A veteran buddy of mine e-mailed Spirit about this. Here is their reply:

Thank you for your email Mr. .

We care about all of our customers and all are equally important to us. We work hard each and every day to get our customers where they want to go, we save them money with our low fares, and we treat each one with respect. Each customer matters - and no one customer matters more than another.

We are proud to offer our valued customers very low fares and we have given millions the opportunity to travel who wouldn't have otherwise been able to afford to fly before Spirit entered the market. One of the best ways we save customers money is by giving them the power to choose the services that best fit their needs - and they only pay for those they choose. One of these options - that many of our customers choose - is travel insurance, which covers a variety of those unexpected circumstances that may arise.

Unfortunately, unexpected curves are a part of life for everyone. We receive calls every day from our customers faced with a variety of challenging situations. Spirit truly does sympathize with each and every one of these customers. If we provided refunds to customers whose situations change, the cost of the refunds would be shared by every other Spirit customer. The biggest cost increase happens because once that seat is sold, we can't sell it to someone else. If the customer doesn't fly and gets a refund, our costs and fares for every other customer go up. Every other customer would pay higher fares caused by people who received a refund and chose not to buy travel insurance. We don't think that's respectful or fair to all the other customers who would pay for the increased costs due to those refunds and not get anything in return.

At Spirit, we treat all of our customers equally and with respect. That means our non-refundable fares are non-refundable - for everyone. We are proud to save our customers money with the ultra low fares they love and give them the opportunity to choose the services they want and use. And we're proud to treat all of our customers respectfully and equally as we do so.

We are very saddened to hear about Mr. Meekins' diagnosis and sincerely hope his health improves and that we have the opportunity to serve him again on his current ticket and many more flights. We are committed to treating him and every customer with respect by letting each customer choose what they pay for. It's a key part of how we keep our fares low for every customer, every flight, every day.

Misty Pinson
Director of Corporate Communications
Spirit Airlines
2800 Executive Way
Miramar, FL 33025
Ph: 954-628-4827
Cell: 954-918-9432
Email: m­i­sty­pins­o­ntiri­p­sc­om

These are the same jokers who today released a manuscript on baggage fees.

Think they're run like any normal or reasonable airline and show up at the gate with a "carry-on" bag... That's $100.

Wonder how many people will get arrested for going nuts when they're told that?

Fark that. I'm not inclined towards regulation but if I were the FTC I'd regulate the living fark out of the airlines... Any advertised price must include taxes, surcharges, and bag fees to cover one carry-on and one checked bag, period. None of these nonsense where we cut the price to the bone but charge you up the wazoo if you actually want to take clothes with you.

KidneyStone: A veteran buddy of mine e-mailed Spirit about this. Here is their reply:

Thank you for your email Mr. .

*Thoughtful, well reasoned answer*

Misty Pinson
Director of Corporate Communications
Spirit Airlines
2800 Executive Way
Miramar, FL 33025
Ph: 954-628-4827
Cell: 954-918-9432
Email: redacted


I can't argue with that.

I don't know why this is such a big deal. You gambled on lower cost non-refundables. You lost. Get over it.
Don't want to take that chance? By the refundable tix or travelers insurance.

Also, bargain airlines are a bargain for a reason. You want customer service, you gotta pay for a higher priced airline.

/not a fan of their nickle & dime policies.
//not a fan of whiners
///or those who wave "I'm special" credentials

LOLing at all the armchair business analysts, FAA/FTC experts and human rights champions.

Rules are rules. Don't like it, don't fly budget airlines.

Ryanair CEO quote: "What part of no refund don't you understand? You are not getting a refund so f--k off". Ryanair profit 2011: €401m.

So much for a dying business model.

Tell Me How My Blog Tastes: e

But I have over 9000 yellow ribbons and flag lapel pins. Doesn't that mean I'm saved?

manimal2878: I guess I have to side with the airline, if they have a no refund policy they have a no refund policy.

Yeah, I'm sure you'd say that same thing if your dad bought a plane ticket, was diagnosed with a terminal illness and then was refused a refund. It's a stupid farking policy and I hope they end up losing millions in ticket sales as people become aware of their dickish behavior.

Contents Under Pressure: You get what you pay for. If you buy a non-refundable cheap ticket, you get non-refundable cheap service.

True, but you think they would waive the policy for a terminal illness.

