If you’re chatting with a group of travelers and the topic of Spirit Airlines comes up, chances are someone will tell you a story about Spirit Airlines from the past. And, at least in my experience, that story usually includes delays, cancellations, and other negative memories.
Of course, we are more likely to remember and talk about negative experiences. And I would also like to share my negative experience with Spirit Airlines. The last time I flew Spirit Airlines — the story of 2021 How to visit Disney World on a budget — There was a huge line at the Spirit check-in counter in Orlando, and I was delayed due to poor communication.
However, Spirit currently has a relatively new fleet and excellent on-time performance, and we believe it offers the best value in the skies. My husband and I had a casual conversation with an optimistic Spirit Airlines employee a few days later at the Business Traveler Awards in Miami. Spirit files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Guided by this staff’s optimism and excitement about Spirit’s future, we visited Spirit headquarters in Dania Beach, Florida in a few weeks to meet Rana Ghosh, Spirit Airlines’ senior vice president and chief transformation officer. I decided to have an interview.
What I learned about this discussion and the current state of airlines and where they stand. free spirit program As I prepared for the interview, I found myself wondering specifically about the current situation. Spirit status match challenge — Whether it’s time to rethink Spirit Airlines and its Free Spirit program. This is what I’m thinking.
New fare types and easy booking passes
Spirit introduced the Big Front Seat in 2007 as a rebrand from Spirit Plus. So Spirit flyers have long had the opportunity to purchase wider seats with more pitch. but Spirit recently introduced new faresas well as Go Comfy fares that guarantee a blocked middle seat.
Blocked middle seats sound appealing and make the flight more comfortable. However, it is important to remember that there are no additional pitches on the Go Comfy sheet. based on Aerolopa dataThe Go Comfit seat pitch is only 28 inches. That’s 9 inches smaller than the 37 inches typically offered on big front seats and 7 inches smaller than the 35 inches offered on most Spirit exit row seats.
Ghosh noted that Go Comfit’s seats are similar to those offered by many European airlines in business class on short-haul flights. He emphasized how relatively easy the product was for Spirit to create and said Spirit was pleased with its performance so far.
Since Spirit currently has four different fare classes, including Go Comfy and Go Big premium options, Ghosh highlights the airline’s offerings that appeal to each type of traveler and each specific trip. did. He also added that Go Comfy and Go Big fares will soon be visible as premium fare types through online travel agents, so travelers can better compare these products with those offered by other airlines. I also said that it will be.
Finally, it is worth noting that the booking route has become much easier than it was a few years ago. Especially if you choose Go Comfy or Go Big fares, there is little chance of incurring additional charges. However, Ghosh said that if they choose a Go or Go Savvy fare, much of the booking process that gives them the opportunity to add items is designed to help consumers understand what they are not getting with that fare and how much it will cost. He said it was there to inform the public. Cost of adding additional services.
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Prices can be surprisingly low
Whether you book with cash or Free Spirit Points, prices are surprisingly low on some of the dates and routes I searched. This also applies if you want to book Go Comfy or Go Big. For example, for a sample nonstop flight from Atlanta to Orlando in February, you could pay $33 for the Go fare, $62 for the Go Savvy fare, $78 for the Go Comfy fare, and $98 for the Go Big fare.
Alternatively, you can redeem 2,500 points for Go fares on this flight. If you want to reserve Go Savvy, Go Comfy, or Go Big, just add $29, $45, or $65. These payments are equal to the price difference in freight paid.
A Go Savvy fare of $62 (or $29 for 2,500 points) provides you with personal items, seat selection, and checked or carry-on baggage, which is all you need. But considering that the Go Comfy fare, which guarantees a middle blocked seat, costs $16 to purchase, or the large front seat, which costs $36, these You’ll want to book one of the higher fares.
Even on the more expensive lines, the purchase cost between Go Savvy and Go Comfy or Go Big isn’t bad. For example, on this flight between Atlanta and Orlando in March, when demand increases, the price difference between Go Savvy and Go Comfy is $46, but the price difference between Go Savvy and Go Big is $71.
