The Spirit Airlines carry-on baggage allowance is one small personal item; 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm). A fee applies to bring an additional, larger item, with dimensions of 22 x 18 x 10 inches (56 x 46 x 25 cm).
The fee for bringing an additional item on board varies according to when the allowance is purchased - at initial booking, before/during check-in, at the airport, or at the gate. For most flights the fee is $37, one way, as standard, if purchased during online booking. If a passenger is a member of the $9 fare club*, they can purchase their carry-on allowance for $28. If, however, the allowance is purchased before/ during online check-in, the cost is $47 as standard, or $38 for fare club members. The price increases to $55 at the airport, or $65 at the gate.
A number of items do not count towards a customer’s carry-on allowance, such as a diaper bag and a pushchair.
What If my Spirit Airlines Carry On is Overweight/ Oversized?
If an item of hand luggage exceeds the dimensions permitted by the Spirit Airlines baggage allowance, it will be checked into the hold, and fees will be charged (see below).
Spirit Airlines Carry-On Allowance for Pets
Certain pets can be carried in the cabin on domestic Spirit flights. The pet must be placed in a carrier with dimensions no larger than 18 x 14 x 9 inches (45.72 x 35.56 x 22.86 cm). The combined weight of the pet and carrier must not be greater than 40 lbs (18.14 kg). One pet container per customer is allowed with up to two similar animals in the same container, providing each pet is free to stand in an upright position and freely move about the container. The fee for this is $110 per container.
Spirit Airlines Carry On and Musical Instruments
Passengers may bring musical instruments on board as part of their standard carry on. If the instrument exceeds the standard carry-on allowance, an extra seat must be purchased for it. The instrument must be secured in or against a window seat.
Spirit Airlines Carry On and Prohibited Items
Certain items are considered too dangerous to bring on board an aircraft. These include, but are not limited to:
Ammunition,
Axes,
Guns,
Fireworks,
Nail guns.
Spirit Airlines Checked Baggage Allowance:
There is no free Spirit Airlines checked baggage allowance. Passengers can check up to five bags into the hold but must pay a fee. Each bag must not exceed 62 inches (158 cm) in total dimensions, or 40 lbs (18.1 kg).
Prices for checked baggage are as follows:
During online booking (with $9 fare club)
During online booking, standard
Before/ during online check-in (with $9 fare club)
Before/ during online check-in, standard
At airport
At gate
1st checked bag
$22
$31
$32
$41
$50
$65
2nd checked bag
$32
$41
$42
$51
$60
n/a
3rd, 4th and 5th checked bag
$76
$85
$86
$95
$100
n/a
*Customers can pay $59.95 to become a member of the $9 fare club. This means that they, and everyone on their travel itinerary, can receive discounts on their flights and baggage allowance purchases. Membership renews automatically every year at $69.95, unless cancelled by the customer.
Spirit Checked Baggage Allowance for Children
Pushchairs and child car seats are accepted in the hold free of charge.
Spirit Checked Baggage and Excess Baggage Fees
If a bag exceeds the baggage allowance purchased with Spirit, excess baggage fees apply:
If a bag weighs between 41 and 50 lbs (18 and 23 kg), the fee is $30 per bag.
If a bag weighs between 51 and 70 lbs (23 and 32 kg), the fee is $55 per bag.
If a bag weighs between 71 and 100 lbs (32 and 45 kg), the fee is $100 per bag.
If a bag’s dimensions are between 68 and 80 inches (158 - 203cm), the fee is $100.
If a bag’s dimensions are over 80 linear inches (203cm), the fee is $150.
Spirit Checked Baggage and Exceptional Items
Sporting equipment, like surf boards or bikes, may be checked into the hold. The fee for checking a bike is $75, one way, and $100 for surf boards (max 2 in one bag). Golf bags and skis/snowboards are viewed as standard items of checked luggage.
Musical instruments can be checked into the hold, as long as they are correctly packaged and they adhere to Spirit’s checked baggage allowance rules.
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Customers need to be careful about how charges like baggage fees add up on budget airlines like Spirit.
Spirit Airlines does not include any bags in its base allowance (Bare Fare), not even carry-ons. Additionally, baggage prices increase the closer you get to take off. This means your best bet is to buy your allowance during your initial booking.
Another consideration: Spirit’s baggage policy states the maximum checked bag weight allowed is 40 pounds (18 kg). This is 10 pounds (5 kg) less than the standard average, and you’d better believe you’ll be paying extra for that difference.
