Spirit Airlines Missed Flight Policy

If you miss a Spirit Airlines flight, the airline’s policies, as outlined in their Contract of Carriage, will apply. Spirit is an ultra-low-cost carrier, and its policies are strict to maintain low fares. Below is an overview of what happens and your options when you miss a flight, based on the latest available information.

No-Show Policy

If you miss your flight without notifying Spirit Airlines in advance, it is considered a "no-show." This results in the forfeiture of the ticket value, and subsequent flights in your itinerary, such as return or onward flights, may be canceled. Spirit does not offer a grace period for late arrivals, and no-show passengers are generally not eligible for refunds or credits unless specific exceptions apply.

Notification: To avoid no-show penalties, contact Spirit Airlines before the flight departure via their Guest Care team, website, mobile app, or airport counter. Prompt notification may allow rebooking options, subject to fees.
Fees: Missing a flight typically results in the loss of the ticket value for non-refundable fares, such as Go or Go Saver. Rebooking requires a fee, which varies by fare type and destination, plus any fare difference. Some sources indicate this fee can be substantial, often requiring a new ticket purchase.
Impact on Itinerary: Missing a flight leads to the cancellation of the entire reservation, including return flights, as Spirit treats the itinerary as a single contract. No refund or credit is provided for no-shows unless you purchased Trip Flex.

Rebooking Options

If you miss a flight due to reasons within your control, rebooking is possible, subject to availability and fare rules. You must contact Spirit’s Guest Care team or use the Manage Trips section on their website or app. Additional charges may include:

Rebooking Fee: A fee is charged for rebooking a missed flight, separate from any fare difference. This fee varies by ticket type and destination.
Fare Difference: You must pay any difference between the original fare and the new flight’s fare. No refund is provided if the new fare is lower.
Trip Flex Option: If you purchased Trip Flex at booking, you can change one flight without a change fee, though fare differences apply. Trip Flex must be purchased at the time of booking and is not available for award tickets.
Same-Day Changes: Spirit does not offer traditional standby options, but if you arrive at the airport within two hours of your original departure, you may be able to rebook on a later flight for a fee, subject to availability.

If you miss a connecting flight due to a delay caused by Spirit Airlines, and both flights are on the same booking, the airline will rebook you on the next available Spirit flight at no additional cost, provided the delay was within their control (e.g., maintenance or crew issues). They may offer meal vouchers or accommodation for significant delays. For separate bookings, Spirit is not responsible for missed connections, and you may need to purchase a new ticket.

Compensation and Refunds

Refunds or compensation for missed flights are limited due to Spirit’s low-cost model:

Non-Refundable Tickets: Most Spirit fares, such as Go or Go Saver, are non-refundable if you miss the flight, resulting in the loss of the ticket value. Only taxes may be refundable, subject to an administration fee.
24-Hour Cancellation Rule: If you cancel within twenty-four hours of booking and the flight is seven or more days away, you are eligible for a full refund to the original payment method, regardless of fare type. This does not apply to missed flights but can prevent no-show issues if you know you’ll miss the flight.
Cancel For Any Reason: If purchased at booking, this option allows an eighty percent refund to the original payment method if canceled online more than twenty-four hours before departure. It applies to all passengers on the reservation and is non-refundable if unused.
Airline-Caused Delays: If you miss a connecting flight due to a Spirit-caused delay of two hours or more, you may request a refund for the unused portion or rebooking without fees. For flights to or from the EU, if you arrive more than three hours late due to an airline-caused delay, you may be entitled to compensation under EU261 regulations, ranging from two hundred fifty euros to six hundred euros, depending on flight distance, provided the delay was within Spirit’s control.
Exceptions: Refunds may be granted for serious health issues or the death of a passenger or immediate family member, with valid documentation (e.g., medical certificate). Contact Spirit’s Guest Care team to submit a claim.
Airport Taxes and Fees: If you miss a flight, you may request a refund for taxes and fees, subject to an administration fee, within a specified period.

Steps to Take if You Miss a Flight

If you miss your flight, follow these steps:

Contact Spirit Airlines immediately via their Guest Care team, Manage Trips portal, mobile app, or airport counter to explore rebooking options or confirm travel on subsequent flights.
Visit the Spirit website, go to My Trips, enter your last name and confirmation code, and follow the steps to rebook or request a refund for eligible taxes.
Review your ticket’s fare rules to understand applicable fees and refund eligibility. Check if you purchased Trip Flex or Cancel For Any Reason for additional flexibility.
If the missed flight was due to an airline-caused delay, request rebooking or compensation through Spirit’s website or Guest Care team, providing booking details and supporting documents.
For tickets purchased through a travel agent, contact the agent directly for changes or refunds, as verification may be required.
Act quickly, as availability for rebooking may be limited, especially during peak travel times.

Additional Information

Spirit Airlines’ missed flight policy is strict due to its ultra-low-cost model, and passengers are encouraged to arrive early to avoid issues. Spirit recommends arriving at the airport two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights. Online check-in can save time and reduce the risk of missing a flight. For flights to or from the EU, EU261 regulations may provide compensation for delays over three hours if within Spirit’s control, but not for extraordinary circumstances like weather or air traffic control issues. Customer reviews on platforms like Tripadvisor note challenges with Spirit’s customer service, including long wait times and inconsistent refund processing, which may affect missed flight resolutions.