Related: Get the most out of your airfare: The best credit cards to book flights
No change or cancellation fees, giving you more flexibility
Spirit has quietly improved its change and cancellation policy These changes have made it much more likely that you will book a flight on Spirit.
If you cancel your Spirit flight reservation more than 7 days out within 24 hours of booking, you will receive a full refund in your original payment method. Otherwise, if you cancel at least one hour before your flight’s scheduled departure time, you will receive a booking credit based on the amount of your booking.
When you book on the Spirit website, you can use your booking credits to pay for fares, baggage, seats, fees, and taxes. Any guest linked to the original reservation can use the credit. Also, you don’t have to use all of your booking credits on one booking; you can use the remainder on subsequent bookings. Booking credits issued after May 20, 2024 are valid for one year, while booking credits issued due to flight cancellation or rescheduling are valid for five years.
You can also change your flight online up to one hour before scheduled departure. However, if you make a change, you will have to pay the difference between the originally booked fare and the new fare.
these Change and Cancellation Policy It’s surprisingly consumer-friendly, especially when compared to the basic economic policies of most major US airlines. I like to keep my options open, so I rarely book fares that I can’t cancel at will.
Related: How to get a refund for a non-refundable ticket
Spirit’s route map may work for you
If you’re based in Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Orlando International Airport (MCO), or Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), or if you travel frequently, Spirit Airlines offers domestic and domestic flights. You may find that they often offer direct flights. Regional destinations you want to visit.
In addition, Spirit flies to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), Miami International Airport ( MIA), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). So if you fly to and from these airports frequently, Spirit is also worth considering.
But even if you don’t plan on flying Spirit often, it’s still worth a try if the airline offers attractive flight options at affordable prices. As I grew older, I started to like making reservations. Direct flight when available. And I’m more willing than ever to give Spirit another chance, especially given Spirit’s friendly cancellation policy and new fare types.
Related: Spirit Airlines cuts 24 routes, adds 7 more in latest network restructuring
You can challenge Spirit in the current Status Match Challenge
One of the uncomfortable topics that came up while speaking with Ghosh was the negative experiences many travelers have had with Spirit. He and the airline recognize that they need to invest in educating the traveling public about what Spirit currently offers in terms of product, service and quality. In addition, brand sentiment needs to be restored, especially among travelers who previously had negative experiences with the airline.
The airline is trying to achieve both goals with its current structure. status match challenge. This Status Match Challenge is only for elite members of other domestic airlines, as Spirit is most interested in getting these travelers to try out its current services and products.
Through this Status Match Challenge, eligible travelers can earn 90 days of Free Spirit Silver or Gold status and keep that status until the end of 2025 if they earn a certain number of Spirit Qualification Points on flights and travel within a 90-day period. You will have a chance to extend it. of Free Spirit® Travel More World Elite Mastercard®.
Free Spirit Travel More Mastercard information was independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been verified or provided by the card issuer.
One downside for those who don’t normally travel alone is that Free Spirit Elite benefits are only available to status holders. Other airlines typically extend benefits to at least one travel companion, but this is not the case with Spirit.
Additionally, many of the benefits of Free Spirit Gold status don’t help much if you make purchases above the Go price. That said, if you have Free Spirit Gold status, there may be little reason to book a higher fare class. After all, Free Spirit Gold members choose exit row seats when booking, enjoy priority check-in, a free first checked bag, a free carry-on bag, and complimentary snacks and drinks on board.
Related: Essential tools and tips for finding the cheapest flight tickets
conclusion
TPG Somerhal and Zach Griff I recently tried Spirit Airlines and shared my experience. she was happy in the summer I canceled my Spirit Airlines first class ticket and returned home.Zach shared his Thoughts on flying with the Spirit Big Front Seat.
Especially since some travelers deliberately decide to do so free agentWe hope more travelers will be attracted to Spirit’s new fare class. For a small additional fee, booking a Go Comfy seat, which guarantees a blocked middle seat, or a Go Big seat, which offers extra width and pitch, may be appealing to some travelers. Especially if Spirit offers nonstop flights on your desired route.
