Monday, October 17, 2011

Why you should never, ever book with Spirit Airlines

Otherwise known as "Why Spirit Airline sucks balls," or "Why I hope Spirit Airlines goes out of business."

Amazing photo borrowed from Awesomely Luvvie, yet another blogger who had a terrible experience. 

I was going to get into the back story of why I even booked with this ridiculous company, but then I decided it wasn't worth your time to read. Short story: It was cheap (so I thought).

Yes the initial airfare was cheap. I don't need all the frills and first class accommodations when I fly, especially when fares are supposed to be so cheap, so I was fine with booking a cheap fare for a very short flight. I also don't care that you have to pay for food and drinks, as that's (unfortunately) fairly standard now (though, I also don't know any other airlines that don't at least offer water for free!).

But then you had to pay for a seat assignment (I read somewhere you don't actually have to do this, but their website makes it seem you do). And then you had to pay to CARRY ON a bag. $30 ($50 at the gate if you don't pay ahead, apparently) to carry on, $45 to check. I chose carry on. And then, after that, there were the taxes and fees and this and that and the other. And all of a sudden, two one way flights from LAS to LAX that started at $40 each were $277! Needless to say, I was already feeling gypped by Spirit before we even went on our vacation.

Then, they screwed us over even harder - when I went to check in for our flight home from Las Vegas, there was an innocuous looking window that popped up that said "flight status: canceled."

That's right, folks! They canceled my flight. WITHOUT ANY REASON GIVEN. (And there were absolutely no weather issues!)

I called the number on said innocuous window, and of course, got someone in India. Now, I have nothing against call centers in India, per say. But when this person told me that Spirit would put the amount I had paid towards a new flight, but I would still be responsible for any taxes or fees above the cost of my old flight, I about lost it.

After asking for a supervisor and being put on hold, I was told that they would cover my new flight completely. But the next flight I could get on was Monday, not Sunday. Which didn't help me, because they had promised to get me home on SUNDAY. And also, they weren't going to pay for our hotel room because we would be stranded in Las Vegas for another night.

After asking for a supervisor again and being put on hold again, I was told that they would give me a full refund but I would have to book with another airline if I wanted to find a flight the same day.

And after THAT? They asked me if I wanted a Spirit Airlines credit card.

At which point, I may or may not have used foul language and hung up.

Long story short (too late?), we rented a car and drove home. And had to call three rental places to find a car, since everyone else who had been randomly stranded by Spirit Airlines was also doing the same thing!

And now, if you ask me, Spirit owes me the $200 it cost me to do that. Something tells me that's not going to happen.

My travel tip of the day? NEVER, EVER BOOK ANYTHING ON SPIRIT AIRLINES.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Been there, screwed by them, didn't want the t-shirt! Good for you, these scumbags constantly complain about regs, fuel costs, blah, blah and yet their execs are pulling down grand theft dollars?! Fu#$ all airlines except Southwest & Virgin.

Anonymous said...

Their explanation for a carry-on charge? "We pass the cost of baggage handling on to you." Hilarious!

Anonymous said...

Spirit Airlines sucks. They screwed me over too.. Big Time! My bank is trying to get back the money they owe me.

Anonymous said...

Just got screwed by the carry on luggage scam leaving Cancun..gonna make this personal and contact every consumer protection i can find, write letters. This piece of shit company desrves no quarter. Boycotting cheap Caribbean and inter island tours until they flush this company.

Anonymous said...

Yesterday, Spirit flew my wife to W. Palm beach and her fucking luggage (which I had to pay fucking $50 for) to Tampa. more than 24 hours later, her luggage is still in fucking Tampa!!! The last time I flew on that assclown airline, they told me my flight was delayed....even wrote the new boarding time on my B. Pass. It wasn't! Missed it, although my luggage made it. Last flight of the day! Made such commotion, they called security on me. Assholes! Pay the extra money....drive to a further airport....walk for God's sake....just do not fly Spirit (which should change its name to "Break your Spirit Airline)

SPIRIT AIRLINES BLOWS!!! said...

FUCK SPIRIT, hope they go out of business. Biggest PIECE OF SHIT AIRLINE IN THE ENTIRE GALAXY!!
FUCK SPIRIT, THEY SUCK!!!
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Anonymous said...

Flight from Atlanta to Atlantic city delayed about 4 times and then ultimately cancelled. No reason given. Tracing on an email gives a number to call. After 25 min of hold time they re book me for the next available flight and have the balls to charge me to pre pick my seats!! They
Don't reimburse for layover logging, meals rental car. Anything caused by their incompetence or poor planning. I will never ever fly them again.