling alone. How do they do that? Do they assing you a seat at check in? Or is it general boarding after everyone else boards and you just take whats left open (which is how Allegiant does it, and who we usually fly with, though we pay for seats with them)

As for the personal item...I plan to take a tote bag and put a couple of things in it, including my camera bag for my SLR with a few lenses. I hear people say camera bags are excmept from the personal item list, so could I technically bring a tote and the camera bag? But then BOTH would need to fit under the seat correct? I really don't need to bring much with me on the plane, since I won't have to entertain a child this trip (Wow that is going to be different). But I then think I should probably bring a change of clothes and my toothbrush! LOL! Just in case.

 

[Lewisc]

Technically only a camera is exempt. I wouldn't assume a large case containing a camera, and personal effects, will continue to be exempt. Nor do I think Spirit needs to provide any advance notice.

How long Spirit allows passengers to bypass the carry on bag rules depends on how many passengers try to outsmart Spirit.

 

[jenseib]

Technically only a camera is exempt. I wouldn't assume a large case containing a camera, and personal effects, will continue to be exempt. Not would I think Spirit needs to provide any advance notice.

How long Spirit allows passengers to bypass the carry on bag rules depends on how many passengers try to outsmart Spirit.

I personally don't think I would try it. My bag isn't huge, but much bigger than a point and shoot bag. I'll just bring a tote and put the camera bag in with a few things. This will be really weird packing for just me.