Roberta Aguirre
It is possible to purchase Spirit Airlines tickets at the airport counter. Some sources claim that buying tickets at the airport can save passengers money, while others claim that it costs more. The savings at the airport come from not having to pay the Passenger Usage Charge or Passenger Usage Fee, which can be as much as $23 per ticket each way, or $46 for a round trip. However, passengers will pay more for ancillaries, such as baggage, at the airport than they would if they purchased them online during the initial booking process. Therefore, there is a trade-off between saving on the passenger usage charge and paying more for ancillaries when buying Spirit Airlines tickets at the airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ticket purchase at the airport | Possible |
| Ticket purchase at the airport vs online | Ticket purchase at the airport is cheaper as the "Passenger Usage Charge" is not applicable |
| Ticket purchase at the airport vs online | Ticket purchase online is cheaper as ancillaries such as bags are cheaper |
| Ticket purchase at the airport | Only possible during specific hours, e.g. 7:30am-10:30am |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Spirit Airlines tickets are cheaper at the airport
It has been observed that Spirit Airlines tickets are cheaper at the airport. The airline is known for its bare-bones flying, which includes smaller seats, less room for belongings, and frequent flight delays. However, it also offers significantly lower prices compared to other airlines.
The key to saving money when flying with Spirit Airlines is to avoid the "Passenger Usage Charge" or "Passenger Usage Fee." This fee is a clever tactic employed by the airline to reduce the taxes they pay on ticket costs. By classifying a portion of the customer's cost as a "usage fee" instead of airfare, Spirit Airlines saves 7.5% in taxes. This fee only applies to bookings made online or by phone and is waived for customers who book their tickets in person at the airport counter.
The "Passenger Usage Charge" can be as high as $22.99 each way for each passenger, so a family of four could potentially save over $180 on a round-trip flight by purchasing their tickets at the airport. In some cases, this could mean saving almost half the fare. For example, a traveler shared their experience of buying a ticket online for $57, but then purchasing the same ticket at the airport counter for $36.20, saving them $20.80.
However, it is important to note that while buying tickets at the airport can save you money on the passenger usage fee, it may result in higher fees for other ancillaries, such as baggage. Spirit Airlines is known for charging extra for various services, including seat assignments and baggage. Generally, the airline offers the lowest pricing for these extras during the initial booking process on their website. For instance, a carry-on bag might cost $41 when booked online but increase to $55 when booked at the airport. Similarly, a checked bag might cost $35 when booked online and $49 at the airport. Therefore, travelers need to weigh the savings on the passenger usage fee against the potential increase in fees for other services when deciding whether to purchase tickets at the airport or online.
Additionally, buying tickets at the airport may come with other considerations, such as the cost and hassle of transportation to the airport, especially for those who live far away. Furthermore, some airports have strict operating hours for purchasing tickets, typically limited to early morning hours like 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Therefore, it is essential to factor in these constraints when planning to buy Spirit Airlines tickets at the airport to take advantage of the lower passenger usage fees.
Renting a CRV: Airport Options and Alternatives
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Avoiding the Passenger Usage Charge
Spirit Airlines charges a Passenger Usage Charge, which is a fee of around \$18 to \$23 per person, per ticket, per leg of the trip. This fee comprises nearly 60% of the ticket cost and is charged when tickets are purchased online.
To avoid the Passenger Usage Charge, you can purchase your tickets at the airport counter. The fee is not charged when purchasing tickets in person at the airport. This is a legal form of tax avoidance, as the airline has to pay a 7.5% federal excise tax on their fares but not on these separate fees.
While purchasing tickets at the airport can help you avoid the Passenger Usage Charge, there are other fees to be aware of. For example, Spirit Airlines charges a fee for baggage, seat selection, boarding passes, and online check-in. These fees can add up, so it is important to be aware of them when considering whether to fly with Spirit Airlines.
Additionally, purchasing tickets at the airport may not always be a feasible option, especially if you do not live close to an airport. In such cases, it may be more convenient to book online and incur the Passenger Usage Charge, especially if you are travelling as a group, as the charge is applied per person.
Overall, by understanding the various fees associated with Spirit Airlines and the options for avoiding them, you can make an informed decision about your travel plans and budget accordingly.
How to Get Last-Minute Deals at the Airport
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The trade-off between ticket and ancillary costs
Spirit Airlines is a well-known low-cost carrier in the United States. The airline has a high-fee business model, and a significant portion of its base fare is the "Passenger Usage Charge". This charge is not applicable when booking at the airport, making it the cheapest place to book Spirit Airlines tickets. However, booking at the airport means you will pay more for ancillaries (including bags) than if you purchased them online during the initial booking process.
