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Spirit Air Baggage Question

Discussion in 'Getting There & Getting Around' started by Not at the table Carlos, Dec 16, 2015.

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  1. Not at the table Carlos

    Not at the table Carlos Cheapskate

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    I have a few questions. I'll explain the dilemma and hopefully I get some quality suggestions.

    First time flying Spirit. I paid for a carry-on when I booked online. My original plan was to put all of mine and another person's luggage in a bookbag (personal item) and the carry-on. Now I'm seeing regular sized bookbags packed full are too big to be personal items? I also see that their carry-on limits are smaller than other airlines. My carry-on bag has never been a problem on Southwest, but does that guarantee I won't have a problem with Spirit?

    My solution is to just bring a larger bag and let them check it. If I paid for a carry-on, which costs more than a checked bag, will they let me just check a bag instead without being charged anything?

    Any experiences shared would be very useful. Thanks in advance.

    -Earl
     
    Earl's 21st Trip
  2. paperposter

    paperposter MIA

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    im confused but

    My solution is to just bring a larger bag and let them check it. If I paid for a carry-on, which costs more than a checked bag, will they let me just check a bag instead without being charged anything?
    is it the same price for carry on and checked, if so i would call uncustomer service and ask them to switch it if not ask them if you can pay the differernce , i know if you do it the airport they charge alot more .

    they charge alot more to do anything extra at the airport so call customer service and deal with it before

    just my 1 cent opinion ,welcome to flintstone airlines, also i suggest you pay for your seat a head of time u can usualy get an isle for 5$ extra
     
  3. Jimbucc

    Jimbucc VIP Whale

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    First off, you probably already have seen the rules and regulations for baggage here: https://customersupport.spirit.com/hc/en-us/articles/202096476-What-are-the-size-and-weight-limits-for-bags-

    The personal item is still 16x14x12 until 3/31/2016. After that it will decrease to 17x13x8. Don't assume anything with Spirit. If you go unprepared they will make you pay for it. Print your boarding pass at home. Make sure your checked bags are no more than 40 pounds. Don't try to take on a carry on bag that is over their dimensions. It may be OK for Southwest, but it is not OK for Spirit.

    As you have stated, I would check the larger bag, but do it yourself online either when you make the reservation or when you check in online. It will cost you more at the airport. The fees are not hidden. Everything is on their website. Adhere to their rules and you will be fine and save some money. I have flown with checked luggage and with personal carry on with no problems. Just know what their dimensions and weights are and you will be fine.
     
  4. 44inarow

    44inarow VIP Whale

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    Exactly. Other airlines make great money off of fees, but with Spirit, it is basically the core of their business model. I've been on plenty of AA and Delta flights where I've seen people cramming a probably-oversized bag into the overhead bin, and as long as it fits, nobody really cares. Spirit, on the other hand, is looking for any opportunity to snag an extra fee out of you.
     
  5. hillwood24

    hillwood24 High-Roller

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    I have flown Spirit several times with friends, and they have gotten away with huge hiking-type backpacks as their "personal item" without paying. They usually just keep it on their back and sort of out of view of the Spirit employees. From what they tell me, they've never been stopped. You could try taking your book bag, it just depends on how risk averse you are. It would suck to get hit with that $100 fee as you're trying to board.
     
  6. garlock

    garlock Tourist

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    I use a soft bag & have never had a problem cuz it fits under the seat if u ues a bag with wheels ur gonna pay!
     
  7. hammie

    hammie VIP Whale

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    On my return flight, just as I put my carry on bag on the rollers to be scanned, I realized I paid for checked luggage. I wasn't about to get out of line and go back to the counter and check my bag, I just went to the gate and walked on, no questions asked.

    I also drive 56 in a 55 zone and will use mozzarella that's 2 weeks past the best use date on my pizza. Livin' on the edge.
     
  8. dhlamar

    dhlamar Low-Roller

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    You can call them and have them switch it to checked baggage and they will give you a credit for the $10 or $20 dollar difference that you must use within I believe 60 or 90 days.
     
  9. RealSolGlow

    RealSolGlow MIA

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    This is not entirely true as the piece of luggage I bring on is a smaller suitcase that has wheels on it. The first time I purchased it was when I went to Vegas in January and left Detroit with nothing but money in my pocket and clothes on my back. So, when I was in Vegas I had to buy something to bring my clothes and what not back in that I purchased there.

    The area that they use to see if the bag will fit is smaller then the room you have under the actual seat itself. I'm not sure if they have already gone to the smaller size on their verification end or not, however when I left Vegas in January my bag barely fit and was difficult to get out of the test box but they still let me fly with it.

    This last time it was the same situation. I was leaving Detroit and the gentleman put it in the box but didn't want to "push it all the way in as it would get stuck" but still let me slide through with it without having to pay extra for a carry-on or check it and I packed the suitcase pretty good because I was going to be there 5 days.

    Once on the plane I believe we were on an updated plane because the seats were leather this time where as before they were cloth and the bag fit under the seat with plenty of room on eother side of it and leg room to spare.
     
  10. Nevyn

    Nevyn VIP Whale

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    Be aware of weight restrictions if the plan is to check one big bag. Other airlines have a 50 pound limit, but Spirit has 40.
     
  11. dhlamar

    dhlamar Low-Roller

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    Have they cancelled this?
     
  12. WHITEJACKET73

    WHITEJACKET73 VIP Whale

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    Spirit has changed their minds about downsizing the personal item measurements. They are to remain the same at: 16x14x12. I have used an American Atmosphera tote many times as a personal item on Spirit, flying from MSP to LAS. It has wheels and a handle that retracts. It can hold enough clothes for a 3 or 4 day Vegas trip for myself. Walmart sells them for $40. I have never had a problem with the Spirit people about the tote; it fits under their airline seats with no problem.
     
  13. hammie

    hammie VIP Whale

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    The new CEO recently mentioned that Spirit needs to improve its reliability and customer service. Maybe this is a small step in that direction. There will be no changes to the fee structure. The stock is about half of its all time high.
     
  14. jughead1963

    jughead1963 Tourist

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    Stop at the D Casino. I believe the D casino and spirit still have the $50 in match play if you show your boarding pass. The offer is good for 24 hours after your arrival. It is two $25 match play. Good luck.
     
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