5 Essential Tips for Reducing Extra Fees When Flying Spirit Airlines

Post Published May 21, 2024

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5 Essential Tips for Reducing Extra Fees When Flying Spirit Airlines - Purchase Tickets at the Airport for Lower Fares





5 Essential Tips for Reducing Extra Fees When Flying Spirit Airlines

Purchasing tickets at the airport can help you save money on Spirit Airlines by avoiding the "Passenger Usage Fee" charged for online bookings.

This method, however, often requires payment by cash or debit card and does not allow for online check-in.

Be cautious of potential counter-ticketing fees at certain airports and confirm the total cost with Spirit Airlines to ensure all additional fees and taxes are included.

When flying with Spirit Airlines, minimizing extra fees involves strategic planning.

Only bringing a personal item instead of checked or carry-on luggage can save money, as can purchasing baggage allowances online ahead of time.

Always review your fare options meticulously to avoid hidden charges and maximize your savings.

Spirit Airlines’ “Passenger Usage Fee” adds between $99 and $99 per person per flight when booking online.

Purchasing your ticket at the airport can bypass this fee entirely, saving a substantial amount on your travel budget.

Purchasing tickets at the airport can sometimes unearth surprisingly cheaper last-minute fares, offering an unexpected opportunity for impromptu travel plans.

Airport ticket purchases on Spirit Airlines typically require a cash or debit card, as opposed to credit cards.

This is a critical detail to remember to avoid surprises at the kiosk.

Be vigilant about potential counter-ticketing fees at certain airports, which could negate the savings from avoiding the “Passenger Usage Fee.” Always check with the specific airport to understand all possible costs.

Not all Spirit Airlines routes offer the option to purchase tickets at the airport.

Prior verification with the airline can prevent wasted trips to the airport and ensure you secure the ticket under favorable conditions.

Choosing to buy your ticket at the airport means you may lose the convenience of online check-in, potentially adding time to your airport experience.

Consider this trade-off when planning your itinerary.

What else is in this post?

  1. 5 Essential Tips for Reducing Extra Fees When Flying Spirit Airlines - Purchase Tickets at the Airport for Lower Fares
  2. 5 Essential Tips for Reducing Extra Fees When Flying Spirit Airlines - Check-In Online and Print Boarding Passes at Home
  3. 5 Essential Tips for Reducing Extra Fees When Flying Spirit Airlines - Be Aware of and Plan for Baggage Fees
  4. 5 Essential Tips for Reducing Extra Fees When Flying Spirit Airlines - Travel Light with an Efficient Packing Strategy
  5. 5 Essential Tips for Reducing Extra Fees When Flying Spirit Airlines - Travel Light with an Efficient Packing Strategy
  6. 5 Essential Tips for Reducing Extra Fees When Flying Spirit Airlines - Consider Joining the $9 Fare Club for Exclusive Discounts

5 Essential Tips for Reducing Extra Fees When Flying Spirit Airlines - Check-In Online and Print Boarding Passes at Home





When flying with Spirit Airlines, checking in online and printing your boarding pass at home can significantly reduce extra fees.

Online check-in begins 24 hours before departure and closes an hour prior, allowing you to avoid kiosk check-in fees at the airport.

Additionally, purchasing baggage allowances and seat assignments online in advance can save money, as these options are more expensive at the airport.

Always utilize these online services to streamline your experience and minimize costs.

Online check-in opens 24 hours before departure and closes 1 hour prior, providing a convenient window to handle pre-flight tasks at your own pace.

Using the online check-in feature helps you dodge the kiosk check-in fee at the airport, which can add unnecessary costs to your travel budget.

During the online check-in process, you can select or upgrade your seat—such as opting for Spirit's "Big Front Seat"—often at a lower cost than at the airport.

Note that online check-in isn't available for certain passengers, such as those traveling with infants or unaccompanied minors, who must check in at the airport counters.

Spirit Airlines' mobile app allows you to check-in, print your boarding pass, track flights, and manage your trips directly from your smartphone, making travel planning more seamless and integrated.


