Spirit Airlines has ceased operations: What you need to know about tickets, bonuses, refunds, and flight rebookings

Spirit Airlines ceased operations on May 2 after 34 years of operation, leaving thousands of passengers with unused tickets. A message on the airline's website advised customers not to come to the airport and to follow further instructions online, according to Travel & Leisure.

Before its closure, Spirit was the seventh-largest airline in the United States, carrying approximately 50 passengers daily.

It operated on an ultra-low-cost model, charging extra fees for seat selection, boarding pass printing, and other services. In the past two years, the company entered bankruptcy proceedings for the second time, and after a sharp rise in fuel prices during the war with Iran, its recovery plan proved unviable.

On the subject: Airlines are starting to cancel flights due to fuel shortages caused by the war with Iran.

What will happen to Spirit Airlines tickets now?

Passengers who paid for their tickets with a credit card will receive a full refund—for the ticket itself, as well as any pre-purchased baggage, seat selection, and other additional services. Those who booked their trip through a travel agent should contact their agent. Because Spirit automatically refunds tickets, these tickets cannot be rebooked on other airlines, and Spirit staff are no longer available to assist with reservations.

Spirit stated that the refunds have already been processed, but the funds may not appear in your account immediately.

What will happen to Spirit Airlines bonus points and programs?

Passengers who used travel credits, vouchers, or Free Spirit bonus points will have to await a bankruptcy court decision on the compensation process for such claims. Passengers who paid for tickets with cards that are no longer active at the time of refund will have to file separate claims through the bankruptcy proceedings.

Remaining points in Free Spirit accounts formally become part of the company's claims in bankruptcy court, but compensation for unused points is rarely received. After the closure of ATA Airlines and Aloha Airlines in 2008, members of their programs were unable to recover their accumulated points.

At least one airline has offered support to passengers with Free Spirit status. Southwest Airlines is offering similar status in its Rapid Rewards program to Free Spirit Silver or Gold members.

Spirit will not be issuing refunds for Spirit Savers Club memberships.

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How can Spirit Airlines passengers rebook flights?

Several airlines have introduced temporary special fares for passengers whose travel plans were disrupted by Spirit's closure.

• Frontier Airlines is offering discounted fares across its entire network for travel through November 19th when booking by May 10th.
• Delta Air Lines is offering reduced non-refundable fares on routes previously served by Spirit until May 7. These offers are available to all passengers through the Delta app and website.
• Avianca is assisting passengers who have already used the first leg of their ticket and need a return flight, subject to availability, until May 16. Passengers can contact the Avianca ticket office at the airport the day before their original return flight or on the day of departure. Boarding is first-come, first-served, with no additional fare fees, although taxes and fees may apply. Spirit operated flights to six destinations in Colombia, as well as to countries in Central and South America.
• LATAM Airlines offers similar conditions to passengers on select routes in the Americas, including New York (JFK), Miami, Orlando, Bogota, Guayaquil, Quito and Lima.
• JetBlue is offering $99 "rescue" fares to passengers who can confirm Spirit reservations through its phone reservations service until May 6. The airline also announced several new flights from Fort Lauderdale to partially offset the seat capacity loss following the Spirit grounding.
• American Airlines has introduced special fares on 67 overlapping direct routes. The company also announced that it is considering increasing the number of seats available on affected routes for Spirit passengers.
• Avelo Airlines offers a 75% discount on base fares on matching routes, though restrictions apply. For example, the offer is not valid on Memorial Day and from mid-June to mid-August. The company also offers similar memberships to eligible Spirit Savers Club members.

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