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Spirit Airlines Informative - Hidden Charges --Spirit now charging for checked bags - Checked bag fee
Checked bag fee
DETROIT, MICHIGAN -- Be aware that Spirit is now charging for checking your bags. Effective 6/20/07 you get no free checked bags--if you buy the service online it's $10 roundtrip per bag for the first two bags, then $100 for the 3rd. They have size & weight requirements too.
While this is fully spelled out on the site now, it was not shown when I made my reservation. I would have factored this into my overall cost comparison.
Given that we can't travel with over 3oz of a liquid on board (like that's really going to keep us safe.), this is a ridiculous charge.
I'm amazed at how many companies nickel & dime the customers, pissing them off in the process. Why hide the cost? Why charge it separately? It's not like your service is better than the competitors. Spirit is a 2nd tier airline flying out of the older gates...so they need to work harder to make us want to use them-not piss us off with extra charges.
I wanted to send this privately to Spirit, but of course they have no online (or no easily found) online contact-another irritation. They obviously don't want to hear from their customers.
I rarely fly Spirit because of the gates they use are so old and their flights are sparse, adding a risk if a flight is canceled or delayed. This extra hassle will keep me from considering them anymore.
While this is fully spelled out on the site now, it was not shown when I made my reservation. I would have factored this into my overall cost comparison.
Given that we can't travel with over 3oz of a liquid on board (like that's really going to keep us safe.), this is a ridiculous charge.
I'm amazed at how many companies nickel & dime the customers, pissing them off in the process. Why hide the cost? Why charge it separately? It's not like your service is better than the competitors. Spirit is a 2nd tier airline flying out of the older gates...so they need to work harder to make us want to use them-not piss us off with extra charges.
I wanted to send this privately to Spirit, but of course they have no online (or no easily found) online contact-another irritation. They obviously don't want to hear from their customers.
I rarely fly Spirit because of the gates they use are so old and their flights are sparse, adding a risk if a flight is canceled or delayed. This extra hassle will keep me from considering them anymore.
Comments:
Posted by Sparticus on 2007-06-16:
Oh man I cannot believe they are starting to tack on an extra charge for checking bags! You are dead-on about the liquids thing... my wife and I use to carry-on all the time until they made the new rules... so now we check every time. This is ridiculous. If they are charging EXTRA for handling my bags... well maybe we should expect our bags to be handled properly... which means no stealing... no tearing... no rips... but that will never happen.
Posted by DebtorBasher on 2007-06-16:
Spirit Airlines*
30588 Automation Dr.
Clinton Township, MI 40835
www.spiritair.com
800-772-7117
If you want to contact them by Email:
http://spiritair.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/spiritair.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php?
Corporate Office Address:
Spirit Airlines Corporate Office
2800 Executive Way
Miramar, Florida 33025
30588 Automation Dr.
Clinton Township, MI 40835
www.spiritair.com
800-772-7117
If you want to contact them by Email:
http://spiritair.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/spiritair.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php?
Corporate Office Address:
Spirit Airlines Corporate Office
2800 Executive Way
Miramar, Florida 33025
Posted by Hugh_Jorgen on 2007-06-16:
Expect to see more of this - there is a new airline flying out of Columbus, OH called Skybus - patterned after RyanAir in Europe. There are 10 seats on every flight for $10, then the remaining seats are priced based on when you buy. But everything is extra - no phone center - either buy online or fly with someone else - no free checked bags, they get $5 each. You can bring NO food or beverage on board with you, you must buy it on board. Pre-assigned seat? $5 please. Want a pillow? It's $5, but it's your to keep. They have reduced flying to the lowest possible priced product and they plan to charge for everything. You can bet all the other airlines are watching to see if people will go for it.
Posted by Noneill on 2007-06-17:
I am surprised that this came as a surprise. We've been hearing about this sort of thing for about a year now. It is necessary for low cost airlines to stay competitive.
Posted by smcg on 2007-06-18:
While there have been reports of low cost carriers in the press, Spirit's change was not indicated when I purchased my ticket.
As I mentioned, it is very clear now on the site, but it was not there when I purchased--so this is a bait and switch activity in my mind.
In addition, if I had not checked online now, the charge is double ($20/bag roundtrip) if you do this at the airport. Imagine how pissed I'd be then.
As to low cost carriers needing to do this, remember that they've got to overcome the convenience of the traditional carriers. The ticket price on NW dropped to the same level 3 days later. NW flies out of a newer terminal, they have more flights (in case there is a problem) and I get frequent flier miles.
Sorry, but Spirit has to EXCEED the first tier airlines if they want my business, and hiding charges is not the way to do it.
