Everything you should know before flying Spirit Airlines

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. To talk about Spirit Airlines is to tell a tale of two airlines. On the one hand, Spirit has one of the newest fleets in the skies, commendable on-time performance and low prices that can be very attractive — especially for …

Mar 6, 2025 - 01:04

Everything you should know before flying Spirit Airlines

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

To talk about Spirit Airlines is to tell a tale of two airlines. On the one hand, Spirit has one of the newest fleets in the skies, commendable on-time performance and low prices that can be very attractive — especially for large groups and families.

But then there’s the Spirit Airlines that recently placed ninth out of 10 on TPG’s 2024 best U.S. airlines list. The airline is notorious for long bag drop lines and poor communication during delays. Plus, you’ll face more fees when flying Spirit than with most other U.S. airlines. Additionally, Spirit Airlines recently emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy and has rejected multiple merger proposals from Frontier Airlines, including the most recent bid this January.

So, what do you need to know if you’re flying Spirit Airlines? We’ve got all the details about how Spirit might be different from trips you’ve taken with other airlines. With this information, you can decide whether to book with Spirit. If you’ve already booked a Spirit flight, this guide will answer common questions about flying with the airline so you can have the best trip possible.

What fares does Spirit Airlines offer?

Boarding a Spirit flight with a personal item and carry-on bag. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY

As we reported last year, Spirit now has four fare options, which you’ll see as soon as you start booking a flight.

Spirit Airlines fare type matrix — SPIRIT

The options are:

Go

Think basic economy. This is the lowest-priced ticket and comes without frills. This means you’ll pay extra for everything from a beverage to seat selection to a checked bag. Notably, this ticket type does not allow for the purchase of a carry-on bag.

Go Savvy

This is Spirit’s version of a full-fare main cabin ticket. You’ll be able to select a standard seat for free at booking and bring aboard a full-size carry-on. Snacks and drinks are not included, and checked luggage is an additional charge.

Go Comfy

This ticket allows you to select one of Spirit’s “Comfy” seats, which feature an empty middle seat for a bit of extra space. Plus, you’ll get a full-size carry-on bag, though you must still pay for checked baggage. You will, however, be entitled to snacks, nonalcoholic beverages and Group 2 priority boarding.

Go Big

This ticket type offers access to Spirit’s Big Front Seat (featuring 11 inches of extra legroom and wider, prereclined 2×2 seats with extra-thick cushioning), free Wi-Fi and priority airport security, where available. This fare class comes with both free checked and carry-on baggage.

What is Spirit Saver$ Club?

Spirit also offers special Saver$ Club fares. However, you can only get Saver$ Club fares if you purchase a 12-month membership, which costs $69.95.

Spirit’s Saver$ Club doesn’t just get you lower fares on flights. Members also get:

Up to 50% off on checked and carry-on bags for you and up to eight guests
Savings on seat selection costs for everyone in your party
Discounts on Shortcut Security (access to the quickest possible lane to get through the security screening experience)
Savings with select partners

If you fly on Spirit frequently or travel as a group — and often pay for add-ons such as baggage and seats — membership may quickly pay for itself. Spirit says if you’re flying with a group, you can recoup your membership fee in one flight. However, before you buy a membership, consider how much you’ll likely save and whether the savings justify the fee.

Can I check a bag?

Spirit bag drop line in Orlando — Bag drop lines can get lengthy. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY

Yes, you can pay to check one or more bags when flying Spirit — and with the Go Big seat option, you’ll also get a free checked bag. Each checked bag should be no larger than 62 linear inches (length + width + height) and should weigh 50 pounds or less.

Checked bag fees vary based on the route you’re flying and when you purchase your checked bag with Spirit. You can use a tool on Spirit’s website to calculate baggage fees. Typically, paying for bags during booking is the cheapest, while paying at the airport is the most expensive and will add about $20 to the initial bag fee cost.

You’ll need to pay additional fees if your checked bag is overweight ($125 for up to 100 pounds) or oversized ($150).

Can I bring a carry-on bag?

Spirit bag sizer at Louisville airport — Bag sizer at a Spirit gate in Louisville. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY

Go Savvy, Go Big and Go Comfy all include a carry-on bag in the ticket price. (This is a relatively new and welcomed change to the Spirit experience.) However, if you’ve purchased a Go ticket, the lowest-priced option, you are not allowed to purchase a carry-on bag, and you will need to pay for a checked bag if you want to bring anything beyond your personal item.

Carry-on luggage must be no larger than 22 inches by 18 inches by 10 inches.

Can I select a seat?

While the upper tiers come with complimentary seat selection, if you are flying with a Go ticket, you must pay to select your seat. The cost depends on the route, seat type, when you purchase the seat and seat location. Regular seats cost $5 to $50, while Big Front Seats cost $12 to $250 when purchased in advance and $25 to $175 when purchased onboard.

