Do You Get a Full Refund if You Cancel a Spirit Flight?

Decoding Spirit Airlines' Cancellation and Refund Policy: What You Should Know

Spirit Airlines is known for its super-low fares, which usually come with high strings attached. When a flight needs to be cancelled, many travellers want to know: Will you receive a full refund if you cancel a Spirit flight? The response, as is the case with most low-cost carriers, isn't yes or no. It really depends on when you cancel and the kind of fare you've bought. Let's dissect Spirit Airlines' cancellation policy to better guide you through your choices.

The Pivotal 24-Hour Window: Your Best Option for a Complete Refund

The golden standard for any airline cancellation is the Spirit Airlines 24-hour cancellation policy. As per Department of Transportation policy, Spirit Airlines will refund your original method of payment in full if you need to cancel your flight within 24 hours of purchase. There's, however, a catch: you must book your flight at least seven days prior to departure time. If you cancel in this time frame and qualify on the seven-day front, you're set for a full refund with no Spirit Airlines cancellation charge.

This 24-hour period of time is your best chance to reconsider plans without penalty. If you booked a flight on impulse or saw a better fare shortly after booking, act fast in this window.

After the 24th Hour: How Spirit Airlines Cancellation Fees and Credits Work

Once the 24 hours have lapsed, it becomes much harder to obtain a cash refund from Spirit Airlines. In most cases, Spirit has a non-refundable fare policy. This indicates that if you cancel your flight after the initial 24-hour time frame, you generally won't get your money back to your original method of payment.

Rather, Spirit Airlines in most circumstances will provide you with a "Reservation Credit" for the amount of your booking. This credit may then be redeemable for future travel on Spirit Airlines. Note the following about these credits:

Non-transferable: They can typically be used only by the initial passenger.

Expiration Date: Spirit Reservation Credits also usually expire, commonly after one year from the time they were issued. Always review the terms and conditions of your credit.

As for Spirit Airlines cancellation fee, when you book their "Go" fares (the least expensive and usually cheapest way to go), they will keep a cancellation fee if you cancel past the 24-hour mark and in cases of bookings made on or after February 5, 2025. The amount varies depending on how near departure you cancel:

60+ days before you leave: No charge

31-59 days before you leave: $59

7-30 days before you leave: $79

0-6 days before you leave: $99

Though, it's noteworthy that Spirit has now modified these, and for their higher-fare levels such as "Go Savvy," "Go Comfy," and "Go Big," there is neither a Spirit Airlines change fee nor a cancellation charge. This implies if you've booked one of these packages, you're most likely to get the entire value of your reservation in the form of a Reservation Credit if you cancel beyond the 24-hour mark.

When Spirit Cancels Your Flight: A Different Story

If Spirit Airlines is forced to cancel your flight, Spirit Airlines refund policy takes on a very different face. In these situations, you are eligible for a full refund to your original payment method, even if your ticket was not refundable. Spirit can also rebook you on a different flight or issue travel vouchers as a gesture of goodwill. If their rebooking choices are not what you want, you can refuse and demand a full refund.

"Cancel For Any Reason" and Flight Flex

Spirit Airlines also provides added options for extra flexibility:

Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR): If you buy it at the time of booking, this feature can enable you to cancel your flight 24 hours prior to departure and obtain an 80% refund of the original amount to your original payment method. The CFAR fee itself is not refundable.

Flight Flex: This option lets you change one of your flights without paying a Spirit Airlines change fee. You will still pay any difference in fare between your original and new flight, though. Flight Flex is not a full refund if canceled, but it offers flexibility for adjustments.

Key Takeaways for Spirit Airlines Cancellations

Act Quickly for a Complete Refund: Cancel within 24 hours of reservation (and at least 7 days prior to travelling) for a complete refund to your original method of payment.

Beware Credits, Not Cash (Typically): After 24 hours, anticipate a reservation credit toward future travel, particularly for "Go" fares where cancellation charges might apply.

Spirit's Cancellation is Your Refund: In the event of Spirit cancelling your flight, you're usually eligible for a complete cash refund.

Consider Add-ons: "Cancel For Any Reason" or "Flight Flex" may provide greater flexibility, but know their exact terms. 

Conclusion

Airline cancellation policies can be tricky, but knowing the finer points of Spirit Airlines cancellation policy will allow you to make informed choices and prevent avoidable financial losses. Always carefully check the exact terms and conditions of your ticket at the time of booking.