Isn’t it the worst when you’re hit with flight change and cancellation fees? Spirit Airlines is the latest to do away with change and cancellation fees. Recently, Frontier made a similar move. Some reports say the changes come “amid stricter rules from the Biden Administration on so-called ‘junk fees’.”
What to know about Spirit Airlines move to eliminate change and cancellation fees
The new policy is already in effect. According to Spirit's website, "cancel fees are canceled for everyone" and "change fees are gone for all." Previously, the airline charged between $69 and $119 for ticket changes, depending on the number of days remaining before the flight, according to Simple Flying. However, it was already free to change a flight reservation within 24 hours of booking or 60 days before departure.
"Spirit has been evaluating changes to our product and strategy that will help us better compete, elevate the guest experience and return to profitability," the airline said in a statement emailed to USA TODAY. "This new policy is among the best in the industry because it applies to each and every guest. We have many other enhancements in the works and look forward to sharing more soon."
Changes to flights can be made up to an hour before the scheduled departure time, and any changes or cancellations can be done online under the My Trips page or the Spirit chat function, or by sending a direct message to Spirit on social media. Guest agents at the airport can also help with flight changes.
According to Spirit’s website, if a customer cancels their reservation within 24 hours of booking and the flight is seven or more days away, they're eligible for a full refund. Otherwise, they will receive a flight credit for the value of the reservation.
The Department of Transportation is stepping up and doing their part
The Department of Transportation (DOT) is cracking down on hidden and extra fees that airlines charge customers. A ticket might seem cheap at first but can become expensive once you add carry-on baggage or seat selection.
Last month, the DOT banned misleading practices where airlines advertise a low fare but don’t include all the mandatory fees. They also made it clear that your seat is guaranteed, so you don’t have to pay extra for it.
Spirit Airlines customer satisfaction
JD Power's 2024 North America Airline Satisfaction Study ranked U.S. Airlines in several categories including the highest and lowest in customer satisfaction. The study was based on 9,582 passengers who flew on a major airline within the previous month before completing the survey between March 2023 and March 2024. The participants are asked to score their airline experience on a six-point scale with questions about airline staff, level of trust, and value paid for the flight.
For economy passengers, they found that Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines were ranked last for overall customer satisfaction.