5 Essential Tips for Reducing Extra Fees When Flying Spirit Airlines - Be Aware of and Plan for Baggage Fees





5 Essential Tips for Reducing Extra Fees When Flying Spirit Airlines

When flying with Spirit Airlines, understanding and planning for baggage fees is crucial to avoid unexpected costs.

Spirit charges for both carry-on and checked luggage, with fees varying based on factors like when you pay for your bags, your flight route, and your membership status in the Saver$ Club program.

To minimize these charges, consider packing light, utilizing airline credit cards that offer baggage fee exemptions, or achieving elite status.

Additionally, special groups such as military members may qualify for waived or reduced fees.


5 Essential Tips for Reducing Extra Fees When Flying Spirit Airlines - Travel Light with an Efficient Packing Strategy





Adopting an efficient packing strategy is key to reducing extra fees when flying with Spirit Airlines.

Prioritize essentials and consider using travel-sized toiletries and multipurpose items to save space and avoid overweight baggage fees.

Implementing tactics like rolling clothes and using packing cubes can further optimize your luggage space, ensuring you stay within the airline's carry-on limits.


5 Essential Tips for Reducing Extra Fees When Flying Spirit Airlines - Travel Light with an Efficient Packing Strategy



Opt for clothing that can serve multiple purposes, such as convertible zip-off pants and multi-weather jackets, reducing the number of items to pack.

These not only help organize your belongings but also significantly compress clothing, maximizing space in your luggage.

Limit yourself to a single bag within Spirit Airlines' free personal item dimensions (18 x 14 x 8 inches) to avoid all baggage fees.

Strategically planning your outfits ensures you bring only essential clothing, minimizing unnecessary items and keeping your bag within weight limits.

Ensuring your bag is within weight limitations before arriving at the airport can prevent unexpected overweight baggage fees.

Opt for lightweight yet sturdy luggage and travel accessories to avoid extra weight that could lead to fees.

Shoes take up significant space and add weight; pack just one versatile pair that matches all your outfits to save both space and weight.

Purchase travel-sized versions of essential toiletries, or transfer larger volumes into 4-ounce containers, adhering to TSA regulations and saving space.

Packing ahead of time allows you to carefully consider each item's importance, making it easier to pack light and avoid extra fees.


5 Essential Tips for Reducing Extra Fees When Flying Spirit Airlines - Consider Joining the $9 Fare Club for Exclusive Discounts





5 Essential Tips for Reducing Extra Fees When Flying Spirit Airlines

Consider joining Spirit Airlines' $9 Fare Club to unlock exclusive discounts that can significantly lower your travel costs.

For an annual fee of $59.95, members receive benefits such as reduced fares, up to 50% off baggage fees booked online, and special discounts on vacation packages and rentals.

These perks apply to up to eight passengers on the same reservation, potentially generating substantial savings for group travel.

The $9 Fare Club extends its membership benefits to up to eight passengers on the same reservation, which can lead to substantial group savings.

With an initial fee of only $95 for the first year and a renewal fee of $95, the program costs less than $6 per month, offering a high return on investment for frequent travelers.

Membership provides exclusive discounts not just on flights but also on vacation packages, hotels, rental cars, and other travel essentials, making it a comprehensive travel savings plan.

After the initial year, members can renew for 12, 18, or 24 months, giving them flexible options to continue reaping the benefits based on their travel frequency.

Frequent travelers can save up to $120 per customer on bag fees for roundtrip travel, especially useful for those traveling with multiple checked bags.

The annual cost of the $9 Fare Club is often lower than the annual fees of many airline-branded credit cards, providing a budget-friendly alternative for securing travel discounts.

Members enjoy priority boarding, which can be a time-saver and reduce the hassle of finding overhead bin space.

Exclusive fares available through the $9 Fare Club can apply to both domestic and international flights, widening the scope of travel savings.

Members receive tailored offers via email, allowing them to take advantage of time-sensitive discounts and special deals that are not available to the general public.

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