Table of contents
- Spirit Airlines Carry-on Allowance
- Spirit Airlines Checked Baggage Allowance
- Additional and Excess Baggage Fees:
- Exclusions and Waivers
- Credit Cards That Reimburse You for Checked Bag Fees
Table of Contents
- Spirit Airlines Carry-on Allowance
- Spirit Airlines Checked Baggage Allowance
- Additional and Excess Baggage Fees:
- Exclusions and Waivers
- Credit Cards That Reimburse You for Checked Bag Fees
Spirit Airlines Carry-on Allowance
1 Personal Item: FREE with Bare Fare
Standard Carry-on Bag:
Fees depend on the route and when you purchase your bags, and Spirit advises passengers to use its baggage calculator. After running a few searches, we found the consistent fees below, but be sure to check your specific route.
During Booking:
- Spirit Saver$ Club — $59 to $68
- Standard — $60 to $69
Before Online Check-in:
- Spirit Saver$ Club — $61 to $70
- Standard — $62 to $71
During Online Check-in:
- Spirit Saver$ Club — $63 to $72
- Standard — $64 to $73
Airport Reservation Desk: $79
At Gate: $99
Size Restrictions
- Personal: 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm)
- Standard: 22 x 18 x 10 inches (56 x 46 x 25 cm)
Lap Infant Carry-on Policy
- Breast pumps and baby formula are allowed to be carried onto an aircraft and don’t count towards your carry-on allowance.
Stroller Check Policy
- Spirit Airlines will check a stroller or double stroller and car seat at the ticket counter or gate. The stroller will be waiting for you when you exit the aircraft.
Spirit Airlines Checked Baggage Allowance
All checked bags must adhere to a max weight of 40 pounds (18.1 kg) and must adhere to max linear dimensions of 62 inches (158 cm).
Spirit Airlines considers several items in its fee calculations, including the route, dates of travel, and Spirit Saver$ Club or standard fare. We ran some searches and found consistent fees below.
For the most personal/accurate baggage fee calculations, please use Spirit’s online baggage calculator tool.
Checked Bag (Fees Are Route Dependent)During Spirit.comBookingBefore Online
Check-inDuring Online
Check-inAirport,
Group Desk,
Reservations CenterAt GateSpirit Saver$ ClubStandardSpirit Saver$ ClubStandardSpirit Saver$ ClubStandardFirst bag$54 to $63$55 to $64$56 to $65$57 to $66$58 to $67$59 to $68$79$99Second bag$64 to $73$65 to $74$66 to $75$67 to $76$68 to $77$69 to $78$89N/AThird through fifth bags$98$99$98$99$98$99$100N/A
Some routes may limit the number of checked bags allowed (please refer to the online baggage calculator tool).
Hot Tip: Those with Spirit Airlines Gold status receive a free carry-on and checked bag on all Spirit flights.
Additional and Excess Baggage Fees:
Overweight Fee
41 to 50 pounds (18 to 23 kg): $59
51 to 100 pounds (23 to 45 kg): $99
Oversized Fee
63 to 80 linear inches (158 to 203 cm): $100
Special items over 80 linear inches (203 cm): $150
For baggage fees related to special luggage (sporting equipment, musical instruments, etc.) please refer to Spirit Airlines’ policy.
Spirit Airlines does allow passengers the ability to prepay for luggage online, via the mobile app, or by contacting its call center.
Here are the ways you can prepay:
- Log in to your reservation via the My Trips tab on the Spirit website and click Add bags. This can be done more than 24 hours before departure. For less than 24 hours before departure, use the Check-In tab.
- Download and log in to the Spirit Airlines app
- Contact the Spirit Airlines call center at 855-SAVE-555 (855-728-3555)
Exclusions and Waivers
For active-duty military, Spirit will provide 2 free checked bags and a free carry-on, in addition to the free personal item. This does not extend to family members.
Credit Cards That Reimburse You for Checked Bag Fees
Neither of Spirit Airlines’ 2 co-branded credit cards offers any baggage benefits, so if you need to pay for checked luggage, consider using one of the cards below to offset the cost:
Each card allows you to redeem Capital One miles for 1 cent each as a statement credit for previous travel purchases (within 90 days).
To see more airline baggage fees and policies, click here.
The information regarding the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card, and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
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