Can I Change Flights for Free Spirit : Your Complete Guide

Traveling with Spirit Airlines can be an affordable way to get to your destination, but like any budget airline, understanding the details of their policies can be a bit tricky. If you've booked a flight with Free Spirit, Spirit Airlines' frequent flyer program, you might be wondering, Can I change flights for Free Spirit.

In this guide, we’ll break down how flight changes work with Spirit Airlines, and whether or not you can change flights for free with their Free Spirit program.

Changing Flights with Spirit Airlines

Changing your flight with Spirit Airlines is possible, but whether it’s free or not depends on several factors, including your ticket type, when you make the change, and the fare difference between your old and new flights. Spirit Airlines is known for offering low base fares, but they charge fees for many services, including flight changes.

Can I Change My Flight for Free?

Generally, no, Spirit Airlines does not offer free flight changes, even for members of their Free Spirit program. However, there are a few exceptions and ways you can minimize the costs.

1. Within 24 Hours of Booking: If you made your booking less than 24 hours ago, you can cancel or change your flight without incurring any change fees, as long as you do so within 24 hours of the original booking. This is a policy set by the U.S. Department of Transportation, and it applies to all airlines, including Spirit.

2. Free Spirit Membership Benefits: If you're a Free Spirit Elite member, you may get some perks that can help reduce fees or allow for more flexibility when changing your flight. These benefits include priority boarding, free upgrades, and sometimes better flexibility with flight changes, but keep in mind that this does not equate to entirely free changes.

3. Flight Changes within 60 Days: Spirit Airlines allows you to make flight changes up to 60 days before your departure without the steep penalties that come with last-minute changes. However, you will still need to pay any difference in fare between your original and new flight.

4. Flight Credit or Points: If you’re a Free Spirit member, you might also be able to use your accumulated points to cover part of the cost of changing your flight, which can reduce the financial impact of a change.

How Much Does It Cost to Change a Flight with Spirit Airlines?

While Spirit does not offer free flight changes, the cost to change your flight can vary depending on several factors:

• Flight Change Fees: Typically, Spirit Airlines charges a change fee of $90 to $100 if you make changes more than 60 days before your flight. The fee might go up if you’re changing within 60 days of departure.

• Fare Difference: In addition to the change fee, you’ll also need to pay the fare difference if the new flight is more expensive than your original one. This can quickly add up if you’re making last-minute changes.

• Cancellation and Rebooking: If you decide to cancel your flight instead of changing it, you may be eligible for a flight credit or refund, but this also depends on your specific ticket type. If you choose to rebook later, you’ll be subject to the same change fees and fare differences.

How to Change a Flight with Spirit Airlines

Changing your flight with Spirit Airlines is simple and can be done online through the Spirit website or via their mobile app. Here's a quick guide:

1. Log in to Your Account: Access your booking by logging into your Spirit account or by navigating to the “Manage Travel” section on their website.

2. Select Your Flight: Choose the flight you’d like to change and select your new travel dates.

3. Pay Fees (if applicable): Spirit will show you any change fees and fare differences. If you agree to the changes, pay any applicable charges.

4. Confirm the Change: Once you’ve paid for the changes, you’ll receive an updated itinerary with your new flight details.

Tips to Avoid Fees

While it’s hard to avoid Spirit Airlines’ change fees altogether, here are some tips to reduce the cost:

• Book Early: The earlier you book, the more flexibility you’ll have to make changes without huge fees. Last-minute changes can be expensive.
• Travel Insurance: Consider purchasing travel insurance that covers changes to your flights, especially if your plans are likely to change.
• Be Flexible: The more flexible you are with your travel dates and times, the easier it will be to find a cheaper alternative when changing your flight.