Spirit Airlines -- My First (and maybe last) Experience

toneloc24 says on May 6, 2008, 14:35:

Sorry to hear about your experience. I have a feeling that we're gonna hear about a lot of these kinds of Spirit stories around the Memorial Day weekend.

Do a search on Servientrega here. It might help. If you speak and read Spanish, www.servientrega.com. There are locations in the USA, not sure about the west coast.

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

Catfish35 says on May 6, 2008, 15:02:

Sorry for the bad deal dude...I sure wish USAIRWAYS had gotten one of those runs..would have been great for me.

"I refuse to have a battle of intelligence with an unarmed person, therefore I will just speak as the simpleton you have come to love"

nine inch nails says on May 6, 2008, 15:13:

There is a form buried in there where you can grieve. It is hard to find but if you do a search on any FAQ then just say no this did not help then you can eventually get to the form. They usually respond but not right away. The thing I don't like about it is that is doesn't give you a copy for proof until they reply.

They gave me a fir at FLL when I went to SJO last Nov. Even though I paid for my bags in advance and on my itinerary they demanded I show a separate receipt which does not exist. So I had to pay $20 again. For my next trip to SAT I purchsed the bags again and still no receipt so that is why I sent another e-comment via the link. If they try to hose my again I'll pay but dispute with my CC later explaining I did a question but never no response. Am. Express pretty good about refunds.

Spirit best if you don't have to check any bags.

I saw one coming in for landing one night at FLL too and looked like the pilot was hot doggin all around on landing just to have fun. What a joke.

"Bank owned" (www.foreclosurebyowner.com)

panthdave says on May 6, 2008, 15:15:

If you purchased today...What probably happened is that Spirit CC System probably authorized the card twice but probably will only post one of the authorizations to your card..Happened with Avianca but Avianca only posted one of the authorizations as a charge but your Credit Card Provider cannot do anything until the charge posts and cannot drop authorizations without the vendor calling in to drop the auth....or it will automatically drop after a few days if the vendor does not close out that authorization....I am sure I will take Spirit's FLL-MDE route if that gets started...Great rates don't care if I have to stand up in General Seating....as long as the plane can fly normal...into MDE>>>>>

panthdave Miami

sloopskipper says on May 6, 2008, 16:35:

They do get a lot of bad press for bad client satisfaction.

But you should be able to protest the charge with the credit card provider, if it has posted. It should go to protest and be immediately removed, pending a final decision. But maybe you need a new airline AND a new credit card provider. I "think" the advantage should be yours.

BUT, I am prejudiced. FLY COPA!

Like Victor Kiam, years ago, with the Remington razors, "I liked the product so much I bought the company", but in my case, maybe a tiny piece. However I have met with the entire management team of Copa and Aero República, and I am a believer regarding customer satisfacation, although any airline can have problems

But seriously, I am also a client, and have had no problems with 8 flights.

Gator says on May 6, 2008, 16:41:

You get what you pay for-I echo sloopskipper Fly COPA our airline of choice.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

sloopskipper says on May 6, 2008, 16:44:

"from the Shameless Commerce Division" I really believe is a class act.

sloopskipper says on May 6, 2008, 16:47:

Personally, I doubt that I would never fly a discount airline. If they are unconcerned with customer sat., you wonder how they deal with other things.

I'd gladly pay a few pennies more (and is not always more) for a bit of peace of mind. There is a difference between price and value.

I was fortunate to speak, face to face, with the presidents of Copa and Areo República in January and I am a believer.

Papi de Alejo says on May 6, 2008, 16:50:

I don't own any part of COPA, but I have been pleased with the service that I have gotten from them. Next week, I will be flying Avianca for the first time (outside of Colombia) and I hope that I will be as pleased with them as I have been with COPA. I'm taking the new "red-eye" from JFK. They offer great connections out of Bogota.

PdA

sloopskipper says on May 6, 2008, 16:51:

People speak highly of the Avianca service (and the food).

I would fly them. It is just this stinking Spirit I would not use, for free, from all I have read.

Papi de Alejo says on May 6, 2008, 16:52:

Vamos a ver.

