Spirit Airlines
reviews and complaints

I canceled my service with this company last year, now they are charging me again for an annual contract! this is a scam. you can tell its a scam because they are getting so many complaints they don't even take calls anymore! just email! I will never fly with these people again!

I'm a travel agent and I just booked my first and last ticket on SPI-RAPE AIRLINES! I will never subject any of my clients, friends or family to their customer-no-service, rapist mentality again!

I should have known to leave the site and book elsewhere because to get the reservation done, it too 4 tries - page kept crashing and sending me back to the starting point!

Then you get to a page that quotes what you think is what you'll pay for the travel and once you enter your credit card info, and hit continue - THAT MAKES THE 'SALE' FINAL (excuse me, but is that not supposed to happen in the "CONFIRM!" phase of things which happens to be the LAST STEP showing on their website...?!)

The BAIT & SWITCH:
The ### don't give you the choice of not buying the ticket once you become aware of the baggage charge: they collect each phase of the rape separately, by the time you realize you have to pony up another chunk for baggage it's too late - YOU JUST BOUGHT A NON-REFUNDABLE TICKET on the previous page!

After the credit card info screen, aka the RAPE SCENE, you are carted to the "LAST CHANCE TO PRE-PAY FOR YOUR BAGGAGE!" screen where you are offered the opportunity to add $15 for the 1st piece of checked luggage and should you require a 2nd piece of checked luggage--ADD another $25 to the $15 (so, now you're at $40 over the price you were quoted initially!
...mind you--their website clearly stated that the price for checked luggage (up to 2 pieces) was $10 EACH, but the calculation was done based on $15 for bag #1 and add another $25 for bag #2.--according to the rude agent in INDIA who hung up on me-"the cost has changed ma'am, the site has not yet been updated." (I asked if the customers were to pay for the company not updating their site and he explained that whatever the calculated price showed was what I had to pay, pretty much END OF DISCUSSION!)

Once you've gotten past the inital shock of your ordeal, gone to the ER, had your rape kit processed and scheduled your counseling session to deal with the DINNERLESS DATE-RAPE that you feel just took place, then comes the part where SPI-RAPE Airlines coughs up a nice one and spits it right in your face!

Ladies and Gentlemen:
If you want to sit in the middle of two strangers, by all means you are given the honorable option of paying a mere $5 to select a center seat (BLUE ZONE!)

If you happen to need to sit in an aisle/window seat(GREEN Zones) for whatever reason, the PRIVILEDGE of selecting your own seat will cost you $10 dollars in addition to what you've already paid!

And to anyone like me who's over 6 feet tall and needs to sit in an exit row for the extra leg room...GET READY--as if life's not already challenging enough--sitting in an exit row, YES, AN EXIT ROW (designated RED ZONE), you know the one where you have to speak English fluently per FAA regulations so that you may assist others in the event of an emergency) will cost you $15 MORE.

YES, THIS IS ON TOP OF THE un-"FARE, " the "BAGGAGE CHARGE" and of course any applicable taxes and fees!

To be fair, I must say that there is a note on the site regarding free seat-assignment that may occur at check-in, but as my poor sister said "WHAT"S TO SAY THEY WON'T MAKE YOU SIT IN THE TOILET THE WHOLE WAY THERE!?!" They've sure treated their customers like crap to this point, so that would be NO SURPRISE!

I should also note that the baggage and seat payment screens both crashed and reverted me to the initial pages twice before I could get payments processed - way to go SPI-RAPE what else don't you properly maintain!?!

BEN BALD-ANZA, I'm here to tell you, on behalf of all your RAPE-VICTIMS, WE ACCEPT YOUR CHALLENGE. WE INTEND TO TELL THE WORLD! And, KNOW THIS--"You might not believe it-HA!-But, I talk a lot! I talk a lot! And, in case you didn't read that - I TALK A LOT! AND, SO DO MY FRIENDS, FAMILY, BUSINESS ASSOCIATES, FELLOW TRAVEL AGENTS, CLIENTS. Wait, I almost forgot OUR ATTORNEYS, EMPLOYERS, SENSIBLE AIRLINE EXEC FRIENDS OF OURS (oh, yeah those are your competitors! hmm--INTERESTING!), INVESTORS, MEDIA CONTACTS, SUPPLIERS, MARKETING PROFESSIONALS and ALL HUMAN BEINGS WHO KNOW YOU ARE WRONG--WE TALK A LOT!

