The good and bad of Spirit Airlines--- Pre-travel

Online it is easy to fall into a diatribe of ranting when things go wrong in travel.

I am familiar with the irritation even rage that travel issues can cause. In my industry, guests had to deal with getting to their home airport, getting on that plane then arriving in Denver. Conditions in Denver, getting rental cars, the condition of over 130 miles of interstate that include two major mountain passes... needless to say I empathize.  

In that refrain I try to plan out transportation and lodging, at least in a general idea, so that I know what to expect.   Especially in South America where bartering is so common, where if you walk into a hostel or a shop and you are a norte castillano (re: grino/a) you are likely to be offered a higher price.  That's usually okay to a degree.

In this pursuit I obviously have to look at airfare.  This upcoming trip I am specifically concerned due to a tight budget. 

We are flying to Cartagena and Spirit is not only the cheapest but by a significant amount and the only airline that won't include a layover somewhere else in Colombia. 

Things you need to know before booking with Spirit

I am very tech savvy and had already read a lot.  However, if you aren't or you don't read a lot you can book a ticket without realizing how the airline works.  I understand the frustration a lot of people have with spirit, BUT a lot of that could be alleviated if people were better informed. 

Note: I will only mention a few prices as they tend to rise.  any prices listed are as of April 2014.

*** If you live near a spirit airport save yourself some money. Go to the airport to book your flight directly. You will save $16.99 EACH WAY. That's a night of lodging each way for my current trip!***

• $9 fare club is not $9. I don't know why people assume this but it's not. It is $59.95 and an auto renewal.  So, it will likely save you money but you MUST set yourself a reminder (google calendar is good..set an email reminder) to cancel it. You can cancel online. I'd print that confirmation page and keep it in your records. Then I'd call to double check as it seems A LOT of people have issues with this.
• If booking for a family I believe you CAN book all under one $9 fare club but it MUST MUST be done at the same time.  So you will want to have ALL information at your hands or do NOT complete the booking. This isn't confirmed. Just how I've been told it works. 
• You have varying baggage fees. You can NOT travel with a free carry on unless it meets VERY specific requirements. You only get ONE personal item.  You can have a personal item and a diaper bag etc. You can NOT have a purse and a small backpack... or a purse and a laptop. They WILL charge you upwards of $100 to check any items exceeding this.
• THE FEES INCREASE AT CHECKIN THEN AGAIN AT THE GATE.
• Cheapest way is to check a bag ONLINE. I believe you can do this up to 24 hours in advance of your flight.  ASSUME that it is 40 lbs not 50 as on some airlines. I think some destinations allow 50 but several allow 40 so just assume that and you will be fine. 
• Next you have the option to purchase a carry-on. This reserves you a spot in the overhead bin. This is suitable for those who like to carry-on a small roller bag.
• Then you have your personal item.  It does have a size limit. There are some bags made specifically for this. They are pretty handy too.  Size limits are 16x14x10. There is a box at the airport gate to check your bag. 
• According to their carriage on contract you are allowed to also carry on food or a book or an umbrella. However, just note that either these agents are extremely harassed and react badly to it or there are a large number of rather rude and obnoxious people that work for the airline.  Read the contract of carriage carefully on this. Print it out if it makes you feel better. But don't start an argument because the agents have the right to refuse you for boarding.
• NOTHING is free on-board.  This is VERY clearly stated and noted in all press about Spirit. I'm not sure why people are still complaining. It is the way it is.  However, perhaps you have an elderly parent traveling... remind them.  
• You can carry an empty water bottle through security and fill it at a fountain. Or buy a bottle of water at a store.  That might save you $1 as on-board drinks are $3.  
• Please note some countries will not allow you to carry water on board apparently. Such as Colombia.  I'm not sure how dated that info is but.. just as a warning.
• The flight attendants can NOT take cash.  Cards ONLY. This is not up to them.
• You are allowed to carry food on board. 
• I'm not sure if they'd count a pillow or blanket as something needing to go in your bag. If you want one on board it will be $7.
• You can wear your jacket and scarf in addition to your personal item.  Stuff it with stuff if you have to. 
• That being said federal aviation rules do stipulate several things about tarmac delays and what not.  My power is currently out so I can't re-verify but I believe after 2 hours they are required to give you beverages and food.  Delays are frequent with Spirit so even if you aren't hungry or thirsty please take something on the plane.  Plus the flights are long.
• There is no in-flight entertainment.  I also doubt they will get wifi anytime soon. You'll also probably be looking at a $20 charge when they do. 
• The seats do not recline.  Use that as your general rule. Apparently there are some, very few, planes that do have seats that recline, but if you don't expect it you won't be disappointed.
• You have less leg room. From what I can discern 5'4" people, mostly trim ladies, seem to be okay. Anyone else might want to secure a seat upfront, in an exit row, or an aisle.
• YOU HAVE TO PAY TO RESERVE SEATS.
• If you book your families tickets together, odds are you will be seated together. However, go ahead and plan to pay.
• If you want a window seat, you have to pay. Currently at $10.
• If you want a seat at the front of the plane, you have to pay a premium.  Currently at $40 but there are only 2 seats rather than 3. There is also more legroom, etc.
• You are given MULTIPLE chances to chose your seat when booking, checking in, and at the gate.  Don't act surprised when this happens. 
• Several people have reported decent luck with simply asking at check-in for an open window seat or vice versa. If it is open they are generally granted such a request. If you are on a plane where everyone wanted to pay the additional money..then it won't be granted.  It NEVER hurts to ask.
• Expect not the best service.  If you complain to a gate agent you will likely be told something like, "Ultra low cost airline"   This will frustrate me to no end but getting into an argument with them will do you NO good.
• Simply record everything from names, things said, witnesses and their details, etc then file a report with the airline.
• If something goes wrong also file a report with the NTSB, the BBB, your local news station, etc.  Odds are Spirit itself will do nothing to help.

