How much for baggage on spirit airlines

Well, if you travel through Spirit Airlines then it means you are a smart traveler. But, it doesn’t mean that you are a smart packer as well? If you book Spirit Airlines reservations online but book checked baggage at the airport just before the departure of the flight then, one thing is clear; you pay more and get less. It means, you are at the losing end. What you might not have known is the fact that you can save more with Spirit Airlines. More specifically, you can save a lot on checked baggage while traveling with Spirit Airlines. As we are talking about how you can save more on Spirit Airlines checked baggage, it is important to learn the Spirit Airlines checked baggage policy.

Just to be more precise, you must know about Spirit checked bag size, weight limit, and dimensions. Knowledge about how much you need to pay for your checked baggage and how much you can carry on Spirit Airlines can save up to $200 or more. So, let’s get started:  

Does Spirit come with a checked bag?

Spirit Airlines definitely lets the users travel with checked baggage. And for that, Spirit Airlines charges a fee. How much can be the fee and where one can carry the checked baggage depends upon the size and weight of the checked baggage. The larger is the size and higher is the weight of the checked baggage the more will be the checked baggage fee. This is the simple mantra of Spirit Airlines checked baggage policy.

 However, those who are going to carry one small personal bag don't need to pay anything extra. Why? Because Spirit Airlines allow one small carry-on baggage if it is under the prescribed limit for weight, size, and dimensions. To be very clear, one can carry any bag whose dimensions are 18x14x8 inches. In other words, one can carry a carry-on baggage for free on Spirit Airlines whose length, breadth, and width are as 45x35x20 in Centimeters.

How much does Spirit Airlines charge for checked baggage?

The fees and charges for checked baggage on Spirit Airline largely depend upon the two things: number of bags and size of the bags. If your carry-on bag is more than 22X18X10 inches then Spirit Airlines will consider it as a checked baggage and might charge up to $55 if you book it at the airport. But, on the other hand, if you book your checked baggage online while making the reservation then you have to pay only $41.

To ensure no doubt is left in your mind about Spirit checked baggage price, below I have mentioned the current price:

How to avoid the fees on checked baggage on Spirit Airlines?

Whenever it comes to saving money on Spirit checked baggage, Spirit $9 fare club membership comes to my mind. Yes, this premium membership can do wonders in your attempt  to save money on Spirit checked baggage. You can think of it as a yearly subscription which costs up to $70 per year and lets the passengers save up to $10 on each baggage. It means, if you are going to carry three checked baggage then with the $9 fare club enabled you will be able to save up to $30. It means, you can recover the subscription fee in your two or three flight reservations in which you need to carry 3-4 checked baggage. 

Read Also: Spirit Airlines Baggage Allowance

Here's everything you need to know about Spirit baggage restrictions, fees and how to avoid paying them on your next trip.

Spirit Airlines is a budget air carrier that provides passengers with the bare necessities for getting from point A to point B. Passengers should be careful with these airlines, because they charge a ton of fees for extras like carry-on luggage and snacks.

However, Spirit's baggage policies and status as a budget carrier are expected to change when it merges with JetBlue in 2024 and becomes the fifth largest airline in the U.S. The following baggage policies reflect Spirit Airlines' current standing.

Table of contents

Spirit carry-on policy

All Spirit passengers may bring one small personal item on flights at no extra charge.

These may include small backpacks, laptop bags or purses. The maximum size is 18 inches x 14 inches x 8 inches. If your personal item exceeds these dimensions, you will need to pay additional fees to bring it along.

The following items do not count toward the carry-on allowance and will not incur an extra charge:

• Assist pet carrier when traveling with a service animal
• Camera
• Crutches, canes, braces or other prosthetic devices
• Guest assistive devices and service animals
• Food for consumption on board the flight
• Infant bag, when traveling with the infant
• Car seats, when the child is carried in the seat
• One Duty Free box or bag containing Duty Free items
• Outer garments (coats/hats/wraps)
• Reading material for the flight
• One collapsible stroller, compact folding stroller, or folding wagon, when the child is traveling.
• Umbrella

Carry-on baggage

If you would like to bring a full-sized carry-on bag with you, you will need to pay for it separately. Your carry-on can measure up to 22 inches x 18 inches x 10 inches and must fit in the overhead bin.