Spirit Airlines makes a significant amount of its revenue from ancillary fees. About 50% of its total revenue comes from non-ticket sales, and this is expected to increase. The airline has a robust scheme designed to increase ancillary costs, which can exceed the cost of the ticket itself. These include baggage costs, seat selection, flight modifications, dedicated premium security, and priority boarding.
While Spirit Airlines offers low base fares, the trade-off is that passengers will need to pay for everything they add on, such as bags, printing boarding passes, selecting seats, meals, and early boarding. These fees fluctuate based on when the add-ons are purchased, with earlier purchases being cheaper. For example, a carry-on bag costs $41 when booked online and $55 when booked at the airport. Similarly, a checked bag costs $35 online and $49 at the airport.
Therefore, the trade-off between ticket and ancillary costs is that while passengers can save on the ticket price by booking at the airport, they will likely pay more for any additional services they require. This model can work well for budget travellers who pack light and plan ahead, but it is important to consider the potential ancillary costs when booking with Spirit Airlines.
MCO Airport: Sleep-Friendly or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$12.98 $17.97
Strict airport counter timings
Yes, you can purchase Spirit Airlines tickets at the airport counter. However, it is important to note that the availability of this option may vary across different airports and that there have been reports of long wait times and limited staffing at the counters.
Some passengers have reported that purchasing tickets at the airport counter can sometimes be cheaper than booking online, as you can avoid the $23 Passenger Usage Charge for each passenger and each leg of the trip. However, there may be additional costs to consider, such as airport parking fees and potential baggage fees for not booking online.
To provide a specific example, at Houston Airport, ticket sales at the Spirit Airlines counter are available from 9 am to 8 pm. However, passengers have reported waiting times of up to 2-3 hours due to the volume of customers.
Additionally, at DFW Airport, there are specific preferred ticket counter hours for purchasing tickets, which are currently 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM. Starting January 3, 2024, the timings will change to 7 PM to 10 PM daily.
It is always recommended to check the official website or contact the relevant airport directly to confirm the specific ticket counter timings and availability before planning to purchase tickets at the airport.
Travelers' Airport Water Bottle Conundrum: What's Allowed?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Is it worth the trip to the airport?
Whether it is worth the trip to the airport to purchase Spirit Airlines tickets depends on several factors, including the number of travellers, the airport location, and the traveller's proximity to the airport.
Firstly, the number of travellers matters because Spirit Airlines charges a "Passenger Usage Charge" or "Passenger Usage Fee" for each passenger and each leg of the trip. This fee is currently $22.99 each way per passenger and can be avoided by booking at the airport. So, for a family of four, booking in person at the airport could save over $180 on a round-trip flight.
Secondly, the location of the airport and its accessibility play a role in the decision. Some airports have strict hours for purchasing tickets, such as DFW, which only allows ticket purchases from 7:30 am to 10:30 am. Additionally, the distance and travel time to the airport should be considered, especially if there are parking costs involved. For individuals living close to the airport, the short-term parking cost may be worth the savings on the ticket price.
Lastly, it is important to consider the potential for additional fees when purchasing tickets at the airport. While avoiding the Passenger Usage Charge can result in significant savings, Spirit Airlines charges more for ancillaries, including bags, when purchased at the airport. For example, the cost of a carry-on bag booked online is $41, while the same bag booked at the airport is $55. Similarly, a checked bag costs $35 when booked online and $49 at the airport. Therefore, travellers need to weigh the savings on the ticket price against the potential for higher ancillary fees when deciding whether it is worth the trip to the airport.
In conclusion, purchasing Spirit Airlines tickets at the airport can result in notable savings, especially for larger groups, due to the waiver of the Passenger Usage Charge. However, the decision to make the trip to the airport should consider the airport's location, accessibility, and the potential for higher ancillary fees. While it may be worth it for those living close to the airport or those travelling in larger groups, others may find the potential savings negated by the additional fees and the hassle of travelling to the airport.
Traveling with Plums: Airport Security Rules
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, it can be cheaper to buy Spirit Airlines tickets at the airport as you can save on the "Passenger Usage Charge" (around \$23 per ticket) by booking at the airport counter. However, you may end up paying more for ancillaries, such as baggage, as these tend to be cheaper when purchased online during the initial booking process.
Buying Spirit Airlines tickets online can offer lower prices for ancillaries, such as baggage. Additionally, it is more convenient than having to travel to the airport to purchase tickets in person.
Some drawbacks of buying Spirit Airlines tickets at the airport include the potential inconvenience of having to travel to the airport, as well as the possibility of higher ancillary fees for items such as baggage. Additionally, the airport counter may have specific operating hours for purchasing tickets, which could be a limitation for some travelers.
