Carrying your luggage with Spirit Airlines can be a challenging task. It is an ultra-low-cost carrier(ULCC) that offers flights to destinations in the United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Many people ask- How do I avoid paying baggage fees on Spirit Airlines? so here’s the answer.
Spirit Airlines baggage policy is strict and passengers must adhere to it in order to avoid additional fees. Although being ULCC, Spirit Airlines can charge much higher fees for additional charges for extra luggage. So, it is advised to carry only what you are allowed by the airlines. This article will provide a detailed overview of Spirit Airlines baggage allowance policy, including the size and weight limits for carry-on and checked bags, as well as the fees associated with exceeding these limits.
Spirit Airlines Baggage Allowance Policy And Rules
This airline has a slightly different Spirit Airlines baggage policy that you might not see on any other airline. Due to the prices it offers for its tickets, there is no room for any additional discount, so almost every extra stuff you carry must be paid for or purchased to be carried on the plane.
Spirit Airlines Carry-on Baggage
There are two categories here-
Personal Items:
For personal items, the dimension limit is 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm), including handles and wheels. The personal item you are carrying must be stowed under the seat in front of you.
Carry-on baggage:
For carry-on baggage, the dimension limit is 22 x 18 x10 inches (56 x 46 x 25 cm) including handles and wheels. The carry-on bag will directly go into the overhead bin.
*In some planes, carry-on baggage can only be allowed in place of checked baggage.
Any bag that exceeds these dimensions will be considered oversized and will incur an additional fee.
Spirit Airlines Checked Baggage
Spirit Airlines passengers can check up to two bags for a fee.
The maximum allowed size of checked baggage Spirit is 62 linear inches, which implies length + width + height= 158 cm. The maximum Spirit Airlines baggage weight should not be more than 40 pounds in weight or 18.1 kg, including handles and wheels.
Overweight Baggage
Oversized/overweight baggage is those that exceed the size or weight limit. Carrying them will incur additional charges via the airlines.
Please Note: If you are carrying a bag that weighs more than 100 pounds or 45 kg or if it measures more than 80 linear inches or 203 cm in overall dimensions, such bags will not be allowed onboard. You will have to ship it as cargo if required.
Spirit Airlines Restrictions & Special Allowances
Although Spirit does not have a long list of restrictions or special allowances for their flights, so let’s check out all that Spirit wants you to keep in mind-
Bag Restriction for International Travel
If you are traveling on any international route, there are some additional restrictions that Spirit Airlines wants you to adhere to
- South America, Lima, Peru (LIM)- These restrictions are applied all year long, and additional restrictions apply from December 1st through January 10th.
- Only 1 paid checked item is accepted per person.
- Based on the inventory space available, you can carry paid checked items.
- Overweight items must be between 40 lbs (18kg) to 100 lbs(45kg).
- Oversized items must be between 62 linear inches (158 cm) and 80 linear inches (203 cm).
- Certain items including Sporting equipment might exceed the 80 linear inches mark but must not exceed the 100 lbs weight limit.
- From December 1st through January 10th, items exceeding the mark of 80 linear inches will not be accepted on the plane.
- South America, Colombia (AXM, BAQ, BGA, CLO, CTG, MDE), and Ecuador (GYE)-
- Each person can carry only one paid checked item.
- Additional checked items may be purchased on a first-come-first-serve basis.
- All other International Destinations-
- Only one paid checked item will be allowed per person to be carried.
- Additional checked items may be purchased on a first-come-first-serve basis.
- Overweight items will be liable for charges according to the policy and it will begin at 41 pounds (18 kg) and above.
- Spirit Airlines checked baggage size exceeding the size limit of 63 linear inches (158 cm) will be charged as an Oversized item.
Special Allowance For Military Personnel
Spirit Airlines respects the US Military personnel and makes sure their fares are kept as low as possible. As a gesture of thanks to the U.S. Military members, Spirit Airlines provides some special services for them-
Free Bags For Active Duty U.S. Military
If any active duty military personnel travel via Spirit Airlines, they will be offered added advantages over others:
- Two free checked bags.
- A free carry-on.
- A free personal item.
However, due to the already low fares, this facility is only applicable to the person, not their family members. They need to arrive early at the airport to validate their ID and claim the advantages. However, to save time, they can validate their active duty affiliation online during their Spirit.com booking using ID.ME, a third-party verification service.
Wounded Warrior & Families
Each year, for serving members of the army who have been wounded in battle, Spirit Airlines provides hundreds of free flights for these warriors and their families. To honor their sacrifices and to let their families be with them, Spirit, in partnership with Luke’s Wings, provides immediate services in case of their hospitalization and rehabilitation needs.
