My D and a group of friends are going to a concert in Las Vegas this weekend. They have tickets on Spirit airlines. Spirit has changed their flight from a 8 am departure to 5 pm. With that time they will not make the concert. Her friend is trying to get through to the airlines without a lot of luck.
Any suggestions? I’ve never flown Spirit but I understand they aren’t great. Flights on other airlines are expensive with little availability. My D and her H could switch airports and buy new tickets but that is going to turn this into a very expensive weekend.
You should be able to get a refund from spirit due to the schedule change. Email often works better than calling. Alternate arrangements are up to you.
Spirit is pretty bad. Probably the worst US carrier, though Frontier is pretty bad as well. The Onion had a hilarious piece on Spirit a few years ago that’s worth looking up for a laugh (lots of profanity though).
I know this doesn’t help now, but I only use Spirit when my plans won’t be ruined because of a delay. Their pricing is very appealing!
I’m certain she will get a refund on her ticket.
I tried calling last year to switch a flight because the website wasn’t working - they wanted more money because I called even though the website wasn’t work - and they knew the website was working!!! They should just log into their account and the options should all be there. With the change, they should be allowed to cancel. If they call, I guarantee they will be charged a fee.
I’ve vowed never to use Spirit again - the price suckers you in, then by the time you pay for your bag, pick a seat, etc… I shouldn’t just paid the extra money up front on a better carrier!
I flew with Spirit once. I loved it! I pay for only what I need and no parade of flight attendants pushing carts. It was so peaceful. I take my own water and snack on plane. Got a big seat. I plan to fly Spirit whenever I can. Their routes are limited from where I am.
I wouldn’t go near it. Good luck with the refund.
Agree with MOWC. Run, don’t walk, from Spirit Airlines.
I fly Spirit every year to Las Vegas. They are one of only two airlines that fly nonstop to Vegas from my airport. I have never had a very long delay, and that is usually on the return flight. I never pay for the extras. I go for two nights, have packing down to one little bag that fits under the seat, never pick a seat and always randomly get assigned to the aisle (which is what I would choose). I guess I’m easy to please, but I like them.
I haven’t flown Spirit, but I know people who have and I’ve heard mixed reviews. Some people don’t mind it and others have hated it. Most people who don’t mind it have only flown on it from LA to Las Vegas which is only about a 45 min flight. The people I know who’ve hated Spirit have flown on it for longer flights or at busy times of year.
That is a huge bummer. I do think she will eventually get her money back, but as for having to now book a more expensive last minute flight, there’s no getting around that. That’s the downside to the discount airlines…they don’t have a lot of flight options per day, so a change or cancellation (which are more frequent) can completely screw up your plans and cause you to have to spend much more money in the long run on a traditional airline!!! I guess you just have to consider if its worth the risk.
Weirdly they have changed it three times already today. The last time putting it back to the original itinerary.
I had advised them against using Spirit but as others have mentioned the price was really good.
I just had dinner with a friend this weekend had recently tried to fly his family home from California to Wisconsin on Spirit. Got to the airport to check in and was told their flight was cancelled. They had 2 options: Rebook on a flight 2 days later OR get a refund and find their own flight back. He ended up paying a ridiculous amount to get home.
I could not find any evidence in the contract of carriage that allows for a refund due to schedule change. They not that delays may make you eligible, but not a schedule change. Unfortunately they will probably need to argue with Spirit about a refund. If no satisfaction, a dispute with the credit card company might work as they did not provide the service that was purchased. Contract of carriage is here and is worth a read. Maybe I missed a section that will help their case. https://content.spirit.com/Shared/en-us/Documents/Contract_of_Carriage.pdf
Woulda Coulda Shoulda, but I really only recommend Spirit for travel where it’s OK if you don’t make the trip. Spirit does not interline with another airline meaning in the event of a cancellation you’re at their mercy for getting to your destination. Combine that with often infrequent flights and it means you could be waiting to fly for days.
Got burned by Spirit once (similar issue as the OP). Never again.
God, how horrible for an airline to leave people stranded. I haven’t flown Spirit and I don’t think I ever will based on the comments here.
@mom60 If you don’t mind me asking, where are they flying from? Is Southwest an option?
^^ This happened 2 out of 2 times I flew Southwest. Lots of people love that airline, I HATE it. Not only because of the schedule screw ups - which were deeply inconvenient - but the entire boarding process, hurrying to check in, blah blah.
I flew Spirit only once and it was fine, on time, no issues.
A Delta agent once told me the best way to get their attention was by social media. He specifically mentioned Twitter. If you can’t get through via phone, maybe trying Facebook or Twitter will get a faster response?
Section 10.2.3 of the Contract of Carriage referenced above should entitle them to a refund, but after scanning the contract I will never fly them.