The fee for bringing along a full-size carry-on bag varies depending on the route, how soon you pay for the carry-on and promotions with the Spirit Saver$ Club (you can calculate the cost of a carry-on here). All baggage fees tend to increase the later you purchase, so you'll save money if you book your bags at the same time you book your flight.

Spirit checked baggage policy

Checked bags aren’t included with tickets when it comes to Spirit Airlines. Instead, you will need to pay a separate fee that varies depending on the route, the number of checked bags and any rewards or loyalty programs. However, all checked bags must not exceed 62 inches (when the total length, width and height are added together including handles and wheels), and there is a 40 pound weight limit. Anything weighing more than that or exceeding those dimensions will be considered overweight/oversized baggage. Note, too, that the maximum oversized baggage Spirit will accept is 100 pounds and 80 inches.

Spirit baggage pricing examples

The tables below include prices for carry-on and checked bags for different routes and circumstances to give you a sense of what to expect, as determined by Spirit's baggage fee calculator.

Values were found on Sep. 21, 2022, using a departure date of Sep. 30, 2022

When using Spirit's baggage fee calculator for different routes, you'll see prices for various points of the booking and boarding process. Baggage prices increase the longer you wait to purchase them, so you should try to purchase your necessary baggage allowances as close to booking as possible.

The Spirit Saver$ Club prices, which are discounted, are listed in the highlighted columns. Membership costs $69.95 annually, and you can receive discounted rates on baggage as shown on the table.

Values were found on Sep. 21, 2022, using a departure date of Sep. 30, 2022

Notice that the flights from New York City to Cartagena, Colombia, and Guatemala City, Guatemala, are both international flights, but they have different baggage prices. It's helpful to use the baggage fee calculator to check the prices for your specific route and flight, because of situations like these.

Values were found on Sep. 21, 2022, using a departure date of Sep. 30, 2022

Domestic flights from one state to another also tend to vary with their flight prices. Be sure to use the calculator to determine actual prices before committing, but the table above can serve as a good baseline estimate.

How to save on Spirit baggage fees

While avoiding Spirit baggage fees altogether typically isn't possible, there are several ways you can save on these fees.

1. Use credit card travel credits

Several travel rewards cards offer travel credits, or even specific "airline fee credits" to be used on travel and travel incidentals, including checked baggage. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card offers a $300 annual travel credit which you can use to pay for your Spirit baggage fees. Similarly, The Platinum Card® from American Express offers up to a $200 airline fee credit which can also be used to cover your Spirit baggage charges, if you choose Spirit as your designated airline.

2. Join the Spirit Saver$ Club

Joining Spirit's loyalty program, the Spirit Saver$ Club, can save you money on baggage, as it offers its members discounts on fares, baggage, seats and extras. It also grants access to exclusive member-only deals. Membership costs $69.95 annually. If you're not sure if joining the club is worth it, check out our overview of Spirit's loyalty and rewards programs.

3. Check bags instead of carrying them on

When you check your bags rather than carrying them on, you'll typically save money no matter when you add a bag in the booking process. You may not be saving more than $5 or $10 per bag, depending on your specific flight route, but even those amounts can add up when you're booking a round trip ticket.

4. Purchase your bags at the time of booking

As evidenced by the above graphs from the Spirit Baggage Calculator, purchasing baggage becomes more expensive the longer you wait. The cheapest your bags will ever be is at the time of booking, so we don't recommend waiting to add them on later.

