Question about Spirit Air

sea-nile · Post by **sea-nile** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 8:49 pm

I am searching for tickets for next June. Spirit air from ORD/Chicago is significantly less than all of the other airlines. It is at about $400 per ticket now and the next cheapest is $530.
Should I book now with Spirit Airlines? Does anyone have any experience with them? Maybe it will go down even more, I don't know.
If you don't want to say anything here, please PM me.
I tried to do a search on Spirit air but could not find any applicable results.
Thanks!

California Girl · Post by **California Girl** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 8:52 pm

My friend flew from So. Cal to STT on Spirit last year and had no problems or complaints. However a lot has changed in the airline industry over the past year.

Lulu76 · Post by **Lulu76** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 9:01 pm

I am flying Spirit because it's sooo much cheaper for me this time. I think it's going to be fine, but I'll find out more in three weeks.

From what I understand, Spirit is like Southwest and sells their cheapest seats first. I know they have sales once in a while, but I my flight hasn't gone down since I bought it in August. It was only $400, so that's OK by me.

I will say that Spirit charges for everything else, including your luggage and if you pick your seats, which adds up if you do those add-ons. (I didn't, so I apologize if I'm the fat girl sitting in the middle and you're next to me!) But most airlines are starting to charge for that and I'm sure it's just the wave of the future.

traveler22 · Post by **traveler22** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 9:24 pm

You can save more money if you sign up for their $9 club. They will send $24 off for 24 hrs and $48 off for 48 hrs. Just be careful because they do have alot of add-ons (luggage,on-line check in, food, drink, pillow, blanket, bathroom). I have only used them once because their flight aren't much cheaper in my area than AA or USAirways once you add everything up.

theshopper3 · Post by **theshopper3** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 8:39 am

HI Sea-Nile,
We flew with Spirit twice & both time we had great service, no problems. I know Captain Kirk flys Spirit as well.

I wouldn't hesitate to fly with them again if the price was good. The flights were all on time

which is more than you can say for some of the other airlines.

The Shopper

Exit Zero · Post by **Exit Zero** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 9:41 am

I use Spirit Air fairly often from STT - FLL -ACY - they do charge for everything but many airlines are moving towards that scheme. The planes and flights have been fine - the FLL terminal is a bit congested and has limited food options for layovers w/o leaving the security area.
No real problems so far but all air travel has the possibility of delays of all kinds. Spirit Air is a small carrier and may not have the ability to switch planes for mechanical problems easily.
Overall I have been satisfied each time.

Kathyzhere · Post by **Kathyzhere** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 10:00 am

Hi Sea-nile,

We have flown with Spirit a few times and will again in Feb '09. I have never had any probs with them and they have been consistently on time. The only time I was frustrated with them is when I had to cancel flights and the amount of $$ that they take off the top for the cancelation was a bit excessive I thought.
Other than that I have been totally satisfied.

We booked our flights for Feb '09 in June '08 and we paid about $300 each. So I would say that the $400 fare from ORD is a good one. I tend to jump on fares asap rather than play the wait and see game. I probably could have got a better deal than $300 BUT I was too nervous at the time with the gas hikes, etc. This past June we paid about $220 each, so for in season I didn't mind the $80 difference too much.

Good luck!!

Kathy

traveler22 · Post by **traveler22** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 10:05 am

Sea-nile
After reading my reply,it seemed I kinda put Spirit down. I also flew the ACY-FLL-STT as mentioned above but was delayed in FLL which made my lay-over 4hrs and the airport is very small with very limited food or drink options. I have access to ACY-Philly-Newark and JFK so I have more options and have used all. I usually try to find the cheapest direct for obvious reasons, that being said, I would fly Spirit again if the price was right.
Scott

Rob7 · Post by **Rob7** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 7:45 pm

With the current situation with airlines, I would suggest getting a "refundable" ticket. You just never know what is going to happen between now and June.

Fowst · Post by **Fowst** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 5:41 pm

Sea-Nile:

I had the exact question you did about 3 weeks ago and finally bought the Spirit tickets. Even after coughing up $80 more to pick a couple of seats for all 4 legs, it was way cheaper than the options.

LMarie · Post by **LMarie** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 9:24 am

If you decide not to pay for selecting your seat ahead of time on Spirit, how does that work? Do they actually assign you a seat before you board and do they keep your party together on the plane?

Lulu76 · Post by **Lulu76** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 10:07 am

I might be wrong, because this is my first time with Spirit, but it sounds as if you are just randomly assigned your seats when you check in if you have not pre-selected your seat and paid the money. You might want to read the fine print on their web site to be sure, but I'm thinking if you want to sit together, the only way to do that will be to pay.

RickG · Post by **RickG** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 10:30 am

We've done this with Spirit Air. They assign seats at check in for all of your legs. I spend the extra money to buy pre-assigned seats when I'm traveling with my youngest.

Cheers, RickG

LMarie · Post by **LMarie** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 11:24 am

So, it sounds like they DO split you up unless you pay to preselect your seats?! Thanks for the info.

greyhoundmom · Post by **greyhoundmom** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 8:08 pm

Sea-Nile,

We traveled Spirit for the first time last July. For many years only US Air Non Stop out of CLT. We had to drive 1.5 hours to save $150.00 per ticket and we to deal with the layover in Ft. Lauderdale for 2 hrs. Can I just stay that this layover sucks? Everyone in the terminal must stay within the terminal for their flight. No venturing to other parts of the airport.
So many hungry people and one restaurant, several kiosks and the lines were crazy long, we just made our flight after buying a sandwich from a cooler. If you are up for an adventure in Orlando, this is the ride for you! Don't know where you are coming from, but to save the money, usually the layover pretty much sucks. It wasn't the worst thing in the world, but it defintitely wasn't CLT to STT nonstop. If I go next year, I'll sacrifice the $money for non-stop. Perhaps we're spoiled but saving $150.00 per ticket to deal with an extra hour's drive plus Orlando Aiport, just beat me to death and makes me want to do the sane thing next summer!!!!

Jan (I'm really a patient and flexible individual, but Orlando plus a million people plus screaming kids plus no food plus people missing their flights plus being locked into a terminal with no place to go pretty much equals "could I just have like a triple shot of something alcohol????" Word to the wise!!!!

usvi-on-line

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Question about Spirit Air

Question about Spirit Air