With Spirit Airlines shuttering operations today, some customers with tickets might not know what their options are for refunds or transferring to other airlines.
Several airlines have offered Spirit customers and employees a lifeline.
For example, Frontier Airlines today announced systemwide rescue fare discounts and offered a $199 GoWild All-You-Can-Fly Summer Pass to support travelers affected by Spirit Airlines’ end of operations, helping customers maintain access to low fares.
Frontier currently serves more than 100 routes previously flown by Spirit and will expand further this summer with nine additional routes, plus 15 additional daily flights across 18 former Spirit markets, giving customers more options to rebook their travel plans with confidence while keeping fares low.
Other airlines offering help to Spirit customers included JetBlue, United, Southwest and American. Contact the individual airlines for details. United has also offered help for Spirit's workers, but details have not yet been made available.
Meanwhile, the website TravelPirates.com offered this list of what Spirit customers could do:
Customers who bought tickets with a credit or debit card will be issued automatic refunds, but Spirit said it cannot help rebook flights to another airline. Passengers who booked through a travel agent should contact the travel agent directly.
If you paid cash or used Spirit loyalty points, you could be out of luck. Free Spirit points cannot be transferred to other airlines' loyalty programs, and refunds from non-card purchases will be decided in bankruptcy court, which could take a very long time.
Here's the short version of what to do today:
- Credit or debit card: Call your card issuer now and initiate a chargeback. This is covered under federal credit laws as a non-delivery of service.
- Travel agent booking: Call the agent directly, they handle the refund process.
- Cash, vouchers, or Free Spirit points: File a claim in the bankruptcy process and expect delays. Don't count on getting that money back quickly.
- Mid-trip passengers: You'll need to buy a new ticket on another carrier out of pocket. Spirit will not reimburse those costs.
- Keep your Spirit itinerary: Industry analyst Henry Harteveldt recommends keeping copies of your Spirit booking in case another airline requires proof when booking rescue fares.
And the National Consumers League also made a few suggestions in the wake of Spirit Airlines abruptly ceasing operations and canceling all flights, for affected travelers to take immediate steps to secure refunds and protect their financial interests.
The NCL , founded in 1899, is a private, nonprofit U.S. advocacy group representing consumers on marketplace and workplace issues.
The sudden shutdown has left millions of passengers with unusable tickets and limited customer service options, while refunds for some purchases may be delayed or uncertain due to bankruptcy proceedings. Travelers who paid with vouchers, points, or cash may face longer recovery timelines, and frequent flyer miles may ultimately lose their value.
“Not all Spirit customers should assume a refund will automatically appear,” said John Breyault, Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud at the National Consumers League. “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.”
NCL recommends that impacted travelers:
- Review your credit or debit card accounts
According to Spirit, refunds for any flights purchased through Spirit with a credit or debit card will be automatically refunded to the original form of payment. Flyers with unused tickets purchased with a credit or debit card should monitor their accounts to ensure the refund is processed expeditiously.
- For tickets purchased via travel agents, contact the agent
If you purchased your ticket through a travel agent (including online travel agents), they are responsible for providing you with a refund.
- Contact your credit card issuer
- If your refund is not processed in a timely manner, you should request a chargeback for services not rendered. Federal protections may allow you to dispute the charge.
- Take advantage of capped and reduced ticket prices for rebooking flights
The Department of Transportation has announced that United, Delta, JetBlue, and Southwest have agreed to temporarily cap ticket prices for impacted Spirit customers who need to rebook cancelled flights. Customers wishing to take advantage of these offers will need to provide their Spirit flight confirmation number and proof of payment. Some airlines are also offering discounted fares on certain former Spirit routes. Time periods to take advantage of these vary by airline, so passengers should act quickly. Additional details on what each airline is doing to support impacted Spirit customers are available here.
- Check your travel insurance policy
Some policies include coverage for airline insolvency or service cessation. Customers should review their policies and contact the insurance provider to file a claim.
- File a claim in bankruptcy proceedings if necessary
Consumers who paid using any other method, including a voucher, credit, or Free Spirit points, may need to submit claims through the airline’s bankruptcy process, which can take significant time and may not result in full reimbursement.
- Keep all documentation
Save receipts, booking confirmations, cancellation notices, and any correspondence with the airline.
- Act quickly
Chargeback windows and insurance claim deadlines may be time sensitive.
The shutdown also highlights broader challenges in the airline industry, where rising fuel costs, financial instability, and a lack of competition can leave travelers stranded with little warning. “The failure of Spirit Exhibit A for how difficult it is to break the Big 4 U.S. airlines’ stranglehold on the marketplace,” said Breyault. “As Congress looks to the next FAA reauthorization cycle, how to create real competition in this industry should be at the forefront of legislators’ minds.”
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