USVI-On-Line

Wow... just priced out MSP to STT in December
ROUND TRIP $156.38 on Spirit Airlines
I've got January booked but maybe someone can take advantage of it. Flight times aren't the greatest... but $156.38 RT is unbelievable!!

Wow, that's amazing. Spirit though? I wonder if they make you ride with the baggage for that price? Or maybe outside on the wing?

We've been 10 times starting 10 years ago and we've never paid less than $350.

It's almost worth the 8 hour drive up north at that price!

I just read in T&L that Spirit is starting to charge up to $100 for carryon bags. So, check all fees before buying airline tickets!

DonnaM wrote:I just read in T&L that Spirit is starting to charge up to $100 for carryon bags. So, check all fees before buying airline tickets!

Only if you wait and purchase at the gate or if your bag is over 99 lbs.. other wise its 30 a bag if you purchase while making your reservation.

http://www.spirit.com/OptionalFees.aspx

they also charge for seats...if you choose to pay...we dont..and usually get good seats because people buy the less expensive ones..

Myrtle beach has this same offer for next week....wish we could get away

Hey, I didn't know Spirit was flying out of MSP now! Oh dear - now I have to figure out if the aggravation of using them is worth the savings. Spirit is the ultimate cut-rate airline. EVERYTHING is a la carte - they charge you for every bag, whether you check it or carry it on. But that's not all - they charge $34/ticket just to book the flight! They charge another $4 for something they call "the unintended consequences of the DOT ruling" (ha ha). No free snacks,not even WATER. Last I heard, you could still use the toilets for free, but they are always adding new fees so I wouldn't even take that for granted.

They charge you to choose a seat, although that one really is optional. If you don't choose a seat you don't have to stand; they assign you one. But if you don't pay extra for the "big seats" you are jammed into seats that push the envelope for nose-to-tail crowding. (On the plus side, I read a tip that the $50 they charge for the "big seats" is actually a very good deal compared to other airline charges for first class upgrades.)

From what I've read, they also have an in-your-face attitude towards both the government (see "unintended consequences" charge) and their paying customers . They skimp on customer service reps at every stage of the process, resulting in long lines, surly employees, and nobody to talk to if your flight is cancelled and you get stranded somewhere.

But if you can tolerate all of that, and don't mind carrying your own water bottle on board, they still offer really low fares. If my calculations are correct, that $156 fare would cost me about $300, even with $50 for a big seat. I'd be tempted by that - it's at least $150 less than the lowest fare I've ever seen from MSP->STT.

I'd love to hear from someone who actually has taken Spirit Airlines to STT, from anywhere. Anybody?

We fly them often and yes we pay for a checked bag but the other airlines charge as well..Delta, US Air, AA as charge fees....you are allowed a back pack carry on for no charge..as far as the fees, any fees that you are speaking of (34.00) is included except for the seat fee's if you choose to buy them and the checked bag fee..We do not buy seats and always get decent seats and we we sit together. As I said before people buy the cheaper seats and that leaves the more expensive ones open..as far as buying water...I can buy some in the airport before we board..and snacks too...its a little over 2 hr flight from Ft Lauderdale...people act like you will be on the plane for hours without anything to drink or having to pay a buck or so for water...I dont even get up to go to the bathroom while we are on the plane...I dont know why people are so down on this airline..they open and honest about any extras you can buy..we have always had good luck with them...and hopefully anyone who uses them will have the same luck...but for 156.38 for a round trip ticket..I will be happy to buy myself a bottle of water...and even pay 10.00 more for a checked bag than I would pay if I were flying Delta.. Just buy the checked bag when you book and it will be less expensive..if you wait til you get to the airport...or if you are over weight..you will have to pay the 100.00 so get it early when you book.
Honestly..IMO...I would have no problem flying them...we have always have good luck and been on time and not had any delays...I wouldn't hesitate if it were me

This is copied from an actual booking...I tried to copy any fees so you can see they are included: You can go all the way thru til you are ready to put your card in and see what the total will be...these amounts are broken down so you can see what the ( in this case 89.98) is broken down to they show you what each dollar amount goes for...it is not in addition to. Hope this helps...and hope someone can jump on this deal..Ive fought it hard all day not to book it...lol

FLIGHT Less Information ▼ $89.98
Base Fare$89.98
(Broken down)
Flight $52.28
Unintended Consequences of DOT Regulations $3.72
Passenger Usage Fee$33.98
equals:
(52.28+3.72+33.98= your total of 89.98)

GOVERNMENT'S CUT Less Information ▼ $66.40 (33.40+10.00+18.00+5.00=66.40) total 156.38
US-International Departure Tax $33.40
September 11th Security Fee $10.00
Passenger Facility Fee $18.00
APHIS User Fee $5.00
******Total Due$156.38***** There are no booking fees added to this amount..only checked bag and seat fees if you want to add them

PS..150.00 saved will buy lots of bottle of water...lol PM me with any questions you may have..