Contents Under Pressure: You get what you pay for. If you buy a non-refundable cheap ticket, you get non-refundable cheap service.

Pretty much. I'm sure it sucks to be at death's door but there's a reason airlines charge more for refundable/exchangeable/transferable/modifiable tickets. The extra fee is basically limited travel insurance that allows you to make changes if something prevents you from taking your trip as planned. Or you could buy actual travel insurance that also covers your other expenses in addition to the airline ticket. If you decline the fee, you're self-insuring. If you're extremely ill and you don't know what your health will be like weeks or months down the line, self-insuring your travel expenses is a bad risk.

slykens1: charge you up the wazoo if you actually want to take clothes with you.

That's not entirely accurate. You just have to be really smart about how you pack for your trip. Per Spirit's website:

Remember, we always provide one personal item free of charge per customer. Personal items (e.g. purse, small backpack, briefcase, etc.) must fit underneath the seat, so the dimensions must not exceed 16 x 14 x 12 inches (40 x 35 x 30 cm).

Additionally, the following carry-on items are not counted towards a customer's carry-on bag allowance and can be brought with you on all flights free of charge - umbrella, camera, infant diaper bag, assistive devices, outer garments (e.g. coats, hats, and wraps), stroller, reading material, and food for the flight.

You can bring a bag of clothing and necessities for free. Those dimensions for the personal item are conservative, too. The actual box you use to determine if your item is small enough is actually bigger than 16 x 14 x 12 by at least 2 inches in each dimension. I packed a standard backpack with clothing for a week+, toiletries, and a laptop and didn't pay anything. I stowed it overhead, too, since they don't check and there was plenty of room.

What you can't do is bring an extra friggin suitcase into the cabin for free, which a lot of people started doing once carriers started charging for checked luggage. Spirit's planes are smaller than the legacy airlines and they don't have the room for everyone to bring one. Charging for carry-ons is a sensible way to discourage the majority from bringing copious amounts of luggage that the plane size simply cannot accommodate. Additionally, if you check your luggage at the time you purchase your ticket, their checked luggage fees are cheaper than most of the other carriers (excepting the few carriers who don't charge for checked luggage.)

I'm not a shill for Spirit, I promise, but I do think they get a bad rap from people who either don't understand their policies or can't be arsed to pack intelligently.

I wouldn't fly (mean) Spirit Airlines for this and a host of other BS they have brought upon the flying public

If you can't see the difference between asking for a refund because you found something better to do and one because you've been diagnosed with a terminal illness, you're a moron.

urbanexotic: I'm not a shill for Spirit, I promise, but I do think they get a bad rap from people who either don't understand their policies or can't be arsed to pack intelligently.

They really should post that on their bag fees page because when I look at it I get the impression I've got to pay for my carry-on bag.

The linear dimensions you list are pretty close to the standard 45 inch bag that everyone allows - the difference is most airlines allow the 45 inch bag plus a purse or laptop case.

I can pack for a nearly unlimited time in my Spire Torq - at least 10 days without having to do laundry... It is amazing how many people want to pack everything they own when they travel then complain about having to lug it around.

Looking at the fees page... "Unintended Consequences of DOT Regulations Fee" WTF is that?

urbanexotic: 2) Have the foresight to pack their own food and bring an empty bottle to fill with water at an airport drinking fountain after they've cleared security.

Whoa, your airport lets you keep empty bottles? Every one I have ever used in the last 10 years had a no bottle policy, empty or not.

Walosi: Whoa, your airport lets you keep empty bottles? Every one I have ever used in the last 10 years had a no bottle policy, empty or not.

I've never been told I couldn't take my empty water bottle through - I even goofed in Dublin a few years ago and had a few ounces of water left - they let me drink it then put it back on the belt. No problem.

In Beijing last year they just asked if it was empty - regular security didn't care, they were just giving people's bags a cursory look-over at the gate for the Dulles flight. No shoe or liquids nonsense there, either, even though the flight was to the USA.

slykens1: They really should post that on their bag fees page

I agree with you there 100%. I almost didn't fly with them because that info isn't clearly posted. I went digging for it because I just couldn't believe that even Spirit would charge someone to bring their purse/laptop/diaper bag.

Walosi: Whoa, your airport lets you keep empty bottles? Every one I have ever used in the last 10 years had a no bottle policy, empty or not.

