In a significant shift for budget-conscious travelers, the recent downfall of Spirit Airlines signals the end of an era for those seeking cost-effective travel options within the United States.
If you find yourself affected by this abrupt halt in Spirit Airlines’ operations, there are crucial steps you can take to ensure a smooth journey home, and possibly even recoup some of your travel expenses.
“Rescue fares,” reduced prices for new flights
In response to Spirit’s shutdown, several competing airlines have stepped up to assist stranded passengers. Prominent carriers such as American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, Frontier Airlines, and Southwest Airlines are offering travel deals. They are reducing or capping ticket prices to help displaced Spirit customers secure new flights.
These offers, however, are time-sensitive, specifically targeting travelers who urgently need to reach their next destination. For instance, Southwest Airlines is providing this deal exclusively at airport ticket counters, but only until Wednesday, May 6, as stated by Airlines for America and the U.S. Department of Transportation. Conversely, United Airlines extends a more generous window, allowing bookings for up to two weeks, which can be conveniently arranged online.
For passengers who had intended to fly with Spirit and now require an alternative, airlines like American, Allegiant, Frontier, and Delta are presenting reduced fares on routes previously serviced by Spirit. This effort ensures that affected travelers can still reach their destinations without the financial burden typically associated with last-minute travel bookings.
For those who were planning to fly Spirit and now need to find an alternative to the ultra low cost carrier, American, Allegiant, Frontier and Delta advertised reduced fares on the same routes Spirit once flew.
Many company announcements include maps showing where its routes overlapped with Spirits, which can help narrow the search to find a comparable flight.
“Spirit Airlines played an important role in expanding access to affordable travel and bringing more low fares to more people,” said Bobby Schroeter, Frontier’s chief commercial officer. “We recognize this is a difficult time for their customers and team members.
Get your money back in refunds
Spirit Airlines said they were prepared for an “orderly wind-down” of its operations, and that it will automatically process refunds for any flights booked on a credit or debit card.
Travelers who booked through third-party travel agencies should direct refund requests to those agents.
Anyone else who got their reservation through vouchers, credit or points will have to wait and see though Spirit’s bankruptcy process.
If there are questions about whether your money will make a safe landing back to your wallet, there are other ways to try to claw back your cash for the Spirit flight not taken.
The DOT suggests contacting your credit card company and exercising your rights under the Fair Credit Billing Act, by requesting a “chargeback” for services not rendered.
If you purchased travel insurance or it is included in your credit card’s policy and perks, call them to see if they cover “insolvency” or “service cessation.”
The last resort would be filing a bankruptcy claim but officials warn this route eats up time and money, and ultimately may only result in a partial refund.
The National Consumers League warned travelers to keep all documentation to prove they were booked for Spirit flights, including receipts, booking confirmations, cancellation notices, and any correspondence with the airline. The nonprofit watchdog organization also urged those affected to act immediately as credit card and insurance companies may have strict deadlines that can be time-sensitive.
“Not all Spirit customers should assume a refund will automatically appear,” said John Breyault, the league’s vice president of public policy, telecommunications, and fraud. “When an airline shuts down this suddenly, it’s up to travelers to take proactive steps to have the best chance of getting their money back.”
Expanding capacity and perks
American and United both said it is trying to adjust its fleet so it can help more stranded passengers. American said it is looking into tapping larger planes and United said it is potentially adding additional flights on routes where they overlapped with Spirit.
“We are reviewing opportunities to add additional capacity, including utilizing larger aircraft on critical routes – to support as many affected passengers as possible,” American said via an Airlines for America statement.
Southwest also said it will offer a status-match, by honoring Spirit’s Silver and Gold status members with its own A-List program.
I’m an employee. Get me out of here.
Spirit crew members who are stuck at their destination should be granted airline travel benefits, including spare jump seats where available on most major carriers.
American said: “We will provide transportation for Spirit team members who have been displaced on a work trip,” according to an Airlines for America statement.
The DOT also said the other companies are offering preferential interviews to help expedite the job search for former Spirit pilots, flight attendants and other employees. American said it will be setting up recruiting events for those former employees.
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