I’ve heard mixed reviews on Spirit Airlines, most of which were negative, however I must say it is a bargain if you know how to work their system. We recently flew Spirit on our trip to Miami (flying into Fort Lauderdale) and I did a little bit of research ahead of time that saved money and the unexpected fees that draw most complaints.
- You do not have to pay for a “personal item” up to the size of a backpack (16” x 14” x 12”). If you are on a quick weekend trip to the beach (minimal clothing required) or Vegas (minimal clothing required), definitely consider packing your items into a small backpack and skipping the baggage fees.
- Purchase your baggage in advance, the fee is lower than purchasing during check-in.
- The fee for onecheckedbag, is lower than a carry-on bag ($30 vs $35).
- Skip seat selection and the fee ($9+).
- Keep in mind the checked bag weight limit is lower than most airlines, so make sure to weigh in advance otherwise you may get stuck paying the price for 2 bags if you are over the limit.
- Consider packing all of your and your travel partner’s items into onecheckedbag.
Overall, I cannot complain about my first Spirit experience. If the price is comparable to another airline, I would skip Spirit, but if there is a significant savings, don’t be afraid to try it out. The planes appear to be older and not as clean as what I am accustom to, but pack those Wet Wipes and you’ll be fine. The price was roughly $100/person less than the next cheapest fare, we did not select seats in advance (still ended up sitting next to each other) and shared onecheckedbag to avoid paying double.
For more on what they call their “Bare Fare” checkout their animated breakdown http://marketing.spirit.com/how-to-fly-spirit-airlines/en/
One.Checked.Bag 