Spirit Airlines Beware!!!

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Maybe I'm naive or maybe I should have investigated this a bit but be very careful falling for the scam that Spirit Airlines is running.

A few weeks ago I went to Expedia to book a flight. Spirit Airlines had the lowest price so I booked with them.

Last night I went to print out my boarding pass. I was shocked to see that they charge $45.00 for a CARRY ON BAG.

Then is only got worse. They charge you for YOUR SEAT!!! That's right you pay anywhere from $12.00 to $45.00 for a SEAT depending on where you want to sit.

With the additional charges, I'm paying more than I would have paid with almost any other airline.

I honestly don't know how this is legal.

Don't fall for this scam.

[nkrifats]

Maybe I'm naive or maybe I should have investigated this a bit but be very careful falling for the scam that Spirit Airlines is running.

A few weeks ago I went to Expedia to book a flight. Spirit Airlines had the lowest price so I booked with them.

Last night I went to print out my boarding pass. I was shocked to see that they charge $45.00 for a CARRY ON BAG.

Then is only got worse. They charge you for YOUR SEAT!!! That's right you pay anywhere from $12.00 to $45.00 for a SEAT depending on where you want to sit.

With the additional charges, I'm paying more than I would have paid with almost any other airline.

I honestly don't know how this is legal.

Don't fall for this scam.

Not a scam. Spirit has been using this charges for years. A lot of airlines charge for things you use to not pay for.

[Dutchman]

Buyer Beware! Allegiant does the same. You don't have to pay for seat selection if you don't pre-select one.

[red tail]

it is not a scam. you were only looking at the price. there are other things to look at. like type aircraft, safety record, conveniences like being able to select seat before hand and print boarding pass at home, on time performance etc etc etc.

[CWGUY]

:shrug:I don't think bad planning or bad research means anyone was scammed. Our son, daughter in law, and two grand kids flew down in Dec. Non-stop, round trip on Spirit Air from Buffalo to MCO. Just under $250 TOTAL for 4 people. It took some advance planning.

[villagetinker]

Have not used Spirit, but Allegiant is an "alacart" airline, you get a personal carry on (must fit under the seat, then you pay extra for, any item in an overhead bin, your seat, any checked luggage (by weight), expedited seating, AND your boarding pass if you do not print at home, etc., I only use them when I want to fly into one specific airport, as Southwest (my favorite) does not go there.
Many airlines are going to this what I call alacart system, makes it very hard to get competitive of final pricing without actually making a reservation.

[DonH57]

I wouldn't be surprised if they charged you to ride in one of the wheel wells!

[ureout]

you get exactly what you pay for....if you need to check luggage you pay...if you need a certain seat you pay...I actually like it....also you should always go to the actual airlines sight to see all the hidden costs.... another thing to check when choosing these cheaper airlines is there dependability of flights....sometimes the last flights of the day seem to have some type of problem and are cancelled

[nana13]

I want to praise SouthWest Airlines My husband I were booked on a flt. from MCO to BAL. for a wedding, when his health, was determined, by his Cardiologist , not to fly, I contacted SW, and sent a letter from our doctor, and we received a full refund of our tickets (no penalty) The CS rep, was so caring, and helpful. , Cant say enough about SW, great airline, great customer service, I will not fly any other airline from now on. Hope they continue, this caring attitude. :gc:

[ColdNoMore]

I want to praise SouthWest Airlines My husband I were booked on a flt. from MCO to BAL. for a wedding, when his health, was determined, by his Cardiologist , not to fly, I contacted SW, and sent a letter from our doctor, and we received a full refund of our tickets (no penalty) The CS rep, was so caring, and helpful. , Cant say enough about SW, great airline, great customer service, I will not fly any other airline from now on. Hope they continue, this caring attitude. :gc:
:agree:

Southwest and Costco, are at the top of my list...for great companies. :thumbup:

[Hancle704]

Delta will soon be offering free meals (Including coach) on some of their coast to coast flights.

[Carla B]

SW can't be beat. Two bags free, and if you change your mind, NO PROBLEM!

