Spirit Airlines Missed Flight Policy: A Complete Guide for Travelers
Missing a flight can be stressful and expensive. If you are flying with Spirit Airlines and end up missing your flight, it’s important to understand their policies around missed flights. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Spirit Airlines’ missed flight policy, fees, and rebooking options.
What Happens If You Miss a Flight on Spirit Airlines?
If you miss your scheduled departure time, your Spirit Airlines reservation will be automatically cancelled. You will no longer be booked on that flight if you don’t show up.
Spirit will hold your seat for up to 15 minutes past the scheduled departure, but if you don’t check in or arrive at the gate by that time, your seat will be released. The plane will not wait for you if you are late.
Once your reservation is cancelled for missing the flight, you will have to contact Spirit Airlines, either online or by phone, to rebook on a new flight. You will have to pay change fees and fare differences to be booked on a new flight.
Spirit Airlines Missed the flight fee.
If you miss your Spirit Airlines flight, you will have to pay a change fee plus any difference in fares in order to be rebooked. Here are the change fees charged by Spirit for missed flights:
- Domestic flights: $90 change fee
- International flights: $100 change fee
- Flights to/from Colombia, Haiti and Venezuela: $75 change fee
In addition to the change fee, you will have to pay any fare difference on the new flight you are rebooking. If the new flight is more expensive, you pay the fare difference.
The change fees are per direction, so if you miss your outbound and return flights, you’ll pay double change fees. The fees apply to both missed connections and missed first flights.
How to Rebook Your Missed Spirit Airlines Flight
If you miss your Spirit flight, here are the steps to rebook:
1. Contact Spirit Airlines
You can call Spirit or manage your reservation online to change your flight. Contact them as soon as possible after missing your flight to rebook.
- Call their reservations line at 801-401-2222
- Manage your booking on their website or app
Let them know you missed your scheduled flight and need to be rebooked.
2. Pay Change Fees and Fare Differences
The Spirit agent will charge you the applicable change fees and any fare differences on the new flight. You can pay with a credit card over the phone or online.
3. Get Rebooked on a New Flight
After paying any fees, Spirit will rebook you on a new flight with available seats. Be flexible with your dates and times if possible to increase options.
- If flying domestically, you can likely get on a flight the same or the next day.
- International flights may take a few days to rebook, depending on availability.
4. Confirm Your New Itinerary
Double-check all the details of your rebooked flights for accuracy before ending your call or online session. Make sure you have the correct dates, times, and confirmation numbers.
Tips for Avoiding Missed Spirit Flights
Here are some tips to ensure you don’t miss Spirit Airlines missed flight policy and have to pay change fees:
- Arrive at the airport early, at least 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours for international flights. This gives you a buffer for lines.
- Set reminders for your flight check-in window, which opens 24 hours before departure.
- Allow extra time to get to the airport in case of traffic or delays.
- Print or screenshot your boarding pass ahead of time.
- Monitor your flight status and gate information in case of changes.
- If you are running late, call Spirit to see if they can hold the plane and let the gate know you are coming.
More Tips for Managing Missed Flights with Spirit
Dealing with a missed flight on Spirit Airlines can be stressful. Here are some additional tips for making the best of the situation if you fail to make your scheduled flight.
Understand the Rules for Flight Changes
It’s important to understand Spirit’s policies around flight changes. Some key points:
- Changes must be made at least 60 minutes prior to your scheduled departure. Changes within 60 minutes are not allowed.
- You can only make flight changes online or by phone, not at the airport.
- Changing your flight means paying a change fee plus any fare difference.
Knowing the rules helps set proper expectations when rebooking after a missed flight.
Act Quickly to Rebook
Don’t wait too long after missing your flight to call Spirit for a new reservation. Flights can fill up quickly, so rebook as soon as possible on the same day. The earlier you rebook, the better chance you have of getting on a new flight with open seats.
Set a calendar reminder to call if you think you may miss your flight so you remember to contact them right away if needed.
Check Alternate Airports
If you can’t find an acceptable new flight from your original departure city, check alternate nearby airports. Sometimes, changing your airport can open up more options for flights on the new dates you need.
Spirit may charge an additional change fee for altering your origin or destination city, but it can be worth it to get home or to your destination sooner if flights are full from your initial airport.
Use the Spirit App
The Spirit mobile app makes it easy to manage flight changes and rebooking. You can modify your reservation, pay fees, and get new boarding passes all from the convenience of your phone.
Having the app also gives you access to notifications if your flight status changes. Download it beforehand so you’re ready in case you need immediate assistance from Spirit while on the go.
Consider Spirit Credits
If you can’t travel on the new dates available and need to cancel your upcoming flight, Spirit will issue you a credit for future travel. The credit is valid for up to 6 months and can help reduce the sting of change fees if you do intend to fly Spirit again soon.
Understanding all the options available to you makes handling a missed Spirit flight much less stressful. Be prepared by knowing their policies and acting quickly once you miss your trip.
Spirit Airlines Missed Flight Policy: FAQ
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Spirit’s policies for missed flights:
Does Spirit refund tickets for missed flights?
No, Spirit does not offer refunds if you miss your flight. You have to rebook and pay the change fees.
Can someone else use my ticket if I miss the flight?
No, only the named passenger on the reservation can be rebooked after a missed flight. You can’t transfer the ticket to someone else.
What if I miss my flight for a medical emergency?
There are no exceptions to changing fees, even for medical issues. You still have to pay to rebook a new flight. Travel insurance may reimburse you.
How far in advance can I rebook after missing a flight?
You can rebook on any available Spirit flight. There is no limit as long as you pay the fees.
What if Spirit cancels or delays my first flight and I miss my connection?
If Spirit is responsible for a misconnection, they will rebook you free of charge. But you are responsible for missed connections due to your own delays.
The Bottom Line
Missing a Spirit Airlines flight can be costly with their fees, but understanding their policies helps you rebook smoothly. Contact Spirit quickly, be flexible on new flight times, and pay any change fees or fare differences. And be sure to allow plenty of time to get to the airport to avoid missed flights in the first place.
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