Understanding whether Spirit Airlines gives refunds is important for any traveler who may need to cancel or change their plans. Spirit is known as an ultra-low-cost carrier, which means their base fares are low but most services come with separate fees. Because of this model, their refund policy is much stricter compared to major airlines. Still, Spirit does offer refunds in certain situations, and knowing these rules can help passengers avoid losing money.
This guide explains when Spirit Airlines refunds are allowed, what fees apply, how to claim a refund, and what alternatives you can use if a refund is not possible.
When Does Spirit Airlines Give Refunds?
Spirit Airlines does not provide full refunds for most standard tickets unless you qualify for specific conditions. However, several exceptions make you eligible for a refund.
Situations Where Spirit Provides a Refund:
- Canceling within 24 hours of booking and the flight is 7 or more days away
- Flight cancellation by Spirit Airlines
- Significant schedule change by Spirit
- Death of a passenger or immediate family member (documentation required)
- Refundable ticket purchase (rare and more expensive)
If you do not fall into any of these categories, Spirit generally issues Future Travel Credits, not cash refunds.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Refund
Spirit follows the standard U.S. Department of Transportation rule:
If you book a ticket and cancel it within 24 hours, and your departure date is at least 7 days away, you receive a full refund to your original payment method.
Passengers using this option do not pay any cancellation fee. This is by far the easiest way to get your money back.
Refunds When Spirit Cancels or Changes Your Flight
Spirit Airlines may cancel or reschedule flights for operational reasons. If Spirit cancels your flight, you are entitled to either:
- A full cash refund
- Rebooking the next available Spirit Airlines flight
- Future travel credit
Passengers are not required to accept a credit—they can request money back to the original form of payment.
If Spirit changes your flight timing significantly (usually 2+ hours), you may also qualify for a refund.
Refundable vs. Non-Refundable Spirit Tickets
Most Spirit fares, including Standard, Saver$, and Discount Den® fares, are non-refundable. That means you cannot get a cash refund unless special conditions apply.
Spirit’s “Flight Flex” add-on allows one free modification, but it does not convert your ticket into a refundable one. It simply waives certain change fees.
Refundable fares do exist, but they are not commonly promoted and cost significantly higher. Only these fares guarantee refunds for voluntary cancellations.
How to Request a Refund From Spirit Airlines
Passengers can request refunds through multiple channels depending on the situation.
Ways to request a refund:
- Online via Spirit Airline’s “My Trips” section
- Through the Spirit Chat Support
- Calling Spirit Airlines customer service
- At the airport ticket counter
- Through email (for special cases like bereavement documents)
Information required for refund processing:
- Passenger name
- Booking code (PNR)
- Ticket number
- Reason for refund
- Supporting documents if required
Refunds to the original payment method can take 7–20 business days, depending on the bank.
When Spirit Does NOT Give Refunds
There are several cases where Spirit will not provide a money refund:
- You cancel a non-refundable ticket after the 24-hour window
- You miss your flight (“no-show”)
- You choose to cancel because of personal reasons unrelated to Spirit
- You bought extras like baggage or seat selection (usually non-refundable)
In these cases, the best Spirit usually offers is Future Travel Credit, which must be used within a specific timeframe.
Spirit Airlines Travel Credit Rules
If you receive a travel credit instead of a refund, note the following:
- Credits are valid for 90 days from the date of issue
- You can book any Spirit flight using the credit
- Travel does not need to occur within the 90-day window—only the booking must be completed
- Credits are non-transferable
- You cannot convert credit back into cash
Understanding these rules helps ensure you do not lose the credit by waiting too long.
How to Increase Your Chances of Getting a Refund
Although Spirit is strict, you can improve your chances of receiving money back:
- Cancel within the 24-hour free cancellation period
- Document any inconvenience or major schedule change
- Be polite but firm when requesting a refund
- Provide proof if the refund relates to a medical or family emergency
- Contact customer support through multiple channels if needed
Persistence often helps, especially when Spirit itself is responsible for the disruption.
Final Thoughts: Does Spirit Airlines Give Refunds?
Yes—Spirit Airlines does give refunds, but only under specific situations such as 24-hour cancellations, Spirit-initiated disruptions, or refundable ticket purchases. Most travelers with non-refundable tickets will receive credits instead of cash. Understanding Spirit’s refund rules before booking helps you make better decisions and avoid losing the value of your ticket.