Spirit Airlines Missed Flight Policy: Everything You Need To Know
- Rafael Jordan
- Jan 23, 2024
- 7 min read
Missing a flight can be a stressful and frustrating experience for any traveler. If you're flying with Spirit Airlines and end up missing your scheduled flight, it's important to understand their policies regarding missed flights. This guide will explain Spirit airlines missed flight rules and fee, plus tips for rebooking, refunds, and more.
What Is Spirit Airlines Missed Flight Policy?
Spirit Airlines has a "no-show" policy for passengers who miss their scheduled flight for any reason. If you don't show up for your Spirit Airlines flight as booked, it is considered a "no-show", and you will not be eligible for a refund or flight credit.
Spirit will cancel the remaining flights on your itinerary if you no-show the first one. The only exception is if you miss your outbound flight but make your return/connecting flight. However, you will not get a refund for the missed outbound trip.
This strict missed flight policy is due to Spirit's ultra low-cost business model. Their cheap ticket prices come with more restrictions compared to full-service airlines.
What Happens if I Miss My Spirit Flight?
If you miss your scheduled Spirit Airlines flight for any reason, it is considered a no-show and your reservation will be cancelled immediately. You will not be able to take your return/connecting Spirit flights.
You'll have to book and buy a brand new ticket if you still need to get to your destination. Spirit will charge you a 'no show' fee that ranges from $10-$100 depending on your fare type.
Plus, you will not get a flight credit or refund for the flights you missed. The only exception is if you have purchased Spirit's optional $16 "Shortcut Security" bundle, which allows rebooking with a $59 change fee.
The Conditions to Missed a Spirit Flight
There are various reasons travelers miss their scheduled flights with Spirit Airlines and other carriers. Some of the common situations where you may miss a Spirit flight include:
Missed Flight because of Weather
Severe storms, snow, or other bad weather can lead to flight delays and cancellations. If your Spirit flight gets canceled due to weather and you are unable to fly on the rebooked flight time, it would count as a missed flight.
Transportation or Traffic Delays
Getting stuck in traffic on the way to the airport or public transit delays can prevent you from reaching your gate on time. These transportation issues can lead to missing your flight.
Airlines Schedule Changes
If Spirit Airlines changes your confirmed flight schedule significantly last minute, such as moving up the departure time, it may cause you to miss your new flight time.
Personal Emergencies
Family emergencies, medical issues, or other unexpected events on the day of travel could make you unable to take your booked Spirit flight. These personal emergencies would be considered missed flights.
What is The Spirit Airlines No Show Policy?
As mentioned above, Spirit has a strict no-show policy if you miss your Spirit Airlines flight for any reason. Here are some key details on their rules:
Your itinerary will be cancelled immediately if you miss the first scheduled flight, including all connecting flights and return legs.
You won't get a refund or future travel credit. Your booking is forfeited.
You'll have to book a brand new ticket if you still plan to fly.
Spirit charges a no-show fee between $10-$100 based on your ticket.
The only exception is if you purchased the "Shortcut Security" bundle, allowing rebooking for $59.
If you miss your outbound Spirit flight but take the return trip, you won't get a refund for the missed outbound leg.
Overall, Spirit Airlines has zero tolerance for missed flights under their strict no-show policy. Be sure you fully understand these rules before booking.
Can I Rebook Spirit Flight If I Miss?
Rebooking a missed Spirit Airlines flight is only possible in certain limited situations:
Online Method to Rebook a Flight
If you purchased Spirit's "Shortcut Security" add-on bundle when initially booking your ticket, you can rebook online if you miss your flight. This costs a $59 rebooking fee plus any fare difference.
Offline Method to Rebook Your Flight
Without Shortcut Security, the only way to rebook with Spirit after a missed flight is to call their reservations line at 1 (855) 728-3555 / 1-860-374-7569(OTA) or 844-989-7283. The agent may allow you to book a new ticket at full current fare prices. However, you will not get any credit for your canceled missed flight.
Rebooking with Spirit after a missed flight comes with no guarantees. It's best to avoid a no-show situation altogether when flying Spirit Airlines.
What is Spirit Airlines Missed Flight Fee?
On top of losing your original booking, Spirit charges a missed flight "no show" fee if you do not take your scheduled flight and have no checked bags. Here is how their no-show fees work:
Non-refundable economy fares - $10 no show fee
Standard economy fares - $25 no show fee
Big Front Seats - $50 no show fee
Business Class - $100 no show fee
These fees get charged automatically by Spirit if you miss your flight and do not have any checked baggage. The fees depend on your original ticket fare type, as shown above.