I've never had a problem bringing an empty water bottle. I just stuff it in a pocket in my pack and send it through the scanner. Generally, I've never had a problem with TSA at all, even when I've brought stuff that I was pretty sure would get me searched or possibly confiscated. I even brought a jar full of plant rootings from my friend's Wandering Jew plant and didn't rate a second glance. The only thing that ever got me searched was 2 bags of dried bread mix, which they let me keep. Had some jackass in Hartford confiscate my half-empty tube of Tom's of Maine toothpaste once, though. It was less than 2 oz, too.

/still hate the TSA security theater, though

Zyme: Why people still fly the nickel and dime your costumers to death airlines boggles my mind. In addition to this kind of crap, they are one surcharge from having coin-operated bathrooms after you've eaten their food with the amazing food additive called soap.

Wife and I flew Spirit last minute in Feb. RT tickets on Spirit, with 2 nights hotel and 2 days car rental totaled $525 (taxes, fees, everything). Breaking out the airfare itself, it ran ~$300 for both tickets. Southwest was the next cheapest, at $700+ for just the airfare, and the majors were just ridiculous.

$400+ in savings is pretty difficult to ignore. The flights were on time, we didn't have any checked bags (so no surcharge, but the majors surcharge anyway so that would've been a wash) and really had no hassles. Seats were a little more cramped but hell, unless you're 5'5" or less, or flying in Biz or 1st Class, they're gonna be.

/No surcharge to use the crapper (you're thinking of Ryanair's plan I think)
//Didn't buy food on a 2.5 hr flight either
///CSB

Trance750: I guess we know which airline won't be getting a penny from me, ever again.

Amen brother... Lets let all the Vets know!

Outlaw2097: if you do not believe this is all to keep spirit in the headlines, you clearly underestimate their marketing department.

he will get the refund once this headline starts to subside, and they will roll it into some memorial day special sale.

/ryanair of the states

So much this.

Won't his spirit fly free soon anyhow?

/Aisle seat
//But he gets to go first class
///And no TSA groping either

There seems to be a very reasonable solution to all this:

If the original ticket holder is unable to fly, inform the airline, who then makes that seat available at whatever the market will bear. If it sells for less than the original ticket, refund that money less a 5% service charge. If it sells for more, refund the original ticket price less a 5% service charge. The original customer bears all of the risk but has the possibility of getting most of their money back. The airline makes a profit regardless and keeps a customer satisfied.

And based on Misty's argument, if they sell that seat above the original cost, they should share the overage for each and every customer on the plane, because that is apparently fair.

Walosi: urbanexotic: 2) Have the foresight to pack their own food and bring an empty bottle to fill with water at an airport drinking fountain after they've cleared security.

Whoa, your airport lets you keep empty bottles? Every one I have ever used in the last 10 years had a no bottle policy, empty or not.

What are you talking about? I carry an empty water bottle every time through security. Sometimes two bottles. Usually it's a runner's bottle but often an empty standard bottled water bottle, if you know what I mean. I fly out of SeaTac to places in the US, Mexico, Canada and Europe. Never asked to surrender an empty bottle of any time. Not even once.

There's some PR Einsteins right there.

I think it's time for the FAA to step in and tell Spirit they either shape up in a hurry or they'll pull the plug.

WhyteRaven74: I think it's time for the FAA to step in and tell Spirit they either shape up in a hurry or they'll pull the plug.

Yes, America would obviously be much better off if we were to just shut down this airline. To hell with everyone who wants the low fares.

maliklockett: Gyrfalcon: The airline issued a statement on Friday saying it sympathized with Meekins, but that making an exception to its well-known policy would force the cost of providing refunds on to other customers

Because the rules are the rules and it's much easier to stick to the rules than to make an exception once and then grow some balls and tell the next person who asks "I'm sorry, we granted an exception in that one unique case, and unless you also have a unique, exceptional case--such as if you're about to die and your doctor has forbidden you to travel--we will not refund your ticket." I'm sure such cases happen every single day in the airline business.

Rules were invented to save people the trouble of thinking and the later unpleasantness of telling someone else No. Where did we get this idea that if you make an exception once you have to do it for everyone who subsequently asks? That's why it's called AN EXCEPTION.

Rules gain their strength from the fact that they apply to everyone. Otherwise, you have to create a whole new process to assess each case that comes around and I'm sure that they are all special.