From what I have learned after extensive research is that it is NOT worth it to fly spirit unless the savings are SIGNIFICANT. I'm talking over $200 different. If you book with spirit for a $40 savings.. you are not making a wise decision.  If you are doing that and know all about spirit and travel light then great for you, but don't complain when you do not get what you need. 

I'd not be flying with them if it weren't close to $300 cheaper after baggage and fees and then still I'd probably fly with someone else if they had a direct flight into the city that I'm going to. THAT's how bad the reviews are.

Other things to note:

• Spirit has no facebook page.  Likely due to the volume of complaints.
• You will likely be delayed.  They have very few planes so if one goes out of service or is delayed even due to weather it SEVERELY affects the system.  Always check to see how many flights and on what days they leave from your destination.  If there's only one flight every week.. GO SOMEWHERE ELSE!  
• If they cancel your flight for pretty much ANY reason they will NOT accommodate you. You will not be booked on another airline.  You will not be offered a hotel voucher under any circumstances. 
• Check the flight number to see the history. I use flight aware.  My flights are on-time approximately 38% of the time. My friend has another leg to her flight, and lucky her.. it's on time 50% of the time!
• If you get bumped or offer to get bumped KNOW YOUR RIGHTS. Do NOT accept anything until they tell you exactly what flight and what day you will be CONFIRMED on.  Read the Contract of Carriage.
• Carry on some small bottles of liquor because you are likely going to need it.

I travel in small random remote places fairly often. I deal with wealthy demanding clients all of the time. I am very easy going. I am more than happy to pay a cheap fare for less services... such as $5 for a bus most gringos pay $20 because I have a blanket and don't mind if there's no heat on that 4 hour bus ride. I'm prepared. But I also expect general common courteously and that is what leads me to believe flying with spirit in a few weeks will be my last time flying with them. 

Make sure you check Jetblue before flying with spirit. Especially to the Caribbean. They often have fares only slightly more expensive and they INCLUDE a free checked bag.  

Good luck  with your travels!  


-----NOTE:
I'm currently utilizing sprint's customer service e-mail. (customersupport@spirit.com) I have been getting timely and professional responses. However, they are unable to answer my inquiry.
One the one-way fare (even round trip) from Cartagena they do two suspect things:

• $92 CO airport tax
• In Colombia there are 3 basic taxes that are established. 
• The Actual departure tax of around 70000COP or $37-$38 (2014).
• A possible Colombian National tax
• A sales tax that seems to sometimes be charged sometimes not.
• If they are lumping these three together they do NOT equal $92.  Even if you include a fuel surcharge that goes to non $9 club members. 
• US Departures Fee of $17.50
• After inquiry with Spirit and other airlines it seems this is just incorrectly labeled. It should be a departure/arrival fee.  Still, Spirit should be more transparent.

My experience over the phone with a guy from OK (spirit apparently outsources even US based customer service to a company called cthree) was HORRID. I then emailed spirit about this and received some response. 

The Colombian Government requires that a TIMBRE Tax be collected when all passengers depart from their country. The TIMBRE Tax in Colombia is 70,000 Colombian Pesos or roughly $37.00 US dollars. The stamp tax (Spanish: impuesto de timbre) is a tax on the expedition of an official document (or on the validity of private documents), such as a contract or contractual modification. I hope that you find this information helpful.

In regards to the US International Departure/ Arrival Tax is automatically calculated into your reservation. However, there is a separate departure tax that is collected in Colombia upon your departure as mentioned above. This is collected by Spirit, however; the Timbre tax is sent to the Colombian government.

Now, obviously I replied asking where they got the $92 then if it is indeed 70kCOP. The response was essentially "taxes are taxes and there is nothing we are going to do" That may be but I want and deserve a better explanation.  Are they being shady collecting extra fees that should go to the Colombian government? Or is there a legitimate reason?

Thank you for your continued correspondence with Spirit Airlines.

Please understand that these are taxes that are regulated by the government and we have no control over how they are determined. These taxes are automatically charged when a reservation is booked.

That does not work as a response.

The reason this is important is because you CAN get an exemption to these taxes while in country.  There is more info on how to do this out of Medellin and Bogota than Cartagena but I still want to know.  I want to know if I'm eligible for a refund on this entire $92 before I go to Colombia. My Spanish is NOT in the aeronautical field so I will be on the short end of that stick.    Who doesn't want to save $92 when it isn't legitimate and when $92 could cover lodging in country for 7 days!?

Leave comments with questions or concerns.