The abrupt closure of Spirit Airlines has left many travelers looking for answers, especially when it comes to getting their money back.
The budget airline announced on Saturday that it was canceling all flights as it began phasing out operations “with immediate effect”. Customers who booked directly with Spirit using a credit or debit card will be automatically refunded to their original payment method, the airline said.
Meanwhile, those who purchased tickets through third-party suppliers – including travel agents – will have to contact those providers to request a refund, the airline said.
SPIRIT AIRLINES CLOSES OPERATIONS AFTER FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BAILOUT IS NOT ISSUED
Spirit Airlines announced on Saturday that it is canceling all flights. (Mike Blake/Reuters/Reuters)
Passengers who used vouchers, travel credits or loyalty points to book are facing more uncertainty.
These claims will be resolved through Spirit’s bankruptcy process. Customers can find more information about the airline restructure websitethe airline said.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) warns that refunds could become complicated as the process progresses, and outlines steps travelers can take to try to get their money back.
Options include contacting your credit card company to request a “chargeback,” checking travel insurance coverage or filing a claim in bankruptcy court, according to DOT.
TRUMP TRANSPORT SECRETARY DUFFY ANNOUNCES RELIEF FOR SPIRIT AIRLINES FLYERS, EMPLOYEES
Passengers who used vouchers, travel credits or loyalty points to book their flights are facing more uncertainty. (Quinn Glabicki/Reuters/Reuters Photos)
Transport Minister Sean Duffy reiterated these guidelines at a press conference on Saturday, while also pointing travelers to some rebooking options.
Major U.S. airlines – including United, Delta, JetBlue and Southwest – are limiting rebooking rates. Affected Spirit customers may be eligible for one-way tickets for about $200, provided they can verify their original booking, Duffy said.
“I would recommend that if you have a ticket on Spirit, you try to book on these airlines as soon as possible,” Duffy said. “These offers will not last forever.”
American and Delta are also offering reduced fares on high-traffic Spirit routes, Allegiant has frozen prices on overlapping routes and Frontier is offering up to 50% off base fares through May 10, Duffy wrote on X.
Spirit said the closure is the result of failed restructuring efforts, citing rising fuel costs and an inability to secure financing.
RETIRING SPIRIT PILOT WHOSE LAST FLIGHT CANCELED RECEIVES TRIBUTE FROM COMPETING AIRLINE
“I would recommend that if you have a ticket on Spirit, you try to book with these airlines as soon as possible,” said Transport Minister Sean Duffy. (Adam Gray/Bloomberg via Getty Images/Getty Images)
“For more than 30 years, Spirit Airlines has been a pioneer in making travel more accessible and bringing people together while advancing affordability across the industry,” Dave Davis, president and CEO of Spirit, said in a statement.
“… Sustaining the company required hundreds of millions of additional dollars in liquidity that Spirit simply does not have and could not acquire,” Davis added. “This is hugely disappointing and not the outcome we would all have wanted.”
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