For instance, lets just go ahead and define the groups that we should consider making exceptions for:


Terminally ill - "C'mon, have a heart, he is dying"
Veterans - "He risked his life for his country, give him a break"
Police/Firefighters - "They put it on the line for the community, they deserve it"
Teachers - "All that they do for our children, you should cut them some slack"
Clergy - "Where is your heart, it's a priest"
Very young - "Awww, the cute little baby"
Very Old - "Honor your elders, you young whipper-snapper"
Women - "Is Chivalry dead?"
Black people - "Always tryin to keep a brotha down"
White people - "Well you let the black guy go, that's 'Reverse Racism'?"
Arabic - "You are discriminating against me because you think I'm a terrorist"



I'm sure that everyone has an excuse why their case is special

OK, and when anyone from this group is also not only a member of that special group but also dying and has been expressly forbidden from air travel by their doctor because flying would kill them sooner, then they can have their money back. Which part of that is so hard to understand?

Rules apply to everyone. An EXCEPTION is inherently UNFAIR--it is treating one person--and ONLY one person--in a unique way because their specific circumstances are so unusual they are unlikely ever to occur in that combination again. That's why it's an exception. Nobody is suggesting this guy get a refund solely because he's a veteran, or because he's old, or poor, or even very ill. It's because he is a veteran AND old AND dying AND forbidden to travel AND poor. That's why it's an exception, you see.

The reason nobody wants to make an exception is because it's a value judgement: In my opinion, this highly unusual and very unique set of circumstances warrants breaking the rules this one time. You say we'd have to create a process to assess each situation: but so? Yes, you're a veteran, but you missed your flight because you forgot to set your alarm and now you're going to miss an important business meeting? Well, in my opinion, that's just not unusual or unique enough to warrant breaking the rules. Why do I get to decide that? Because that's my job. YOUR job, sir, is to make important business meetings on time.

But nobody nowadays wants to be the one in that position because they might get yelled at or worse--gasp!--sued. It's so much easier to tell dying old men I'm sorry sir, we have to abide by the rules.

I have a hard time feeling sorry for someone who knew, or should have known, what he was getting into. You can get refundable tickets, they cost more, for a reason. You can get travel insurance. You declined those things and went with the cheapest ticket you could find and then you want to cry and moan when it doesn't work out.

Yea it sucks you have cancer, and I don't blame you for asking for a refund, it never hurts to ask, but once they said no that should have been the end of it. Instead you are trying to shame them in the media to wring 200 bucks out of them that you are not entitled to. Everyone has their sob story - people get in horrible car accidents, family members get sick and die, people get fired from their jobs, etc. they don't get a refund, why should you be the one exception to the rule?

On top of that, it's 200 bucks, if you're really dying why not apply for a bunch of credit cards and max them out. Which brings up a question; if I max out a bunch of credit cards and die will my next of kin be responsible for the debts or are they wiped clean? Just curious.

TIKIMAN87: Sounds like a liberal policy.

0/10 Get a new schtick. Grasping at every last thing and trying to make it a liberal vs. real Murikan issue is just pathetic.

ElBarto79: if I max out a bunch of credit cards and die will my next of kin be responsible for the debts or are they wiped clean? Just curious.

It is owed by the "estate"

Just make sure there isn't any joint property, that's all and make sure you transfer property far enough ahead of time. Transfer everything that matters to your wife or brother or something. It is also unsecured debt, which means that even if you owe the credic card companies Sagans of dollars, they get whatever's left after any secured debt (mortgage) is paid off. IANAL. YSLMV. YMMV.

Trance750: Contents Under Pressure: You get what you pay for. If you buy a non-refundable cheap ticket, you get non-refundable cheap service.

True, but you think they would waive the policy for a terminal illness.

We all die eventually, so that might not work out.

bubo_sibiricus: ElBarto79: if I max out a bunch of credit cards and die will my next of kin be responsible for the debts or are they wiped clean? Just curious.

It is owed by the "estate"

Just make sure there isn't any joint property, that's all and make sure you transfer property far enough ahead of time. Transfer everything that matters to your wife or brother or something. It is also unsecured debt, which means that even if you owe the credic card companies Sagans of dollars, they get whatever's left after any secured debt (mortgage) is paid off. IANAL. YSLMV. YMMV.

Does this work the same for student loans? I was told I should not pay off student loans early in part because they function like a low cost life insurance policy. If you don't pay off the loan it's more money you could leave for your heirs and the loan will be wiped out by your death. But pay it off early and they get nothing if you die.

