Cancel Spirit flight now while I've got a chance?

[Miffy]

After yesterday's ruling against JetBlue acquiring Spirit, I noticed this morning that Spirit's stock had plummeted.

I have a Spirit flight booked for March and I'm wondering if I should just cancel it and rebook, probably with JetBlue now, while I can still get some of my money back. I purchased the 80%-back-if-canceled option when I booked the flight. Of course I realize it won't really be 80% back, since I paid for that privilege, nevertheless, I'd like to feel more secure that the airline I'm flying on will actually be in business in March.

Is this an overreaction or a prudent idea?

Thanks for any insight into this.

 

[Lord Manhammer]

I’d rebook on Bob’s Discount Planes instead of spirit.

 

[Ross Kratter]

Spirit is the very worst airline in the country. I would rebook with ANYONE over Spirit. Even Frontier.

 

[Miffy]

OK, everyone, you convinced me--not that I really need convincing since I'd pretty much decided to cancel anyway.

Now my only "problem" is whether I want to go a day earlier, because it's another day at WDW!

 

[jimmymc]

I don't think Spirit is going anywhere, but I would fly any other airline if the price was close enough. Except Frontier, they are beneath Spirit for me now.

 

[beccasmom]

Spirit is pretty bad from what I have heard. I have family who use them because of the cost, but they have always run into issues such as dirty planes, cancellations, and arrivals and departures that can run way off schedule. I’m all about going with the flow while traveling (so much is out of our control), but I wouldn’t want that additional stress.

 

[mikehn]

Do all your research here on the Dis before you rebook

 

[keishashadow]

I have family who use them because of the cost, but they have always run into issues such as dirty planes, cancellations, and arrivals and departures that can run way off schedule. I’m all about going with the flow while traveling (so much is out of our control), but I wouldn’t want that additional stress.

As many will repor t, Things have been wonky for the last few years for us on southwest, allegiant and spirit. Is what it is, you hope for the best.

Spirit was a very good option for us when it comes to what I refer to as “bonus trips”. With an annual pass and flexible schedule, $29 fares from my market to MCO are difficult to pass up. . I‘ve thot twice before booking them for anything but the last year or so. Would surely miss having that option going forward.

allegiant is lessor option for us, just a couple flights a week tho and SFB is challenging with getting a decent rental car rate.

have been sitting on booking anything with spirit since the jet blue deal was pending. Now that it’s been blown out of the water, still don’t feel comfortable booking them without having a cancellable back up flight on SWA.

To their credit, spirit’s planes I’ve flown on routes to FL & MYR from PIT and LBE have always been very clean and look newish. seating is admittedly quite tight.

i usually buy their spirit thing that used to give good discounts on flights/checked bags. More than paid for itself in the past. It won’t be renewed this year. I will likely book something sooner vs later with my points, have a feeling they will discontinue that program.

Within the last year, i’ve had delays of the equipment sort, of far over 4 hours…when you start asking for some love. We did get home, 6 hours later than expected on last one. was awarded a flight credit (what i paid for original flight) that was so full of restrictions, it was nearly impossible to utilize. I persisted lol. Still, when it happens on other airlines, they are far more generous and no hoops to utilize.

i’d never, ever book them if going on a cruise the next day Or any other sort of must do commitment.

i expect they will pull out of smaller markets entirely now, including LBE where it was wonderful to get free parking even with all the other flaws.

i do lament seeing any carrier pull out of the market as rates will surely increase across the board of the other carriers.

 

[Miffy]

I ended up canceling the Spirit flight. I've had not-bad experiences with them in the last 6 months. I flew with them the first time when JB changed my nonstop flight to a 1-stop flight the next day and I found a Spirit flight that worked better for me. Good thing I did, since JB then canceled the 2nd leg of the rebooked flight!

But now. Just no. I'm too concerned. So I booked JB for both outbound and inbound and hope to hell they don't cancel or rebook me on a flight with a stopover.

 

[Disneychick75]

We flew Spirit on a return flight in November with 2 of our grandchildren. Other than it being 1 hour late, it was not bad. In fact, we're bring our other 2 grandchildren in May and we're planning to fly Spirit again because the flight times are good. Our departure is at 6am. Everyone I've spoken to has said that the early flights are on time. Returning at like 1:30 - don't really care if that one is late.

 

[WDW Traveler]

We've always had good luck with Spirit the several times we have used them. Direct flights, never had any cancellations, maybe a couple less than 1/2 hour delays.