YOU HAVE MY WORD! Just in case your Outlook proficiency didn't do an adequate job - WE WILL NOT TO LET YOU DOWN: THE WORLD WILL BE TOLD!

1 days ago by Alex [send email]
Spirit's poor customer service is almost a joke. The Indian people that you speak with on the phone are barely literate, and the woman I spoke with, "allison" just put me on hold and then hung up on me when I told her the calculations she was giving me to modify my ticket didn't make any sense.

I will never fly this ### airline again, and suspect they'll file for bankruptcy shortly. No American will ever put up with this pathetic customer service. What a shame! Spirit used to be a fun and well run airline.

10 reasons to avoid flying SPIRIT: 1) online system often returns bogus results 2) online system detects clicks even though it gives you an error saying system is down - result: paying duplicate fees for baggage check-in 3) after disputing these duplicate charges w/my credit card company (the Spirit Mastercard) because no one will answer the phone at SPIRIT, I received a letter from the credit card company explaining that my $60 duplicate charge was not that at all, it was the annual charge for the $9 fare club of $29.95. go figure. 4) in trying to understand why my frequent flyer FREE SPIRIT account balance shows zero miles after having used the credit card for 9 months and flown on one trip to the Caribbean, the customer service rep at SPIRIT told me I needed to call the credit card company. After I explained that it shouldn't be the credit card company who keeps track of my miles; it should be the airline, I reluctantly called the credit card company. They indeed had my balance for all charges but of course had no record of the actual flight miles. Oh, the SPIRIT rep told me I needed to call the credit card company if I wanted to redeem miles too, by the way. 5) that same cust svc rep also told me they didn't have a customer service dept for their FREE SPIRIT account members. her ultimate solution to each problem I presented was to look at the topics on the help screen on spiritair.com 6) the quality of customer service from the phones to the ticket counters to the flight attendants is poor at best 7) the fares they advertise are most often not available 8) all Caribbean flights stop in Ft Lauderdale and the concourse serving SPIRIT is terrible, hot, has too few restrooms, and only one restaurant of poor quality 9) their phone system often just hangs up when you are on hold 10) employees aren't informed

I purchased a ticket for my brother back in May and they charged me 9 dollars for the club and $11 for travel guard insurance because I forgot to uncheck the automatically CHECK boxes! Then today I see a this on my card statement 07/15/2008 9888CKCRD 07-14CLUB SPIRIT PR [protected] FL $39.95!

Call spirit no one can tell me anything but points me to writing them a letter and it takes 4-6 weeks to cancel! NICE JOB SPIRIT! - you have been awarded the WORST Airlines STILL IN BUSINESS!

I purchased a roundtrip ticket on spriritair.com from SAT to ISP on 10 Jun 08 for travel 23 Aug. By accident I found out that Spirit is discontinuing service to Long Islip. I called customer service and asked for a refund of 738.00 and since I was cancelling it was my fault. I stated I was not the one who changed destination. The agent stated my credit card would be credited with the amount along with the voucher for checked baggage that I purchased. Checking my itinerary, spirit airlines has me going to LaGuardia. My family does not live in the city and it was not my choice to fly there. My choice was Islip and that is what I paid for and now I am being penalized because they changed the destination. After reading all of the complaints, I am afraid that I may have donated over 700 dollars to cause not of my choosing.