5. Earn Spirit elite status

Free Spirit is Spirit Airlines' loyalty program that can get you perks like free shortcut security and boarding, same-day standby, and seat selection at check-in. If you achieve Free Spirit Gold status, you'll also get a first checked and carry-on bag free, among other valuable benefits. To earn Gold status, you'll need 5,000 Status Qualifying Points (SQPs).

Spirit Airlines excess baggage fees

Spirit, like all other airlines, charges if your baggage doesn't meet its weight, size and quantity regulations. Your bags can weigh up to 40 pounds and measure up to 62 total linear inches, anything over these limits will be considered excess baggage. When calculating over-the-limit baggage fees, Spirit keeps the extra charges constant across all routes, both international and domestic. These fees are applied on top of the base rate of the baggage.

Overweight baggage fees

• 41-50 pounds: $59 per bag
• 51-100 pounds: $99 per bag

Oversized baggage fees

• 63-80 linear inches: $100 per bag
• Special items over 80 linear inches: $150 per bag

Generally, you can check up to five bags depending on the amount of available space, and the maximum overweight limit is 100 pounds. There are a few customersupport depending on your route and travel date.

Spirit Airlines military baggage policy

U.S. active duty military are exempt from Spirit’s baggage policy and can bring two checked bags and a carry-on for free. U.S. active duty military members can verify your active-duty status on Spirit’s website at checkout. Keep in mind that this benefit only applies to the U.S. military member and not to family or loved ones.

Spirit Airlines: Delayed, damaged or lost baggage help

The last thing anyone wants is for their baggage to be delayed, damaged or lost, but this can happen to anyone. Spirit has a comprehensive policy to help passengers resolve an array of baggage issues.

My luggage didn't arrive at my destination. What's my first step?

The first step is to immediately file a report at the Spirit baggage service office or online, which initiates a search for the mishandled piece(s). If a bag or item is delayed, lost, damaged or pilfered, you must notify a Spirit representative within four hours of flight arrival for domestic flights, within seven days for an international damage report, and 21 days of arrival for international flights for loss, delay or pilferage. Spirit will handle the rest by locating and returning your baggage as quickly as possible.

I'm missing my baggage and filed a delayed baggage report. What now?

After you file a delayed baggage report — which can be done in the baggage claim area or with a guest service agent — Spirit will attempt to locate and deliver your delayed baggage. In the interim, Spirit advises that you purchase reasonably priced items such as toiletries and clothing and hold on to these receipts to accompany your claim.

Spirit Airlines animal policy

Spirit passengers are allowed to bring accompanying, service, emotional support or psychiatric service animals with them in the cabin. It is recommended that you register your pet at the time of booking, as there are only six pet containers allowed on board any domestic flight and only emotional support pets are allowed onboard international flights. Note, too, that the passenger will assume complete responsibility for any loss, damage, delay, expense or legal liability related to the transportation of the animal.

Spirit will only allow the following animals onboard

• Domestic dogs
• Domestic cats
• Small household birds (except to / from Puerto Rico and the U.S.V.I. )
• Small domestic rabbits (except to/from Puerto Rico and U.S.V.I)

Frequently asked questions

Spirit allows passengers to bring a personal item to the cabin free of charge. This item can measure up to 18 inches x 14 inches x 8 inches, and it should fit under the seat in front of you. If you want to bring a full-sized carry-on, it will cost extra.

The price varies depending on route, quantity, timing before departure, promotion and rewards programs. The best way to estimate your baggage costs is by using Spirit's baggage fee calculator.

Yes. Checked bags are not included with normal ticket purchases, so you will need to pay a separate fee to check a bag on Spirit. This fee varies on route, loyalty status and other promotions.

The earlier you buy your bags, the less they will cost. If you're purchasing bags more than 24 hours before departure, you can add bags on Spirit's website at the "My Trips" tab. If you're purchasing bags fewer than 24 hours before departure, go to the "Online Check-in" tab instead and purchase bags there; this will cost more than had you purchased the bags earlier. You can also add bags at the airport, but this will be the most expensive option since the process requires an agent and slows down check-in.