Spirit Airlines Lowkey Reneges on ‘Fee-Free’ Promise, Reinstates Change Charges for Budget Fares

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February 25, 2025

Travelers looking for fee-free flexibility may need to look elsewhere—or be prepared to pay more.

Spirit Airlines (NK) is backpedaling on its once-touted “fee-free” promise. The Miramar, Florida-based airline has lowkey reinstated change fees for its lowest-tier “Go” fares, effective February 5, 2025, less than a year after eliminating them in a bid to attract budget-conscious travelers.
The move marks a sharp reversal for Spirit, which had proudly proclaimed, “Cancellation Fees Are Cancelled for Everyone” in May 2024. At the time, the airline hoped the fee elimination would differentiate it from legacy carriers still charging change fees for basic economy fares.

New Fee Structure
Under the revised policy, Spirit’s change fees for “Go” fares now depend on the timing of the change:
0-6 days before departure: $99
7-30 days before departure: $79
31-59 days before departure: $59
60+ days before departure: Free

While these fees are lower than Spirit’s pre-2024 structure of $69-$119, they signal a return to the airline’s reliance on ancillary revenue.
Higher-tier fares, such as Go Savvy, Go Comfy, and Go Big, still include free changes and cancellations, maintaining flexibility for travelers willing to pay more upfront.

Financial Challenges Lead to Policy Shift
Spirit Airlines has struggled financially since the pandemic, grappling with increased labor costs, rising competition, and a failed merger attempt with JetBlue (B6). By mid-2024, the airline was under significant financial strain, with revenue per passenger and yield per mile both declining.

Yield per mile: Dropped from 11.23 cents to 10.66 cents.

Revenue per passenger segment: Fell from $116 to $105.

Eliminating change fees failed to deliver the financial boost Spirit had anticipated. In response, the airline has shifted back to a fee-driven model to stabilize its bottom line.

Fare Comparison Highlights New Realities

The reinstated change fees bring Spirit’s “Go” fares closer to competitors’ lowest-tier options. However, passengers seeking flexibility will need to pay for higher-tier fares or face steep fees for last-minute changes.

Fare Type
Change & Cancellation Fees
Go $99 / $79 / $59 / Free
Go Savvy Free
Go Comfy Free
Go Big Free
For budget travelers booking Spirit’s cheapest fares, careful planning will now be essential to avoid costly changes.

What’s Next for Spirit Airlines?
Spirit’s financial challenges remain significant, and its reliance on ancillary fees underscores broader issues with its profitability model. As the airline emerges from bankruptcy and continues to navigate a competitive landscape, passengers should anticipate further adjustments to fares and policies.

The reintroduction of change fees is a stark reminder that budget airlines don’t operate solely on goodwill. Travelers looking for fee-free flexibility may need to look elsewhere—or be prepared to pay more.

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