I booked a roundtrip flight from San Antonio, TX, to Orlando, FL, at least two months prior to my July 4th trip to visit family. I also purchased pre-seating from San Antonio to Ft. Lauderdale, as well as from Ft. Lauderdale back to San Antonio (since these were two of the longer flights), paying $10 per seat. Two of the three ticket agents at the San Antonio Airport were very rude to and impatient with every person in line. The ticket agent I approached was in such a hurry to see everyone she failed to print out my boarding ticket from Ft. Lauderdale to Orlando. When I found my seat 7D (the one I paid for, front aisle), it was dirty, along with my entire row. There were cookie crumbs everywhere. After waiting nearly 7 hours at Ft. Lauderdale just for my short 45 minute trip to Orlando, there was confusion as to whether or not gate H2 was an Air Jamaica or Spirit Air gate. The ticket agent from gate H1, with no sense of urgency, grazed his way over to H2 and rather disparagingly announced for Spirit passengers bound for Orlando to wait a little longer because our plane was an hour late. I approached the same ticket agent and asked if he could print me a boarding pass. Before I could explain myself why I needed one, the "gentle"man was quick (and loud) to ask how I got through security without one. After explaining the San Antonio experience, he motioned for me to follow him to gate H1, all at a snail's pace.

For my return home, the ticket booth inside OIA was outrageously long. I ended up using the skycap service, although I had no bags to check. This time, however, I got both boarding passes. This time, however, I noticed for my flight from Ft. Lauderdale to San Antonio, I was not sitting in the seat I paid for. I purchased seat 6D (front aisle) back in May. That's what my itinerary stated from the date I purchased my seats and tickets until the morning before I left for the airport. My boarding pass now showed I was sitting in 16B (middle-back, and in the center). Spirit Airlines' website makes not mention of re-arranged seating assignments if a flight is full (nor does the website have any contact information available). But it does state pre-purchased seats are non-refundable. I'd like my $10 refunded to me because 16B is not the seat I purchased. But more importantly--since more than likely I will not be getting $10 credited back to my account--is the fact that Spirit Air has a lot to work on in customer service and a better explanation of their policies. They need to be more transparent. I suppose I get the service I pay for... discounted quality at discounted rates. Never again will I fly Spirit Airlines, and I will do my best to ensure everyone I know stays clear, or risk being treated like something less than a human being.

I experienced much confusion and stress departing and returning from vacation on June 21-28, 2008. My first compliant was that I had to pay $40 to check two bags leaving the US to go to St. Maarten. and $50.00 returning from St. Marrten.

No one contacted me or informed me beforehand that bag check- in would be higher upon my return to the US. When I asked the ticket agent how would I have known rates went up during my vacation, she murmured something about checking the Internet. Why would I have reason to check the Internet, and specifically the Spirit Airlines web site while on vacation? I was able to pay for the $40 bag check-in using my credit card. Upon my return to the US, the St. Maarten ticket agent told me I had to pay for the $50 bag check-in by paying CASH only. Between the two of us, my husband and I barely had that amount of cash on us. We just made it, with the use of some dollars and change.

One other inconsistency, was my being able to use cash to pay for a soft drink on my way to St. Maarten, but only by credit card upon our return. We as the customers, were not considere4d at all in terns of making our travel smooth. There are too many inconsistencies and lack of communication between Sprit Airlines and customers. If we had not had the exact change, that woo would have been a problem.

It is my opinion that the bag check-in rate I pay going should be locked in as the same rate returning. Recognizing whether or not the customer can afford to pay these in-the-middle-of-vacation increases is definitely not considered.

On April 27th, after returning home for a Spirit Airlines flight from Ft. Myers, FL, I discovered (2) Designer Purses were missing from my suitcase. I immediately called Spirit Airlines to report it but after 4 hours of holding I finally gave up. I then emailed them and from Monday-Thursday I constantly called them but no-one answers the phone. I finally got a returned call on Friday and was told I needed to fill out a "Pilfered Item form" which they said they would fax immediatly. I got that on Wednesday after repeated calls. I sent the completed form with all the required information via registered mail. It was noted in the form that anything over $50 must have a receipt, which I tried to dispute. The Coach purse was $158 and the Vera Bradley was $44. After a couple of weeks, I got a letter saying my claim was denied due to "no receipts". Of course I tried calling but ended up faxing a letter telling them the Vera Bradley purse was under the $50 requirement without a receipt and I would would like that reimbursement. This week I received a letter saying I was awarded $29.48 as the purse had depreciated (it was a month old) and the ironic part was ...THERE WAS NO CHECK ENCLOSED. So off went yet another fax in which I told them they had perfected how not to pay passengers for pilfered items . The letters I've received were not signed and they have no phone or fax numbers on them. I wait to see what happens next. Dated 6/20/08