For a recent Spirit flight from Orlando to Louisville, seat costs were as follows about two weeks before departure:

Big Front Seats: $52
Exit row: $28
Near the front of the aircraft: $25
In the middle of the plane: $19
At the rear of the plane: $13

If you don’t select a seat, Spirit’s website says they will “assign random seats at check-in for free, but we can’t guarantee that you will get to sit with your friends or family.” If you choose this option, you may luck out with a window seat at the front of the aircraft — but Spirit can also assign you a less desirable seat. You should pay to select a seat if you absolutely must sit with traveling companions or have a strong preference for a window or aisle.

Should I splurge for a Big Front Seat?

Big Front Seat on Spirit Airlines A321neo — Big Front Seat on Spirit Airlines A321. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

However, you won’t get any extra service when flying in Spirit’s Big Front Seats. Plus, no Spirit seats recline. You’ll need to decide whether the cost to reserve a Big Front Seat is worth getting a larger, more comfortable seat at the front of the aircraft, even without other notable perks.

Can I check in and get my boarding pass at the airport?

Spirit check-in area at Louisville airport — You may need to pay a fee to check in at the airport. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY

Spirit encourages online check-in through its website or app when possible. You can use a self-service kiosk at the airport to check in and get a boarding pass for a $2 fee; or you can ask a customer service agent at the check-in counter to check you in and print your boarding pass for a $10 fee. Of course, Spirit will waive the fees if your trip doesn’t allow online check-in — for example, if you’re flying to/from a country that doesn’t allow online check-in.

Will I be served a snack or drink?

Flight attendants taking orders and charging cards on a Spirit flight — You can get a drink or snack in flight, but you’ll need to pay for it. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase, but you’ll need to pay for them with a credit card or debit card — so you might want to bring snacks and fill up your water bottle after clearing security if you don’t want to spend money on board. You can check out the snack and drink options on Spirit’s website before boarding.

There are also several ways to get free food and drinks on board. Both Go Comfy and Go Big booking options come with complimentary drinks and snacks. Free Spirit Gold members (more on that below) receive a free snack and drink, too.

Can I change or cancel my flight?

For all four classes of Spirit tickets, there is no fee to cancel a flight within 24 hours of ticketing if the reservation has been made at least seven days before departure. There are also no change or cancellation fees for Go Big, Go Comfy and Go Savvy tickets. However, for the Go travel option, a fee applies for cancellations or modifications if the booking was purchased on or after February 5, 2025.

Otherwise, you’ll face the following fees per customer per booking if you need to change or cancel your flight:

Six or fewer days from departure: $99 fee
Seven to 30 days from departure: $79 fee
31 to 59 days from departure: $59 fee
60 or more days from departure: No fee

There is also a Go cancellation fee of $99.

If you change to a flight with a higher fare, you’ll need to pay the difference. If you cancel or switch to a flight with a lower fee, Spirit will issue any remaining balance as a travel credit.

Can I earn points on Spirit flights?

Economy seating on Spirit — You can earn points on Spirit flights. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY

Free Spirit is the airline’s free-to-join loyalty program. Members earn 6 points per dollar on fares and 12 points per dollar on optional add-on items like baggage and seat selection. Free Spirit Silver and Gold elite members earn even more points on these purchases: For example, Gold members earn 10 points per dollar on fares and 20 points per dollar on optional add-on items.

Of course, you can also earn card rewards on purchases with Spirit Airlines. To maximize your purchases, I recommend using one of the best cards for airfare or travel. My choice would be the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , or The Platinum Card® from American Express, as these cards will provide bonus earnings on your airfare and travel protection on your flight.

Should I get a Spirit Airlines credit card?

Spirit has two cobranded credit cards available to U.S. residents: the Free Spirit® Travel Mastercard® (no annual fee) and the Free Spirit® Travel More Mastercard® ($0 introductory annual fee, then $79). It only makes sense to have these cards if one or more of the following is compelling to you:

Gain $100 companion flight voucher for the Travel More card when you make $5,000 in purchases within the prior anniversary year. This voucher can be used as a discount on companion airfare (excluding taxes and fees).
Receive 5,000 bonus points each anniversary with the basic Travel card after making at least $10,000 in purchases within the prior anniversary year.
Points pooling: As the primary cardholder, Spirit lets you combine Free Spirit points with up to eight friends and family members.
25% rebate on inflight purchases
Group 2 boarding
No foreign transaction fees

The information for the Free Spirit Travel More and Free Spirit Travel card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Bottom line

Spirit is an ultra-low-cost carrier, so adjust your expectations accordingly. You may need to wait in long bag drop lines. Plus, there won’t be any amenities on board, and Spirit doesn’t serve complimentary food or drinks with its two lower fare classes.

The airline also operates fewer flights on many routes than full-service competitors, resulting in fewer rerouting options if your flight is delayed or canceled. On the plus side, the fares are often very low, and the planes are relatively new.

If the cost is reasonable, consider booking a Big Front Seat for extra space. I recommend booking your flight with a credit card that offers trip delay benefits so you’ll be protected if Spirit delays or cancels your flight.

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