Spirit Airlines' "New" Baggage Policy

[playacaribe2]

As of February 10, 2007, Spirit Airlines will only allow one "free" checked bag on its flights. The second bag that used to be "free" (up to 50lbs.) will now be $10.00. There are also fee increases on "over the limit bags." Check their website for further details. www.spiritair.com.

Can AA, Delta, Continental, etc., be far behind??????



Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

[El Tigre]

Oh man. You know what. Nothing surprises me. Holly cow that is really messed up though.

[apdomini100max]

Wow!!! Well they are a low cost airline so they have to find some way to make up the money the loose especially when they sell tickets for a penny and 8 cents.

[Andy B]

This doesn't suprize me at all. A good friend who is a pilot with Spirit tells me that the Santo Domingo runs are the most overloaded in the company routes. Quite frequently about half the luggage has to be unloaded for the aircraft to meet its weights and balances requirement and then put on a second plane that is usually empty except for the extra luggage. You've seen it, a Dominican family returns from the states with a mound of luggage and packages, WAAAAY over the limit. Even American Airlines has to institute luggage restrictions at times.

[BPL888]

Playacaribe2-Thank you for posting that info. I am taking Spirit to SDQ for Samana Santa in early April and only would have found out while standing in line in Providence at 4 AM. Depending on my mood I might even give them a piece of my mind, rarely a good idea. It is only $10 and the reasoning may even make sense given thier low prices but I would think that they would honor the policy that was in place when I bought my ticket. I wonder how soon the other carriers will start similar charges? The whole luggage thing is becoming a pain as I have old and sturdy suitcases but they wiegh 20-22 lbs before I put anything in them and it is a battle to stay under 50 lbs total. I guess it's time to spring for some new luggage. I usually max out my bags with school supplies to donate to local school where I stay and theses days it seems to be less and less getting to the kids. Back when it was 75 lbs a bag I had quite a pile for them. Maybe I will pack less for me and support the economy by having the maid do my laundry more often. Thanks again for the post.

[azabache]

Originally Posted by BPL888

usually max out my bags with school supplies to donate to local school where I stay and theses days it seems to be less and less getting to the kids.

School supplies are heavy. Why can't you just buy the school supplies in the DR?

[playacaribe2]

Originally Posted by BPL888

Playacaribe2-Thank you for posting that info. I am taking Spirit to SDQ for Samana Santa in early April and only would have found out while standing in line in Providence at 4 AM. Depending on my mood I might even give them a piece of my mind, rarely a good idea. It is only $10 and the reasoning may even make sense given thier low prices but I would think that they would honor the policy that was in place when I bought my ticket. I wonder how soon the other carriers will start similar charges? The whole luggage thing is becoming a pain as I have old and sturdy suitcases but they wiegh 20-22 lbs before I put anything in them and it is a battle to stay under 50 lbs total. I guess it's time to spring for some new luggage. I usually max out my bags with school supplies to donate to local school where I stay and theses days it seems to be less and less getting to the kids. Back when it was 75 lbs a bag I had quite a pile for them. Maybe I will pack less for me and support the economy by having the maid do my laundry more often. Thanks again for the post.

BLP888:

If you purchased your ticket prior to the new baggage restrictions, then I would challenge the $10.00 assessment. The qestion is, when did they post the change on the website or otherwise notify their passengers?

Many of us who travel to the D.R. regularly, purchase our tickets well in advance. I, for one, have a ticket to fly in March that was purchased in early December of 2006. That is, I believe, well before the new baggage restrictions were announced. And, I have already contacted Spirit regarding this issue and am awaiting a reply. (I successfully challenged a similar situation when the Sprit dropped the weight limit from 70 to 50 lbs. per bag and I already had a pre-existing ticket).

Lest this post be misconstrued, it is not about the $10.00. It is about the contractual principles involved here. And, yes I know that the airlines have wide legal latitude in their right to cancel flights, change aircraft, change gates, etc. But, eventually they must honor the ticket or refund your money. However, in my opinion, they cannot unilaterally alter their contract of carriage as it relates to baggage on tickets purchased prior to the change.


Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

[cobraboy]

Originally Posted by Andy B

This doesn't suprize me at all. A good friend who is a pilot with Spirit tells me that the Santo Domingo runs are the most overloaded in the company routes. Quite frequently about half the luggage has to be unloaded for the aircraft to meet its weights and balances requirement and then put on a second plane that is usually empty except for the extra luggage. You've seen it, a Dominican family returns from the states with a mound of luggage and packages, WAAAAY over the limit. Even American Airlines has to institute luggage restrictions at times.

I fly Spirit often. They are a fine airline.

I am constantly amazed at how Dominicans pack their entire earthly possessions into bags. A couple with a small child will have six of those huge, massive cargo containers for their "two bags each" for checked luggage, then carry-ons the size of a Rock Stars ego.

Unbelievable.

Like Dominicans overstaying their visas in the US makes immigration a massive headache for law-abiding Dominicans, the way they handle their baggage screws up other peoples travel plans.

Even Jamaicans aren't as bad as Dominicans.

[tflea]

AA and DL just went up $10 on their tickets to most destinations. Not a coincidence. others may follow.

[nixonbd]

How is this airline? I'm booked with them for March, $353 RT from Tampa through Lauderdale. It's the cheapest around.