I try to take a flight with this airline (Spirit Airline) Fort Lauderdale to Orlando. I went to Fort Lauderdale Airport, I was 20 minutes late because in the information for the ticket don't told me that I mus to be 4 hours before for checking. When I arrived, I spoke with the represented of the Airline, she suggest me " You can take the train". When I come back, in the Airport of Orlando told me that I lost the return and I must to paid again. I don't understand why I must to paid again. The only answer if that I lost my ticket for roundrip.

I hope never take this airline again, sometimes we try to find something inexpensive and we lose more...

Recently, I purchased a round trip flight from FLL to ISP. The price was a great deal; however, when the party arrive to catch the flight, they were told that the flight was full and that Spirit would have to bump them to another flight. The flight that was booked was to leave at 7:05AM and the next available flight was at 4:00PM - WHAT AN INCONVENIENCE! On top of that, they charged our company an extra $130 for their mistake, which we tried to dispute but the Spirit representative said she had no choice. Since this all took place, I have been trying to reach Spirit Airlines for three days on their 1-800 # listed on the website and what do I find, to my surprise, I am not able to get through. I have tried many times during the day and the phone rings busy. I then called the airport directly and they said they could not get through to anyone at Spirit.

I will never use Spirit again. Their customer service is absolutely horrible!

Spirit Air is a Price Scam! I purchased 3 tickets online for my family to fly from ATL to Orlando 3 weeks to departure, only to find out 1 day before that Spirit had "no record" of my reservation. I had a confirmation from their Website indicating 'Reservation Complete' and "your CC will be charged, and your Website Reservation ID number is XXX!" They did offer however to re-book the reservation for me at double the price (the current price rate!)

I thought isn't it convenient to bump folks from the Sale Price flights because of 'Internet technicalities' and charge them full price when they are in a bind to just Book a Flight!

I purchased 16 tickets on line from Spirit on my credit card for a group going on a medical mission trip to Nicaragua. Because the web site only allows to buy 9 at a time I made 3 different purchases (some were needed for another date). I made a mistake and repeated one of the couples names. (Sam and Ruthie Shaw) The name should have been Charles and Martha Warren. I knew I made the mistake as soon as I pushed enter but there was no way on the sight to go back or verify. I called the number on the sight and 3 hours after waiting on hold I got to talk with someone in the Philippines. They said they could not change the name.They could cancel and give me a voucher but it cost 70.00 each. I was very upset because we had purchased all those tickets and they could not help me with this. I could understand that you can't change the name after so many weeks or close to the flight but I called immediately. It seems someone needs a little common sense there. I guess I will call back and loose my 140.00 since that is my only choice but I doubt I will ever use your airline again.

Thanks, Debra Baxter.

I am extremely dissatisfied in the way Spirit airlines dealt with me as a customer who was stuck in another airport in another city. As far as I can see their philosophy & mission is to make money, not to provide caring /adequate customer service. I called Spirit airlines when I thought that it might be a possiblity that I wont make the flight to florida. I spent friday night March 14, 2008 in the airport due to the system being down and unfortunately the passengers were placed on standby to florida from houston. My flight on Spirit airlines was on Saturday March 15, 2008 1:30pm. I called them the morning of the 15th and explained the situation and I was told there would be a $80.00 fee to change the ticket. However, I still had hopes to make it on time. When I couldn't get on the 10.15 am flight I called and I was told it is too late and that I had forfeited my ticket. What a rip off and injustice. It is obvious they don't care about the customers. I missed my mother's 70 th birthday party. They can't give me back one of the most important day in my mothers life. I now know what a horrible airlines Spirit is and hopefully they will go under with the continued customer complaints. They are forgetting that people make their business. I have seen better company go out of business and they are not exempt.

