Spirit Airlines has recently emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and with this comeback, they have quietly reintroduced one of their notorious passenger fees. Starting from Feb. 5, 2025, cancellation and change fees will once again be applicable on “Go” fares, which is Spirit’s equivalent of basic economy.
This decision comes less than a year after the airline had removed these fees as part of a comprehensive rebranding effort. However, the fees are now back in place, although they do not apply to all fare types like they did before.
In certain instances, the change and cancellation fees imposed by Spirit could end up costing more than the actual ticket price. Here’s everything you need to know about this recent development and how you can avoid these fees altogether.
Fees to change your ticket:
For Spirit’s higher-priced fares such as Go Savvy, Go Comfy, and Go Big, change and cancellation fees are still waived. Additionally, for flights scheduled more than 60 days in advance, change fees on Go fares remain free.
But for travel within 60 days on Go fares, the following fees will be enforced:
– Changing flights within 31–59 days of departure: $59
– Changing flights within seven to 30 days of departure: $79
– Changing flights within seven days: $99
These fees are applicable to tickets purchased after Feb. 5, 2025. Tickets bought before this date are not subject to these newly reinstated fees.
Fees to cancel your ticket:
To cancel a Go fare entirely, a $99 cancellation fee will be charged for tickets purchased after Feb. 5, 2025. Tickets bought before this date are exempt from this additional charge.
If you cancel a booking within 24 hours of the initial purchase for flights more than seven days away, you can receive a free cancellation and refund to your original payment method as per federal regulations. Beyond that timeframe, you will receive a travel credit from Spirit. For Go fare cancellations, the credit will be reduced by the cancellation fee. If the fee surpasses the fare amount, no credit will be given.
To avoid Spirit’s change and cancellation fees, it is advisable to opt for a Go Savvy fare or higher if your plans are uncertain. This way, you can prevent incurring fees for changes or cancellations and still receive a travel credit if needed.
Despite the reintroduction of fees on Go fares, Spirit is maintaining its onboard experience enhancements announced in 2024, including perks like free Wi-Fi for Free Spirit Gold elite status members and Go Big fare purchasers. Other improvements, such as a larger bag size and extended travel credit validity period, remain unchanged for now.
Remember to maximize your rewards by staying informed about any updates in Spirit’s policies and offers.