After making its way out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Spirit Airlines is reintroducing a fee that many travelers love to hate. If you’re booking one of their “Go” fares, think of it as their take on basic economy – get ready to face change and cancellation fees once again for tickets purchased after February 5, 2025.
This shift comes not long after the airline had removed these fees as part of sprucing up its brand image. But now, they’re back, albeit with a bit of restraint – not all fare types are affected like before.
In certain situations, the fees for altering or canceling a flight with Spirit might end up costing more than the ticket itself. Let’s delve into the details and discover how to sidestep these charges entirely.
### Fees for Changing Your Ticket
For those buying Spirit’s pricier options, like Go Savvy, Go Comfy, and Go Big, change and cancellation fees remain waived. If you’re making travel adjustments more than 60 days ahead with a Go fare, you’re in the clear with no fees. But if your travel plans are within two months, here’s what you’ll be looking at:
– Altering flights 31 to 59 days before departure: Expect to pay $59.
– If you change plans 7 to 30 days out: The fee jumps to $79.
– And for those last-minute changes within a week of departure: You’ll need to part with $99.
These charges apply to any tickets booked from February 5, 2025, onwards. Buy a ticket before this date? You’re safe from these newly imposed fees.
### Fees for Cancelling Your Ticket
If you need to cancel a Go fare completely, each ticket bought after February 5, 2025, will come with a $99 cancellation charge. Got your ticket before then? You’re off the hook with this new fee.
Federal rules still permit free cancellations and refunds to your original payment method for trip cancellations made within 24 hours of booking, provided your flight is more than a week away. Miss that window? You’ll receive a travel credit from Spirit, minus the cancellation fee. If the fee exceeds the ticket price, no credit comes your way.
Bear in mind, you can only use travel credits when booking online. Whether it’s the ticket’s base cost or additional fees like bags or seat selections, credits can cover it all, along with applicable taxes. Changing names on a group booking within 30 days will incur a $50 fee. Not showing up for your flight forfeits the ticket’s value, and all associated fees and charges. Instead, consider canceling and taking the $99 fee—it’s a cheaper loss than a no-show.
### Avoiding Spirit’s Change and Cancellation Fees
Unsure of your travel plans? Opting for a Go Savvy fare (or something higher) might be your best bet to dodge these fees. Cancelling beyond 24 hours after booking or within a week of your trip still nets you a travel credit, but without the hefty $99 loss attached to a Go fare cancellation.
### Current Improvements Remain Untouched
Even with changes to Go fares, Spirit is progressing with the onboard experience enhancements announced in 2024. Benefiting from free Wi-Fi access if you’re at the Free Spirit Gold elite status level or if you’ve bought a Go Big fare, these perks are here to stay for now.
Additionally, Spirit expanded the allowable size for carry-on bags and lengthened the validity on most travel credits from the previous 90 days to a generous full year. Even more generous are credits linked to cancellations or flight changes, which remain good for five years. As it stands, these enhancements are unchanged.
#### How to Make the Most of Your Travel Rewards
By navigating these changes wisely, you can enjoy the upsides while avoiding the downsides. Always weigh your ticket options, keep an eye on baggage sizes, and remain vigilant with your travel credits to maximize your experience with Spirit Airlines.
