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Spirit Airlines?

Has anyone used them?  There are a lot of negative reviews, as well as a bunch of uneventful trips.  Many of the compalints were about the carry-on/checked bag fees.  Even when we account for those fees, we would save about $300.  The flight would be about 2.5 hours and this will be the first time we are flying with our 2 year old daughter. 

We are trying to figure out if the cost savings is going to be worth the potential headache with our daughter. 

Thanks!

Re: Spirit Airlines?

  • If you've truly accounted for all the costs, and it's that much cheaper, go for it.  Usually the complaints are that it doesn't save you any money.

    I've only flown spirit once, and the plane was kinda dirty.  Plus there were ads on the tray tables and overhead bins which bothered me for some reason, but not so much that I'd pay $300 more to avoid it. 

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  • My experience with Spirit has been up and down. They used to be very good and reliable, and then for the past few years, their service has really gone down. They have has a lot of last minute cancellations and are notorious for overbooking and bumping. I have also gotten complaints about lost baggage. All of that being said, I recently sent a couple on a trip with Spirit, and they had no issues. I think they are trying to make a turnaround, but if there are ANY other flights close to the same price, it may be worth it to go in another direction. You will also have better luck if you book through a travel agent and/or have travel insurance. Online bookers are the first ones to get bumped from a flight. 

    Hope this helps!! 

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  • Thanks ladies!  We are going to Disneyworld and Spirit only has one departing and one return flight so we are making all our hotel and park plans based on on-time flights.  It's hard to pass up $300 savings for all these 'what ifs.'  But if something were to go wrong with the departing flight, the savings would be easily gone and then some. 
  • My friends and I have flown from DFW to Vegas with no complaints. As long as you just want to get from point A To B, don't need extra service and are aware of all of the fees, and can save a considerable amount, I say go for it.
  • Generally the opinions on this board have been very negative.  My DH is a very laid back (and often cheap Smile) guy and even he refuses to ever fly Spirit again.  Their planes are dirty, old, and uncomfortable, never mind the fees you've already mentioned.

    As long as you go in with low expectations, it might be OK for a 2.5 hour flight.  Good luck.

    I'd rather be rock climbing or playing volleyball
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  • If you know, exactly what everything costs, add them up and still cheaper, fly with them.

    We have flown with spirit twice, from DFW to Vegas, we rather spend our money in LV than on the flight, so we didn't care! Both times were ok, when we fly with them, DH and I check one suitcase, intstead of two carryons, because it's cheaper and pay for those in advance, because it's still cheaper. We buy our own drinks and snacks in the aiport, as you may know, you even pay for water and coffee.

  • Aside from all the fees (which it sounds like you've already accounted for), the other big negative for some people is that Spirit has the least amount of leg room in the industry.  They cram more seats on a plane than anyone else, so if you're tall and the flight is long you could be pretty miserable. 
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  • I flew roundtrip to Miami on Spirit and it was really crappy. Our flight was delayed, they never told us how long, they just announced we were boarding and everyone bum rushed the gate, no boarding by rows it was so weird. We had to pay for water on the flight, which is ridiculous. The plane was old and dirty as well. I have no desire to ever fly with them again.
  • We flew with them a few months ago, also with our 2 year old daughter.  The plane was very small and cramped, my poor husband is tall and had no leg room.  I hated the idea of paying for a carry-on, and my tote bag barely fit under the seat.  I've taken the same bag on other planes and it fit much better.  Keep in mind, if you check a bag, it has to be under 40 pounds, most other airlines are under 50 pounds.  On our scale at home, it said our bag was 38 pounds and at the airport, they said it was 43 pounds.  They do not provide any snacks or drinks without charging for them and they do want to charge you to print your boarding passes.  I am considered "cheap" and I'd have a hard time passing up saving $300.  But, I am definitely going to try to avoid them in the future.  I also did not like having to pay to reserve a seat.  Luckily, we got 3 seats together, but their fees are ridiuclous!
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