Considerable Points To Book Spirit Airlines For Budget Travel!
If you have searched for cheap flights recently, you’ve probably run across some of the ultra-low airfares from Spirit Airlines. Known today as one of the largest discount carriers, the company began as a Michigan-based trucking company in the 1960s before offering air service as Charter One. It changed its name to Spirit Airlines and moved operations to Miramar, Florida.
There is also no question that Spirit offers some of the lowest airlines you can find in the United States. Whether you are thinking about booking a flight for the first time or contemplating whether to buy another ticket, here are some things to book Spirit airlines.
Where does Spirit fly?
Spirit flies to more than 65 cities in the Western Hemisphere, including more than 30 U.S. destinations, as well as several international spots like Peru, Columbia, Eucador and around the Caribbean. The airline is adding some nonstop routes from North Carolina to Florida in early September. See Spirit’s route map here.
How is Spirit able to offer such low fares?
Spirit bills itself is part of the “unbundled” airfare market. This means you don’t pay for all the extras that other airlines include with your flight. it is a bare-bones, no-frill ride. The airline also boasts Fare Club, its rewards program where you can find cheap airline tickets not available to nonmembers. They do have a trial membership that lets you try it out for two months.
What is Spirit’s baggage policy?
In a departure from most other airlines, Spirit charges fliers for carry-ons in addition to checked bags. On a sample flight from Atlanta to New Orleans, Spirit displayed a menu of baggage prices that varied depending on when and where you purchased.
- Personal item (like a purse, small backpack, etc.) for free. Its dimensions can’t be larger than 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm) including handles and wheels.
- Carry-on bags can’t be larger than 22 x 18 x 10 inches (56 x 46 x 25 cm) including handles and wheels.
- Checked bags cannot exceed 62 linear inches (length + width + height; 158 cm) including handles and wheels. If they weigh more than 40 pounds, you’ll be charged extra.
How much does Spirit charge for assigned seats?
If you let the airline choose your seat at check-in, it’s free, but if you request a seat, the airline could charge you, depending on the circumstances. Big Front Seats are premium seats that, as their name suggests, are larger and toward the front of the plane. They cost anywhere if you pay in advance. For onboard seat upgrades to the Big Front Seats, you have to pay. The carrier also offers Shortcut Boarding and Shortcut Security.
How do Spirit customers view the airline?
When it comes to customer satisfaction, Spirit tied for last in the American Customer Satisfaction Index report that was released in April 2018. The airline’s on-time arrival rate for May was 80%, a dramatic improvement from the same month a year ago, according to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics. For contrast, Southwest’s on-time arrival rate was 76% and JetBlue’s was 71%. Hawaiian Airlines (91%), Delta (85%) and Alaska (82%) were tops.
How to save money on Spirit Airlines
To really save money on Spirit you need to be aware of where all the “gotcha” fees are. Here are 3 ways to save right off the bat:
- Print your boarding pass at home: Spirit charges to print that little piece of paper for you at one of their kiosks.
- Bring your own snacks: Spirit will charge you for snacks and drinks. Save money by making your flight a BYOF (bring your own food) affair. They allow it.
- Book your own flights: Yes, Spirit will charge you for booking, especially groups. Their Reservation Center starts packages at per booking. Group bookings (10 of more passengers on a single itinerary) must be done via phone or in person.
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