I recently purchased 2 tickets from Spirit. While on board flight 933/934 from DTW to PBI and back my friend and i were very shocked at the lack of professionalism displayed by the flight attendants on board. They were very rude and unfriendly to passengers and i heard that comment from at least 10 other people, completely unsolicited. Their comments to passengers were very condescending and had a scolding tone to them.

The only other time i used Spirit my luggage was lost for 4 days so i would have a very hard time recommending your airline to any of my friends or relatives. I would have to be really desperate to ever fly spirit again.

Sincerely,
Rod Griffon.

I am so disappointed with Spirit Airlines and the way I was treated that I will never book through them again. I was searching for a flight yesterday and found a reasonable price from Detroit to Las Vegas for 69.00 each way. I put in all my information, which I have done many times before as I fly frequently, and pressed submit. I received a message back that the fare was no longer available at that price and it took me back to the screen to pick flights. The price was now 147.00 each way, which was quite an increase. I was disappointed but decided to look at other airlines for airfare. After searching I found a flight for a reasonable price (253.00 but better than the 318.00 Spirit wanted) and I booked it. Sounds like everything was good, right... WRONG!

Today I came home from work and was going to do some things online. I check my email and low and behold... a confirmation email for Spirit Airline!? I open it and realize they did charge me for the 158.00 airfare, which would be great if I hadn't already booked with another airline on a non-refundable ticket. So I do what any rational person would do and call the airline customer service to explain the situation. You would think it would be no big deal, explain the situation and them refund the amount. If only this were the case!

I spent almost an hour on the phone. First waiting on hold after dealing with the barrage of automated "assistance". Finally, after about 10 minutes of holding I reach the customer service rep, Ms. Maui ("You know... like the State", she says... obviously she lives in another country). I explain to her the situation. She, in turn, says all we can do is give you a voucher. I tell her I don't want a voucher, I want my credit card charges reversed. I tell her this is unacceptable. Obviously there was a computer error on the end of Spirit. There was no confirmation page and I was given a message on the screen saying that "This fare is no longer available. Please chose another flight" and it took me back to where you choose a flight. In no way was I ever given any indication that it had gone through. If it had, for god's sake, why would I purchase airfare through another airline that was more expensive? I thought I was clear, level headed and did a good job of explaining the issue and my request to have the charge reversed. Obviously not! Ms. Maui just kept repeating she could only give me a voucher. This ticket is non-refundable. After a few rounds of not getting anywhere I asked to speak with her supervisor. She told me, I can put you through but the supervisor will tell you the same thing that I am telling you, "all we are authorized to do is give you a voucher".

Boy, she was not kidding! After holding for another 10 minutes I was finally transferred to a "supervisor". There was nothing "super" about Emmanuel, employee #7540040. As a matter fact I take that back, he was "super" at talking in circles and repeating his same script about 20 times. He, if fact, as Ms. Maui so preciously pointed out to me, repeated what she had said ten times over. "All I am authorized to do is give you a voucher". He threw in a couple time, "we appreciate your business" and "we are glad you are a customer"... really, I asked, because if you were so interested in my patronage then you would listen to what I was saying and quit repeating yourself. After I said that I was dissatisfied with just receiving a voucher and asked to talk to someone else, his supervisor preferably, he told me he WAS the highest level supervisor. Yet he says he has no authority to do anything but get vouchers? It is a hide and seek game...they hide from having to help you behind their scripts and circle talk and by saying they have no authority and then tell you there is no one else you can seek out to help you. Who does have the authority I ask... I get no response. Just the run around again and repetition of "all I can do is give you a voucher". By this time my blood pressure is sky high and I am extremely upset. He tells me after my insistent questioning that he would have to check with accounting but he doesn't think they will authorize a refund... only a voucher. By now, you can imagine what I want to tell him to do with his voucher! I ask about checking the with technical department about what happened during my transaction. He says he can try, but he can't promise me anything and he will need a week or two to do that. He says he is trying to be good to me and not give me false hope. Unbelievable! This is fraud! You charge me after you tell me it isn't available... that is against the law! On top of this, you aren't willing to look into it, there is no one else I can talk to, and the only thing you are willing to do is give me a voucher. Nice customer service, Spirit! Glad you know how to take care of your customers... they will be sure and NEVER return that way.