Compared to the $653 that Delta is charging for the same dates.... with a difference like that, you can not only buy water at the airport, but you can splurge on water all week in St. John.... or something even better ---- RUM!!



Anyway, Spirit is a welcome option flying from MSP where Delta rules the roost and charges prices as if they are a monopoly!

Looks like the sale has gone off...and its 404.38 for the same dates I had shown earlier..they are having a 35OFF sale depending on when you would like to go that might help someone..at least I wont be as tempted today...

@JJShaw--- thank goodness they put us out of our misery! Whewww...................

Thanks for the tips, folks! That's why I keep haunting these forums, unwilling to let go of my last great trip to the island. Sometimes I actually learn something useful.

I did some searches on Spirit website for MSP->STT airfares on various dates, and there were always some flights under $200 in the middle of the week. HOWEVER... all of the flights I looked at depart MSP at 1:15AM, layover for 7 hours in MIA in the wee hours of the morning, and arrive in STT after 15 hours of travel! I can handle a red-eye flight where you sleep through the whole thing on on the plane, but I'm not sure that any amount of money saved would make up for SEVEN HOURS in the Miami airport at a time when even the coffee shops are all closed.

But I'll keep an eye on them. Spirit is new to MSP - maybe they will open up some more reasonable flight schedules. Does anyone know if you can put a fare watch on Spirit for specific destinations and dates?

mnfun2bme wrote:@JJShaw--- thank goodness they put us out of our misery! Whewww...................

Bad news for us...its back on sale...lol

dreamshark wrote:Thanks for the tips, folks! That's why I keep haunting these forums, unwilling to let go of my last great trip to the island. Sometimes I actually learn something useful.

I did some searches on Spirit website for MSP->STT airfares on various dates, and there were always some flights under $200 in the middle of the week. HOWEVER... all of the flights I looked at depart MSP at 1:15AM, layover for 7 hours in MIA in the wee hours of the morning, and arrive in STT after 15 hours of travel! I can handle a red-eye flight where you sleep through the whole thing on on the plane, but I'm not sure that any amount of money saved would make up for SEVEN HOURS in the Miami airport at a time when even the coffee shops are all closed.

But I'll keep an eye on them. Spirit is new to MSP - maybe they will open up some more reasonable flight schedules. Does anyone know if you can put a fare watch on Spirit for specific destinations and dates?

OUCH to the 7 hrs..I dont know if I could do that or not..I didnt look at the time of day you would be there...but honestly to save close to a grand...I would def. think about it...lol
I have no idea about fare watch and Spirit...It might be worth checking out...also sign up for their emails..you never know what might go on sale...
One thing I forgot to mention...we are not members of the 9 dollar fare club...and still manage to get good deals...we do have their Master Card and do manage to rack up some good miles with them..2 miles for every dollar...and we've flown basically free for the last 2 yrs..

Honestly, the 7 hours in Miami wouldn't be so bad.
If you've flown out of MSP to most Caribbean destinations, you know that if you don't leave very early morning, you miss connecting flights so you're typically up at some awful hour to get to the airport regardless. There are those few exceptions of direct flights... but there are not many.

The price you pay to be in paradise is potentially lower from MSP and that is thrilling.

Hey JJShaw.... darn them.... still $156.38 tonight!! Go for it. if I weren't leaving 2 months later, I'd be booking! Not sure my boss would understand my need to go in December and January. LOL

mnfun2bme wrote:Honestly, the 7 hours in Miami wouldn't be so bad.
If you've flown out of MSP to most Caribbean destinations, you know that if you don't leave very early morning, you miss connecting flights so you're typically up at some awful hour to get to the airport regardless. . LOL

True, but this flight has that problem too: the flight leaves MSP at 1am before dumping you in Miami in the depths of the night. 7 hours in a nice modern airport in the middle of the day - tolerable. Stumbling off a plane at 4am to sit in the dark waiting for a coffee shop to open - I think that's past my limit. Especially the Miami airport, which is not one I have happy memories of. The first time we changed planes there we found ourselves in an old and rundown concourse with ALL THE PLUMBING BROKEN. Every bathroom in the concourse was closed for "maintenance" and the whole planeful of people had to sprint about a quarter mile to another concourse to relieve their aching bladders. Not fun.

On the other hand, if it's the only way you could possibly afford the trip, it might be worth it. It's nice to have options.

I wouldn't even mind being stranded in Cincinnati in the wee hours of the morn.... if it meant I would be in St John hours later. Plus.... I'm not a coffee drinker. *laugh* I can certainly understand that predicament it puts coffee drinkers in. LOL

Either way.... it's an unbelievable price from MSP to STT. My flight would have been over $700 for January - thank goodness for miles from my credit card!