Honor Flights
In partnership with Honor Flight of South Florida, Spirit Airlines flew more than 80 World War II Veterans (half of the plane) during the last spring to Washington DC to honor their service to the country. They are taken to the nation’s capital to celebrate a day with them. Also, a special trip is planned for them to the Arlington National Cemetery, the Iwo Jima Memorial, and the recently constructed World War II memorial.
*Note- As a ULCC, Spirit’s fares are already very low, so there is no scope for discounts for bereavement, U.S. military, children, students, or senior citizens. But to compensate for the respect for their services, they do allow two free checked bags, and one free carry-on to active duty U.S. military, who present their U.S. military ID at the check-in counter.
Spirit Airlines Baggage Fees
The fee structure of Spirit varies according to the number of extra bags and the mode of check-in. Here, you will get an idea about the Spirit Airlines baggage fees without having to look for it on the official website.
- First Bag: While carrying only a single bag on Spirit Airlines, here are the fee structures you need to keep in mind for membership holders as well as general passengers-
- Spirit Saver$ Club (Fees paid during):
- Spirit.com booking- $54 to $63
- Before online check-in- $56 to $65
- During Online Check-in- $58 to $67
- Airport, Group Desk, Reservations Center- $79
- At Gate- $99
- Standard (Fees paid during):
- Spirit.com booking- $55 to $64
- Before online check-in- $57 to $66
- During Online Check-in- $59 to $68
- Airport, Group Desk, Reservations Center- $79
- At Gate- $99
- Spirit Saver$ Club (Fees paid during):
- Second Bag: While carrying one additional bag along with 1st bag on Spirit Airlines, here are the fee structures you need to keep in mind for membership holders as well as general passengers:
- Spirit Saver$ Club (Fees paid during):
- Spirit.com booking- $64 to $73
- Before online check-in- $66 to $75
- During Online Check-in- $68 to $77
- Airport, Group Desk, Reservations Center- $89
- Standard (Fees paid during):
- Spirit.com booking- $65 to $74
- Before online check-in- $67 to $76
- During Online Check-in- $69 to $78
- Airport, Group Desk, Reservations Center- $89
- Spirit Saver$ Club (Fees paid during):
- Third to Fifth Bag: While carrying any extra bag(3 to 5) apart from the second bag on Spirit Airlines, here are the fee structures you need to keep in mind for membership holders as well as general passengers:
- Spirit Saver$ Club (Fees paid during):
- Spirit.com booking- $98
- Before online check-in- $98
- During Online Check-in- $98
- Airport, Group Desk, Reservations Center- $100
- Standard (Fees paid during):
- Spirit.com booking- $99
- Before online check-in- $99
- During Online Check-in- $99
- Airport, Group Desk, Reservations Center- $100
- Spirit Saver$ Club (Fees paid during):
Tips to Avoid Spirit Airlines Excess Baggage Fees
Here are some additional tips for avoiding baggage fees when flying Spirit Airlines:
- Pack light if you are traveling with Spirit Airlines. The lighter your bags, the less likely they are to exceed the weight or dimension limits.
- Check your bags in advance to avoid added fees. This will also give you time to make sure your bags fit within the size and weight limits according to Spirit Airlines baggage rules.
- Weigh your bags before you go to the airport. This will help you avoid surprises when you check your bags at the gate.
- Purchase your baggage fees well in advance. This will save you a lot on the day of your flight.
Summary:
As Spirit Airlines is an ultra-low-cost carrier, there is very little scope for offers and discounts. However, adhering to the Spirit Airlines baggage allowance policy is the best shot for saving your bucks. There are no hard and fast tips that can help you get amazing discounts but surely knowing the policy with details can help you save a lot. Apart from that, Spirit is very affordable, and also good for short-distance travel. And this airline is well-connected domestically in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1) How many bags can you carry on Spirit Airlines for free?
Spirit Airlines allows only one personal item on board that also must fit in the small box beneath the seat. For every additional item you carry with you, there will be a charge incurred, and needs to be paid online or via the counter agent.
2) Is Spirit strict about the carry-on size?
Yes, when it comes to size as well as weight, Spirit Airlines is very strict about it. So if you are willing to fly with spirit, make sure to measure the length, breadth, and height of the item you are carrying and also the weight of that item. Then compare them to the size and weight limit mentioned above.
3) Can I bring food to Spirit Airlines?
Yes, you can bring your own food and water to Spirit Airlines. The airlines allow passengers to do so but with certain limitations on the types of food you can bring.
4) Does Spirit pick your seats?
Usually, seats are randomly assigned to the passengers during check-in. It’s a kind of first-come-first-serve method. However, if you are traveling with family or friends, Spirit guarantees that you will be sitting next to them.
5) What happens if your personal item is too big?
If your personal item is too big to fit in the small box beneath the seat, you will have to pay a penalty for it. Or you can check it as a carry-on item and pay the fees associated with it.