GlobeTrek Adventures by jonny
Can I cancel a flight with Spirit and Get a Refund?
7 hours ago
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Ah, the budget airline dilemma! Spirit Airlines is famous for its ultra-low fares, which often come with a bit of a trade-off when it comes to flexibility and refunds. So, you're wondering if you can cancel that Spirit flight and get your money back? Let's break it down in plain language.
The 24-Hour Sweet Spot (Your Best Bet!)
Just like with most airlines flying to, from, or within the U.S., Spirit adheres to the 24-hour rule mandated by the Department of Transportation. This is your golden ticket for a full refund! If you cancel your Spirit flight within 24 hours of purchasing it, you're generally eligible for a full refund back to your original payment method.
However, there's a crucial condition: your flight's departure must be at least 7 days away from the time you cancel. So, if you booked a last-minute trip for tomorrow, the 24-hour rule won't apply for a cash refund.
Beyond 24 Hours: It Gets "Spirit-y"
Once you're past that initial 24-hour window, Spirit's policy typically shifts from refunds to Spirit Reservation Credits. This means you generally won't get your cash back, but instead, you'll receive a credit for the value of your ticket (minus any fees, depending on your fare type and when you cancel) that you can use for a future Spirit flight.
Here's where it gets a little nuanced, especially if you booked a "Go" fare (Spirit's most basic economy option):
Go Fares (Basic Economy): For tickets purchased on or after February 5, 2025, if you cancel a "Go" fare outside the 24-hour window, you'll generally incur a cancellation fee. This fee can be substantial (sometimes even exceeding the original fare value), and any remaining value will be issued as a Spirit Reservation Credit. In some cases, if the cancellation fee is higher than your fare, you might not receive any credit at all.
Go Savvy, Go Comfy, and Go Big Fares: These are Spirit's slightly higher fare classes. For these, Spirit has generally eliminated change and cancellation fees if you cancel outside the 24-hour window. You'll typically receive the full value of your ticket as a Spirit Reservation Credit. However, a fare difference might apply if you use the credit to book a more expensive flight in the future.
Important Note on Reservation Credits: These credits are usually non-transferable (you can't use them to book a flight for someone else) and come with an expiration date, often one year from the date of issuance. Always check the terms of your credit carefully!
"Cancel For Any Reason" (CFAR) Add-on
When you book with Spirit, you might see an option to purchase "Cancel For Any Reason" (CFAR) protection. If you add this to your booking, it allows you to cancel your flight online up to 24 hours before departure for an 80% refund to your original form of payment. This is a separate, non-refundable charge you pay at the time of booking. It's a way to get some cash back even if your plans change, but remember it's 80%, not 100%.
When Spirit Cancels Your Flight (Good News!)
This is the big exception! If Spirit Airlines cancels your flight or makes a significant schedule change (e.g., a major delay), you are almost always entitled to a full refund to your original form of payment, regardless of the ticket type. This is a federal regulation, and Spirit must offer you this option. They might try to rebook you or offer a travel credit, but you have the right to request your money back.
Ah, the budget airline dilemma! Spirit Airlines is famous for its ultra-low fares, which often come with a bit of a trade-off when it comes to flexibility and refunds. So, you're wondering if you can cancel that Spirit flight and get your money back? Let's break it down in plain language.
The 24-Hour Sweet Spot (Your Best Bet!)
Just like with most airlines flying to, from, or within the U.S., Spirit adheres to the 24-hour rule mandated by the Department of Transportation. This is your golden ticket for a full refund! If you cancel your Spirit flight within 24 hours of purchasing it, you're generally eligible for a full refund back to your original payment method.
However, there's a crucial condition: your flight's departure must be at least 7 days away from the time you cancel. So, if you booked a last-minute trip for tomorrow, the 24-hour rule won't apply for a cash refund.
Beyond 24 Hours: It Gets "Spirit-y"
Once you're past that initial 24-hour window, Spirit's policy typically shifts from refunds to Spirit Reservation Credits. This means you generally won't get your cash back, but instead, you'll receive a credit for the value of your ticket (minus any fees, depending on your fare type and when you cancel) that you can use for a future Spirit flight.
Here's where it gets a little nuanced, especially if you booked a "Go" fare (Spirit's most basic economy option):
Go Fares (Basic Economy): For tickets purchased on or after February 5, 2025, if you cancel a "Go" fare outside the 24-hour window, you'll generally incur a cancellation fee. This fee can be substantial (sometimes even exceeding the original fare value), and any remaining value will be issued as a Spirit Reservation Credit. In some cases, if the cancellation fee is higher than your fare, you might not receive any credit at all.
Go Savvy, Go Comfy, and Go Big Fares: These are Spirit's slightly higher fare classes. For these, Spirit has generally eliminated change and cancellation fees if you cancel outside the 24-hour window. You'll typically receive the full value of your ticket as a Spirit Reservation Credit. However, a fare difference might apply if you use the credit to book a more expensive flight in the future.
Important Note on Reservation Credits: These credits are usually non-transferable (you can't use them to book a flight for someone else) and come with an expiration date, often one year from the date of issuance. Always check the terms of your credit carefully!
"Cancel For Any Reason" (CFAR) Add-on
When you book with Spirit, you might see an option to purchase "Cancel For Any Reason" (CFAR) protection. If you add this to your booking, it allows you to cancel your flight online up to 24 hours before departure for an 80% refund to your original form of payment. This is a separate, non-refundable charge you pay at the time of booking. It's a way to get some cash back even if your plans change, but remember it's 80%, not 100%.
When Spirit Cancels Your Flight (Good News!)
This is the big exception! If Spirit Airlines cancels your flight or makes a significant schedule change (e.g., a major delay), you are almost always entitled to a full refund to your original form of payment, regardless of the ticket type. This is a federal regulation, and Spirit must offer you this option. They might try to rebook you or offer a travel credit, but you have the right to request your money back.
How to Cancel
You can usually cancel your Spirit flight online through their "My Trips" section on their website or app. Have your confirmation number and last name handy. You can also contact their customer service by phone or chat.
So, while Spirit is all about those low fares, getting a full cash refund isn't always straightforward. Your best bet is always that 24-hour window, or if the cancellation is on Spirit's end!
You can usually cancel your Spirit flight online through their "My Trips" section on their website or app. Have your confirmation number and last name handy. You can also contact their customer service by phone or chat.
So, while Spirit is all about those low fares, getting a full cash refund isn't always straightforward. Your best bet is always that 24-hour window, or if the cancellation is on Spirit's end!