Combine this with all of the negative comments you read about Spirit, and I really don't want to do business with them.
As I mentioned, it is very clear now on the site, but it was not there when I purchased--so this is a bait and switch activity in my mind.
In addition, if I had not checked online now, the charge is double ($20/bag roundtrip) if you do this at the airport. Imagine how pissed I'd be then.
As to low cost carriers needing to do this, remember that they've got to overcome the convenience of the traditional carriers. The ticket price on NW dropped to the same level 3 days later. NW flies out of a newer terminal, they have more flights (in case there is a problem) and I get frequent flier miles.
Sorry, but Spirit has to EXCEED the first tier airlines if they want my business, and hiding charges is not the way to do it.
Combine this with all of the negative comments you read about Spirit, and I really don't want to do business with them.
Posted by OpinionsCount on 2007-06-18:
Thank you, DebtorBasher, for the e-mail address for consumer complaints to Spirit Air. I just sent them my 3 cents worth on this new example of corporate greed.
In my opinion, this policy will result in only two things:
1. More people trying to cram overstuffed carry-on bags into the narrow and already full overhead bins on board the planes of carriers who adopt this policy; and, 2. People such as myself who, if I ever have to bring along a suitcase which cannot be carried on board, will simply buy my tickets at a competitive price from one of the many other carriers which serve a major destination like Fort Lauderdale and do not charge a fee for checked baggage.
I predict in the long run, it will cost Spirit Airlines more in lost revenue than the pathetic extra $5 they seek to strongarm from their passengers.
In my opinion, this policy will result in only two things:
1. More people trying to cram overstuffed carry-on bags into the narrow and already full overhead bins on board the planes of carriers who adopt this policy; and, 2. People such as myself who, if I ever have to bring along a suitcase which cannot be carried on board, will simply buy my tickets at a competitive price from one of the many other carriers which serve a major destination like Fort Lauderdale and do not charge a fee for checked baggage.
I predict in the long run, it will cost Spirit Airlines more in lost revenue than the pathetic extra $5 they seek to strongarm from their passengers.
Posted by DebtorBasher on 2007-06-18:
No problem...that's what I'm here for...good luck and keep us updated!
Posted by talsal on 2007-06-18:
I totally don't think it's fair that they we pay for our tickets with no cancellations or changes without a heavy penalty but they can change the terms anytime they feel like it. We can't change the terms but they can?
Posted by alexmom on 2007-07-05:
smcg, your experience seems to mirror mine. I too was not made aware of the charge when I booked my flight and I know of several others who were not either despite what Spirit claims. How they are able to employ these deceptive business practices legally, I have no idea. When I contacted Spirit I was read the company line by a smug representative and then hung up on. My problem is with their poor communication and terrible customer service. I would have understood if it had been made clear to me at the time of my reservation. Very, very sneaky company.
Posted by swperry on 2007-07-11:
The add-on charges are the least of your worries with Spirit air. You'll find that they almost never make connections so if your flight is a 2-leg journey don't even consider them. I found out the hard way after being stuck in the Ft. Lauderdale airport for 2 full days. They don't have agreements with any other airline...so don't expect to get home on a major carrier when Spirit fails to meet your connection. Not only this, but their agents are apparently untrained because they take 20 minutes per person to check 2 bags.
If you watch their lines, you'll notice that Spirit air spends most of their time each day trying to fix yesterdays problems. When trying to talk to a supervisor you can never talk to one.
If you don't believe that spirit air is the worst airline just try calling their 800 number. This is it 800-772-7117.
I guarantee you'll either be put on hold for 20 minutes (if you're lucky) or you'll get an automated "we have unusually high volume, please try back later...then a hangup"
Some things just aren't worth the cheap price...I learned the hard way. I was kicked out of the Ft. Lauderdale airport after they told me I couldn't get on the flight the second day because it was full.
If you watch their lines, you'll notice that Spirit air spends most of their time each day trying to fix yesterdays problems. When trying to talk to a supervisor you can never talk to one.
If you don't believe that spirit air is the worst airline just try calling their 800 number. This is it 800-772-7117.
I guarantee you'll either be put on hold for 20 minutes (if you're lucky) or you'll get an automated "we have unusually high volume, please try back later...then a hangup"
Some things just aren't worth the cheap price...I learned the hard way. I was kicked out of the Ft. Lauderdale airport after they told me I couldn't get on the flight the second day because it was full.
Posted by vnamguy69 on 2012-11-02:
When did our friends at SPIRIT change their baggage weight limit to 40#. SURPRISE at the airport? My bag was weighed twice, passed muster the first time but not the second. Somebody is playing games here folks....be careful out there.
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