Spirit Airlines Updates Policy: Change Fees Return for Basic Fares

MIRAMAR- Spirit Airlines (NK) has reinstated change fees for its lowest fare category, reversing a policy introduced less than a year ago.

The airline, which had eliminated change and cancellation fees in 2024, has now quietly reintroduced these charges for its “Go” fares.

Photo: Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines Change Fees on “Go” Fares

In May 2024, Spirit Airlines (NK) removed all change and cancellation fees to boost competitiveness. The airline promoted the change with slogans like “Cancellation Fees Are Cancelled for Everyone” and “Change Fees Are Gone for All.”

According to One Mile At A Time, this move positioned Spirit apart from legacy carriers, which still charged change fees for basic economy tickets.

However, effective February 5, 2025, Spirit has reintroduced change fees for its lowest “Go” fare tier. The fee structure now depends on how close to departure the change is made:

• 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 the previous structure ($69-$119), they mark a significant shift back toward Spirit’s traditional revenue model.

Spirit Airlines has faced financial struggles since the pandemic, with rising labor costs, increased competition, and a failed merger attempt with JetBlue (B6).

By mid-2024, the airline was under significant financial pressure, forcing it to rethink its revenue strategy.

Eliminating change fees, a move intended to attract more customers, did not generate the expected financial returns.

Spirit’s revenue data reflects the impact of this failed strategy:

• In Q3 2024, Spirit’s yield per mile dropped from 11.23 cents to 10.66 cents.
• Average revenue per passenger segment fell from $116 to $105.

Despite efforts to attract more passengers with fee eliminations, the airline struggled to maintain profitability.

The latest changes suggest a return to its traditional business model, where ancillary fees play a crucial role in generating revenue.

Photo: By Tomás Del Coro from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA – N619NK Spirit Airlines Airbus A320-232 s/n 5517, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=77926311

Updated Fare Comparison

Looking at Spirit’s current fare breakdown, the Go Savvy, Go Comfy, and Go Big fares still offer free changes and cancellations.

However, the basic Go fare now comes with change fees, as reflected in the airline’s fare comparison chart:

This aligns Spirit more closely with competitors that charge fees for their lowest-tier tickets while maintaining flexibility for higher-priced fare options.

Passengers booking Spirit’s cheapest fares should now plan carefully, as last-minute changes will come with significant fees. Those seeking flexibility should opt for higher-tier fares like Go Savvy or Go Comfy.

With Spirit still facing financial difficulties, the airline’s long-term stability remains uncertain. As it emerges from bankruptcy, travelers should stay informed about potential fare and policy changes.

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The post Spirit Airlines Updates Policy: Change Fees Return for Basic Fares appeared first on Aviation A2Z.