PdA

sloopskipper says on May 6, 2008, 16:57:

People complain about American Airlines, but the last I used them, and LAN Perú, I couldn't have been more pleased as all went according to plan.

Robert Jorge says on May 6, 2008, 17:00:

I haven't heard many good things about Avianca - though I had a nice experience with them the one time I flew with them. I agree - LAN is great. I highly recommend them. (It is however LAN Chile, not Peru)

sloopskipper says on May 6, 2008, 17:05:

I am starting to get annoyed with this Firefox browser timing out with PBH

sloopskipper says on May 6, 2008, 17:06:

Now I am beginning to remember why I stopped using it a couple years ago. It is a bit flakey.

sloopskipper says on May 6, 2008, 17:10:

But, LAN is Chile, Argentina, and Perú. All the same, Chilean owned, and based in Santiago. Good English speaking agents at the help desk, and nice, helpful, people

tomtom33 says on May 6, 2008, 17:34:

"People speak highly of the Avianca service..."

You and I have spoken to very different people. They are my airline of last choice and many of my friends feel the same. Any other carrier will eat their lunch.

They serviced me right out of their customer list.

sloopskipper says on May 6, 2008, 17:37:

Well, tomtom, seems I remember some good comments, but perhaps I am wrong.

tomtom33 says on May 6, 2008, 17:40:

Yes, there were some good comments. The food was good. I hope that I will never taste it again.

sloopskipper says on May 6, 2008, 17:41:

jaja, OOOOOOOO-K

Fly COPA!

Bluesdude says on May 6, 2008, 20:06:

Thanks everyone for your comments. The bank said that the hold would clear within 3 days if nothing is done by the airline. After I posted, I read a lot of stuff about Spirit on the web, including an internal email (he thought!) from the CEO basically saying that the customer could go.......... "He'll be back when he wants to save a penny" Ho Ho Ho, I hope the maintenance on the planes is better. Definitely Copa next time. Usually not a problem with them. Like to buy the cheap booze in Panama on the way back too. Only thing good about Spirit is it might make Avianca more competitive.

Bluesdude No Mas Gringas Por La Vida

Rubito says on May 6, 2008, 21:17:

I'll usually end up flying with whatever is cheapest. They all suck anyways.

My most hated airline now, AMERICAN. For constantly being late with everything and having the oldest poorest planes in the sky.

---Violence is the price of freedom.---

vicshere says on May 6, 2008, 21:20:

i am with you rubito...fly the cheapest way possible....got a flight form B/manga Botota Toronto and back for 1,550,000 which includes the exit taxes With Air canada from Bogota Toronto Avinca to B/managa

listo

Rubito says on May 6, 2008, 21:23:

Speaking of which, why do Canadian airlines rip people off so much and why are Canadian airport fees so sky-high? It's almost as easy for me to get to Bogota from NYC as it is to get to Montreal or Toronto!

---Violence is the price of freedom.---

cdy says on May 7, 2008, 05:38:

The key to Spirit (as a previous post pointed out) is not to check bags especially if flying from FLL. They have terribly slow lines, and then just as slow to get through the security checkpoint at their terminal. Most of the complaints you read about involve the extra charge for checked luggage or missing a flight because of the wait to check bags. (not to mention the overcharging issue but that should not prevent you from making your flight)
Once your on the plane it is not too bad, the planes are newer(I believe 717's ) the seats are pretty comfortable, everything costs $ and if I remember correctly you can only pay with your CC for a drink or a snack.

Copa is always my first choice, AA customer service out of Miami is no better than Spirits and thier planes are older and tend to have more mechanical issues. If we could just get Southwest or JetBlue to start flying from Florida to Central/South America.

Gator says on May 7, 2008, 07:27:

Humm, I never get the cheapest brake job possible. But I do agree about American AA. They simply do NOT give a rat's a_ _ any more.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

Rubito says on May 7, 2008, 07:53:

JetBlue is SUPPOSED to be starting soon

---Violence is the price of freedom.---

Bluesdude says on May 7, 2008, 08:03:

UPDATE! I received a reply this morning from Spirit Air apologizing for me not being able to get through to their Customer Service. The reply from from an email I sent to their CEO, who seems to have changed his tune about customer service. They are saying that they never charged my account twice and gave me a $50 credit. Oh well, we'll see, but at least their CEO responded. Still difficult to communicate with Customer Service.