I_Can't_Believe_it's_not_Boutros: When I die and they lay me to rest,
Gonna go to the place that's the best.
When I lay me down to die,
Goin' up to the Spirit in the sky.

Came for this
Leaving happy

WhyteRaven74: I think it's time for the FAA to step in and tell Spirit they either shape up in a hurry or they'll pull the plug.

Because government is needed to solve this "problem". If only there were other airlines to choose from.

Gyrfalcon: That's why it's an exception. Nobody is suggesting this guy get a refund solely because he's a veteran, or because he's old, or poor, or even very ill. It's because he is a veteran AND old AND dying AND forbidden to travel AND poor. That's why it's an exception, you see.

So email the story's author, get the subject of the article's contact information, and write them a check for the cost of his ticket. Or are you expecting someone else to give up their legal and ethical income?

Is the word "no" really that difficult for you people to understand? He bought a ticket that specifically stated "no refund." This is a choice they made and this is the result of that risk. Why is it that you seem to think that people are obligated to cover gambling debts? He gambled and lost. It sucks.

/vet
//has done stupid things
/has dealt with the consequences - it is called being an adult

jst3p: WhyteRaven74: I think it's time for the FAA to step in and tell Spirit they either shape up in a hurry or they'll pull the plug.

Because government is needed to solve this "problem". If only there were other airlines to choose from.

You're responding to someone who's mentally ill and also intellectually challenged. I'd seriously recommend that you reconsider your choice to 'debate' with them. You can't win because there's no actual way to win. You'd have better luck winning a game of chess with a rock as your opponent. Your best option is to ignore them. I'd flip the switch to ignore comments that included replies but, well, then I'd not be able to actually try to be helpful to people once in a while.

So, it is only 10 minutes into the new day and I've already done my good deed for the day.

UnspokenVoice: Gyrfalcon: That's why it's an exception. Nobody is suggesting this guy get a refund solely because he's a veteran, or because he's old, or poor, or even very ill. It's because he is a veteran AND old AND dying AND forbidden to travel AND poor. That's why it's an exception, you see.

So email the story's author, get the subject of the article's contact information, and write them a check for the cost of his ticket. Or are you expecting someone else to give up their legal and ethical income?

Is the word "no" really that difficult for you people to understand? He bought a ticket that specifically stated "no refund." This is a choice they made and this is the result of that risk. Why is it that you seem to think that people are obligated to cover gambling debts? He gambled and lost. It sucks.

/vet
//has done stupid things
/has dealt with the consequences - it is called being an adult

Yes, compassion has no place in your world. How foolish of me to keep forgetting that.

jst3p: Because if you don't someone will sue you.

And if you do, someone will sue you. Sorry, but that's the breaks.

Gyrfalcon: UnspokenVoice: Gyrfalcon: That's why it's an exception. Nobody is suggesting this guy get a refund solely because he's a veteran, or because he's old, or poor, or even very ill. It's because he is a veteran AND old AND dying AND forbidden to travel AND poor. That's why it's an exception, you see.

So email the story's author, get the subject of the article's contact information, and write them a check for the cost of his ticket. Or are you expecting someone else to give up their legal and ethical income?

Is the word "no" really that difficult for you people to understand? He bought a ticket that specifically stated "no refund." This is a choice they made and this is the result of that risk. Why is it that you seem to think that people are obligated to cover gambling debts? He gambled and lost. It sucks.

/vet
//has done stupid things
/has dealt with the consequences - it is called being an adult

Yes, compassion has no place in your world. How foolish of me to keep forgetting that.

Or yours either, it would seem. After all, both you and Spirit are equally responsible for this man's situation (that is to say, not at all) and both equally unwilling to give him free money. It's so much easier to be charitable and righteous with someone else's fortune, but maybe you should get off your high horse and do something yourself if you think this is really so terrible?

For crying out loud, the ticket is $200. If everyone that was OUTRAGED over this chipped in $0.50 they could pay him back more than the price of the ticket, but it's more important to beat a drum.

//veteran

someone that ill should have paid that little bit more for a refundable ticket or travel insurance, just in case he was too ill to travel.

Earguy: Do you trust the airline to tell you the truth?

Sure, I have 7 on My Side. Big corporations: screw with me at your peril!