Spirit Flight Delay Compensation: What to Know - NerdWallet (2024)

There’s little worse than a flight delay (except for maybe a flight cancellation), especially when you’re supposed to be kicking off a relaxing vacation or traveling for a time-sensitive special event. Unfortunately, delays happen. Increasingly frequently, it would seem.

If it happens to you and you’ve booked with Spirit Airlines, here’s what to know about Spirit flight delay compensation, including what to expect from the airline and how to proceed.

5 things to know about Spirit delayed flight compensation

1. In some cases, Spirit will try to rebook you on another Spirit flight

If your flight is delayed, the airline may attempt to rebook you on another Spirit flight if one is available. But only in the case of what the airline calls a “schedule irregularity.” That means:

The rebooking will be free as long as it’s to your original destination, but Spirit doesn’t partner with any other airlines, so only Spirit flights are on the table.

2. Spirit may offer a refund or travel credit in some circ*mstances

If your flight was delayed by at least two hours or canceled and the new schedule no longer works for you, you may have the option to request a refund or a credit for future travel on Spirit.

If you haven’t flown any segments yet, you can request a refund for the whole trip. If you’re currently at your destination and trying to return home, just the unused portion (the return trip cost) will be refunded.

3. You can request a refund in several ways

If you do need to request a refund for a delayed Spirit flight, you can do so one of three ways:

4. You’ll only be reimbursed for expenses in specific cases

Does Spirit compensate for delayed flights? That depends. If your flight was delayed, Spirit won’t likely reimburse you for meals, entertainment, lounge passes or any other expenses you accrue during your delay.

The only exception is if your flight is rescheduled for the next day and you’re in the middle of your trip, as in, you’re not in the city where your flight originated. If that’s the case — and the delay or cancellation was controllable (i.e. not weather-related) — Spirit may provide accommodation or a refund for “reasonable” costs. It'll also provide transportation to the hotel if there isn’t a shuttle or reimbursem*nt for transportation.

The airline says it'll provide meal vouchers for participating airport restaurants in the event of a delay that’s at least three hours, but again, only if the delay is due to causes within Spirit's control.

5. Consider using your credit card’s trip delay insurance

Mant travel credit cards come with some sort of trip protection, including flight delay insurance. So if Spirit won’t or isn’t able to provide the services or rescheduled flight that you need (like in the event of a weather delay), check to see if your credit card will.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, for example, offers up to $500 in expenses not reimbursed by the airline for things like food and lodging, but only if your flight is delayed overnight or for longer than 12 hours. Remember, you must have paid for your airfare with the card in order to enjoy these benefits.

If your credit card doesn’t come with trip delay insurance, consider purchasing travel insurance on your next trip.

Spirit Airlines delayed flight compensation recapped

If your Spirit flight has been delayed, stay calm. There may be rebooking options available for disrupted flight schedules, you may be able to request a refund if you don’t want to wait to take the delayed flight and the airline may cover some expenses in the case of an extended or overnight delay.