I had a terrible time when I flew with Delta this last time. Canceled our flight less than 12 hours before the flight. Rescheduled us for the following Monday, we were supposed to fly out on Sunday. Had nonstop, ended up getting out on Sunday (after almost 2 hours on the computer/phone) but had two stops and arrived much later in the day than anticipated but did arrive on the right day.

I think it's a gamble any way you look at it. But can't drive from NH (well we could but that's far!) - so got to get on some plane to get to my happy place! lol

 

[Miffy]

I just got an email from Spirit that my flight has been canceled. The very flight I already canceled myself 5 days ago.

As long as I was going to be semi-prescient, I should've waited 5 more days and I probably would've gotten the entire fare refunded instead of the 80% I received, which was actually not 80% because that percent didn't include the extra 30 bucks I paid them for the privilege of canceling and getting my money back. <sigh>

 

[kittylady1972]

I just got an email from Spirit that my flight has been canceled. The very flight I already canceled myself 5 days ago.

As long as I was going to be semi-prescient, I should've waited 5 more days and I probably would've gotten the entire fare refunded instead of the 80% I received, which was actually not 80% because that percent didn't include the extra 30 bucks I paid them for the privilege of canceling and getting my money back. <sigh>

Ah...wow.

While I'm a bit sad about the lack of merger, we fly Spirit pretty regularly here because, as others have stated, very cheap flights direct to MCO and back, usually at least 3 a day each way, and we've had mostly good experiences with them. Some of the best flight experiences in landing for sure. Probably only issue has been delays waiting on the tarmac in MCO because we land too early and they have no gate for us. I like the fact that I don't have to line up like a herd of cows and jockey for a seat, the tradeoff is if I choose not to pay for my carry on then I have to be careful of how I pack my bag, but I have several Spirit friendly "free" carry on bags that I use no problem.

Case in point was we just had to make a very last minute change to our trip THIS week and weekend. SWA flight, to change to come back 2 days earlier was over $200 one way. Spirit flight to come back THIS Saturday night...about $80 one way. No brainer for me.

 

[wdw&sonny]

Spirit is the very worst airline in the country. I would rebook with ANYONE over Spirit. Even Frontier.

Splitting hairs there. Our experience(s) with Frontier (out of Cleveland) have been worse than with Spirit. The flight times always change. You can't check your bag more than 2 hours before the flight departure time. So, the kiosks are crowded, even stalked. We waited 30 minutes to get the bag sticker. Then, in another line to "drop off" the bag that took 45 minutes.
Most recently, we purchased tickets for a "cheap" flight in February at a great time in the morning that would get us to Disney for lunch. That flight was cancelled. We were automatically booked on another flight much later in the day. It's classic "bait and switch". Lure you in with an attractive price and time, that they know they won't be able to keep. Then switch you to a flight that they do have at 7:30 PM. They literally have NO Customer Service phone number. The Chat feature took me in circles. After getting frustrated, I literally typed "Your chat feature sucks". Then it said I would be connected to a "Resolution Specialist". Haha. I got a full refund. But, I am done with Frontier. Fool me once...

 

[Ross Kratter]

Splitting hairs there. Our experience(s) with Frontier (out of Cleveland) have been worse than with Spirit. The flight times always change. You can't check your bag more than 2 hours before the flight departure time. So, the kiosks are crowded, even stalked. We waited 30 minutes to get the bag sticker. Then, in another line to "drop off" the bag that took 45 minutes.
Most recently, we purchased tickets for a "cheap" flight in February at a great time in the morning that would get us to Disney for lunch. That flight was cancelled. We were automatically booked on another flight much later in the day. It's classic "bait and switch". Lure you in with an attractive price and time, that they know they won't be able to keep. Then switch you to a flight that they do have at 7:30 PM. They literally have NO Customer Service phone number. The Chat feature took me in circles. After getting frustrated, I literally typed "Your chat feature sucks". Then it said I would be connected to a "Resolution Specialist". Haha. I got a full refund. But, I am done with Frontier. Fool me once...

Don’t get me wrong, I despise Frontier. I just like them the slightest bit more than Spirit.

 

[Robbie Cottam]

This is slightly dated but:

https://www.fitchratings.com/resear...rit-airlines-to-b-outlook-negative-27-10-2023

I would guess Spirit will still be flying in March

IMHO, In this situation, they are more likely to die the death of a thousand cuts.... much like US Airways did....