Bluesdude No Mas Gringas Por La Vida

Frank Rizzo says on May 7, 2008, 09:08:

Isn't Jet Blue that airline that went down a few years ago in the everglades of FL???? Never found the plane...just some luggage or something.....horrible...

lpdiver says on May 7, 2008, 09:31:

I believe you are thinking of Value Jet.

t

"cook some rice!"

sloopskipper says on May 7, 2008, 09:35:

Frank Rizzo says on Wednesday May 7th, 2008 9:08:

"Isn't Jet Blue that airline that went down a few years ago in the everglades of FL???? Never found the plane...just some luggage or something.....horrible..."

Wasn't that AirTran, or something like that? They were carrying some sort of banned cargo, oxygen tanks(?) Did they become ATA?

Frank Rizzo says on May 7, 2008, 09:38:

ahhhh Value Jet...thats it.....LP..!!!

Jet Blue is the one that is 1 step up from US Scareways.....jajajajaja

Tinto (Moderator) says on May 7, 2008, 10:24:

The guy that started JetBlue is going to give it a whirl in Brazil with a new airline called AZUL.

http://www.ktvu.com/money/16185381/detail.html

germuno says on May 7, 2008, 11:20:

I booked this round trip for 2 on spirit air to Cartagena from Los Angeles with a 3 hour switch of planes in Lauderdal both ways. Booked it 2 months ago for this month's travel.

At less than $300 each we felt we couldn't pass it up.

They charge for any checked baggage. Not a problem for us with very little carry on. What and where to eat is undetermined.

ADULT Fare 352.00 USD,
15.00 USD, US 911 Security fee
104.00 USD, CO Airport Tax CTG
61.60 USD, US FET
10.00 USD, US Animal Plant Health Inspection Service
27.00 USD, US Passenger Facility Charge
14.00 USD, US Immigration fee
11.00 USD, US customs Fee
--------------
Total Fare 594.60 USD

sloopskipper says on May 7, 2008, 11:36:

germuno, a great price! Hope it all goes well.

germuno says on May 7, 2008, 12:38:

Thanks. I do too. It's for this weekend

Taxes are a full third of the price. I wonder if the $104 listed for Cartagena's airport tax is the departure tax? Or is that extra?

sloopskipper says on May 7, 2008, 13:10:

For 104 bucks, I would certainly hope so. Although Copa does include that, they only show a single price for Taxes & Surcharges.

I checked a Copa LAX-CTG flight for Friday, returning two weeks later. It's a LOT more money, buying so late, but the taxes should be the same, but they're not.

Copa's total for taxes is $430.60, while you are paying only 242.60. Which would make you think that all fees are not included, but on the other hand it seems your $104 charge should pay exit tax for both of you at CTG. I don't know if there is a landing fee. That was $80 for me in Santo Domingo, but was included in an AA ticket.

Taxes & Surcharges are sometimes nearly half the cost of a promo ticket on Copa.

I have read complaints that Avianca, at least used to, not include a Colombian departure tax in the ticket.

Wish I could be more helpful. I think there are some people here who have flown Spirit who would know.

germuno says on May 7, 2008, 13:20:

Sometimes I yearn back to the good old regulation days. But then I was on expenses so my reasoning is skewed.

These are the good old days if you've got the time and versatililty

sloopskipper says on May 7, 2008, 13:24:

It can be pretty confusing. It seems Copa always includes everything, but I had to pay, maybe $30, to leave Lima, on AA.

toneloc24 says on May 7, 2008, 21:30:

Problem with including that $104 is the tourist exemption for the Colombian departure tax.

Normally in Colombia, it is $52USD per person. With the tourist exemption, it is $32. This is what most tourists who stay less than 60 days (I believe) pay. Delta and other airlines include it ($32) in the ticket, but you still need the exemption stamp to claim it. It appears that Spirit doesn't even give you the option. Somebody might need to check into that.

Lima, Peru is $29, no exemption.