What to do If I Miss My connecting Flight?
If you miss your Spirit Airlines missed connecting flight after taking the initial leg, you still have some options:
Talk to a Spirit agent at your layover airport to get rebooked standby on a later connecting flight. You'll have to pay any fare differences.
Call Spirit reservations to rebook your connecting flight for a later time. Again, you'll pay fare differences.
Book an entirely new one-way ticket for the missed connection at current fares.
Take a different airline for the connecting flight - Spirit won't compensate tickets on other airlines.
Forfeit the trip and head home if you no longer need to reach your final destination.
File a claim with travel insurance if you have the right policy that covers missed connections.
But any new flight arrangements after a missed connection will come out of your own pocket. Spirit does not offer provisions for rebooking, flight credits, or refunds when you fail to take a booked connecting flight.
Can I Get a Refund on Spirit Airlines Missed Flight?
Spirit Airlines does not provide refunds or future travel vouchers if you miss your scheduled flight for any reason. The only exceptions are:
If Spirit cancels your flight for non-weather reasons like aircraft issues, and you choose not to take the rebooked flight time.
If you miss your Spirit flight due to a direct family member's death and provide documentation.
If you have TripFlex refundable fares, which offer refunds in some missed flight scenarios.
Otherwise, Spirit's official missed flight policy is that your booking is forfeited if you "no show" for any reason. You will not receive a flight credit or your money back.
What Is Spirit Airlines Missed Flight Refund Policy?
Here are the key details on getting a refund from Spirit for a missed flight:
Spirit will not refund your ticket if you miss your flight for any reason like traffic, weather delays, etc. It's considered your responsibility to arrive on time.
The only way to get a refund for a missed Spirit flight is if you purchased fully refundable TripFlex fares during booking.
TripFlex permits one refund per direction of your booking, for a Spirit cancellation or missed flight due to sickness, injury, or death in the family. Documention is required.
Refunds are issued as a credit to your Spirit account. You can request cash back after 12 months if the credit remains unused.
For non-refundable tickets, the only way to recoup any value after a missed flight is to file a claim with independent travel insurance, if eligible.
Spirit may provide a refund if they cancel your flight for reasons other than weather/ASM, and you decline the new flight time.
Overall, Spirit Airlines has a very strict no refunds policy for missed flights. Only TripFlex fares or Spirit cancellations provide the potential for getting your money back.
Bottom Line
Missing your flight with Spirit Airlines comes with serious consequences including canceled itineraries, no-show fees, forfeited bookings, and no flight credits or refunds. The best way to avoid issues is to arrive early for your flight and carefully review Spirit's missed flight rules before booking. Under their policies, you bear full responsibility for showing up to your scheduled flight on time. Use TripFlex fares or travel insurance if you want some protection for missed flights. Otherwise, be aware that Spirit offers zero exceptions or reimbursements if you fail to show up for your booking.
FAQS
What happens If I Miss My Spirit Airlines Connecting Flights?
If you miss a Spirit Airlines connecting flight, your only options are to pay out of pocket to rebook on a later flight or buy an entirely new ticket. Spirit does not compensate or rebook passengers who miss connections.
How will I get a Spirit Airlines refund for a missed flight due to a delay?
You will not get a refund from Spirit for a missed flight due to a delay, even if the delay was out of your control. Spirit considers it the passenger's responsibility to arrive in time regardless of delays. Your only options are refundable TripFlex fares or filing a claim with separate travel insurance.
What happens If I miss my Spirit Airlines due to illness?
If you miss your Spirit flight due to falling ill, it is still considered a voluntary "no show" per their policy. You will not be able to get a flight credit or refund unless you purchased TripFlex fares. Spirit does not make exceptions for sickness.
Is Spirit Airlines refunding me if I miss my flights due to the weather?
No, Spirit will not refund your booking if you miss your flight due to weather delays like snowstorms. The only potential refund is if Spirit themselves cancels for non-weather reasons and you refuse the new flight time. But you will not get a refund if you simply can't make it to the airport due to weather.
What if I miss my Spirit flight due to a death in the family?
Spirit may provide a refund in the form of a credit to your account if you miss a flight due to the death of an immediate family member. However, you have to provide documentation like a death certificate, and the credit cannot be converted to cash for 12 months. Your best option is TripFlex fares.
Can I get a voucher if I miss my Spirit flight for any reason?
No, Spirit does not provide vouchers or credits for future flights when you miss your scheduled flight time, for any reason. The only way to potentially get credit for a future Spirit booking is if you purchased refundable TripFlex fares before missing your flight.
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