[JoMar]

SW is a great airline if you want to go where they go. We have the same issue as VillageTinkerer, to get to where we want to go requires Allegiant or a rental car or a limo if another airport. We have been lucky, in using Signature Coach and Allegiant out of Sanford, we have never missed a flight or had one cancelled. (Now looking for some wood to knock on). I'm assuming Boogie doesn't travel a lot which explains his lack of knowledge about the ala carte carriers, and his disappointment. I suspect that will not happen again :)

[Trish Crocker]

I agree with you about Spirit...the only problem is, sometimes they are the cheapest when you need a flight right away. Don't be talked into one of their credit cards either. I stupidly signed up for one while on the plane, with the promise that I would get 15,000 miles "enough for three round trip tickets and the were transferable" I thought it wasn't a bad idea, I could let my kids use them to come down to visit. The one and only time I tried to use it I found out there was a $75 fee each way to use the 'free' miles. The ticket I was sending a friend only cost $4.00 more without using them miles so I paid for the ticket to same the free miles....I just got a notice today telling me that the miles were expiring and I could use them to buy magazines if I wanted to. urgh!! Also, and I thought this was really funny....After flying Delta and getting free movies and games to use during my flights previously I found it hilarious when looking at my Spirit boarding pass and seeing..at the bottom of the page..TWO SUDOKU PUZZLES....WITH THE LINE ABOVE STATING THAT IT WAS FOR MY IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT!

[Barefoot]

I don't think bad planning or bad research means anyone was scammed. You definitely have to look at more than the bottom-line price.
I don't know of a carrier than isn't charging for preferred-seat selection, luggage, meals, etc.
It's a very competitive industry.

[Beachdad]

Everything anymore is getting to be like buying tires... you need to ask the "Out the door" price, before committing.

[dok4933]

Add Frontier to the list for add on fee's.

[justjim]

I can remember when flying was fun. Now, nothing but a hassle. We drive more often these days. Not bad when you are retired and have the time. We stop more often, have a nice dinner and get a good nights rest. The "sights" we use to fly on by----we stop whenever we want. Generally driving is cheaper or just about the same and it's fun too.

[LI SNOWBIRD]

I wouldn't be surprised if they charged you to ride in one of the wheel wells!

Bring quarters for the bathroom.

[collie1228]

Here's a list of Allegiant Air charges for a round trip flight from Orlando to Flint, MI. They advertise it at $116 (with fees mentioned in the small print):

Airfare 116.09
Fed Excise Tax 8.71
Segment Fees 8.00
PFC 8.50
Sept 11 Security Fee 11.20
Prepaid Bags 40.00
Carry-on Bag 29.00
Seat Selection Fee 45.00
Carrier Usage Charge 26.00
Trip Flex 27.00

The "added charges" by the carrier total a lot more than the airfare. Buyer beware.

[EPutnam1863]

SW can't be beat. Two bags free, and if you change your mind, NO PROBLEM!

Several years ago I flew by Southwest from San Francisco to San Diego. One very overweight lady could not get out of one of the bathrooms and had to wait until we landed before she could be greased out of there. If she could get in, it makes one wonder why she cold not get out.

[EPutnam1863]

Our simple solution??? We no longer fly except when there is a wedding or a funeral.

[Jimmydoodlebug]

I would rather crawl on my hands and knees than fly on Spirit ever again. There is no worse airline.

[johnboy]

You don't have to pick and pay for a seat. If you don't choose one, you will get one that they assign you at no cost!

[dewilson58]

Here's a list of Allegiant Air charges for a round trip flight from Orlando to Flint, MI. They advertise it at $116 (with fees mentioned in the small print):

Airfare 116.09
Fed Excise Tax 8.71
Segment Fees 8.00
PFC 8.50
Sept 11 Security Fee 11.20
Prepaid Bags 40.00
Carry-on Bag 29.00
Seat Selection Fee 45.00
Carrier Usage Charge 26.00
Trip Flex 27.00

The "added charges" by the carrier total a lot more than the airfare. Buyer beware.


We fly Allegiant all time.
They are great.

It's not "Buyer beware".............it's understand what you are buying. There is no fine print, the website is very clear and easy to read.

[Rollie]

I agree with Southwest Airlines being great. My new favorite, since Midwest went bye, bye.

[Soaring Eagle]

Spirit and Allegiant are no frills but are the cheapest way to travel to see my soon to be 6 grandkids. I've got money in my pocket to spend on them versus my seat on the plane. I can travel more frequently. Last time I took a backpack only. It's not luxury travel like I've enjoyed before but for the price, I'm pleased.

[Nucky]

Why do the pilots from these no frill airlines get on their knees and kiss the ground when they land? We just had a terrible experience with Spirit. We were ready to be treated like we are on JetBlue and SouthWest, never again, ever on a supersaver. For us it is a live and learn thing. JetBlue has done some amazing things to help out a few in our family who were chicken to fly. Southwest speaks for itself, amazing.

[jnieman]

Spirit also has the smallest hardest seats