Quito, Ecuador is $40.80, no exemption - Guayaquil is $27.15, no exemption

Dominican Republic is $80 taxes, included in your ticket, plus $10 "touron" card that YOU pay once off of the plane and hand back to them 10 yards away. No lie.

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

BillBigD says on May 7, 2008, 21:33:

Yes that $10 charge for the Dominican Republic is kind of foolish.

sloopskipper says on May 8, 2008, 05:24:

I had forgotten about the extra $10 in Santo Domingo.

AA used to offer some last minute fares. I think it was $99 San Juan to Santo Domingo, but of course, plus the taxes.

If I remember the regular fare was about $300, for a ride of about 250 miles (45 minutes), more than a buck a mile, before the huge increases in price of fuel. But, AA owned the market.

Robert Jorge says on May 8, 2008, 06:42:

Yep, it was Value Jet. Crashed May 11th, 1996 in the middle of the afternoon, several miles west of Krome Avenue and south of the Tamiami Trail. 12 years ago this Mother's Day.

jonas says on May 8, 2008, 07:40:

So does anyone know how they treat visa-holders on exit if the exit tax of $32 (which is half) is included? Would we have to pay $32, the full $64 or what? It would kinda suck to pay the full amount if you have already paid for the reduced tariff. That would be almost $100. Anybody know?

What I have, I do not want to lose, but Where I am I do not want to stay, but those I love, I do not want to leave, but those I know I no longer want to see, but Where I die, I do not want to go;I want to stay where I have never been

Gator says on May 8, 2008, 08:57:

I am resident Colombia and pay the full amount. I believe if you have been in Colombia sixty days or more you pay the full amount. If you enter on any visa, except tourist less than sixty days, you pay the full amount

BTW, In Cartagena you also pay a big airport tax which set by the city and departmento. Different from the departure tax for international tave-that is set by the Colombian national government and can vary between international departure points\. Cartagena is the highest.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

jonas says on May 8, 2008, 09:07:

maybe I did not express myself well: What I wanted to ask is that on some tickets the $ 32 tax (which as Gator correctly claims is for tourists without visa that have remained less than 60 days in the country) is already included in the ticket. Now if I as a visa holder and eligible to the $ 64 tax, buy such a ticket, would I have to pay the extra $ 32, or nothing at all because it is presumably included, or the full $ 64, even though I have already paid $ 32 on the ticket?

What I have, I do not want to lose, but Where I am I do not want to stay, but those I love, I do not want to leave, but those I know I no longer want to see, but Where I die, I do not want to go;I want to stay where I have never been

seabass says on May 8, 2008, 10:47:

I've flown Spirit twice with no problems. Once to Panama City and once to Lima.
Advantages: Flying out of Ft. Lauderdale and missing the hell known as MIA.

Disadvantages: Other than the aformentioned nickle and diming of the baggage and snacks, the overnight flights on the way back. The P.C. flight is 2:00 am-5:00 am and the Lima flight is 11:00 pm-5:30 am. Might be ok for the night owls but not me. Sleeping's not an option, can't do it sitting up. By the time I catch a mid-morning Southwest flight back to Tampa, I'm exhausted.
Didn't have to pay exit tax in P.C. Paid about $30 in Lima.

Gator says on May 8, 2008, 12:45:

Look at the taxes charged to your ticket-if there is a "CO" on the tax area of the ticket that stands for Colombia. The amount that follows the CO is the tax collected.

They will make the calculation at the airport-you will pay an extra $32.00USD. if you don't have to pay-it's the luck of the draw. no exit tax if you are "in transit" status like Panama City, et. al..

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

Saltador says on May 8, 2008, 12:55:

Gator says "It's the luck of the draw".
No truer words were ever spoken. I have paid all kinds of differing amounts leaving Cartagena, no rhyme or reason. Sometimes they charge you, sometimes they don't, sometimes (if you have a VISA) they charge the hell out of you. That's the main reason I'm not going to renew my visa at this time, I can see almost no benefit (now that I have opened my bank account) and don't want to keep getting gouged at the airport on my way back home.

Brians says on May 9, 2008, 10:08:

Hit me for $64 bucks last trip.

arfgoblue says on May 13, 2008, 14:31:

Does Spirit allow 2 bags as carryon for no extra charge at least? Cheers!