Why does Spirit Airlines charge for baggage? That's ridiculous.

Was the ticket cheaper than other airlines? I'm guessing that's why you flew an airline with a hippie name like "spirit" in the first place.

I almost never check bags and it does seem silly that I'm subsidizing people who can't pack as efficiently. If they have some extra space under the plane they can carry cargo and make some extra cash, thus subsidizing your cheap ticket. So that's the reason.

The more important thing from a customer satisfaction point of view: why are you upset about it? They clearly did something wrong if you came out of the situation feeling cheated. Southwest lacks many features of other airlines and people love them, then Spirit copies their style and people hate it.

My guess is that luggage feels like part of the core travel offering, while hot food and TV screens feel like frills that are easily traded for a lower fare. I'd also bet that the baggage fee wasn't mentioned on Expedia (or wherever you bought the ticket), which made it a surprise at the counter when it was too late to repack.

Their tickets are consistently cheaper than other airlines, but I'm finding greatly differing reviews of the quality of service. I'll pay to check a bag and bring my own soda if I know they won't screw me over in the meantime...

The reviews on Epinions are almost exclusively positive:
http://www1.epinions.com/trvl-Airline...

While ReviewCentre and My3Cents' users strongly disagree:
http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews76...
http://www.my3cents.com/search.cgi?criteria=Spirit+Airlines

I just filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau with Spirit. When I purchased a ticket online 3 months ago, They invited me to join their 9$ fare club for a $9 charge. The idea was that I would be sent fare opportunities for only $9 throughout the year. The only $9 fares I've seen so far have been between places like Orlando and Ft. Lauderdale (I'm in California) and the icing on the cake is that now, 3 months later, they just charged me $29.95 for membership in the club. If you look at the BBB site, (http:///www.bbb.org) you'll see that Spirit Airlines has already received an F from the organization.

Plus, when I called customer service, first I had to wait 20 minutes and then I was told that I had signed up for the service and that I could have canceled any time in the past three months, but now that they have charged me, it was non-refundable.

Good for you for taking a stand and filing with the BBB. And hopefully, Spirit will do something about that F grade!

They charged me twice for the same ticket booking causing my bank account to go into a negative balance. Then they said it would take 7-14 business days for it to be refunded. In the mean time I was stuck with overdraft fees which they refuse to do anything about. Also their customer service department is one of the RUDEST I have ever dealt with!
About charging for luggage, I didn't even know about that until after I purchased my ticket so, yes, it made me feel cheated. They should disclose this information in BIG, visible lettering. Never flying them again!

I used to fly Sprit all the time from Chicago to Ft Lauderdale. I like the non stop flight. After my last "surprise" at the airport finding out about the $10.00 charge for a piece of luggage, I will NEVER EVER use them again. Add to that the charge for soft drinks and the rude customer service and they have seen the last of me. After reading the way the CEO feels about his customers, I can understand where the employees get their nasty attitude. If the CEO thinks that the only thing that drives the customer is the price and that they can treat the customer any way they want, he will be very surprised when his revenue begins to drop and his airline goes the way of ATA athe others that are now out of business.

I was not surprised about their standing with the BBB, I don't see them trying to do anything to change it. Everything starts at the top, what a shame for this company ! You know what they say about **** rolling downhill...

I find it misleading that when you purchase your ticket on Spirit's website, it asks if you want to purchase ADDITIONAL checked baggage. Additional to what? It should be more clear that you are charged for ALL checked baggage.

I so agree. It does say ADDITIONAL and it really means ANY or THE FIRST piece of luggage. Very confusing. The kicker is the website does not work. You have to print the page saying its down and they will honor the 10 rate at the airport. I don't mind paying for the luggage. I hear RyanAir does it. But RyanAir has NO negative responses on the BBB. I just want it to arrive with me. It arriving with me doesn't even bother me. Its the fact that (from what I read) no one gives a crap or does anything to get it back to you. I might as well go straight to Alabama and buy it back at the Lost Luggage store.