It get's better... I am now into my 30 minute conversations with Emmanuel. He starts being nasty to me and short. It is like we are in a boxing match and it is the last round. I have had it but I am not giving in, which I am sure that is what they expect you to do! I start asking about the voucher... what does that entail. Well, guess what, you can only use it for a year. It is restricted to certain dates and people AND... the best part... it will cost you a 70.00 cancellation fee to use! So, not only am I out 158.00 but I will have to pay 70.00 for a new flight sometime this year, when it is convenient for Spirit to have me fly. I don't think so!

The final straw... I get the address for the corporate office from Emmanuel, which he says he is not authorized to give out the phone number for (interesting... what authority do you have... oh, yeah, vouchers... right!). I immediately look it up and find the phone number, which is [protected], and give it a call. Of course, another automated system. There was some hope, there was a button to push for customer concerns. I press it, waiting to tell someone of the atrocity that had just occurred. Guess what... it hangs up. I tried five times in a row... the same thing each time. What a joke! They really do their best to serve their customer... serve them a bunch of stress, aggravation, and loss of time and money!

This kind of "service" from a major airline is UNACCEPTABLE. I should have been treated with respect and been able to talked to someone who could authorize a refund if necessary. This error was NOT mine and I shouldn't have to pay for it. I will be disputing the charges on my credit card. Unfortunately, Spirit has lost all of my future business and I caution others to do the same. It may be cheap but the hassle isn't worth it in the end.

I book a ticket on spirit airlines for my brother and his wife coming from olando to st thomas but had the wrong city they were in tampa, so i had to cancel the ticket and purchase another one that cost was $587 and was told, that they will credit my cc. They never did this! Was march of 2007, still waiting!

The nine dollar fare club is a scam. For weeks I have been trying to get a flight through their "preferential" club only to never find a fare other than full price. I don't know how this airlines has been allowed to get away with this but I would never give this airline another cent and would not ever fly them no matter how cheap.

A faudulent charge of $29.95 for Club Spirit Promotion that was unsolisted by myself or wife.
We are in our senior years and do need that type of incentive to travel. we only travel a few times a year for holidays.
We have been unable to talk to a live person , all our efforts to get in touch with Spirit have resulted in recordings that have been unsuccessful. We have also called sears-Mastercard and filled out (2) forms at different times and sent as requested by the company.

Spirit airlines was unwilling to offer any sort of accommodation whatsoever for a flight I missed this morning traveling from DCA to FLL. I paid Spirit Airlines roughly $300.00 for a round-trip ticket. When I missed my flight I immediately called to have my itinerary switched, be placed on standby, offered a credit toward a re-booked flight, pretty much anything possible to still get down to FLL without completely forfeiting my entire fare. This is a common courtesy and an acceptable service done by every airline - except Spirit. They seized my entire fair, canceled my return ticket, and told me that if I would like I could rebook this reservation and pay the entire price of the ticket. The next available ticket out of DCA to FLL later today with the same return flight was $400+ dollars, which I was told I would have to pay in full out of my pocket.

It is completely outrageous for an airline to take advantage of a consumer like this. Many mitigating factors can lead to a missed flight and Spirit Airlines should be willing to work with the consumer.

My complaint with Spirit is in connection with a double charge to my credit card which they made and which they claim takes 10-14 business days to reverse. I spoke with my credit card company who told me they have this problem with Spirit ALL the time.

Once the double charge goes on, it takes many calls and pleading to have it reversed. My credit card company says they sometimes will receive a fax from Spirit to have the charges reversed but Spirit claims they don't ever fax anybody. I think it's farly obvious why they hold our money for almost three weeks.

Something needs to be done about this disgraceful "customer servce".