Spirit says "Lower fares generally available at the airport."
Feb 23, 2012, 8:04 pm
#16
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MYR
Programs: spirit elite, MRgold Hilton Gold
Posts: 454
$40 on a $200 dollar fare is a decent amount of money. For some of us, its no different than driving to the store to buy something rather than order it online. The savings is in the shipping. I understand it doesnt make sense for some people. But for those of use who live close to the airport and can get free parking it makes sense. For the record I have status on US Airways but if its significantly cheaper I will fly on Spirit and drive to the airport to get the fare. You can avoid the wait in line, if you know when the flights leave.
Feb 26, 2012, 8:57 pm
#17
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: LAX
Programs: WN A-List
Posts: 1,020
Feb 26, 2012, 8:59 pm
#18
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MYR
Programs: spirit elite, MRgold Hilton Gold
Posts: 454
correct, however its on my way home, and I get 20 minutes of free parking. So in certain cases I would agree, but In my case it takes no more time or energy than taking out the computer and going to the website.
Feb 26, 2012, 9:49 pm
#19
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: TPA,DTW
Posts: 254
I've purchased Spirit tickets three times at the Tampa airport now. It's on my way home from work, and I get an hour of free parking...just did this again Friday night in fact and saved $70 for 15 minutes of my time, maybe $70 bucks isn't much for you but I like saving money wherever I can.
Mar 1, 2012, 9:11 am
#21
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,337
Question: Does anyone know if you can purchase tickets at the Spirit gate? I'm flying AA out of DFW next week, so I'll be dropping bags off at another terminal. It's easier to get between terminals on the other side of security using the RailLink, so buying tickets at the gate would be better than the TC.
Mar 1, 2012, 11:59 am
#22
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: TPA,DTW
Posts: 254
Question: Does anyone know if you can purchase tickets at the Spirit gate? I'm flying AA out of DFW next week, so I'll be dropping bags off at another terminal. It's easier to get between terminals on the other side of security using the RailLink, so buying tickets at the gate would be better than the TC.
When I have bought tickets at the counter I've found many of the agents are not trained in how to do a simple ticket purchase, in fact last week the station manager came out to actually do the purchase in their system as he tried to train two employees. Purchasing just three tickets at the counter took 15 minutes. With that being said and DFW being a relatively new station, I'd be worried they may not have the man-power so to speak to get everything ready pre-flight and also do your ticket purchase at the gate. Though ymmv.
Good luck and I hope someone has a definitive answer for you. Either way please let us know what you try and your experience.
Mar 12, 2012, 1:01 pm
#23
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,337
Was able to buy my Spirit ticket at the gate after they completed boarding a flight. Fare was the same as online MINUS the PUC and DOT Unintended Consequence Fee which ended up being a savings of $38+ RT.
I just went online and noticed the GA screwed up my address and it says I need to contact Spirit about my ticket. Its not allowing me to buy checked bags yet, so the address or something else is causing an error. Regardless, still worth it to buy at the airport if you aren't going out of your way. This will be my first time on Spirit and its $200 cheaper with 1 bag RT and NS compared to WN which requires one stop.
I just went online and noticed the GA screwed up my address and it says I need to contact Spirit about my ticket. Its not allowing me to buy checked bags yet, so the address or something else is causing an error. Regardless, still worth it to buy at the airport if you aren't going out of your way. This will be my first time on Spirit and its $200 cheaper with 1 bag RT and NS compared to WN which requires one stop.
Mar 13, 2012, 1:47 pm
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Anywhere I need to be.
Programs: OW Emerald, *A Gold, NEXUS, GE, ABTC/APEC, South Korea SES, eIACS, PP, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 16,046
$40 on a $200 dollar fare is a decent amount of money. For some of us, its no different than driving to the store to buy something rather than order it online. The savings is in the shipping. I understand it doesnt make sense for some people. But for those of use who live close to the airport and can get free parking it makes sense. For the record I have status on US Airways but if its significantly cheaper I will fly on Spirit and drive to the airport to get the fare. You can avoid the wait in line, if you know when the flights leave.
I will just take AA and book on GDS/on AA.com
And I also don't like how crowded the Canada Line is.
Mar 13, 2012, 1:51 pm
#25
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,429
EmailKid, on the fence about giving NK a shot
Mar 14, 2012, 9:56 am
#27
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,337
Online only. I don't believe they have access to those fare codes at the airport. Thus the $9 club is another "weight the benefit of $9 club vs. buying at airport." In essence, are you going to fly enough and use the $9 club savings through fares and reduced baggage fees to offset what you can save by not being in the club and booking at the airport (if that's not a hassle)? YMMV.
Mar 15, 2012, 10:08 am
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Anywhere I need to be.
Programs: OW Emerald, *A Gold, NEXUS, GE, ABTC/APEC, South Korea SES, eIACS, PP, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 16,046
Mar 22, 2012, 12:19 am
#29
Join Date: May 2005
Location: MIA/SJU/MCO
Programs: AA LT PLT; DL GLD, UA nothing, B6 Mosaic; Emerald Club Executive
Posts: 3,331
Mar 29, 2012, 6:02 pm
#30
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 1
1) There are guarantees. You don't have to pay the Passenger Usage fee at a MINIMUM... may save even more - as I did. Also, I called the airline and they told me the amount I'd save. 2) When my sister (she's closer) got to the airport to purchase flight, it was WAY cheaper than what I was quoted and online. Apparently, at the airport, the price was even less than the listed $9 FARE CLUB price without being a member. (Thus, I don't recommend joining). TOTALLY worth it IF you or someone you know lives near the airport.
Can doubt it if you want... but $100 in my pocket sure feels great!!!